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Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery
From California Governor Gavin Newsom comes an intimate and poignant account of identity, belonging, and the defining moments that inspired a life in politics
“Go slow,” his political elders advised him, but Gavin Newsom has never known such a speed. For Newsom, the California Dream is what lured his father’s family from County Cork, Ireland, six generations ago. His great-great-grandfather, a cop, walked a beat in San Francisco, where almost 150 years later, Newsom would be elected as mayor, running on the values instilled in him by his family that California’s open arms must continue to extend to each new generation.
Newsom has never lived anywhere but California. Born in San Francisco, his parents divorced at a young age, and his childhood was spent being tugged between two his mother worked three jobs in order to care for her children while his father, a close friend of the Getty family, brought Newsom into San Francisco society, a world of wealth and connections. The dissonance was frustrating, and made all the more difficult because of undiagnosed dyslexia, but the vantage point was he inherited his mother’s perseverance and his father’s reverence of California, not only its wildness, but its opportunity.
In Young Man in a Hurry, Newsom traces the forces that have defined his ambitions as a politician and have pushed him to outpace the nation on myriad cutting-edge social issues that have since entered the mainstream. As mayor of San Francisco, he made waves when he violated state law in order to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, more than ten years before the Supreme Court made such unions legal. He launched bold efforts to counter climate change, improve mental health care, and enhance gun safety, and worked to preserve the California Dream for his constituents. Elected as governor on the eve of unprecedented wildfires and entering office into immediate hyper-partisan headwinds from Washington, DC, Newsom has constantly and consistently stuck his neck out. Here for the first time, he reflects on the long personal journey that ultimately shaped him into one of the most recognizable and accomplished elected officials in America. Filled with intimate family history and written with candor and remarkable personal insight, here is a deeply resilient California story of identity, belonging, and the defining moments that inspired a life in politics.
“Go slow,” his political elders advised him, but Gavin Newsom has never known such a speed. For Newsom, the California Dream is what lured his father’s family from County Cork, Ireland, six generations ago. His great-great-grandfather, a cop, walked a beat in San Francisco, where almost 150 years later, Newsom would be elected as mayor, running on the values instilled in him by his family that California’s open arms must continue to extend to each new generation.
Newsom has never lived anywhere but California. Born in San Francisco, his parents divorced at a young age, and his childhood was spent being tugged between two his mother worked three jobs in order to care for her children while his father, a close friend of the Getty family, brought Newsom into San Francisco society, a world of wealth and connections. The dissonance was frustrating, and made all the more difficult because of undiagnosed dyslexia, but the vantage point was he inherited his mother’s perseverance and his father’s reverence of California, not only its wildness, but its opportunity.
In Young Man in a Hurry, Newsom traces the forces that have defined his ambitions as a politician and have pushed him to outpace the nation on myriad cutting-edge social issues that have since entered the mainstream. As mayor of San Francisco, he made waves when he violated state law in order to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, more than ten years before the Supreme Court made such unions legal. He launched bold efforts to counter climate change, improve mental health care, and enhance gun safety, and worked to preserve the California Dream for his constituents. Elected as governor on the eve of unprecedented wildfires and entering office into immediate hyper-partisan headwinds from Washington, DC, Newsom has constantly and consistently stuck his neck out. Here for the first time, he reflects on the long personal journey that ultimately shaped him into one of the most recognizable and accomplished elected officials in America. Filled with intimate family history and written with candor and remarkable personal insight, here is a deeply resilient California story of identity, belonging, and the defining moments that inspired a life in politics.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2026
725 people are currently reading
2942 people want to read
About the author
Gavin Newsom
10 books58 followersGavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician. He currently serves as the 40th Governor of California, elected to office in 2019, after serving as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of California from 2011 to 2019 and as the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011, the city's youngest mayor in 100 years. In addition to his political career, Newsom is an entrepreneur and the founder of the PlumpJack wine store, which grew into the PlumpJack Group, managing over 20 businesses, including wineries, restaurants, and hotels. Newsom was born and raised in and around San Francisco and attended Santa Clara University. He currently resides in Fair Oaks, California, with his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and their four children. Newsom was diagnosed as a child with dyslexia, which continues to affect him as an adult and was the driving force behind his debut children's picture book, Ben and Emma's Big Hit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
March 6, 2026
First and foremost, I am not a Californian. I went into this memoir knowing almost nothing about Gavin Newsom. With all the speculation about Gavin potentially making a run for the presidency in 2028, my interest piqued with the release of his memoir.
At its core, Young Man in a Hurry is a fascinating portrait of an ambitious man who had to learn to adapt to any difficult situation thrown his way quickly. Gavin recounts his younger days as well as his deep seeded generational San Francisco roots. He discusses his struggles growing up with a single mom and his difficulties in academia due to being dyslexic. And yes, he goes into detail about his rise in politics, his father’s connection to the wealthy Getty family, and how he struggled to come into his own without the inherent privilege.
This memoir is such a breath of fresh air. Unlike most politicians' memoirs, Gavin was very candid and went into great detail about his political failures, shortcomings, and regrets. His brutally honest discussion on his divorce and the scandal that followed was so refreshing. I also appreciated how Gavin didn't use this memoir as an opportunity to badmouth or speak negatively of his political rivals.
However, I did feel that Gavin’s attempt to portray himself as just a regular everyday American man missed the mark. The fact that he had a very privileged life that was intertwined with many influential and uber wealthy Californians, is impossible to overlook. But overall, I did enjoy learning more about the potential upcoming presidential candidate and I think a lot of readers will as well.
I listened to the audiobook which is read by the author. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format!
Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery by Gavin Newsom was published on February 24 so it's available now. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook
At its core, Young Man in a Hurry is a fascinating portrait of an ambitious man who had to learn to adapt to any difficult situation thrown his way quickly. Gavin recounts his younger days as well as his deep seeded generational San Francisco roots. He discusses his struggles growing up with a single mom and his difficulties in academia due to being dyslexic. And yes, he goes into detail about his rise in politics, his father’s connection to the wealthy Getty family, and how he struggled to come into his own without the inherent privilege.
This memoir is such a breath of fresh air. Unlike most politicians' memoirs, Gavin was very candid and went into great detail about his political failures, shortcomings, and regrets. His brutally honest discussion on his divorce and the scandal that followed was so refreshing. I also appreciated how Gavin didn't use this memoir as an opportunity to badmouth or speak negatively of his political rivals.
