by Kristi Noem
First published 2024
Kristi Noem entered politics as a rancher and mother, not a career politician. As South Dakota's governor and former congresswoman, she witnessed Washington's broken systems firsthand. Noem argues that typical political solutions involving more spending and programs miss the mark. She presents an insider's view of how government actually operates, drawing from her experience leading South Dakota through major challenges. The book details her unconventional path to public service and explains why the Republican party cannot return to its 2000s version. Noem shares specific stories from Congress and the governor's office, identifying individuals by name. She outlines how citizens can drive real change despite Washington's dysfunction. Her perspective as an outsider who became an insider offers readers practical insights into political reform. The book connects local governance lessons to national opportunities, showing how positive transformation happens when leaders take different approaches to public service.
Genres: american, political-science, politics, biography-memoir, 21st-century
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: insider-view, outsider-perspective
Setting: South Dakota, Washington
Period: 21st-century
272 pages · Hardcover · Center Street