No, You Shut Up: Speaking Truth to Power and Reclaiming America

by Symone Sanders

In this rousing call to leadership, the self-described millennial spokesperson for the culture, CNN’s designated "woke AF" former commentator, and the youngest national press secretary in the history of the United States shares her take-no-prisoners approach to life, politics, and career success, and shows a new generation how to be loud and powerful in their own right.

Many people—most notably white older men—may try to stop Symone Sanders from speaking up and out. But Symone will NOT shut up. And neither should you. In this inspiring call-to-action, Symone tells stories from her own life of not-shutting-up alongside loud young revolutionaries who came before her to help you find your authentic voice and use it to your advantage; to fight ideological battles more effectively; and to resist those who try to silence you.

We are all gurus, masterminds, artists, entrepreneurs—we are the change agents we have been waiting for. IT IS US. And the time is RIGHT NOW. I know you’re wondering, “But HOW?” And we don’t have all the answers! Symone is the first to admit we’re all winging it in one way or another. But the point is we’re out there doing it. So get started. Open your mouth and start talking. Loudly. 

No You Shut Up goes beyond the surplus of “Vote-Or-Die” books we’ve seen before. Because change doesn’t just happen at the ballot box. We need people fighting oppression, injustice, and inequality—in the workplace, on the cultural battlefield, in government, in every corner of the world. With spirited storytelling filtered through a voice that cannot and will not be ignored, Symone inspires you to start now. You don’t need to have all the answers, or wait your turn to help create the change you want to see. All you need is a new toolbox, an unshakable commitment, and the confidence and guidance to wield those tools effectively.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Memoir, Feminism, Audiobook, Race, Anti Racist

240 pages, Hardcover

First published May 19, 2020

Reviews

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the radical revolutionaries. This one is for us.

I have been obsessed with Democratic commentator Symone Sanders since the day she served Kenneth Cuccinelli a much needed clap back on live television when he told her to "shut up" on CNN during an interview alongside Chris Cuomo. No. YOU SHUT UP. When Symone told Cuccinelli that he in fact needed to be the one to shut up, and that in no way, shape, or form would he be allotted to speak to her that way, I felt it with every vein in my body. She was speaking on behalf of all of us.

Black people are, and have collectively BEEN tired of "shutting up" to the demands of the white man. No but really, we are tired, we are through, and we will let our voices be heard loud and clear. This made for the perfect Audible listen (read by Sanders) and I loved hearing about not only her upbringing, but her time as Press Secretary for Bernie Sanders' 2016 Presidential Campaign, and now as Joe Biden's 2020 Campaign Advisor. One thing is for sure - Sanders is not only sharp AF, but ridiculously inspiring. While listening I found myself asking myself "What more can I be doing - I mean, ACTIVELY doing?"

As a black woman living in this country I found this to be a necessary title to digest and was so glad I did. I recommend this to all of the radical revolutionaries. the millennials. and even the (true) white allies.

This is by no means an original quote, but hearing Symone say it made it somehow stick with me. Moving forward I refuse to let my voice to be silenced. I refuse to settle for less than what I want, less than what I demand:

"Ask for what you want." - Symone Sanders

[Never Without a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not big on politics, but this book was very informative, especially Sanders's experience as a Black women in politics.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. Ostensibly, it's about how "we the people" can reshape the political parties by being part of them and working within them to get them to focus on what we think is most important. Sanders focuses on the Democratic party since that's where her own work is. She also uses lots of stories from her own life to illustrate some of the points she makes about not taking no for an answer, asking for what you want, being willing to hustle when you need to, and deciding on your own boundaries so that you know when it's time to walk away.

Problems: No discussion about the role or influence of money in politics. Lots about the need to vote but nothing about gerrymandering or voter suppression. This is really surprising in a book published in 2020. And, to me, it marred the book.

It felt like a justification for working for Bernie in 2016 and Biden in 2020, which to me doesn't matter because, in the end, it didn't feel like she told us how to get either of the candidates to listen to the broader "We" rather than those already on the inside. That said, it could be useful for those interested in working on a political campaign.

