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Reclaiming Her Time: The Power of Maxine Waters
In the tradition of Notorious RBG, a lively, beautifully designed, full-color illustrated celebration of the life, wisdom, wit, legacy, and fearless style of iconic American Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
“Let me just say this: I’m a strong black woman, and I cannot be intimidated. I cannot be undermined. I cannot be thought to be afraid of Bill O’Reilly or anyone.”—Maxine Waters
To millions nationwide, Congresswoman Maxine Waters is a hero of the resistance and an icon, serving eye rolls, withering looks, and sharp retorts to any who dare waste her time on nonsense. But behind the Auntie Maxine meme is a seasoned public servant and she’s not here to play. Throughout her forty years in public service and eighty years on earth, U.S. Representative for California’s 43rd district has been a role model, a crusader for justice, a game-changer, a trailblazer, and an advocate for the marginalized who has long defied her critics, including her most vocal detractor, Donald J. Trump. And she’s just getting started.
From her anti-apartheid work and support of affirmative action to her passionate opposition to the Iraq War and calls to hold Trump to account, you can count on Auntie Maxine to speak truth to power and do it with grace and, sometimes, sass. As ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee and one of the most powerful black women in America, she is the strong, ethical voice the country has always needed, especially right now.
Reclaiming Her Time pays tribute to all things Maxine Waters, from growing up in St. Louis “too skinny” and “too black,” to taking on Wall Street during the financial crisis and coming out on top in her legendary showdowns with Trump and his cronies. Featuring inspiring highlights from her personal life and political career, beloved memes, and testimonies from her many friends and fans, Reclaiming Her Time is a funny, warm, and admiring portrait of a champion who refuses to stay silent in the face of corruption and injustice; a powerful woman who is an inspiration to us all.
“Let me just say this: I’m a strong black woman, and I cannot be intimidated. I cannot be undermined. I cannot be thought to be afraid of Bill O’Reilly or anyone.”—Maxine Waters
To millions nationwide, Congresswoman Maxine Waters is a hero of the resistance and an icon, serving eye rolls, withering looks, and sharp retorts to any who dare waste her time on nonsense. But behind the Auntie Maxine meme is a seasoned public servant and she’s not here to play. Throughout her forty years in public service and eighty years on earth, U.S. Representative for California’s 43rd district has been a role model, a crusader for justice, a game-changer, a trailblazer, and an advocate for the marginalized who has long defied her critics, including her most vocal detractor, Donald J. Trump. And she’s just getting started.
From her anti-apartheid work and support of affirmative action to her passionate opposition to the Iraq War and calls to hold Trump to account, you can count on Auntie Maxine to speak truth to power and do it with grace and, sometimes, sass. As ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee and one of the most powerful black women in America, she is the strong, ethical voice the country has always needed, especially right now.
Reclaiming Her Time pays tribute to all things Maxine Waters, from growing up in St. Louis “too skinny” and “too black,” to taking on Wall Street during the financial crisis and coming out on top in her legendary showdowns with Trump and his cronies. Featuring inspiring highlights from her personal life and political career, beloved memes, and testimonies from her many friends and fans, Reclaiming Her Time is a funny, warm, and admiring portrait of a champion who refuses to stay silent in the face of corruption and injustice; a powerful woman who is an inspiration to us all.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 20, 2020
20 people are currently reading
723 people want to read
About the author
Helena Andrews-Dyer
2 books64 followersHelena Andrews-Dyer is a senior culture writer at The Washington Post. She is the author of Reclaiming Her Time as well as Bitch Is the New Black, which was optioned by Shonda Rhimes. Her work has appeared in O: The Oprah Magazine, Marie Claire, Glamour, and The New York Times, among other publications. Andrews-Dyer has appeared on ABC’s Nightline, CBS’s This Morning, CNN, MSNBC, SiriusXM, NPR, and NY1. She lives in Washington, D.C.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 2, 2020
I have a lot of admiration for Representative Maxine Waters. This book? Not so much.
While it highlights certain events in Maxine Waters' political career, there isn't much in depth discussion. It merely brushes lightly on some occasions over the years. It isn't a comprehensive look at her life or her career.
Also, it sounds like it's written for teenagers despite it purportedly being an adult book. If it was marketed as young adult nonfiction, I would perhaps be more generous with my stars.
However, it's supposedly written for adults. Supposedly. And so I'm rating it as an adult book.
