A Voice Like Mine

by Deb Haaland

New Mexico 2026 gubernatorial frontrunner, organizer, congresswoman, and former cabinet secretary Deb Haaland shares her story, offering a powerful and personal look at what it means to be “the first.”

Nothing about Deb Haaland’s upbringing or family history set her up for a life of the first Native American woman elected to chair a state political party in the United States; one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress; the first Native American to serve in a presidential cabinet. Yet Haaland has embraced every opportunity, knowing that each step forward lifts up those who are too often left out of the conversation.

A 35th-generation New Mexican and member of the Pueblo of Laguna, Haaland has lived a remarkable life shaped by poverty, alcoholism, and single parenthood. After a late but meteoric rise in politics, she stepped down from her cabinet position as Secretary of the Interior in January 2025 and is now running for Governor of New Mexico in the 2026 election.

In A Voice Like Mine—titled after Haaland’s congressional campaign slogan, “Congress has never heard a voice like mine”—she shares the personal history that shaped her courage to organize, run for office, and lead. She tells the stories that have defined her life in politics and beyond, from her grandfather’s cornfield, where she learned the importance of hard work and care for the earth, to the oak-paneled halls of Washington, D.C. Throughout her journey, Haaland has drawn on her heritage in her activism and service, leading with humility, purpose, and a commitment to “leave the ladder down” for those who follow.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Politics, Biography, Indigenous, Womens, Audiobook

240 pages, Hardcover

Published June 9, 2026

Reviews

[Victoria Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was extremely excited to receive an ARC of “A Voice Like Mine.” When I saw that Deb Haaland had written a memoir, I immediately requested the copy. I had not followed her career up until she was working in the Biden administration, but I remember being incredibly excited to see her be nominated to head the Department of the Interior.

I loved reading about her years growing up, and hearing the stories of the foods her family would make together and all of the lessons that she learned in sustainability. The chapter “Soul Food” was undoubtedly my favorite. She brought life to the Puebla recipes of her youth, and even scattered a few recipes throughout the book as well. Also enjoyable to read was the story of her relationship with sobriety, and learning about what made her work to get sober and maintain it.

My only complaint about this book is that I wish it was divided into three separate books. I would have loved to see a memoir of growing up in Puebla culture, a memoir of her sober journey, and a memoir of her life as Secretary of the Interior. She has lived such a complex life that I think having plenty of time to delve into each of her experiences would have been so fascinating to read. As it was, I enjoyed reading all that she did write, and I just wish there had been more space for deep introspection in her experiences.

This is without a doubt a story worth reading, and I recommend checking it out from the library to anybody who loves memoirs.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for a free ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review.

[Annotations&Air · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many other early reviewers, I was thrilled to see Deb Haaland’s book and even happier to have the chance to read it in advance of publication.

I suppose the disappointment I feel is my own fault.

The book largely feels like what it probably is, a campaign piece for her gubernatorial race. It is an oversimplified narrative of a complex personal and political life.

Ms. Haaland’s approach to discussing her Indigenous heritage is clunky and often confusing. She places great emphasis on the military service of her family, yet fails to acknowledge the obvious parallels between her father’s role in occupying Vietnam and his family’s role as immigrant colonizers.

She conducts quick and unclear analyses of her own traumas with odd attributions. There are pages dedicated to recipes and discussing how chores are completed, yet her movement through her formative college years when her politics were developing are glossed over. These could all be failures in editing, which only the final copy will show.

I will support her campaign but the book is not the voice it could have been. Thank you to Henry Holt for the opportunity to review.

[Gary Anderson]

Before becoming the first Native American cabinet secretary in U.S. history, Deb Haaland's fascinating life began as the daughter of a Pueblo Indian mother and a second-generation Norwegian father. Raised in the military, Haaland moved a lot and attended many different schools, all while maintaining roots in New Mexico’s Native American culture.

The first half of A Voice Like Mine is Haaland’s recounting of her life before public office. After childhood, she became an expert cook, marathon runner, poet, single mother, and political organizer. The second half of the book describes how her activism led to being elected to Congress twice, followed by appointment as Secretary of the Interior under President Biden. Deb Haaland is currently the leading candidate for Governor of New Mexico.