[Kameel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love her drive and tenacity...During her search for a job in politics she stated that she was told NO 27 times....she had the drive to continue despite being told no so many times. Symone's book was a well thought out reference guide that we will be able to go back and constantly use as a navigation tool through the world of politics. This young woman is an amazing, smart, sharp role model for our youth. This young woman was a national press secretary in her twenties....that's an amazing career milestone. Of course, her recount on Ken Cuccinelli telling her to shut up (because of course, he was no match for her intellect at all) and Symone having to properly put him in his place was priceless. I also enjoyed her recount on meeting with Senator Bernie Sanders, which solidified her position on his 2016 Presidential Candidacy. This book was a light book that was easy to follow as well as completely understand. I also enjoyed the fact that she narrated the book herself....who better to tell the story!

[Mare · Rating 2 out of 5]

File under the Alyssa Mastrimonico, Stacey Abrams political memoir of "this is how I reached unlikely success in electoral politics" and some life advice along with some humorous or self-deprecating stories. The difference here is that Sanders is young and often that shines through. Sometimes it's just in pronouncements she makes about modern political history or ignorance of the language of movements (using "strike line" in her conclusion instead of picket line?). Other times her confidence sounds a bit like she's bought into her own hype - a surprising amount of the book is spent detailing how she was rushed in announcing her Biden 2020 job and couldn't personally call every one of the candidates she'd spoken to about working on their campaigns. I was just kinda like "Listen, I'm pretty sure Kamala didn't cry herself to sleep over this." In terms of career advice, I'm not sure that I really gleaned much from Sanders's advice - basically she took a million internships, acquired a lot of professional references and worked on as many campaigns and npo's as she could.
However, Sanders also brings the tea about her role as Bernie's press secretary and the (micro)aggressions she faced in that role. This dishing the dirt on the Sanders campaign and her time at CNN almost pushed it to 3 stars, though it also has me wondering how this could impact future job prospects on major campaigns.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to college with Symone and have followed her journey. It was exciting to have the chance to read her book. She was so down to earth - it felt like we were having a conversation by her writing style AND the fact that I listened to it via audio book. I loved her candor and real ness. Having grown up in Omaha, north Omaha and then Benson - I could vibe with what she was talking about and appreciate her experiences as a POC (which I am not). I’m so proud of you girl! Great book. Great call to action. I learned. I related. I got called to action. Well done.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Part of what made it so enjoyable for me was that Symone Sanders is from Omaha, a place I lived for thirteen years. She told stories of her life in Omaha and her life in Washington, DC. She is a voice that should be listened to and heard. I hope my girls will read this book, too.

[Francine Brito · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of Symone Sanders and very much enjoyed reading this book. She is an excellent Author

[Mary Anne]

4 STARS

Prior to getting this book, I'd seen Symone D. Sanders-Townsend on CNN and MSNBC a whole bunch, and I always liked her as a political commentator. While I still had an audible account, I had a bunch of points I needed to use, and I figured her work would be right up my alley. It of course helped that she narrated her own book. I wasn't wrong.

This book was, to me, the perfect length, though I'm less sure that Symone got her point across in the ways she wanted to. This wasn't a straight-up biography, though it did have a lot of biographical elements, and I think a more traditional biography would have been less interesting for her and for us. I will say that the chapters did feel a little jumbled for me, which is why I think the book might have missed the mark.

There is, of course, a central focus of: you need to get your booty in there. This world isn't waiting for you to participate. It will happily spin around without you. The bigger theme is one of community, and that has always been a bit of a problem for the Democratic Party (a central focus in this book). When I was listening to the introduction, I was struck on the significance of "We" and keeping the entire community in mind.

There are, I think, some really useful bits scattered throughout the book, especially for women of color and other marginalized groups, those that the powers-that-be have historically overlooked. I don't think she paints herself as a perfect model for how to excel; I think she acknowledges when she's made some missteps, although I think she's sort of minimalized their significance. She is strongest when she emphasizes the importance of networking, of being strategic when it comes to saying "no" to something, and to set boundaries for yourself. I liked that she pushed back on people who wanted to be political commentators without having an additional goal or specialty (although I also feel a bit mixed about that, as I don't really think she had a specific goal or specialty beyond that?). I also really enjoyed her point about not just being an ally, but being an accomplice, being super invested in changing the status quo, even when it's not an issue that directly impacts you. It's about being willing to put some of your own skin in the game. Loved that.