The authors continuously toss out slang like they're trying to sound cool (or "spicy!") but instead sound irritating and fake. You know the middle age high school principal who tries so hard to come across as one of the gang? Yeh, that's the impression I got from these authors. Their slang words sounded forced, not natural... begging to be seen as one of the in crowd.
They also constantly bandied about entertainment references.
Here are some examples:
"The host, who has the energy of a grown ’n’ sexy Harry Potter..." (What the hell does that even mean?!)
"That last remark?” King asked, whipping around like an incredulous cast member on a Real Housewives reunion."
"The word “heard” is so strong that it comes sailing out of the screen like you’ve got 3-D glasses on."
Ridiculous!
Ms. Waters deserves better.
Another thing that annoyed me is that the font was changed to indicate which author was writing. This would be ok if it was the type of font. Instead, it was the size. Even with the font size already enlarged on my Kindle, it was far too small for me to read without straining my eyes and giving myself a migraine. However, because of how it was done, if I enlarged the font another time for those sections, it was huge, putting only a sentence or two on a page.
They couldn't have just put in italics or parentheses which author was writing, at the beginning of their sections?
One positive I can say is that the book contains some nice photographs and illustrations. If you just want a book to look at pictures, you might like this. They're tiny though so it's probably better to just Google some images of Ms. Waters instead of flipping through these pages.
If you want a serious and in-depth book about Maxine Waters though, you will need to look elsewhere. This was a waste of time.
While it highlights certain events in Maxine Waters' political career, there isn't much in depth discussion. It merely brushes lightly on some occasions over the years. It isn't a comprehensive look at her life or her career.
Also, it sounds like it's written for teenagers despite it purportedly being an adult book. If it was marketed as young adult nonfiction, I would perhaps be more generous with my stars.
However, it's supposedly written for adults. Supposedly. And so I'm rating it as an adult book.
The authors continuously toss out slang like they're trying to sound cool (or "spicy!") but instead sound irritating and fake. You know the middle age high school principal who tries so hard to come across as one of the gang? Yeh, that's the impression I got from these authors. Their slang words sounded forced, not natural... begging to be seen as one of the in crowd.
They also constantly bandied about entertainment references.
Here are some examples:
"The host, who has the energy of a grown ’n’ sexy Harry Potter..." (What the hell does that even mean?!)
"That last remark?” King asked, whipping around like an incredulous cast member on a Real Housewives reunion."
"The word “heard” is so strong that it comes sailing out of the screen like you’ve got 3-D glasses on."
Ridiculous!
Ms. Waters deserves better.
Another thing that annoyed me is that the font was changed to indicate which author was writing. This would be ok if it was the type of font. Instead, it was the size. Even with the font size already enlarged on my Kindle, it was far too small for me to read without straining my eyes and giving myself a migraine. However, because of how it was done, if I enlarged the font another time for those sections, it was huge, putting only a sentence or two on a page.
They couldn't have just put in italics or parentheses which author was writing, at the beginning of their sections?
One positive I can say is that the book contains some nice photographs and illustrations. If you just want a book to look at pictures, you might like this. They're tiny though so it's probably better to just Google some images of Ms. Waters instead of flipping through these pages.
If you want a serious and in-depth book about Maxine Waters though, you will need to look elsewhere. This was a waste of time.
August 31, 2020
Thank you to the publisher for the free review copy
This book was so informative and a joy to read! Usually biographies can be boring but the witty and engaging writing and beautiful illustrations made this a wonderful reading experience. I learned so much about Maxine from reading this book, and about her incredible career. She was busy and accomplished long before some of her recent viral moments.
The authors did an expert job of recounting some of these most iconic moments, I even had to read some parts aloud to my husband because it was just so spot on and perfect.
I noticed some years of her career were left off and not covered in chapters, which were chronological but skipped certain periods of time. This focused more on the highlights of her life and career, which probably contributed toward this book being so enjoyable to read. If it was strictly chronological over her decades long career, some parts might have dragged, so I understand the choice.
If you want to learn more about Maxine’s life and/or enjoyed R. Eric Thomas’s memoir Here For It, definitely check this one out!
This book was so informative and a joy to read! Usually biographies can be boring but the witty and engaging writing and beautiful illustrations made this a wonderful reading experience. I learned so much about Maxine from reading this book, and about her incredible career. She was busy and accomplished long before some of her recent viral moments.