Beyond her resume, Haaland’s story shows how core values of family, hard work, respect for nature, and cultural connections served her in times of personal struggle, politics, and public service.

The audio version of A Voice Like Mine is narrated by Deb Haaland. Haaland narrates with a conversational warmth that makes the memoir feel personal, while moments of emotion give the performance added authenticity. Haaland is a talented storyteller who lets her narrative breathe by including her poems and traditional Native recipes.

Thanks to Libro.fm for early access to this title by an important, compelling American leader.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC. . .

[Clay H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational story. Fierce activist and Interior Secretary. She will be a fantastic Governor of New Mexico. Definitely recommend.

[The Lady Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is barely 3 stars. The author wanted her voice to be heard, and I listened, but this book just wasn't written very well. It's kind of a list of memories, without going into depth about any issues or history. She did have struggles, but also had a lot of privilege - I wouldn't say she represents many Native Americans in that regard. I'll write more later, but this just wasn't great.

[Leah Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m biased but this woman rocks!

[Ashley G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredibly inspiring woman

[Steph | bookedinsaigon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Sigh. Look--not everyone needs to write a memoir. Especially public figures who are U.S. politicians, first and foremost.

Though Haaland may be the first Indigenous person to hold the position of Secretary of the Interior, she is no LandBack progressive. Instead, she is very much an Establishment Democrat: she repeatedly highlights her family history in the U.S. military and her attempts to fight for equal rights by making it easier for women to, um, join and stay in the military (Rafia Zakaria calls this "securofeminism") and thus continue to oppress and subdue people of the Global Majority. She talks about her mission to "serve the people," but does not question the fact that the very governing system she is a part of does not serve the people.

I did not finish this feeling hopeful about the future of the U.S., if the future is directed by people who believe that Obama and Hillary Clinton are the best the Democratic Party can offer. Haaland's memoir didn't tell me anything new about the field of U.S. politics, and instead feels like a box she can check off in her campaign to be elected Governor of New Mexico. If she becomes the next NM governor, I'm sure she will be better than the Republican candidate, but expect that nothing much will really change, as I don't get a sense of anything progressive in her beliefs and campaign promises.

[Meredith Pettigrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC from a Goodreads giveaway. I was excited to read it because I attend a function in which she was the speaker while she was secretary of the interior and I found her history fascinating. Good, quick read

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew little about Ms. Haaland going into this book; I knew *OF* her from her work with President Biden during his time in the White House, and enjoyed listening to her speak when she gave press conferences or spoke at meetings, so I thought this was a good way to learn more about her.

Unfortunately, this memoir, while engaging in parts [her mixed heritage is absolutely fascinating, and her love of the land is admirable], fell flat for me overall. It felt jumbled in sections [and the recipes, while fun, were an odd choice IMO as I felt it really took you out of the story], and I felt [this is just my take on how it felt as I listened] that there were sections where she had written more but it was eventually edited out and that left a less-than cohesive story. I just kept thinking that there MUST be something missing as some of the things she was writing about just never had a full end.

While some of this IS interesting, I don't feel like I know Ms. Haaland any better than before. I was expecting more and am left vaguely disappointed.

I will say that the audiobook narration is excellent. Narrated by Ms. Haaland herself, she does an excellent job telling her story and I enjoyed how the emotions flowed freely with the story [her laugh is genuinely contagious and I found myself chuckling along with her at times]. Even though the book wasn't a huge hit with me, I am sure others will really enjoy it and I can honestly fully recommend this excellent audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley, Deb Haaland, Henry Holt & Company and Macmillan Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really excited to see A Voice Like Mine as an ARC option, particularly because Deb Haaland has always had a really distinct voice for this time in American politics.
I appreciated that Haalands voice stayed intentional and direct throughout the story, how her heritage stayed with her throughout her wins and losses, through her communications with her constituents, and in how she takes her next steps. Speaking of next steps, it does feel a little bit like this whole book is laying groundwork for her next run, and it might be, but I don’t think I mind that so much. Even if this is groundwork, her platform, history, and the way she creates accessibility for a marginalized community that has never had that, is something to be rewarded, acknowledged, and highlighted.
The pacing of the book was a little all over the place and some of it went from an introspective point of view to speaking on more of a grand scale, that came off a little jarring when it would happen. Some instances of this were her struggles with alcoholism, the birth of her daughter, her divorce. We learned more about her plan and execution of running a marathon than we did about any of those.
Overall, this was a refreshing new voice in American politics and I’m here for it.
A Voice like Mine is due to be published June 9, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review. As this is an advanced copy, some