However, I did feel that Gavin’s attempt to portray himself as just a regular everyday American man missed the mark. The fact that he had a very privileged life that was intertwined with many influential and uber wealthy Californians, is impossible to overlook. But overall, I did enjoy learning more about the potential upcoming presidential candidate and I think a lot of readers will as well.
I listened to the audiobook which is read by the author. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format!
Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery by Gavin Newsom was published on February 24 so it's available now. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook
May 7, 2026
“To tell a good story, you had to live a good life, and to live a good life, you had to engage with worlds different from your own.”
For many Californians, Gavin Newsom has been a familiar presence—serving as Governor for the past eight years, and before that as Lt. Governor. Some of us have also followed him even earlier, when, as Mayor of San Francisco, he took a bold stand in advancing marriage equality.
Others may know him for his sharp, often provocative social media presence—at times veering into satire and pointed political critique—positioning himself as a prominent voice of opposition to Trump. That visibility has fueled ongoing speculation about his national ambitions, including a possible 2028 presidential run.
I’ll admit upfront that I may not be the most neutral reader here. I’ve long appreciated Newsom’s leadership style—his accessibility, his willingness to engage directly, and what I see as a genuine attentiveness to the needs of Californians. Especially during a period marked by deep political gridlock and what felt, at times, like an uncooperative federal response. I found his approach both pragmatic and reassuring. That perspective inevitably brightened my view of him and how I read his story.
Whatever the reader’s perspective of Gavin Newsom, this memoir is unmistakably his story. Yet it also reads as something broader—a reflection on his deep devotion to our state of California itself.
Newsom writes candidly about his tenure as Governor, shaped by overlapping crises: a global pandemic, intensifying climate pressures marked by drought and wildfires, and what he describes as the rise of authoritarian threats to democratic norms. In that context, he emerges as a leader navigating extraordinary circumstances under relentless public scrutiny.
What makes the memoir particularly engaging is not just the recounting of political milestones, but the more personal elements. He opens up about his struggles with dyslexia, his upbringing in a divorced family, early ventures in business, and the persistent sense of being an outsider despite privilege.
Just as captivating is his devotion to his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and their four children—an aspect of his life that clearly grounds him and helps shape both his priorities and his perspective on public service. These reflections add dimension, revealing both ambition and vulnerability.
Co-written with Mark Arax, the narrative carries a reflective tone, balancing policy and personality, success and setback. It’s a portrait of a complex figure—one who invites both admiration and criticism.
Not everyone will come away a fan. But for readers interested in leadership, resilience, and the evolving political landscape of California, this is a thoughtful and compelling read—one that earns its four stars through both candor and scope.
For many Californians, Gavin Newsom has been a familiar presence—serving as Governor for the past eight years, and before that as Lt. Governor. Some of us have also followed him even earlier, when, as Mayor of San Francisco, he took a bold stand in advancing marriage equality.
Others may know him for his sharp, often provocative social media presence—at times veering into satire and pointed political critique—positioning himself as a prominent voice of opposition to Trump. That visibility has fueled ongoing speculation about his national ambitions, including a possible 2028 presidential run.
I’ll admit upfront that I may not be the most neutral reader here. I’ve long appreciated Newsom’s leadership style—his accessibility, his willingness to engage directly, and what I see as a genuine attentiveness to the needs of Californians. Especially during a period marked by deep political gridlock and what felt, at times, like an uncooperative federal response. I found his approach both pragmatic and reassuring. That perspective inevitably brightened my view of him and how I read his story.
Whatever the reader’s perspective of Gavin Newsom, this memoir is unmistakably his story. Yet it also reads as something broader—a reflection on his deep devotion to our state of California itself.
Newsom writes candidly about his tenure as Governor, shaped by overlapping crises: a global pandemic, intensifying climate pressures marked by drought and wildfires, and what he describes as the rise of authoritarian threats to democratic norms. In that context, he emerges as a leader navigating extraordinary circumstances under relentless public scrutiny.
What makes the memoir particularly engaging is not just the recounting of political milestones, but the more personal elements. He opens up about his struggles with dyslexia, his upbringing in a divorced family, early ventures in business, and the persistent sense of being an outsider despite privilege.
Just as captivating is his devotion to his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and their four children—an aspect of his life that clearly grounds him and helps shape both his priorities and his perspective on public service. These reflections add dimension, revealing both ambition and vulnerability.
Co-written with Mark Arax, the narrative carries a reflective tone, balancing policy and personality, success and setback. It’s a portrait of a complex figure—one who invites both admiration and criticism.
Not everyone will come away a fan. But for readers interested in leadership, resilience, and the evolving political landscape of California, this is a thoughtful and compelling read—one that earns its four stars through both candor and scope.
Currently Reading
February 18, 2026Young Man In a Hurry is an eye-opening memoir by a politician who writes like a Pulitzer prize winning writer. I haven't finished the pre-publication copy I received, totally by surprise, in the mail. What I have read displays an individual who is open, frank, and candid about his rough early years, and the loving support from his mother. His list of humane political legislative victories to the present would be a victory for a politician twenty years his senior. This is a wonderful read, filled with human interest details that far outpace politics.
As the governor says-- it was 150 years from Policeman to Politician, as he remarks on his great-great-grandfather, a policeman. The fact that my mother's father came from Cork, has nothing to do with my positive review. Gavin Newsome's work is truly praiseworthy.
Prof. Doug Flaherty
As the governor says-- it was 150 years from Policeman to Politician, as he remarks on his great-great-grandfather, a policeman. The fact that my mother's father came from Cork, has nothing to do with my positive review. Gavin Newsome's work is truly praiseworthy.
Prof. Doug Flaherty
April 9, 2026
Before reading this memoir I knew very little about Gavin Newsom outside of his role as Governor of California. I enjoyed learning more about him in Young Man in a Hurry.
Newsom experienced two different realms of life once his parents divorced — His single mom struggling to make ends meet, and on his dad’s side, the close friendship with the Getty family, affording him some access and connections. He built a successful wine shop before getting into politics and serving as mayor of San Francisco prior to becoming CA governor.
I appreciate Newsom’s acknowledgement of mistakes he’s made, personally and professionally. The writing of Young Man in a Hurry ends prior to 2025, so the California wildfires of early last year are not referenced — I would’ve been interested to see how he addressed this.
I admire Newsom’s energy and ambition, his willingness to take risk, and to push back against the delusion in Washington.