The authors did an expert job of recounting some of these most iconic moments, I even had to read some parts aloud to my husband because it was just so spot on and perfect.
I noticed some years of her career were left off and not covered in chapters, which were chronological but skipped certain periods of time. This focused more on the highlights of her life and career, which probably contributed toward this book being so enjoyable to read. If it was strictly chronological over her decades long career, some parts might have dragged, so I understand the choice.
If you want to learn more about Maxine’s life and/or enjoyed R. Eric Thomas’s memoir Here For It, definitely check this one out!
March 1, 2021
”I remembered at some point deciding that I had been silenced by this need to be liked and not wanting to step on anyone’s toes or hurt anybody’s feelings. What I discovered is I really don’t care whether people like me or not. It feed me up.”
I’ll be the first to admit that I was incredibly excited to get my hands on this copy of Reclaiming Her Time: The Power of Maxine Waters after all, I am a fan of her incredible legacy and the trailblazing work that she has done over the course of several decades. However I found the book to be lukewarm at best, the “wit” advertised to be at times over the top and lacking luster, and simply a glazing over of Waters’ long list of political and personal accomplishments.
Perhaps I am not a part of the targeted audience for this book and it would be better served to those young adults who are looking to tap the surface and become familiar with Waters. I was hoping for more. The illustrations and the content were just okay.
I’ll be the first to admit that I was incredibly excited to get my hands on this copy of Reclaiming Her Time: The Power of Maxine Waters after all, I am a fan of her incredible legacy and the trailblazing work that she has done over the course of several decades. However I found the book to be lukewarm at best, the “wit” advertised to be at times over the top and lacking luster, and simply a glazing over of Waters’ long list of political and personal accomplishments.
Perhaps I am not a part of the targeted audience for this book and it would be better served to those young adults who are looking to tap the surface and become familiar with Waters. I was hoping for more. The illustrations and the content were just okay.
November 16, 2020
This was a lot of fun! It has kind of a coffee table book vibe--very easy to flip through, lots of fun pull-quotes and images. I didn't know much about Maxine Waters besides her recent meme-ing, so I appreciated getting a brief overview of her long career in public service. It's definitely not an in-depth, serious biography of her (in fact my library has this filed under Self Help instead of Biography??) so readers looking for that will be disappointed. But readers looking for some stylish infotainment will be pleased.
March 2, 2023
Audiobook
September 10, 2020
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Reclaiming Her Time is an upbeat, vibrant biography of Maxine Waters that’s full of personality. It was a ton of fun to read, and I also learned a lot I didn’t know.
For you if: You are left-leaning, and fan of Maxine Waters (even casually).
FULL REVIEW:
First of all, big thanks to Dey Street for sending me an advanced copy of this book! And for responding so positively when I requested that they match my copy with another sent to an Own Voices reviewer.
Reclaiming Her Time is a bright spot in a lineup of books about current events and politics. It’s a colorful, vibrant, funny biography about Congresswoman Maxine Waters — whose nickname “Auntie Maxine” was originally inspired by R. Eric Thomas, one of this book’s authors, in his pop culture column of Elle. (He’s also the author of the excellent memoir-in-essays Here For It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America.) It’s also filled with photos, illustrations, quotations, and more.
Basically, this book is the raised-hands emoji of books dedicated to Maxine Waters. And I’m guessing that Black readers of this book will especially love the way the authors have written a love letter to both Auntie Maxine and the community she has spent her life serving.
Each chapter of the book covers a chunk of time in Maxine Waters’s life, from her childhood to the present day. Interspersed throughout are “Time Out” sections that zoom either in or out — like a timeline of her life, or an overview of her relationship with all the Presidents. I also appreciated that there were chapters on the way she’s been criticized for dressing, and for speaking.
So it’s packed with really good information about our country’s history. I think for many people in their 20s (or younger) — for whom Obama was president when we graduated high school — a lot of the unrest and conversations happening right now feel new. But … they aren’t. And this book is a fantastic reminder that racial justice movements have been happening for decades, and people like Maxine Waters have been fighting for them their entire lives.
Basically, I loved this one and I’m glad I read it. It’s light, it’s funny, it’s positive, and it’s informative. And it will turn anyone into a Maxine Waters stan, I’m sure. Pick up a copy — for your coffee table and your heart!
