The Art of Power: My Story as America's First Woman Speaker of the House

The Art of Power: My Story as America's First Woman Speaker of the House

Nancy Pelosi

4.03(4086 readers)
The most powerful woman in American political history tells the story of her transformation from housewife to House Speaker how she became a master legislator, a key partner to presidents, and the most visible leader of the Trump resistance.

When, at age forty-six, Nancy Pelosi, mother of five, asked her youngest daughter if she should run for Congress, Alexandra Pelosi answered: ';Mother, get a life!' And so Nancy did, and what a life it has been.

InThe Art of Power, Pelosi describes for the first time what it takes to make history not only as the first woman to ascend to the most powerful legislative role in America, but to pass laws that would save lives and livelihoods, from the emergency rescue of the economy in 2008 to transforming health care. She describes the perseverance, persuasion, and respect for her members that it took to succeed, but also the joy of seeing America change for the better. Among the best-prepared and hardest-working Speakers in history, Pelosi worked to find common ground, or stand her ground, with presidents from Bush to Biden.

She also shares moving moments with soldiers sent to the front lines, women who inspired her, and human rights activists who fought by her side.

Pelosi took positions that established her as a prophetic voice on the major moral issues of the day, warning early about the dangers of the Iraq War and of the Chinese government's long record of misbehaviour. This moral courage prepared her for the arrival of Trump, with whom she famously tangled, becoming a red-coated symbol of resistance to his destructive presidency. Here, she reveals how she went toe-to-toe with Trump, leading up to January 6, 2021, when he unleashed his post-election fury on the Congress.

Pelosi gives us her personal account of that day: the assault not only on the symbol of our democracy but on the men and women who had come to serve the nation, never expecting to hide under desks or flee for their lives and her determined efforts to get the National Guard to the Capitol. Nearly two years later, violence and fury would erupt inside Pelosi's own home when an intruder, demanding to see the Speaker, viciously attacked her beloved husband, Paul. Here, Pelosi shares that horrifying day and the traumatic aftermath for her and her family.

Publisher

Simon & Schuster

Publication Date

8/6/2024

ISBN

9781668048047

Pages

352

Categories

PoliticsHistoryLaw

About the Author

Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi is the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Before being elected Speaker in the 110th Congress, she was the House Minority Leader from 2003 to 2007, holding the post during the 108th and 109th Congresses.

Since 1987, she has represented the 8th Congressional District of California, which consists of four-fifths of the City and County of San Francisco. The district was numbered as the 5th during Pelosi's first three terms in the House.

Nancy Pelosi is the first female Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. She is also the first Italian-American and first Californian to serve as Speaker. She is the second Speaker from a state west of the Rocky Mountains, with the first being Washington's Tom Foley, who was the last Democrat to hold the post before Pelosi. As Speaker of the House, Pelosi is second in the line of presidential succession, following Vice President Joe Biden, which makes her the highest-ranking female politician in United States history.

Questions & Answers

Nancy Pelosi's faith and personal values have deeply shaped her political career and leadership style. Her Catholic faith informs her commitment to human rights, emphasizing respect for the divinity in every person. This belief has driven her to fight for human rights globally, including in China, Darfur, and Tibet. Her core values, rooted in the Gospel of Matthew, prioritize serving the vulnerable, particularly children, which has been a central focus of her leadership. Pelosi's "why" in public service is to improve the lives of children, reflecting her dedication to social justice and compassion. Her leadership style is collaborative, with a focus on consensus-building and inclusivity, reflecting her values of unity and service. Her resilience and determination, honed by her faith and values, have allowed her to navigate the challenges of her career with integrity and effectiveness.

Nancy Pelosi faced numerous challenges and critical decisions during her tenure as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Key challenges included navigating the 2008 financial crisis, leading the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and responding to the January 6 Capitol attack.

For the financial crisis, Pelosi convened a meeting of key leaders to address the crisis, pushing for legislation to stabilize the economy. She advocated for the ACA, overcoming opposition and ensuring its passage, which was a significant victory for healthcare reform. During the Capitol attack, Pelosi demonstrated resilience and leadership, ensuring the House's response and advocating for justice.

She navigated these challenges by maintaining bipartisanship, leveraging her respect for colleagues, and demonstrating strategic foresight and quick decision-making. Pelosi's ability to unite her caucus and work across the aisle was instrumental in her success.

Nancy Pelosi's approach to leadership and governance has significantly contributed to the transformation of the U.S. political landscape and the Democratic Party. As Speaker of the House, she has been a champion for progressive policies, fostering bipartisanship while advocating for human rights and social justice

Nancy Pelosi has witnessed and addressed several significant global and domestic challenges during her tenure in Congress. On the global front, she has been deeply involved in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, advocating for the implementation of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations to improve national security. She has also been a vocal advocate for human rights in China, particularly in the wake of the Tiananmen Square massacre, and has faced the

Nancy Pelosi's personal life significantly influenced her political career and leadership. Her deep commitment to her family, especially her children, shaped her focus on children's issues, which became a central part of her public service. Her mother's wish for her to become a nun instilled a strong sense of faith and morality, which she believes has guided her priorities, like her commitment to human rights. Her experience as a mother of five and her role as Speaker of the House have been deeply intertwined, with her dedication to children's well-being reflecting her personal values. Additionally, the traumatic attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi, and the subsequent political violence she witnessed have fueled her advocacy for an end to political violence and her defense of democracy. Her resilience and determination in the face of these challenges have also contributed to her leadership style.

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