[Jackie Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memoirs are difficult for me to review as I feel hesitant to criticize someone’s life story on paper. I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. I loved hearing about Deb’s childhood living with her grandparents, their Laguna culture and even her family’s many moves as a military family. Where this book fell flat for me was when she began to talk about her political career.

This book reads as cautious and pragmatic. It seems like she is holding back on her experiences and opinions on various topics. There were many abrupt transitions, particularly pertaining to her sobriety, campaigns and political positions. It feels like much was edited out to not rock the boat too much. I imagine that if Deb Haaland were not running for governor of New Mexico, we would see her take harder stances on some of the issues that she only scrapes the surface of in this book. To the reader, the later half of this book oscillates between reading like a Thank You card, a pamphlet at a historical site, and a campaign website.

When you are someone like Deb, who has been the 1st at the table in many of the rooms she is in, you don’t have the privilege to always speak loudly and boldly. I get it. It is not as easy to rock the boat when so much is already at stake. I do hope that in the future when she retires she considers writing another book. Her voice is important and I think there is a lot more that she could say…

[Phillipsbooknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew of Deb but never knew of her story. This book was such a pleasure to be able to hear and enjoy. Deb was immensely transparent and authentic throughout the entire journey with the readers/listeners. I am so proud of Deb and everything that she has accomplished. Putting service above self is something that is truly admirable. I would highly recommend this story to any one on either side of the political spectrum.

A Voice like Mine is due to be published June 9, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.

[Paula Korelitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vivid memoir tracing how Haaland's formative years shaped the woman and leader she would become. She writes with unflinching honesty about her struggles with alcohol and two failed marriages, while charting her gradual rise through politics to make history as the first Native American presidential cabinet member, serving as Secretary of the Interior.

Woven throughout are selections of her poetry and traditional Indigenous recipes, giving the book a richly personal texture beyond the political narrative.

[Ronnica Fatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting memoir highlighting the importance of inclusion in politics, particularly the inclusion of indigenous peoples. Our country is stronger when we platform people from marginalized backgrounds.

[Olivia Dilas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, it fell short for me in so many ways. The first part was more engaging, but the further I read, the more disjointed and difficult to follow it became. Much of it also felt surprisingly surface-level, more like a collection of sanitized talking points than something genuinely personal or impactful.

There was also something about the tone that felt lacking in honesty or authenticity, though it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly why. I’m sure the author is a wonderful person and accomplished professional who has overcome significant obstacles. At the same time, she also seems to have benefited from certain privileges and access to public and community resources, and I’m not sure the book fully acknowledges that dichotomy.

By the end, I was barely powering through. What could have been a compelling and deeply personal story ultimately felt over-sanitized and strangely empty.

[Matt Heavner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great memoir - lots I didn't know about Deb Haaland's background. It made me even more hopeful that she will be the next governor of New Mexico! A really good memoir even without the latest political ambitions.

[Ashley Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I very much appreciate who Deb Haaland is and what she has done, including her public service and her commitment to her heritage and identity, this book was not my favorite "memoir-in-progress" read. It felt slightly unpolished and unfinished (and I'm not talking about the fact that she is certainly still at work). The topics wandered a bit, and the writing felt informal and conversational. Her voice does come through with strength and power, and she is undeniably a public servant who cares deeply about her people and her nation. I think I understand her better as a result of reading this book, which I suppose is the purpose of most memoirs - however, it could use further revision and organization, and her frustration with politics and specific politicians might be off-putting (to be fair, realistically who can blame her for feeling this way). She *almost* makes me want to try running again!

I look forward to hearing more from her about her time working for the U.S. Dept of the Interior, particularly as she continues her service in other ways and her grassroots organization efforts. She is a mighty force and she's definitely not done yet.