TL;DR REVIEW:
Reclaiming Her Time is an upbeat, vibrant biography of Maxine Waters that’s full of personality. It was a ton of fun to read, and I also learned a lot I didn’t know.
For you if: You are left-leaning, and fan of Maxine Waters (even casually).
FULL REVIEW:
First of all, big thanks to Dey Street for sending me an advanced copy of this book! And for responding so positively when I requested that they match my copy with another sent to an Own Voices reviewer.
Reclaiming Her Time is a bright spot in a lineup of books about current events and politics. It’s a colorful, vibrant, funny biography about Congresswoman Maxine Waters — whose nickname “Auntie Maxine” was originally inspired by R. Eric Thomas, one of this book’s authors, in his pop culture column of Elle. (He’s also the author of the excellent memoir-in-essays Here For It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America.) It’s also filled with photos, illustrations, quotations, and more.
Basically, this book is the raised-hands emoji of books dedicated to Maxine Waters. And I’m guessing that Black readers of this book will especially love the way the authors have written a love letter to both Auntie Maxine and the community she has spent her life serving.
Each chapter of the book covers a chunk of time in Maxine Waters’s life, from her childhood to the present day. Interspersed throughout are “Time Out” sections that zoom either in or out — like a timeline of her life, or an overview of her relationship with all the Presidents. I also appreciated that there were chapters on the way she’s been criticized for dressing, and for speaking.
So it’s packed with really good information about our country’s history. I think for many people in their 20s (or younger) — for whom Obama was president when we graduated high school — a lot of the unrest and conversations happening right now feel new. But … they aren’t. And this book is a fantastic reminder that racial justice movements have been happening for decades, and people like Maxine Waters have been fighting for them their entire lives.
Basically, I loved this one and I’m glad I read it. It’s light, it’s funny, it’s positive, and it’s informative. And it will turn anyone into a Maxine Waters stan, I’m sure. Pick up a copy — for your coffee table and your heart!
November 13, 2020
I enjoyed learning more about Maxine Waters. To be clear, this book is a love letter to Maxine Waters, not an in-depth consideration of complex ideas. It made it fun, but it bordered on sycophancy at times. The authors, in writing for young adults, pushed the sassiness beyond just what Waters has said and done to their own language and approaches.
I actually appreciated the considerations of how the more local activism and approaches Waters has advocated for put her in conflict with presidents and national politicians. It is clear that she has her own ways of doing things, and this book certainly sets her up as a take-no-garbage-from-anyone role model for young women and people of color. I appreciated that. I just wish there had been more complexity. Anyone who has been rankled by Waters or her politics would not be convinced to change their mind by this text-- more depth may have broadened the scope and audience.
I actually appreciated the considerations of how the more local activism and approaches Waters has advocated for put her in conflict with presidents and national politicians. It is clear that she has her own ways of doing things, and this book certainly sets her up as a take-no-garbage-from-anyone role model for young women and people of color. I appreciated that. I just wish there had been more complexity. Anyone who has been rankled by Waters or her politics would not be convinced to change their mind by this text-- more depth may have broadened the scope and audience.
November 30, 2020
I really enjoyed the information about Maxine Waters since I didn’t know much about her life in politics, but the “#girlboss” vibes made the writing a bit undermining at times.
January 24, 2022
AM I Auntie Maxine? I might be Auntie Maxine. Between the flaws and the fearlessness, the fashion and the fucks not given, I find this woman incredibly relatable...and maybe very familiar. We even have the same favorite Tupac album.
This is not a biography, this is not a critique. It is not balanced, it is not nuanced. It is not meant to be. This is a celebration of an icon; this is hero worship. It is snarky and joyful, written with a strong millennial voice that comes from the heart of R. Eric Thomas, whose "Here For It" delighted me and made me want to read this book as well.
Read as part of my 2022 reading theme: Women over 40 who are killing it. This book understood the assignment.
This is not a biography, this is not a critique. It is not balanced, it is not nuanced. It is not meant to be. This is a celebration of an icon; this is hero worship. It is snarky and joyful, written with a strong millennial voice that comes from the heart of R. Eric Thomas, whose "Here For It" delighted me and made me want to read this book as well.
Read as part of my 2022 reading theme: Women over 40 who are killing it. This book understood the assignment.