Newsom experienced two different realms of life once his parents divorced — His single mom struggling to make ends meet, and on his dad’s side, the close friendship with the Getty family, affording him some access and connections. He built a successful wine shop before getting into politics and serving as mayor of San Francisco prior to becoming CA governor.
I appreciate Newsom’s acknowledgement of mistakes he’s made, personally and professionally. The writing of Young Man in a Hurry ends prior to 2025, so the California wildfires of early last year are not referenced — I would’ve been interested to see how he addressed this.
I admire Newsom’s energy and ambition, his willingness to take risk, and to push back against the delusion in Washington.
February 28, 2026
“Young Man in a Hurry,” for a political memoir, is actually quite interesting. Where the book does well is Newsom detailing how he is a broken man coming from broken people. It is the story of life. We are all crooked, broken people trying to love our crooked and broken neighbors.
Where the book falls flat is in Newsom’s insecurity in confronting his own immense privilege. He paints his success as something of grit and courage, when it is also, in part, who his family knew — whether Newsom wants to admit it or not.
I admire the vulnerability in Newsom to write this book. But it is clear there is still vanity within the man, and the myth he is attempting to create.
Where the book falls flat is in Newsom’s insecurity in confronting his own immense privilege. He paints his success as something of grit and courage, when it is also, in part, who his family knew — whether Newsom wants to admit it or not.
I admire the vulnerability in Newsom to write this book. But it is clear there is still vanity within the man, and the myth he is attempting to create.
February 27, 2026
The Great Gavini! I wished there were more pages. Excellent writing. I was enthralled throughout. It was funny and witty and raw. I cannot say enough how much I loved this book! Gavin, please be our next president!
March 1, 2026
For having struggled with dyslexia for most of his life, Gavin Newsom has a rare command of the English language. This book is spectacularly written, and is an insight into a life that has honed Newsom into a formidable political powerhouse. I opened this book not knowing anything about Newsom save that President Trump hates him and Newsom’s social media team is absolutely brilliant with their trolling of the president. So I was surprised by the Getty connection, and the stark contrast of his split home and life as a child. That resonated with me, being a kid who floated between abject poverty with my single mother and upper-middle-class with my father, and spent weeks of my summers surrounded by the trappings of wealth and pomp that came with my paternal grandmother. It’s definitely two different worlds, and seeing how that shaped Newsom was illuminating. I’ve never devoured a nonfiction book so fast in my life, and I have a masters in history with a 130-page thesis under my belt.
March 24, 2026
Having been a resident of California for the past 40 years, I have witnessed Newsom's rise but was surprised to learn that he first regarded himself as a businessman, not a politician. For someone so seemingly at ease in the spotlight, he is generous with disclosure of his challenges. Very impressive.
March 1, 2026
As a life long Californian who voted for Gavin Newsom for both Lt. Governor and Governor, I wanted to read this books to better understand his story. People have stories, and the decisions they make come from the history of their story. You learn about his relationships with his mother and father. You learn about his connection to prominent families in the bay area but not because he himself was rich. In fact Newsom comes from humble beginnings. As a human being if our heart is in the right place, the decisions we make end up being good for other human beings. In a state of 40 million people, the largest state in the union, the most diverse state in the union, and the 4th largest economy in the world, it would be a miss for Newsom not to run for President. He has the most experience of any candidate running by far.
It's worth the read especially if you are a Californian. What comes across to me in this book, is how proud Newsom is of being a Californian.
It's worth the read especially if you are a Californian. What comes across to me in this book, is how proud Newsom is of being a Californian.
February 26, 2026
His writing skills are apparently as bad as his self proclaimed reading skills. What a bore…
March 5, 2026
So much I didn’t know about Gavin Newsom! This is his newly released memoir that covers his personal and political life from childhood to his role as the current governor of California. I snagged a signed copy last weekend after attending a talk he gave in the City. His wife Jen was there, his kids, current mayor Dan Lurie, former mayor Willie Brown, and Paul Pelosi, among others.
What struck me most about the book is that Newsom has lived a very interesting life. His early life feels like two completely different childhoods happening simultaneously. On the one hand, he describes a troubled upbringing. He was largely raised in San Francisco by a single mother, with a somewhat absent father, and struggled academically due to dyslexia. At the same time, he had extraordinary access to wealth and influence through his close relationship with the Getty family (the family patriarch, J. Paul Getty, was an oilman and once the richest man in the world). Newsom’s father was a close friend and lawyer to Gordon Getty, and Gavin grew up around the Getty children. People sometimes mistook him as the “5th Getty kid.”
That family friendship exposed him to a world few people ever experience. He traveled on private jets, wore designer suits, and met famous people most people only read about. Through that relationship he encountered hugs from Luciano Pavarotti, partied with Jack Nicholson, and even met anthropologist Mary Leakey while on a safari trip to Tanzania.
Newsom presents himself as someone determined to build something of his own. He attended Santa Clara U on a partial baseball scholarship. Afterwards, he turned toward entrepreneurship. His early ventures included the PlumpJack wine shop and the Balboa Cafe, among others.
This book doesn’t really gloss over his many shameful mistakes. He has a lot to answer for, namely his first marriage to Kimberly Guilfoyle, that ridiculous photo shoot, and his affair with his close friend’s wife. What in God’s name was he thinking? I'm not sure he knows. He admits mistakes. And I can respect that.
Family remains central throughout the book. His relationships with his parents and his sister appear repeatedly, especially when discussing his fathers own political aspirations, and the death of his mother. In 2002, after battling cancer, she chose to end her life on a Thursday with family and close friends by her side. I'm not so sure this was legal at the time, a fact that Gavin seems to gloss over. (That said, he did support and sign end-of-life/assisted suicide in 2016 as governor, making it legal in California.)
Politically, a defining moment of his political career was his decision as mayor of San Francisco to marry same-sex couples in 2004. At the time, the move was controversial even amongst Democrats who viewed it as politically reckless (and possibly political suicide). At the Democratic convention that year, Obama declined to be photographed with him, and Dianne Feinstein said it contributed to John Kerry losing the presidency that year. In my mind, it reads as a moment of genuine, courageous leadership. And it WAS the right thing to do.
By the end of the book, the picture that emerges is complicated. Newsom is clearly ambitious and shaped by extraordinary access to privilege, but also marked by personal struggles, and very real public mistakes. However, I can't help but like the guy. I very much enjoyed the book and loved learning more about him and his family. If he runs, I will support him 100%.