[Collin Madalena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall: 7/10. I admired the stories that Former Secretary Haaland shared throughout the book because they reflect her years of service—experience that often goes unnoticed. However, I wasn't entirely sure what the book's primary intention was. I had hoped she would spend more time discussing her experience serving in Congress and as Secretary of the Interior. Instead, much of the book focuses on her upbringing, moving across the country, taking classes, and campaigning.

I couldn't help but wonder whether the book was influenced by her current campaign for Governor of New Mexico. To me, it felt more like an opportunity to introduce readers to who she is as a person than a reflection on her time in public service (the political services years felt a bit rushed and overlooked). That isn't necessarily a criticism—just an observation worth considering.

Despite that, I would still recommend this book to others. I especially agreed with her argument that the United States has failed to uphold its treaty obligations to Native American tribes and that Native peoples deserve a meaningful voice at the decision-making table.

I look forward to seeing Former Secretary Haaland in the Roundhouse. Be fierce.

[Tabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book off of a Goodreads giveaway. I vaguely heard of Deb Haaland before I read this book, I knew who she was but really only her title, so I was looking forward to hearing more about her through her own words. “Each rising sun offers an opportunity for progress. I enjoyed the recipes included, it allowed me to imagine the bread being baked in the mud oven and the taste of the southwest. I am impressed and proud of her for discussing her alcoholism and the steps she took to become and stay sober. “… whenever we sense injustice, we should ask questions. Action flows from curiosity and our willingness to disrupt the status quo”. I was a little shocked to learn that Haaland is still paying off her student loans, but it also makes her more relatable. I’m incredibly grateful and lucky to have gone to college and not needed to obtain student loans, but I feel for all of my friends that were not so lucky and how those interest rates make it seem like a never ending debt. I loved her idea of those getting in state if they belong to a tribe. Honestly, I think that’s the least we could do after how the natives were treated throughout history by the colonists and white man government of this country. The more I read, the more I admire Haaland and her work ethic, what she stands for and who she is - and accomplishing all she did/has as a single mom. “But focusing on the positive does not excuse us from calling out the wrongs committed by those in power. We are obligated to do both”. I also loved how she never forgot where she came from or the sacrifices that her ancestors made to get her to where she is today. “… I thanked the ancestors each day for forging a path for me to journey on. I was there because of the sacrifices they had made. I was the beneficiary of their hard work and suffering, and as a result, I was obligated to work for the generations that would come after me and to ensure that even though I was the first, I would not be the last”. I loved the she was apart of 30x30 and trying to protect our land. “ Though it is uncomfortable to learn that the country you love is capable of committing such acts, the first step to justice is acknowledging these painful truths and gaining a full understanding of their impacts so that we can unravel the threads of trauma and injustice that linger”. I fully agree with her, we need to acknowledge what happened throughout history and do better today. We can all be something bigger than ourselves. Overall I loved the book and getting to know more about Haaland and all the turns she took throughout life to get her to where she is today. I truly hope New Mexico cares enough about their people to vote her in as governor in November!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an ARC via LIbrarything.

Deb Haaland became nationally known when President Biden appointed her as Secretary of the Interior, making her the first Native American to serve as secretary in the Cabinet. (Hoover’s VP, Charles Curtis, was the first Native American to serve in the Cabinet). Haaland’s memoir comes out as she is running for Governor of New Mexico, and I should tell you I hope she wins. I felt this way before I read her book.

Haaland’s memoir is not a manifesto of what she will do if elected. It’s not that. But it is not a straight forward autobiography or even memoir either. The reader learns much about her life, but more about her as a person.

There are also poetry and recipes.

Haaland’s book also deals with the effect of the residential schools on her family, placing her struggles both with inter-generational trauma and alcoholism, in wider context both in regard to the Native American/First Nations communities but also, at least in terms of alcoholism, people in general. She also clearly presents a brief history of the Laguna Pueblo in particular how outside development affected the people.

It does feel like Haaland is speaking to the reader. And the book reads as if, she wants the reader to know her as opposed to trying to recruit or convince the reader. It is clear over the course of the memoir what her passions are -running, food, family, environment. Politics too is in the book for not only does she detail working for Biden and her time as a representative, but she also talks about working on getting out the vote for Obama. That section was interesting too because she comes from a largely Republican family, a family that has been” so for quite a while. Yet, the book is not a political manifesto, it is more of “this is who I am”.