November 4, 2020
EXCELLENT. The writing in this is the perfect balance of informative and sassy. The writers are able to untangle some complicated politics in a fairly short amount of time in a way that is accessible without feeling dumbed down. Waters is fascinating and heroic and iconic, and I really enjoyed learning more about her.
January 23, 2023
I saw Auntie Max speak at my job once & she walked out to 50 cent’s In Da Club…. “Go Shawty… It’s ya birthday”
HA!!! I was hers at that very moment 💚💚💚.
This book speaks to Auntie Max’s successes in a real LA way… thank you!!!
HA!!! I was hers at that very moment 💚💚💚.
This book speaks to Auntie Max’s successes in a real LA way… thank you!!!
October 31, 2020
I suppose there's not a politician out there who has not written, commissioned, or lent him/herself to a hagiography, and Maxine Waters is certainly entitled to her story. If you like her and she represents you then this work will likely bring smiles. If you are less than enamored of her political views then this work won't likely change those views, but they may make you smile from time to time. If you don't care one way or the other you may gain a bit of insight why our polarized body politic has arrived at this state.
February 9, 2021
This is a beautiful book. I don't think I realized how much I miss reading books with pictures until now. The layout of the book (I read the hardcover copy) is not a traditional format. Opening the book, the reader sees neon pink coloring behind the cover and a blue page with Waters' image on a prayer candle. What really catches my attention is the boldness of the colors-they are bright and it's impossible to overlook. This is an obvious salute to Waters' personality. Many times, Black women are relegated to the periphery of society, with an expectation of silence, obedience, and acquiescence to men. In Waters, I think young women have a blueprint for living a best life, especially one that doesn't follow what society calls acceptable. While Waters is not the first to fight against oppression, she doesn't fit the typical image of freedom fighter because of her age (82). Life is a continual cycle of growth and when one reaches retirement age or material comfort level, that isn't necessary an indicator that the apex of life has been reached.
I wasn't acutely aware of Rep. Waters until the phrase "reclaiming my time" was forever etched into pop culture. I think Reclaiming Her Time is a fitting read for Black History Month because Rep. Maxine Waters is a dynamic force, a true icon that reflects "Black Girl Magic". However, Waters is more than a catchy phrase and I think this book tried to convey just how much of a treasure she is. This book isn't a biography that follows traditional convention, mainly because it's written in everyday language with current slang thrown in for good measure-a throwback salute to Waters' engagement with millenials and younger generation. Some may see this as disrespectful, but I think if it opens up a person to read a book, to become an active participant in their community by volunteering and/or voting, I'm all for it. Throughout the book there are several quotes from Waters and other interviewed that set the tone for explaining her legacy, my favorite being "I have to believe that until one learns to love and respect oneself, one will not be able to control one's life and destiny" (27). I think this book is one of many tributes to Waters, one that summarizes her achievements as a representative in California's state assembly and the US House and her influence of political and pop culture.
There are several reasons to admire Waters, but what really resonated with me is how she decided to craft the life she wanted after moving to California with her husband and children in the late 1950s. She left what would be considered a middle class job to go to college and earn a degree. She was a Head Start teacher and worked in her community before running for public office. There's no time limit on when a person should have achieved *fill in the blank*. I think Helena Andrews-Dyer wrote it best when explaining what Waters' legacy means:
"Figure yourself out, girl. Don't just accept what life hands you-poverty, too few opportunities, the paralyzing responsibility of raising tiny humans-and do the obvious thing. Do the bold thing. Discover yourself...figure out what you like and what you don't like...there is no blueprint besides 'do you' " (203).
I wasn't acutely aware of Rep. Waters until the phrase "reclaiming my time" was forever etched into pop culture. I think Reclaiming Her Time is a fitting read for Black History Month because Rep. Maxine Waters is a dynamic force, a true icon that reflects "Black Girl Magic". However, Waters is more than a catchy phrase and I think this book tried to convey just how much of a treasure she is. This book isn't a biography that follows traditional convention, mainly because it's written in everyday language with current slang thrown in for good measure-a throwback salute to Waters' engagement with millenials and younger generation. Some may see this as disrespectful, but I think if it opens up a person to read a book, to become an active participant in their community by volunteering and/or voting, I'm all for it. Throughout the book there are several quotes from Waters and other interviewed that set the tone for explaining her legacy, my favorite being "I have to believe that until one learns to love and respect oneself, one will not be able to control one's life and destiny" (27). I think this book is one of many tributes to Waters, one that summarizes her achievements as a representative in California's state assembly and the US House and her influence of political and pop culture.