I also love that she was adamant about talking about the (often overlooked) participation of black women, especially in politics. There is almost nothing I hate more than a simplistic "why didn't black folks show up?".

The book ends with Sanders-Townsend working for the Biden 2020 campaign. She went on to work for VP Kalama Harris, and as of this writing, she has a weekend show on MSNBC and a stream on Peacock. I'm hoping we'll see more of her.

Overall I also really enjoyed hearing her narrate her book. She is a dynamic figure, and it really shows in her narration of her own book.

--

PS. If you all ever go to The StoryGraph, let's be friends there! Here's my profile.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I practically finished this book weeks ago, definitely over a month ago. I just couldn’t get myself to listen to the last 10 minutes of the audiobook (on Libro.fm, where purchases support independent bookstores instead of lining the pockets of Bezos). Silly Anna.

First, it was because I didn’t want the book to end. Then, I just couldn’t concentrate. Well I finished it.

It’s a good book, not spectacular, but it was good for me. I’m looking forward to hearing from Sanders more in her professional career.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

An influential young voice in politics. If she’s made this many inroads, and mastered so many pathways to impact by age 29, imagine what she has to offer to our nation’s future. Someone to learn from and watch—this book has practical information too, for those who wish to get started in influencing policy.

[Brian Farber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Symone’s voice and her perspective. She has a fascinating, narrative and strong positions on national issues. I remember watching the interview from where the title of this book came. It was truly shocking and speaks to the long way we still have to go as a country to fully value the voices of women and people of color. She’s a lot of fun through all of the difficulty. I liked her a lot before but this book made me respect her in a new way.

[Courtney CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so happy that Symone narrated the book. I listened to this on my walks and it definitely motivated me. I appreciated hearing real life scenarios from an author in my age demographic. Praying she comes out with another one!

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Symone Sanders was a year above me in high school. She probably didn't know me, but everyone knew who she was. This was just the sort of fiery pick me up I needed after the recent presidential election. I would be elated if Symone started campaigning for herself her in a few years. If you're reading this Symone, thank you for giving Omaha a good name, and you'd have my vote!

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

In closing out Black History Month I thought I'd read a book about Sanders, who people may know as a face from the Bernie Sanders campaign of 2016 and would go on to join the Joe Biden campaign of 2020. I knew bits and pieces about her, mostly as a representative of each campaign. Including the bit where she wrestled a protester off the stage of then-candidate Biden. XD

But obviously Symone Sanders is much more than that. This book takes a familiar turn as part campaign memoir, part self-help, part personal biography, etc. We learn about her life, what it was like to work on both campaigns, what it was like for her to navigate a world that is often dominated by white people (especially men) and how she managed to work her way to the position she is in now.

That's pretty much it. Each chapter talks about her life/experiences in mostly chronological order with a section at the end that somewhat sums up useful tips, lessons she learned, reframing something that happened as work situations, etc. If you're familiar with the 2016/2020 campaigns much of this probably seem more familiar but I also did learn quite a bit about Symone Sanders herself that I didn't know before.

That said, the book isn't the best written. She has a lot to say and I appreciated her voice (and would love to read a memoir of the post-Biden administration and whatever else she choses to do!). It was really important to read about how it was for her as a Black Woman trying to manage the campaign ladder and how difficult it could be. Not just the professional ladder, but incidents you may have heard of (security wouldn't let her, then-candidate Bernie Sanders didn't really grasp what issues of racism, misogyny, misogynoir, etc. that someone like Symone faced, etc.). But this might have been a book that could have used a stronger editor or ghostwriter instead.

I do recommend it. It's worth the read, especially if you're a younger/less experienced person who wants to get into politics. Of course I couldn't say if her experiences were typical, but definitely important for her voice.

Bargain book buy for me which was best so I could read on my own time but library borrow might be best for someone else.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly Simone Sanders is a bright light of hope in the present and future political landscape. She is extremely motivated, intelligent, experienced, and has good advice for getting things done and getting where you want to go, like "get out of line." Sometimes waiting for your turn is not an appropriate way to get things done. As a writer, she is clear and easy to read. I didn't know that this book was going to be half to three quarters autobiography. That I didn't understand what the book was really about is my only issue with it. If I was in college and just looking to get involved, it's the perfect book.