Haaland also details her determination to provide the best for her daughter as well as her realization about her daughter’s sexuality. Haaland does so well in describing her daughter’s, Somáh that I went and looked up their IMDB credits. I learned that a piece both they and their mother gifted the Obamas is on the display at the Obama library.

It would be fair to say that one might want more detail about certain things in the book. While there is much family history present, there are also jumps where family events happen and are mentioned in passing. Though to be fair, by the blow memoirs can also be dull, and Haaland’s book is not dull. That said, this is it is very readable and a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this autobiography because it was a relaxing, easy read, not a narrative that gave too much detail about specific jobs or one that tried to hide but didn’t succeed at bragging on a regular basis. I really enjoyed learning about tribal customs in New Mexico because they were introduced in a storytelling manner rather than in an instructional way. Instead of reading someone else’s interpretation of who Deb Haaland was, I really liked knowing everything described was genuine because it was told in the first person. After finishing the book, I was left with some worthwhile takeaways. I was impressed with Deb making it clear that you don’t have to born with a silver spoon in your mouth to be successful in life and that experiencing difficult years also does not mean you can’t have a successful life.

Although I admired the fact that Deb Holland was the first Native American to be chair of a state political party as well as the first Native American to serve in a Presidential Cabinet, I most admired her being unaffected by her successes. She continued to be the Deb Haaland that her friends and co-workers had always known. I REALLY admired the goals she set for herself when she served in Congress. There was no gloating about how far she had come, only full time focusing on how she could spend every minute of her day to help others – introducing legislation to combat the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women, and successfully getting a law passed that would help with economic growth in tribal communities. And what can I say about her life as a single mother? She was simply amazing! Putting this book in the hands of young women would be a gift to them since Deb Haaland is such a role model who quietly took on challenges and became successful. For those who have never visited New Mexico, learning something new about another culture (Native American) Mexico) would be one reason to read the book. If you want a break from listening to bombastic conversations in the world of government, this is the book for you. (Thank you to Henry Holt and Company publishers for sending me this book.) (I would give a rating of 4.5 if I could.)

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know those books where you finish the last page and realize the headlines barely scratched the surface? That’s exactly how I felt here.

A Voice Like Mine by Deb Haaland is published by Henry Holt and Co. Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book.

I’ll be honest—I knew who Deb Haaland was, but I didn’t really know her. I knew the big milestones. The “firsts.” The job titles. What I didn’t know was everything that came before them.

That’s the part of this memoir I connected with most.

She writes about growing up without much, raising a daughter as a single mom, struggling with alcoholism, and slowly finding her footing. None of it feels like she’s asking for sympathy. It just feels… honest. Like she’s telling you, “This is what happened,” and letting you decide what to take from it.

I also wasn’t expecting to enjoy the family stories as much as I did. The memories of her grandparents, the recipes sprinkled throughout the book, the stories about growing up in New Mexico—those ended up being some of my favorite pages. They made everything else feel grounded. Before she was making history, she was someone’s daughter, granddaughter, and mom.

One sentence I kept thinking about after I closed the book was:

“Each rising sun offers an opportunity for progress.”

There’s plenty here about public service and politics, but that’s not really what I walked away thinking about. I kept thinking about resilience. About getting knocked down, getting back up, and remembering the people who helped you along the way. I liked that she never pretends she did any of this by herself.

I think this book will mean the most to readers who love memoirs that are more personal than political. If you’re the kind of reader who likes hearing how someone’s life shaped the choices they made, this is worth picking up.

For me, it was an easy four-star read. I closed the book feeling like I’d met the person instead of the public figure, and that’s always a win.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Have you ever picked up a memoir expecting to learn about someone’s career but ended up caring much more about their life before everyone knew their name?

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited to see former Internior Secretary and (currently) a candidate for Governor of New Mexico had a book out. While I know the basics and can't vote for her, I was still excited to read her book. She could be the first Native woman to serve as a US Governor and so I was curious about the journey of someone who has been so many "firsts" and might be again.