There are several reasons to admire Waters, but what really resonated with me is how she decided to craft the life she wanted after moving to California with her husband and children in the late 1950s. She left what would be considered a middle class job to go to college and earn a degree. She was a Head Start teacher and worked in her community before running for public office. There's no time limit on when a person should have achieved *fill in the blank*. I think Helena Andrews-Dyer wrote it best when explaining what Waters' legacy means:
"Figure yourself out, girl. Don't just accept what life hands you-poverty, too few opportunities, the paralyzing responsibility of raising tiny humans-and do the obvious thing. Do the bold thing. Discover yourself...figure out what you like and what you don't like...there is no blueprint besides 'do you' " (203).
October 25, 2020
Outstanding YA Biography of Maxine Waters
This book contains a lot of photographs, artwork and drawings of Maxine. It details her life and marriage. It discusses her life before the House of Representatives and during. It talks about her district which is Watts, in Los Angeles. The Rodney King riots and other disturbances. Her work in the House has involved Congressional hearings on Rap music and free speech, her work on the Banking Committee which she sees as essential to African American’s lives and eventually opposition to the Republican majority Senate and Presidents Bush and Trump. There’s even a chapter that highlights positive terms attributed to her and the publications and paragraphs they came from. Excellent biography.
This book contains a lot of photographs, artwork and drawings of Maxine. It details her life and marriage. It discusses her life before the House of Representatives and during. It talks about her district which is Watts, in Los Angeles. The Rodney King riots and other disturbances. Her work in the House has involved Congressional hearings on Rap music and free speech, her work on the Banking Committee which she sees as essential to African American’s lives and eventually opposition to the Republican majority Senate and Presidents Bush and Trump. There’s even a chapter that highlights positive terms attributed to her and the publications and paragraphs they came from. Excellent biography.
November 15, 2020
Like many other people, I was excited to see this book about Maxine Waters. Lots of people have enjoyed her blunt straight talk about the state of affairs, commentary on Trump, beating up a journalist (this is a Twitter joke), and of course the phrase, "reclaiming my time." This is a phrase that had a very specific meaning in the context that it was used but all the same it resonated very deeply with people.
So in that very fun vein we learn about the life and times of Waters. Her childhood and early life, personal life before she gets into politics, her political career, more commentary about her work in recent times, the Trump era, etc. You also get a lot of the normal biographical features such as a timeline, photos, etc.
Ultimately, I was a little disappointed. I see from reviews the authors decided to take a less serious approach (as you can tell from the cover) but the book is not very good. I am familiar with one of the authors (Thomas) and the humor is not unlike some of the stuff he's written. And that's fine, but I didn't think it quite got to what it was trying to do.
I'm not sure if it was trying to be clever or "hip" and try to make politics more accessible for non-political people but may have heard of Waters, but overall this wasn't a really great biography. Which was super disappointing because she really does have a fascinating story that does deserve a more in-depth treatment.
This book might have been aimed for those who are into social media trends and memes but in the end I think there's a better book waiting to be written.
Borrow if you're curious but you'll probably get more by reading contemporary news pieces, follow her on Twitter, etc.
So in that very fun vein we learn about the life and times of Waters. Her childhood and early life, personal life before she gets into politics, her political career, more commentary about her work in recent times, the Trump era, etc. You also get a lot of the normal biographical features such as a timeline, photos, etc.
Ultimately, I was a little disappointed. I see from reviews the authors decided to take a less serious approach (as you can tell from the cover) but the book is not very good. I am familiar with one of the authors (Thomas) and the humor is not unlike some of the stuff he's written. And that's fine, but I didn't think it quite got to what it was trying to do.
I'm not sure if it was trying to be clever or "hip" and try to make politics more accessible for non-political people but may have heard of Waters, but overall this wasn't a really great biography. Which was super disappointing because she really does have a fascinating story that does deserve a more in-depth treatment.
This book might have been aimed for those who are into social media trends and memes but in the end I think there's a better book waiting to be written.
Borrow if you're curious but you'll probably get more by reading contemporary news pieces, follow her on Twitter, etc.