What struck me most about the book is that Newsom has lived a very interesting life. His early life feels like two completely different childhoods happening simultaneously. On the one hand, he describes a troubled upbringing. He was largely raised in San Francisco by a single mother, with a somewhat absent father, and struggled academically due to dyslexia. At the same time, he had extraordinary access to wealth and influence through his close relationship with the Getty family (the family patriarch, J. Paul Getty, was an oilman and once the richest man in the world). Newsom’s father was a close friend and lawyer to Gordon Getty, and Gavin grew up around the Getty children. People sometimes mistook him as the “5th Getty kid.”
That family friendship exposed him to a world few people ever experience. He traveled on private jets, wore designer suits, and met famous people most people only read about. Through that relationship he encountered hugs from Luciano Pavarotti, partied with Jack Nicholson, and even met anthropologist Mary Leakey while on a safari trip to Tanzania.
Newsom presents himself as someone determined to build something of his own. He attended Santa Clara U on a partial baseball scholarship. Afterwards, he turned toward entrepreneurship. His early ventures included the PlumpJack wine shop and the Balboa Cafe, among others.
This book doesn’t really gloss over his many shameful mistakes. He has a lot to answer for, namely his first marriage to Kimberly Guilfoyle, that ridiculous photo shoot, and his affair with his close friend’s wife. What in God’s name was he thinking? I'm not sure he knows. He admits mistakes. And I can respect that.
Family remains central throughout the book. His relationships with his parents and his sister appear repeatedly, especially when discussing his fathers own political aspirations, and the death of his mother. In 2002, after battling cancer, she chose to end her life on a Thursday with family and close friends by her side. I'm not so sure this was legal at the time, a fact that Gavin seems to gloss over. (That said, he did support and sign end-of-life/assisted suicide in 2016 as governor, making it legal in California.)
Politically, a defining moment of his political career was his decision as mayor of San Francisco to marry same-sex couples in 2004. At the time, the move was controversial even amongst Democrats who viewed it as politically reckless (and possibly political suicide). At the Democratic convention that year, Obama declined to be photographed with him, and Dianne Feinstein said it contributed to John Kerry losing the presidency that year. In my mind, it reads as a moment of genuine, courageous leadership. And it WAS the right thing to do.
By the end of the book, the picture that emerges is complicated. Newsom is clearly ambitious and shaped by extraordinary access to privilege, but also marked by personal struggles, and very real public mistakes. However, I can't help but like the guy. I very much enjoyed the book and loved learning more about him and his family. If he runs, I will support him 100%.
February 26, 2026
He did have help writing this book, but it is his story. I enjoyed it - seemed truthful and not too much puffery.
March 12, 2026
Gavin Newsom’s recent memoir serves as a strategic national introduction as he reaches his term limit as Governor. By centering his narrative on his severe dyslexia and his mother’s financial struggles, he uses personal vulnerability as a political tool. This builds a relatable underdog brand for a potential presidential or senate run. However, this highlights a disconnect for those living under his administration, where his polished national image often clashes with a lack of measurable outcomes in areas like homelessness.
The core issue is not a lack of empathy for his childhood hardships but the omission of his "glass floor." While Newsom faced real learning and career hurdles, he did so within the orbit of the Getty dynasty. His father’s deep ties to oil tycoons provided a level of social capital that ensured he could never truly fail. This elite patronage functioned as a booster rocket for his multimillion dollar businesses and his rapid political ascent.
Ultimately, there is a perceived arrogance in framing his success as a bootstraps story. While his struggles were real, they were buffered by a luxury safety net unavailable to the average person. By focusing on the struggle while downplaying the structural privilege that caught him, the narrative feels less like an honest autobiography and more like a calculated maneuver to bridge the gap between his elite reality and the everyday voter.
The core issue is not a lack of empathy for his childhood hardships but the omission of his "glass floor." While Newsom faced real learning and career hurdles, he did so within the orbit of the Getty dynasty. His father’s deep ties to oil tycoons provided a level of social capital that ensured he could never truly fail. This elite patronage functioned as a booster rocket for his multimillion dollar businesses and his rapid political ascent.
Ultimately, there is a perceived arrogance in framing his success as a bootstraps story. While his struggles were real, they were buffered by a luxury safety net unavailable to the average person. By focusing on the struggle while downplaying the structural privilege that caught him, the narrative feels less like an honest autobiography and more like a calculated maneuver to bridge the gap between his elite reality and the everyday voter.
April 8, 2026
If you’re planning to read this to find out what makes a national figure consistently scraping to be in the headlines tick or to get insight on what he accomplished in a lifetime in public office, this is not for you. Clearly, Mr. Newsom is frustrated that he is known for living a life of privilege, but feels like he doesn’t deserve that reputation. He spends at least a hundred pages talking about the Getty connection and his distant relatives. But he spends almost none talking about what he did as mayor of San Francisco, Lt Governor and then Governor of California. He in fact spends more time talking about one trip on Air Force One with President Trump than he does about anything meaningfully done as Governor of California. I’m not sure what he is attempting to do with this book, but it does not convince you there’s intellectual depth to the man, real purpose to his electoral pursuits, or a vision. I am usually an easy review because anything that gives one a glimpse into history or why prominent people do what they do has value. This has none of that. If you want to buy this, make sure and check out ThriftBooks as there’s no reason to pay full price.
March 18, 2026
A real hell of a book — credit to excellent storytelling by the governor, who’s a great gravely narrator and the ghostwriter — that feels like Newsom tipping his hand while making it abundantly (no pun intended) clear that he’s not letting go of his poker face any time soon. I will not go so far as to say this is an honest introspection, but it is authentically humanizing and I do generally like the man at this stage in the game. He does better being himself than doing the Trump routine on Twitter, though that was a good bit for a minute. I actually really liked him on The Adam Friedland Show and his backbone is what I admire most about him. This is pretty much as good as it gets insofar as campaign faux-presidential memoirs go, but it tells you all you need to know about the Achilles heel of Newsom 2028 that he’s only the governor-elect at the beginning of the final chapter.
April 29, 2026
This book was a 3.5/5
Gavin was candid about political and personal failures and triumphs. Although the beginning of Gavin's book he shares his upcoming as an everyday average American, however, the privilege that surrounded him was very strong and present. The up brining enthralled with the Getty family did not make Gavin's appeals to everyday Americans' and the average journey that is far from the average American journey of POC's in America.
Gavin was candid about political and personal failures and triumphs. Although the beginning of Gavin's book he shares his upcoming as an everyday average American, however, the privilege that surrounded him was very strong and present. The up brining enthralled with the Getty family did not make Gavin's appeals to everyday Americans' and the average journey that is far from the average American journey of POC's in America.