[Emma-Kate Schaake · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love her story of empowerment and political change. (She literally just sled Bernie Sanders to be his national press secretary with very little experience. Bam! Make a seat for yourself at the table!)

The book itself read like a pep talk/series of blog posts, so nothing extraordinary. But, well worth the read for the inspirational pep talk it is!

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If, like me, you're interested in politics and communications, this book is for you. Bonus points if you're female and/or person of color. It's a quick read that's crazy relevant in today's world.

I really enjoyed Sanders's straightforward, conversational writing style. I've worked in the field of communications and messaging for 20+ years, and her explanations of what messaging is, how it works and why it's important were so clear and spot-on. What could have been dry and esoteric was fast-paced and so smartly presented. Bravo! I also enjoyed her brave approach to just going for things she wants, and was inspired by her personal goals. I would have liked to hear more about her own backstory, and the road that got her to where she is today.

Her observations about race and politics, and her experiences of being a young Black woman in the midst of today's political climate, were incredibly relevant to the conversations happening all across our country right now. I believe this book was written pre-George Floyd, and yet many the topics she covered have strong echos of the points being made by protesters. That alone is an eye-opening wake-up call for readers.

I knocked the book one star because I thought the content got a bit repetitive when the book is taken as a whole. (Yes, we get it that you're a young Black bald woman. And yes, we know that you were a commentator on CNN. No need to tell us again and again and again!) Also, early on (p.18) she talks about the importance of political campaigns having a "theory of the case," basically a main idea or central tenet that the campaign will coalesce around. I thought this book could have had a stronger "theory of the case," and wasn't 100% certain what her purpose was in writing this. Was it to tell her life story? (Don't think so, not enough details on her past or personal lived experience....yet.) Was it to inspire others to get involved in politics and/or support Democrats? (Maybe.) Was it to shake-up and wake-up other Democrats about needed changes to the party? (Could be.) Was it to defend her decision to leave Bernie Sanders' campaign to work for Biden, someone who's not seen as progressive enough for many progressives? (I kinda think this was it. But again, it's not really clear.)

Overall I'd recommend this book, and if you can, read it NOW before the November election!

[Nicole (Reading Books With Coffee) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect with No, You Shut Up, but it ended up being an okay read for me.

It's part memoir, part call-to-action in politics.  I really enjoyed reading about Sanders time in politics, and what it was like to work on Bernie Sander's campaign, and working as a commentator on CNN.  It was very clear she knew what she wanted, and went for it.  She didn't have all the answers, but she wants things to change, and she refuses to stay quiet and shut up.  She's determined, and finds really creative ways to get what she wants.  She doesn't take no for an answer, she knows how to set boundaries and stick with them, and she asks for what she wants in clear and plain terms.

It's clear that she believes that we can be better, that who we are is really important, and that we can, and should, have a role in shaping politics and getting involved in things.  Overall, it's an interesting look at what it's like to work on a campaign, but I don't know that I could begin to tell you how to otherwise get involved in politics and change things by something other than voting or working on a campaign. 

Personally, I would have liked something a little more concrete than that, but I felt like it was a good look at her own life in politics.  She shared a lot of stories from her own life, and I could tell that she wanted to make a difference and that she knew what she wanted to do.  She got as much experience as she could- she had a lot of internships, worked on different campaigns, and at different organizations, with each one expanding her skill set and getting her closer to what she wanted to do- work in politics.  She didn't always get the job she wanted, but that didn't stop her at all, and if anything, she worked harder to get where she wanted to be.  

The book felt very conversational, like she was telling me what happened.  It's a fast read, though I could only manage a chapter or two at a time.  She didn't get bogged down in details, and it would be easy enough to read in a day or two.  

Even though I thought it was okay, I still think it's worth checking out.  Especially if, after the last four years, you want to be more involved, or want a peek at what it's like to work in politics, particularly the Democratic party.

My Rating: 2 stars.  This was a book that I thought was okay, but I still liked reading about how Sanders got to where she is today.

[K L · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a no for me .