June 24, 2021
i loved it! was not familiar with andrews-dyer before, but r. eric thomas is one of my favorite writers and i can see his voice shine through. has the feel of a coffee table book, but i read it cover to cover, taking a chapter in each sitting, took me about 2 months to read it, reading a few times a week. it was truly more than the sum of its parts, and more than i expected. it is really easy-going reading, totally guides you along with extra info in between chapters for context, and timelines and stuff. i learned a lot, what particularly got me was realizing just how repetitive and cyclical history is - Watts in 1965 (had never heard of before!), Rodney King in 1992 (was only vaguely aware, having been 3 when it happened), and now BLM and George Floyd in 2020. made me very discouraged to feel that nothing has changed in 60 years, but then of course i know that things are improving and progress is hard and anyways its people like maxine who are paving the way for that progress. i was very glad to expand my knowledge of such an amazing woman - her experience with head start, getting companies to divest from apartheid south africa, etc. at the end/final thoughts, andrews-dyer writes "i like living in a world where there's a maxine waters", and thomas writes "i am proud to live at the same time as her" - my feelings exactly!
March 9, 2024
A bump up of a half star for the subject matter.
I really enjoyed learning more about the long time congresswoman from California. She is truly a force and the book does a good job of following the chronology of her life. It covers her childhood, early marriage, then her time in the California state assembly before running for Congress, and all the work she has done in the capitol since then over many decades. It was helpful to watch videos online to supplement my reading, and see for myself some of the speeches and hearings that are referenced.
The book itself has a light-hearted tone, but isn’t always as funny as it tried to be. It is definitely not an objective, unbiased look at Maxine Waters life, either, but leans much more toward the fangirl/fanboy literary style. This is fine as long as the reader knows what they’re getting into. Despite these quibbles, I’m glad to have read this biography, and that I read it during women’s history month.
I really enjoyed learning more about the long time congresswoman from California. She is truly a force and the book does a good job of following the chronology of her life. It covers her childhood, early marriage, then her time in the California state assembly before running for Congress, and all the work she has done in the capitol since then over many decades. It was helpful to watch videos online to supplement my reading, and see for myself some of the speeches and hearings that are referenced.
The book itself has a light-hearted tone, but isn’t always as funny as it tried to be. It is definitely not an objective, unbiased look at Maxine Waters life, either, but leans much more toward the fangirl/fanboy literary style. This is fine as long as the reader knows what they’re getting into. Despite these quibbles, I’m glad to have read this biography, and that I read it during women’s history month.
February 16, 2024
Maxine Waters is a Los Angeles congresswoman who has been part of my life as an Angeleno for as long as I can remember. I was always aware of her but didn’t know much about her. I saw R. Eric Thomas at a book festival in Palm Springs and a book on Waters was listed among his works but it was not for sale. I asked why- he said it was not one of the more popular of his books. I checked it out of then library and enjoyed immensely reading about Waters. Her back story was at once unfamiliar because I didn’t know about it but familiar because her life is tied so closely to the history of Los Angeles in the last 40-50 years. A great account of her life, her passions, and her legacy told with skill and humor.
December 19, 2020
I picked up this book because I am friends with the illustrator and enjoyed reading this fresh biography of the octogenarian congresswoman who has overcome the odds to be an incredible and assertive leader and change maker.
Though it borders on hagiographical (not a word I get to use very often), the high praise and unpacking of Waters lived experience within a system dominated by white men upends assumptions about what it means to do your job well when the people you represent have been neglected by government d’or decades. And Rep. Waters does have exceptional style and a way with words that make her worthy of this enthusiastic history telling.
Though it borders on hagiographical (not a word I get to use very often), the high praise and unpacking of Waters lived experience within a system dominated by white men upends assumptions about what it means to do your job well when the people you represent have been neglected by government d’or decades. And Rep. Waters does have exceptional style and a way with words that make her worthy of this enthusiastic history telling.
January 31, 2021
You have to appreciate this for what it is. I listened to it, and it was a fun, light, and easy listen. It reads like a fan girl telling you all about her super hero over wine- it’s funny and full of slang and entertaining. My complaint though is it’s too optimistic/positive. It’s too much that Maxine Waters is a god amongst mortals, perfect in every way, and deserving of worship. I’d like to see some moments where Waters made mistakes and had to learn and grow from them, to be the badass she is today. The book makes it seem like she’s flawless, and I wish it had some more “human” moments. All around, a fun read though. Would recommend for a long drive.