March 2, 2026
I heard Newsom on Ezra Klein's podcast and was really impressed. I think there is a very good chance he will be our next president. The memoir is an easy read, and revealing, although I learned a lot more about Newsom in the podcast. His story is an odd mix of struggle and privilege, of which I'm sure we will be learning a lot more in the coming years. Track down the podcast, see if you agree with me.
March 14, 2026
Written and read by the author. Gavin Newson was there for Prop 64. He was there when he defied federal and state law to marry the first gay / lesbian couple. He was there when he revolutionized the green energy revolution. He runs the 4th largest economy... in the world. California may be flawed but under Newson's reign, he transformed it, grew it, and become the pillar of light for hope, prosperity, human rights, and the future. Gavin Newson, 48th President of the United States of America, 2028
March 20, 2026
Consumed this as an audiobook. The focus of this memoir surprised me both positively and negatively.
To look at the purpose of this book, it is to dispel the myths of Newsom as a product of a wealthy upbringing because of his father’s close association with the Oil-rich Getty family. This is more of life story detailing his struggles as a dyslexic and less of a reflection of Newsom’s political career.
Newsom is trying to show his true self to American readers before the next Presidential election but this piece is light on his work as San Francisco Mayor and Governors of California. I found myself asking whether Newsom’s strategy was to write a humanising story about his early life to attract casual readers who would be put-off by another seemingly self-aggrandising collection of political diary entries or avoid covering a two-decade governing record he worries could be attacked in a future election cycle. This question about Newsom’s intention for the book I found more interesting than the tiresome recollections of meeting with trump or detailing their late-night covering the late chapters.
This is a solid read and Newsom has a unique life-story, however he is relevant first and foremost because he is tipped to run for the Democratic nomination, many readers I feel will wonder why he didn’t start making his case in this book.
To look at the purpose of this book, it is to dispel the myths of Newsom as a product of a wealthy upbringing because of his father’s close association with the Oil-rich Getty family. This is more of life story detailing his struggles as a dyslexic and less of a reflection of Newsom’s political career.
Newsom is trying to show his true self to American readers before the next Presidential election but this piece is light on his work as San Francisco Mayor and Governors of California. I found myself asking whether Newsom’s strategy was to write a humanising story about his early life to attract casual readers who would be put-off by another seemingly self-aggrandising collection of political diary entries or avoid covering a two-decade governing record he worries could be attacked in a future election cycle. This question about Newsom’s intention for the book I found more interesting than the tiresome recollections of meeting with trump or detailing their late-night covering the late chapters.
This is a solid read and Newsom has a unique life-story, however he is relevant first and foremost because he is tipped to run for the Democratic nomination, many readers I feel will wonder why he didn’t start making his case in this book.
March 9, 2026
Annoying that his mom taught him how to swing a bat good enough he went to college, but then when he’s reflecting on not having enough time to teach his kids baseball he neglects to remember she made time while being a single mom with 4 jobs. That part was the most sad to me.
March 8, 2026
Booorrriinnggg. This book is more about other people than about himself, no idea what he actually stands for, aside from that he doesn't want homelessness, but who does, and he's governor of CA and it's worse than ever. Josh Shapiro's book is SO much better!
April 16, 2026
Say what? Pulled a package from my mailbox last month which turned out to be this book. Gift from a friend? Campaign finance gimmick? Who knows? But I gave it a read and it turned out to be quite well done.
My primary initial criteria for a political candidate is that they be a decent human being and he certainly qualifies on that point. The book covers in detail his personal challenges in dealing with dyslexia and the trials and tribulations in his life. Interesting contrast with the entry via his father who was friends with the Getty family to the world of the rich and his exposure to that side of life, in contrast to his own life with his mother working 3 jobs to support the family. I enjoyed his story of his successful entrepreneurial efforts and his political history. It has been awhile since I lived in northern California, lived fairly close to his current neighborhood, and worked in San Francisco so the jog down memory lane was a bit of a treat.
One thing I admire about his approach to problems is the businesslike manner he uses - analyze the problem, develop multiple solutions, analyze those to pick a course of action and have fallback alternatives should things not go as planned. (As they rarely do.) Much better than the "ready, fire, aim" approach taken by too many government officials these days. I also appreciate his concern for solving the problems of the have nots and his concern for the rights of others and the creative and often unorthodox methods he uses to get results.
Should he manage to make it to the national stage I would have no problem voting for him, but again, due to my independent ways, it will depend on the issues and the proposed solutions.
Still, an excellent read, a human tale, even for those with no interest in politics. I suppose I will at least contribute the book cost to his national campaign. If he gets that far, it should be interesting indeed.
My primary initial criteria for a political candidate is that they be a decent human being and he certainly qualifies on that point. The book covers in detail his personal challenges in dealing with dyslexia and the trials and tribulations in his life. Interesting contrast with the entry via his father who was friends with the Getty family to the world of the rich and his exposure to that side of life, in contrast to his own life with his mother working 3 jobs to support the family. I enjoyed his story of his successful entrepreneurial efforts and his political history. It has been awhile since I lived in northern California, lived fairly close to his current neighborhood, and worked in San Francisco so the jog down memory lane was a bit of a treat.
One thing I admire about his approach to problems is the businesslike manner he uses - analyze the problem, develop multiple solutions, analyze those to pick a course of action and have fallback alternatives should things not go as planned. (As they rarely do.) Much better than the "ready, fire, aim" approach taken by too many government officials these days. I also appreciate his concern for solving the problems of the have nots and his concern for the rights of others and the creative and often unorthodox methods he uses to get results.
Should he manage to make it to the national stage I would have no problem voting for him, but again, due to my independent ways, it will depend on the issues and the proposed solutions.
Still, an excellent read, a human tale, even for those with no interest in politics. I suppose I will at least contribute the book cost to his national campaign. If he gets that far, it should be interesting indeed.
March 25, 2026
I find it fascinating the topics that Newsom chose to focus on (specifically his family and the Getty family). There is definitely an angle he is trying to present, and I don’t know if this was the right direction for his potential candidacy. Overall there is a solid acknowledgement of mistakes, if not still a bit of ego.
April 23, 2026
This memoir was fine and this guy is fine. I didn’t know a lot about him except hearing him speak at the DNC. He had a pretty privileged life but doesn’t seem like an evil person. Spent a lot of time about suffering from dyslexia.