I just couldn’t figure out who her audience was. I picked this book up on impulse in Barnes and nobles as I seen her short clips on Twitter and liked hearing what she had to say , and I figured I’d support the sale of the book.

Although sadly I could of left this on the shelf. The book is kind of all over the place and not interesting . I thought we would be getting symones opinions on different talking points and maybe some personal stories . More so like personal essays .

But this was a shallow summary of her life , she gives some tea on Bernie sanders when she worked for his campaign (and I got the feeling she doesn’t care for him too much ), why we should be a Democrat if you’re not already , and we got Symones resume (and on that point unfortunately Symone comes off more career driven than issue ie. Seems she’s going for her personal political stature rather than an overall passion to resolve issues in America . I hope I’m wrong but that’s how she comes off to me .)

Everything was surface level. I felt no long lasting connection. I was disconnected and not interested for most of it . Although there were moments where she shined ie when she explained how politics worked and how we could get involved . But overall it felt like a political pamphlet sponsored by The Democratic National convention where symones advocates why we should be democrats.

I just …the title is very misleading . Unless you’re a genuine fan of Symone . I would pass on this .

[Katy Koivastik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough good things about this book. It is a manifesto and a pep talk for anyone starting out in the working world or thinking about changing careers.

Symone Sanders advises readers to “Always talk about the thing that you want. Articulate it, put it out in the world. You never know who is listening, who will be willing to help you get where you want to be.”

She recommends writing goals down, setting a timetable and re-visiting the list often. Her strategy is to “stand in the gap” of what needs to be done and speaking up even when it is uncomfortable.

Ms. Sanders herself has been the victim of racial profiling on more than one occasion. Despite being a young Black woman, I.e. not what is expected, she became Bernie Sanders’ national press secretary during his 2016 presidential campaign, and is now working on presidential hopeful Joe Biden’s campaign. She decided early on she wanted to be “inside the political apparatus” and through determination, hard work and making the most of her connections, she is there. Bravo!

One of her heroes is also one of my heroes, Ms. Fannie Lou Hamer. She writes: “The life and legacy of ... Fanny Lou Hamer teaches us that we have to demand what we are due”, and “If Fanny Lou Hamer can speak out so courageously with her life at risk, you and I can stand up and say something too.” Words to live by!

Read with gusto by the author herself.

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book thoroughly, and as someone with family in Omaha, NE, I was delighted that I could relate with the author's descriptions of her hometown.
For the first quarter of the book, I wondered if this read was going to be stuck in ramble mode, but by the end of the first half, I was fully engaged.
I do not think it's possible to agree with anyone 100% of the time, especially dealing in politics, but as someone who identifies as a far-left progressive, I appreciated what Sanders had to say in regards to building coalitions across the Democratic apparatus and her insights into how to stay motivated and focused through all of the "no's".
It was also important to me that she include the learning curve Bernie Sanders had the pleasure of meeting in regards to his unfortunate former ignorance when understanding what the typical Black and/or BIPOC person experiences, even in powerful circles or high levels of achievement. I am a Bernie fan, but as a WoC, it's important to touch on these things as no one is perfect regardless of what wonderful intentions they may have.
Overall, I found some good laughs throughout this read and enjoyed the conversational and candid writing style.

[Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Symone Sanders worked as national press secretary for the Bernie Sanders 2016 campaign and as a senior advisor for the Joe Biden 2020 campaign. In this book, she tells her personal story of career ascension, emphasizing the challenges she's faced as a young Black woman in Washington. She takes a conversational tone:

We are the change agents, the gurus, the masterminds, the artists, the entrepreneurs, the business folks, the politicians, the elected officials, the activists, the radical revolutionaries that we have been waiting for. IT IS US. And the time is RIGHT NOW.

Because have you seen the world lately? I mean, goodness.

Among my takeaways: The world is political, so either you do politics or politics does you; you may as well advocate for what you believe is right. Also, unfortunately, a lot of "allies" will ditch you when the going gets tough; we should find ways to commit to each other and stick to it when it's hard. And as you grow in your own personal power, you'll be stronger: “Eventually, you will find yourself in a place where YOU can say no, because you have more experience and more choices and, yes, more power.”