October 14, 2025
A Magnificent Profile of an Important (and Absolutely Brilliant) Politician
Representative Waters is a uniquely persistent, hardworking politician who knows so much about listening and service.
Then, when she speaks, you know you're in the presence of an eloquent, persuasive speaker. Akin to a force of nature.
I loved reading about Ms. Waters' career, both before and after she entered politics. What an inspiration she is!
Congratulations, Helena Andrews-Dyer, for your unique voice as a writer. Your tone is so direct and forceful, yet never posturing. This writer loves your writers' voice.
FIVE STARS, oh yes!
Representative Waters is a uniquely persistent, hardworking politician who knows so much about listening and service.
Then, when she speaks, you know you're in the presence of an eloquent, persuasive speaker. Akin to a force of nature.
I loved reading about Ms. Waters' career, both before and after she entered politics. What an inspiration she is!
Congratulations, Helena Andrews-Dyer, for your unique voice as a writer. Your tone is so direct and forceful, yet never posturing. This writer loves your writers' voice.
FIVE STARS, oh yes!
May 19, 2021
Designed much like the cool Notorious RBG coffee table book that was published a couple of years ago, Reclaiming Her Time is a beautiful and celebratory biography of an amazing, American, iconic woman. The book details the life of Maxine Waters, and how she became the powerful advocate and politician she is. The writing is fun and conversational, but academic enough to be used as a reference source. The photographs and illustrations are gorgeous. I loved the book. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
October 19, 2020
Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this wonderful biography!
Informative, insightful, humorous. This is not your average biography, and I mean that in a good way. Maxine Waters’ story is so interesting, and the authors did a lovely job of keeping the reader engaged with humor while also covering lots of information.
Highly recommend checking this out!
Informative, insightful, humorous. This is not your average biography, and I mean that in a good way. Maxine Waters’ story is so interesting, and the authors did a lovely job of keeping the reader engaged with humor while also covering lots of information.
Highly recommend checking this out!
November 25, 2020
This should be its own, new genre: wonky political histories told with excellent humor. I'm a big fan of R. Eric's writing and it was as funny as his best work, but I also learned boatloads of FACTS about Rep. Waters that give me even more respect for her career and devotion to public service. This could be the most appealing civic history series ever - who can you guys tackle next?!
February 16, 2022
Seek out reviews by voices similar to the author.
I loved this book. It is told in a fun and modern way, like you’re learning about Waters from your friend over drinks.
I got the book from the library and listened to the audio. I’m glad I experienced both. The photos and timeline are great in the book. And the narration really adds to the telling.
Highly recommend this book.
I loved this book. It is told in a fun and modern way, like you’re learning about Waters from your friend over drinks.
I got the book from the library and listened to the audio. I’m glad I experienced both. The photos and timeline are great in the book. And the narration really adds to the telling.
Highly recommend this book.
August 29, 2020
Informational, hilarious, and inspirational. This book was such a joy, and so very timely. Learning about Auntie Maxine's living legacy, including stories about her childhood and her decades long commitment to equity, was truly magic.
December 20, 2020
A truly amazing book about Maxine Waters, with insightful information about her life from childhood to the present. I learned so much about her beyond the "Reclaiming my time" phrase and the many memes it spawned.
December 30, 2020
This book is charming. Earlier this year, I read R. Eric Thomas's "Here for It," and his sense of humor and voice come through in Reclaiming Her Time making for a vibrant, fun, engaging, and informative overview of Rep. Maxine Waters' life and legacy. From looking at the preview online, the print book looks very fun, but I listened to it as an audiobook, and it holds up! There are some lists that would probably be more easily absorbed visually, but I really liked the book's reader.
September 9, 2021
I loved learning about her life and legacy and feel so blessed that she is fighting for us in Congress. Some of it got a tad technical and bureaucratic but it makes me understand why it feels like nothing gets done in Washington sometimes.
January 9, 2022
"She would always side with the people over the idea."
-from Chapter Seven, Wall Street and Gangsters (1992-1994)
I love books that consider history like this--a focus on cultural context, plus the chapter that broke down linguistics of the ways Waters has been labeled over the years is A+.
-from Chapter Seven, Wall Street and Gangsters (1992-1994)
I love books that consider history like this--a focus on cultural context, plus the chapter that broke down linguistics of the ways Waters has been labeled over the years is A+.
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