March 4, 2026
*Audiobook on Spotify Premium*
4.5 stars, if I could.
Learning about Gavin Newsom’s heritage, the more private moments and struggles, his come up, hard work, his values and family moments was something that translated across the pages to the reader well. I loved listening to him narrate his own words, hearing emotion, his famous inflection and pauses when speaking, all made it more powerful. He opened up about past wrongs, lessons learned, shared his side of the store all with the desire of laying it bare and writing down his past for his kids. I’m interested to see what comes next for him. 🫢👀
4.5 stars, if I could.
Learning about Gavin Newsom’s heritage, the more private moments and struggles, his come up, hard work, his values and family moments was something that translated across the pages to the reader well. I loved listening to him narrate his own words, hearing emotion, his famous inflection and pauses when speaking, all made it more powerful. He opened up about past wrongs, lessons learned, shared his side of the store all with the desire of laying it bare and writing down his past for his kids. I’m interested to see what comes next for him. 🫢👀
March 18, 2026
I have to admit, that I have never before in my life been even slightly tempted to read a biography from a politician. Politics is something that was not discussed in the home, made little sense to me in the news, and I had no interest in until I was entering middle age, when for the first time in my life, I registered to vote as a Democrat. I was not ignorant of history but found nothing interesting about 'important people' and could not give you a list of celebrity names that was very long, or sports stars or any of that. It's like some switch goes off in me, and if you've got yours, then you don't need me!
Obviously things change, and the meaning of coalition gains in value when you realize how hard it is to get anything good done, and how malevolent some forces can be about making life harder for people, so with times as they are, I decided to take an interest in this specially targeted governor we have here in California, the first I can think of who had a major city invaded, so to speak, by a political militia just to overstep his authority, and clearly a tactic like none we'd seen in my lifetime. So who was this person, that they took so much trouble to disrespect? What does our government fear in asking this man permission, before deploying his Nat'l Guard? What was really going on?
The book was easy to speed read, so I suspect he dictated it. Like many of us, I get a lot of news from short videos, discussions, and clips, and reading the rare article, there's so much going on it's hard to follow something like a political career unless you really cared to. I've mostly heard he was a party guy, owned a wine shop, and then I had my impressions of him from clips - seemed real intense, maybe lacked a sense of humor, did his hair like an Angeleno, but was from our other country-sized northern half which was a whole other world.
This is my impression of him after his memoir. He does have a sense of humor. He also has a learning disability that did nothing to prevent him from obtaining culture and a poetic sense. This is rare, so the book is candid, very confessional, hiding little even though it is a brief account. The difficulty of walking between people of wealth and reputation, and having a home life that was very much humble next to that and separate. It would make any kid self-conscious. He remembers things with an emotional memory, I can relate to that, and I think he has genuine human feelings and is probably not a sociopath like most successful politicians. He is close to women and considers their perspectives, he is cautious about how others perceive him, but drops his guard when he's relaxed. He probably shouldn't drink, but his story is profoundly unfamiliar in that it is about being Irish and Catholic and from a proudly drinking family. I only saw the drinking part at home, without the story and culture of Irishness, but I can tell he loves the good Celtic traditions, of being able to tell a story, to quote a poet, to have empathy for the needy, to respect character before reputation.
The first half of the book is a story of a young man who is not bitter, who knows his good fortune, who grew up in a magical zen paradise called Marin - even in L.A. we'd heard about this mystical place. From there, you'd expect him to be either stuck up, or a big hippy, but I think caught between worlds caused him to be more everyman, and it suits him. He doesn't need to lean on his disability for cred, but it adds to his being genuinely humble I believe. His childhood gave him a passport to travel between worlds, and I think he knows the value of it. I wanted to ask him, reading the first half, isn't it so good to be a kid, so that the adults will let you wander around and observe them? He enjoyed being in different settings, that's a mark of empathy too.
I can't imagine the burden of leading a gigantic state like this one, in normal times. The pressures, the dangers, the sheer noise... I think just living through that and not losing your mind is an accomplishment. I think Newsom enjoyed being a Californian, knew the privilege of a liberal upbringing (I'm jealous of that), that in many ways we taste a sweeter side of reality, and if only the others knew it, the world would be more stable. He made me think a little harder about the compromises that take place, starting in childhood memories with a little bragging about having mildly established gangster roots, clearly relishing the lingo the Irish brought to us. I was surprised by this opening admission, but I don't know a thing about San Francisco's history so I assume it was already out there. It's actually comforting to read about the legacy of 'socially responsible' gangsters, and I'm tempted to recommend this might be a play for play card to counter the selfish, me-first gangsterism that is up there in the white house now, starting frivolous wars and hiding terrible secrets.
Mr. Newsom made me think about compromise, and what a weird generation we are. I forget, after living and working for decades with such free minded people, that just as far back as college days, gay marriage was illegal and considered political death as a topic by both parties! I forget there are so many democrats that are bigots too, I mean it should be more obvious to me why I rejected political parties as a kid as pointless, since everyone seemed afraid to do the most noble thing. And how uncertain a political party can seem, in the reality of power. He worked with George W. Bush, big money was spent on trying to cancel homelessness, and that was an unexpected name drop. And how he was treated as radioactive by a younger Obama, because he was supporting then illegal civil ceremonies. Obama didn't want to be photographed next to him, he thought the issue was too toxic and would make insecure Republicans out of swing voters. I love a radical centerist, I've come to realize as I get older. That's where the real work gets done. No reason not to demand the sky and the earth for equality in our heart, but it's coalitions make the laws happen, and maybe he saw the near future was ready for it. I was surprised to learn that Schwarzenegger also fought him on gay marriage, I mean, huh? So life by strategy, it seems to render party politics into something very unreal. The practical choice is often at odds with the platform and its promise, and it's things like this I think that have stolen some of the Democrat's thunder in the past. Not delivering in high ideals, because they have to make some pretty low, across the table deals. Obama changed his mind once in power, and helped make gay marriage happen, and that is one of the most important human rights events of this century. So respect to Newsom on that, for being realistic for his constituents, place them before strategy.