[Erin Burnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very good combination of a memoir and a self-help book for women. Sanders' stories of her life experiences are set as examples of how women and people of color should react to the challenges that life throws at them. Saunders tells her readers that they should put themselves out there to achieve their goals. They have to be seen and heard to get into the fray of work, business, or politics. They should not be afraid of being seen as loud, outspoken, or too intelligent. They should not take a dismissal or rejection as the last answer. It was heartening to hear about Sanders' own experiences of 29 job interviews with no success, because it lets the reader know that they are not the only ones to have unsuccessful job searches and fruitless interviews. It was also interesting to hear Saunders describe the inner workings of political campaigns and news organizations. Its like seeing the man behind the curtain and getting a small viewpoint on how television news works.

[David Baer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Symone herself, because of course.

The book amounts to a short (of course; she’s what, 28 by now?) biography of SDS, combined with a clarion (mega-clarion, this is Symone we’re talking about here) call to political engagement, aimed at all the people who see themselves as naturally allied with SDS.

I love you, Symone D Sanders. I love that when you get nervous your decibel level goes up. As if that was even plausible. I love how all your life advice boils down to “just say what you want and don’t give up until you get it.” I love how you have the gift of knowing exactly what you want and the clarity of purpose to pursue every opportunity. I love your ability to articulately talk over anyone.

But one small thing: I do not accept that “norm-lah-cey” is an acceptable alternate pronunciation of “norm-ahl-cey”. GAH! Stop doing that!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I really like and admire Symone Sanders, and enjoyed listening to the audio of this book, which she reads. I was most interested in reading the book because she's "a black girl from Omaha, Nebraska," which is where my family is from. (We hear all the time, "There are black people in Omaha?!" Why yes, yes there are.) The book gets a little repetitive from time to time, but I appreciated her story, how she became so successful at such a young age, and her perspective on Democratic factions versus the Democratic party apparatus. She writes as a millenial and has good advice for young people standing up for themselves and for what they want. She gives me hope for the future of this country.

[Dre J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politics are not my thing but I know I have to stay engaged with the political climate for a number of reasons…that being said I don’t know much about Symone Sanders except from seeing her talk that talk on news channels. She is well spoken and from my perspective really knows how to call out the political bs and she does it in this book. It is a mixture of history, her life, and how she worked on Bernie’s campaign and now Joes and what she is pushing for. She talks about her black girl heroes in politics and how she wants to push for more black girls in politics. I have a daughter so I love to see it. I gave it a four because of who she is and her story but some of the political stuff was a drag to read because I’ve mostly given up on politics and voting.

[Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

If possible, I would've given the book. 2.5 stars. It's fine, but was hoping for more. Most of this book is more of a memoir of Symone rather than something of a blueprint to get this country moving forward and to save democracy.

While I admire Symone, and don't mind someone using some personal examples to be used as context for a point, I didn't purchase this book to read about her life even though it has interesting moments. I was thinking this would be something in the style of a Dan Pfeiffer-esque book if you're familiar with those.

Symone does give out some interesting pieces of advice, but it quickly got to a point where, being a completist, I just wanted to be done with the book. It's fine, but not what I was wanting, or hoping, for.

[Gemini · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. I was like so inspired by all her accomplishments & yet also shocked at some things Symone went through & had to deal with. While this is based on her experience working with & for politicians, there is so much more to the story. That itself is reason enough to pick up & read this book. The way she tells her story is intriguing to say the least & shares the things that the patriarchy has done to her, on tv is astonishing & shameful, hence the title. A woman of color, who is young, nonetheless getting so far ahead is a feat in itself & simply incredible. She set her goals & completed them as she went on w/ various roadblocks along the way, of course. So go & learn something by reading this, doesn't matter what your political affiliation is.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much buzz, but I wasn't familiar with Sanders. Yes, I was familiar with her face occasionally popping up on the TV but, honestly, until I read this I didn't connect her with Bernie, I just knew that she was articulate on matters vis a vis the democratic party. Now I understand how remarkable it is that she has a platform to speak her truth. She uses this platform in an interesting way in this book, it is more about how great she thinks she is (nothing wrong with that) how inspiring she sees herself (nothing wrong with that) and why she refuses to let anyone shut her up. All fine but her writing style rings more advertisement than advocate.