This is a memoir that is not quite arranged chronologically but often by "topic" (her childhood, her marriage, her child, her work in politics, etc.). And I definitely learned about her: her earlier life, how she gradually begins working in politics, what drove her to run for office, etc. I did not know, for example, that she runs marathons (just not something I noticed if mentioned in her biographies) or that she divorced her second husband after realizing for herself she wanted to maintain her independence.

I think the criticisms of the book are slightly off the mark. If you're looking for a firebrand who demands the dismantling of the colonial government built on stolen land, this not that book, nor is Haaland that person. (She IS running for office after all, and the general impression I got is that this is a book aimed towards capturing as many votes as possible.) I do agree that she does not go as deeply as she could have, but again, she never came across as a gossip or agitator, etc. Plus, some topics she goes over (her struggle with alcoholism, divorce, intergenerational trauma, etc.) are perhaps not ones she would want to bare her soul about. I also did not think the writing was so great, either, but she has an interesting story.

Will this book change your mind? Nope, it is not that kind of book. Will you learn more about her? I would say yes, especially if you did not follow her especially closely earlier in her political career. Which, again, is the type of book this is. Don't expect gossip or deep details about her policy positions, etc. but rather an introduction to someone who could be the next governor of New Mexico.

Borrowed from the library and that was best for me. Wouldn't have minded if I ended up buying this, either.

[♡︎.ᐟજ⁀➴ Erie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Voice Like Mine 🌾📖
by Deb Haaland
4 thoughtful stars

Thank you to Henry Holt for the ARC 💛

There’s something very steady and intentional about A Voice Like Mine, like sitting across from someone who is telling you their story not to impress you, but to make sure you understand where they come from. 🌾

This didn’t feel like a typical political memoir to me. It felt more personal, more rooted in identity, family, and place. The early sections especially stood out. The way Haaland writes about her upbringing, her grandparents, and her connection to land and culture felt vivid and grounded. You can almost feel the warmth of those moments, the food, the history, the sense of belonging. 🍲

Here’s what stayed with me:

🌾 Her connection to her heritage feels like the backbone of the entire story, not just a detail but the reason behind everything she does
💪 There’s a quiet determination in her journey, not flashy or overdone, just consistent and deeply rooted
🪶 The storytelling is accessible and personal, making it easy to connect with her experiences
🍽️ The inclusion of food as part of her story adds a layer of culture and intimacy that I really appreciated

That said, some parts of the book felt a little abrupt. Big life moments, things like struggles, relationships, and transitions, come and go quickly without a lot of time to sit with them. I found myself wanting more depth in those areas, especially around her time in politics and her personal challenges.

The structure almost feels like snapshots instead of a fully continuous narrative. You see the moments, you understand their importance, but sometimes you want to linger a little longer.

Even with that, what comes through clearly is her resilience. Her path is not polished or perfect, and that’s part of what makes it feel honest. It’s less about a dramatic rise and more about persistence, identity, and showing up again and again.

A thoughtful, grounded memoir that centers voice, heritage, and the quiet strength it takes to keep moving forward. ✨

[Alan Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the start, I knew this is not just any political memoir. Deb Haaland comes from a unique background as an Indigenous person, and she definitely makes that identity a core part of her career, and by extension, this book. I always recommend first-person narratives written by people who have many things to teach us about the place they're from, the experiences they've been through and the features that make them unique, and this memoir is no exception. I really liked the storytelling, the detailed and selfless focus on members of her family and people important in her life and the reflections about how the world around her works from a Native American perspective. The book also has a big (and relatively unexpected) focus on food, which I understand is an important part of many cultures and lives including hers, although I personally got a bit disengaged after the second or third recipe, although I understand they're there to further her claims and storytelling. The writing style is very good, simple enough to be very accessible while also being detailed and informative, as it should, and it was very easy to get to know Haaland on a much more personal level through her memoir, which in my opinion is almost impossible through most other storytelling means or just by watching her on the media.

But what I probably appreciate the most about this book is that it highlights Haaland's hard work and achievements while not being an eccentric, over the top, cliche, zero-to-hero kind of memoir — there are too many of those out there already. Of course I'm always very wary of political memoirs, especially when they're published right before an election where the author is running; the information on the pages must always be taken with a grain of salt regardless of how progressive the candidate is. But I don't know, this one felt pretty honest.