Then, at the end of the book, the whole tone of the thing changes. We go from an exotic Irish San Franciscan life of booze and schmoozing and humble endeavors in business and office, to natural disasters and Trump. The last chapter reads like a train wreck. Who is this person? Why does he lie so much? Why is he interfering with my enormous responsibility? He doesn't even politic about it - you just get this whiplash at the end, with Trump's attack on California, on its people, all of it is way more psycho than he expected after meeting the guy, and it caused more damage to the state than we realize. It cost the public here an enormous amount of money! He doesn't tear into the president, but he gives his initial impressions - vain, petty, and a boylike crudeness towards women. He reflects on Jerry Brown, who'd never flown in Airforce One, to being on a private plane where Trump places one rare artwork at a time, to show off a Renoir he bragged was worth ten million. That was proven to be a fake!
Can't tell much from a short book like this, but I can say this. I am very relieved to say he has a sense of humor, and I hope he leans on that if he is chosen to run, puts more of that into the rest of what he's got, which is plenty tough enough. No acting needed. He doesn't read his speeches, a huge advantage in this dreary, impotent knot of a government we've got now. If he can work some of his natural humor up onto the podium (and forgive me if I just haven't seen it, I can only take in so much information), he's a much better formula of a person. Beyond this, Newsom is inherently humbled by life, and has genuine respect for art. One shouldn't have to be so severely tested, during disasters of unusual severity, by someone on the 'home team' and he's plainly troubled by that, but doesn't dwell on it in the book, so there's more to him than a person driven by competition, that's important to me. Trump flashes art like he's showing off a watch, and then he turns around and censors it, and punishes culture organizations, and insults the humanities with his name in some mystery pissing contest with the Kennedys. So Newsom knows art, and Trump does not, and this is highly encouraging.
Obviously things change, and the meaning of coalition gains in value when you realize how hard it is to get anything good done, and how malevolent some forces can be about making life harder for people, so with times as they are, I decided to take an interest in this specially targeted governor we have here in California, the first I can think of who had a major city invaded, so to speak, by a political militia just to overstep his authority, and clearly a tactic like none we'd seen in my lifetime. So who was this person, that they took so much trouble to disrespect? What does our government fear in asking this man permission, before deploying his Nat'l Guard? What was really going on?
The book was easy to speed read, so I suspect he dictated it. Like many of us, I get a lot of news from short videos, discussions, and clips, and reading the rare article, there's so much going on it's hard to follow something like a political career unless you really cared to. I've mostly heard he was a party guy, owned a wine shop, and then I had my impressions of him from clips - seemed real intense, maybe lacked a sense of humor, did his hair like an Angeleno, but was from our other country-sized northern half which was a whole other world.
This is my impression of him after his memoir. He does have a sense of humor. He also has a learning disability that did nothing to prevent him from obtaining culture and a poetic sense. This is rare, so the book is candid, very confessional, hiding little even though it is a brief account. The difficulty of walking between people of wealth and reputation, and having a home life that was very much humble next to that and separate. It would make any kid self-conscious. He remembers things with an emotional memory, I can relate to that, and I think he has genuine human feelings and is probably not a sociopath like most successful politicians. He is close to women and considers their perspectives, he is cautious about how others perceive him, but drops his guard when he's relaxed. He probably shouldn't drink, but his story is profoundly unfamiliar in that it is about being Irish and Catholic and from a proudly drinking family. I only saw the drinking part at home, without the story and culture of Irishness, but I can tell he loves the good Celtic traditions, of being able to tell a story, to quote a poet, to have empathy for the needy, to respect character before reputation.
The first half of the book is a story of a young man who is not bitter, who knows his good fortune, who grew up in a magical zen paradise called Marin - even in L.A. we'd heard about this mystical place. From there, you'd expect him to be either stuck up, or a big hippy, but I think caught between worlds caused him to be more everyman, and it suits him. He doesn't need to lean on his disability for cred, but it adds to his being genuinely humble I believe. His childhood gave him a passport to travel between worlds, and I think he knows the value of it. I wanted to ask him, reading the first half, isn't it so good to be a kid, so that the adults will let you wander around and observe them? He enjoyed being in different settings, that's a mark of empathy too.
I can't imagine the burden of leading a gigantic state like this one, in normal times. The pressures, the dangers, the sheer noise... I think just living through that and not losing your mind is an accomplishment. I think Newsom enjoyed being a Californian, knew the privilege of a liberal upbringing (I'm jealous of that), that in many ways we taste a sweeter side of reality, and if only the others knew it, the world would be more stable. He made me think a little harder about the compromises that take place, starting in childhood memories with a little bragging about having mildly established gangster roots, clearly relishing the lingo the Irish brought to us. I was surprised by this opening admission, but I don't know a thing about San Francisco's history so I assume it was already out there. It's actually comforting to read about the legacy of 'socially responsible' gangsters, and I'm tempted to recommend this might be a play for play card to counter the selfish, me-first gangsterism that is up there in the white house now, starting frivolous wars and hiding terrible secrets.
Mr. Newsom made me think about compromise, and what a weird generation we are. I forget, after living and working for decades with such free minded people, that just as far back as college days, gay marriage was illegal and considered political death as a topic by both parties! I forget there are so many democrats that are bigots too, I mean it should be more obvious to me why I rejected political parties as a kid as pointless, since everyone seemed afraid to do the most noble thing. And how uncertain a political party can seem, in the reality of power. He worked with George W. Bush, big money was spent on trying to cancel homelessness, and that was an unexpected name drop. And how he was treated as radioactive by a younger Obama, because he was supporting then illegal civil ceremonies. Obama didn't want to be photographed next to him, he thought the issue was too toxic and would make insecure Republicans out of swing voters. I love a radical centerist, I've come to realize as I get older. That's where the real work gets done. No reason not to demand the sky and the earth for equality in our heart, but it's coalitions make the laws happen, and maybe he saw the near future was ready for it. I was surprised to learn that Schwarzenegger also fought him on gay marriage, I mean, huh? So life by strategy, it seems to render party politics into something very unreal. The practical choice is often at odds with the platform and its promise, and it's things like this I think that have stolen some of the Democrat's thunder in the past. Not delivering in high ideals, because they have to make some pretty low, across the table deals. Obama changed his mind once in power, and helped make gay marriage happen, and that is one of the most important human rights events of this century. So respect to Newsom on that, for being realistic for his constituents, place them before strategy.
Then, at the end of the book, the whole tone of the thing changes. We go from an exotic Irish San Franciscan life of booze and schmoozing and humble endeavors in business and office, to natural disasters and Trump. The last chapter reads like a train wreck. Who is this person? Why does he lie so much? Why is he interfering with my enormous responsibility? He doesn't even politic about it - you just get this whiplash at the end, with Trump's attack on California, on its people, all of it is way more psycho than he expected after meeting the guy, and it caused more damage to the state than we realize. It cost the public here an enormous amount of money! He doesn't tear into the president, but he gives his initial impressions - vain, petty, and a boylike crudeness towards women. He reflects on Jerry Brown, who'd never flown in Airforce One, to being on a private plane where Trump places one rare artwork at a time, to show off a Renoir he bragged was worth ten million. That was proven to be a fake!