[Lara Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised to receive an ARC from Henry Holt, and it came at the perfect time. This week, I will be attending a gubernatorial forum with the candidates for governor here in New Mexico.

Deb Haaland is not your typical politician. She is not loud or showy. She is a strong Native American woman who keeps with the traditions of her heritage. Listening, feeding, nurturing, strengthening, in tune with nature and the wisdom of indigenous people.

She talks a lot about visiting the reservations to encourage the people there to register to vote, while listening to their concerns. She feeds people throughout her life, whether it is a job, volunteer work, or social gathering, she knows food brings people together. And she includes traditional recipes! She knows the value of keeping those she loves and cares for close, including raising her daughter with the help of those people. She goes back to her connection with the earth often, including stories of the marathons she ran. There are poems.

She doesn't shy away from disappointments in her life. She is resilient and able to pivot to something new.

Some of the chapters ended abruptly and were not chronological or referred back to previous times in a way that didn't flow for me.

Her husband tells her she is an alcoholic after getting two dwis. It hadn't occurred to her. Then she stopped drinking. End of story. She is pregnant and gives birth days after graduating from college. No discussion about that either. She got married and divorced with very little discussion.

These days, politicians are not very popular figures. It is gratifying to know that there are folks who are willing to fight for what they believe in, not for accolades, but because they believe it's the right thing to do. Haaland's quiet resolve is refreshing.

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Henry Holt Books for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! #HoltInfluencerProgram
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Deb Haaland is many things: New Mexico 2026 gubernatorial frontrunner, former congresswoman, former Secretary of the Interior, an organizer, and a mother; and in many of these roles, she’s often been “the first.” In her memoir, Haaland describes how her upbringing and family history weren’t exactly what others think of being the “traditional” path for politicians. This path has included poverty, addiction, and single parenthood, but she has demonstrated how she has centered the voices of the indigenous community as a 35th generation New Mexican and member of the Pueblo of Laguna. She’s continuing to break barriers, and leaving the ladder down for those who follow.

It feels SO wonderful to post this the week after Haaland won the Democratic primary in New Mexico’s race for governor, positioning her to be the first ever Native American woman to serve as governor. She ran for Congress with the slogan, “Congress has never heard a voice like mine,” and this memoir is the perfect opportunity for all of us to learn more about the voice behind her meteoric, and overly due, rise in politics. Haaland leaves no stone unturned in her journey, and I sincerely appreciated her openness about her identities, addiction, history, and struggles. It’s an unforgettable journey, and I look forward to the world listening to her voice for many years to come.

Reviewed as part of an #ARC from the publisher.

Read this book if you:
🗳️ cried ugly tears at Haaland’s primary victory
🏛️ dream of being a political pundit
🎈have ever visit the beautiful state of New Mexico

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[Jerry Edward Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deb Haaland is a many generation native New Mexican. Her heritage and family identity are strongly tied the Pueblo of Laguna, located near Albuquerque, a community dating back to about 1699. She has also been in New Mexico and national politics for many years. She is, most notably, the first Native American to serve in a presidential cabinet as Secretary of the Interior in the Biden administration. In this new book, Haaland relates the stories that have defined her family life and her activism in American politics. She also writes of grinding poverty, of facing and overcoming significant personal, social, and family problems, and of the genuine accomplishment upon reaching these national offices. This book is really both memoir and autobiography. Throughout her journey, Haaland has drawn on her family heritage in defining her social activism and service. She finds her values, her perspective and her whole work a major benefit coming from her Pueblo life. She also learned to lead with humility, purpose, and a real commitment to “leave the ladder down” for those who follow. And, finally, her strong attachment to the land encouraged her commitment to succeed as Secretary of the Interior. Haaland is a generally progressive Democrat. She represented much of Albuquerque and its suburbs in the Congress. She is presently campaigning for governor of New Mexico in the 2026 election cycle. This book is a testament to the ability of one individual to accomplish great things. Highly recommended for the reader interested in learning more of the personalities who seek to serve America in national and state leadership roles.