Can't tell much from a short book like this, but I can say this. I am very relieved to say he has a sense of humor, and I hope he leans on that if he is chosen to run, puts more of that into the rest of what he's got, which is plenty tough enough. No acting needed. He doesn't read his speeches, a huge advantage in this dreary, impotent knot of a government we've got now. If he can work some of his natural humor up onto the podium (and forgive me if I just haven't seen it, I can only take in so much information), he's a much better formula of a person. Beyond this, Newsom is inherently humbled by life, and has genuine respect for art. One shouldn't have to be so severely tested, during disasters of unusual severity, by someone on the 'home team' and he's plainly troubled by that, but doesn't dwell on it in the book, so there's more to him than a person driven by competition, that's important to me. Trump flashes art like he's showing off a watch, and then he turns around and censors it, and punishes culture organizations, and insults the humanities with his name in some mystery pissing contest with the Kennedys. So Newsom knows art, and Trump does not, and this is highly encouraging.
Read
March 30, 2026Really interesting and refreshingly honest. I've read a lot of politician memoirs and this one strikes a very different tone.
March 25, 2026
Even though I'm one who likes Newsom I can't help but to find this pretty bland and standard for the "I wanna be president!" memoir. The book is called Young Man in a Hurry and it really does feel like we are running though his life. I would have loved to hear more about his time as mayor or governor but he breaks those years down into highlight reels that last a chapter each. I get he is trying to position himself as the "Dem who fights back" and I like that but if I'm a random moderate reading this book I just don't think it makes me change my mind on him. If on the off chance I'm reading this wrong and it really is meant to be a heartfelt story and memoir on his life and not part of the political game I wish he really did focus on his struggles more. It's really hard for him to draw this line between being a normal guy and also mentioning every famous name and person under the sun every few paragraphs and I felt it detracted from the narrative. In the end while I see a lot of potential in this book I really wanted more out of it and wanted to see something I had not seen before.
March 4, 2026
I’ll preface this review with the fact that I like our gov and I’d ideally like to see a Newsom/AOC ticket in 2028, even though after 2024 I have my doubts about another CA candidate succeeding on a national scale. It’s clear this book is marketing him as a standout for 2028. Personally, I think his podcast/interviews/press conferences move the needle more. As charismatic as he is “in person”, it didn’t quite translate on the page.
The first three chapters of this book were painfully boring. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to finish reading this book, even though I’d waited months for it to be published. Newsom’s inability to fully confront his privilege will lose him the election if he runs, and it’s mind boggling and beyond frustrating that he cannot admit it. When you have your summer vacations, a business, etc backed by the Getty family- even if you live a middle class life the rest of the time- you are privileged. Americans across the country can’t afford healthcare, housing, food- basic human rights- to cosplay as someone who understands their daily struggle is an insult, and they know it. Living in CA to begin with, as he suggests in the epilogue, is a privilege at this point. Acknowledge your privilege, focus on the fact that the system is broken, and move on with how you will fix it, or you will lose.
We’ve seen that running on the “at least I’m not that crazy guy” platform doesn’t work. Attacking his record, character, etc will not move the needle in the least, so the focus needs to be on platforming specific policies Americans want and highlighting the experience needed to follow through on these promises. The chapters that focused on the challenges governing through the geographical diversity of CA and fiscal weight of the state, but generally succeeding anyway, were some of the stronger parts of the book. The defiance of supporting LGBTQ+ right to marriage despite the circumstances was powerful. Learning about Homeward Bound and other efforts to meet the unhoused where they are and get them back on their feet- while still an issue in CA, for the reasons outlined that I wholeheartedly agree with- was a highlight. Focusing on platforms to expand these interventions at scale, that is where he could win over moderates, a handful of disillusioned 3 timers, and keep dem focus.
And if he truly wants to walk the walk as a “Dems Dem” that he frequently touts himself as in this book- assuming the votes exist after 2028- codify Roe instead of using that as a bargaining chip for elections the way Dems did for decades, even when they had the executive and legislative branches, which ultimately cost women across the US their right to autonomy. Codify Obergefell. Stop ping ponging back and forth on progress already made in the past and move forward towards platforms people actually want in our futures.
The first three chapters of this book were painfully boring. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to finish reading this book, even though I’d waited months for it to be published. Newsom’s inability to fully confront his privilege will lose him the election if he runs, and it’s mind boggling and beyond frustrating that he cannot admit it. When you have your summer vacations, a business, etc backed by the Getty family- even if you live a middle class life the rest of the time- you are privileged. Americans across the country can’t afford healthcare, housing, food- basic human rights- to cosplay as someone who understands their daily struggle is an insult, and they know it. Living in CA to begin with, as he suggests in the epilogue, is a privilege at this point. Acknowledge your privilege, focus on the fact that the system is broken, and move on with how you will fix it, or you will lose.
We’ve seen that running on the “at least I’m not that crazy guy” platform doesn’t work. Attacking his record, character, etc will not move the needle in the least, so the focus needs to be on platforming specific policies Americans want and highlighting the experience needed to follow through on these promises. The chapters that focused on the challenges governing through the geographical diversity of CA and fiscal weight of the state, but generally succeeding anyway, were some of the stronger parts of the book. The defiance of supporting LGBTQ+ right to marriage despite the circumstances was powerful. Learning about Homeward Bound and other efforts to meet the unhoused where they are and get them back on their feet- while still an issue in CA, for the reasons outlined that I wholeheartedly agree with- was a highlight. Focusing on platforms to expand these interventions at scale, that is where he could win over moderates, a handful of disillusioned 3 timers, and keep dem focus.
And if he truly wants to walk the walk as a “Dems Dem” that he frequently touts himself as in this book- assuming the votes exist after 2028- codify Roe instead of using that as a bargaining chip for elections the way Dems did for decades, even when they had the executive and legislative branches, which ultimately cost women across the US their right to autonomy. Codify Obergefell. Stop ping ponging back and forth on progress already made in the past and move forward towards platforms people actually want in our futures.
April 4, 2026
I felt that there was too much superficial background history given and not enough depth to more current events and his time in office.
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