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Persist
A New York Times Bestseller
“Part memoir, part political manifesto, this call to arms by the Massachusetts senator draws on pivotal moments from her life to make the case for personal perseverance and progressive policy goals . . . Moving.”
―The New York Times Book Review
Committed, fearless, and famously persistent, Elizabeth Warren―one of our nation’s most visionary leaders―is a beacon for everyone who believes that real change can improve the lives of all Americans.
In Persist , Warren writes about six perspectives that have influenced her life and advocacy. She’s a mother who learned from wrenching personal experience why child care is so essential. She’s a teacher who has known since grade school the value of a good and affordable education. She’s a planner who understands that every complex problem requires a comprehensive response. She’s a fighter who discovered the hard way that nobody gives up power willingly. She’s a learner who thinks, listens, and works to fight racism in America. And she’s a woman who has proven over and over that women are just as capable as men.
A deeply personal call to action, Persist will inspire everyone to believe that if we’re willing to fight for it, profound change is well within our reach.
“Part memoir, part political manifesto, this call to arms by the Massachusetts senator draws on pivotal moments from her life to make the case for personal perseverance and progressive policy goals . . . Moving.”
―The New York Times Book Review
Committed, fearless, and famously persistent, Elizabeth Warren―one of our nation’s most visionary leaders―is a beacon for everyone who believes that real change can improve the lives of all Americans.
In Persist , Warren writes about six perspectives that have influenced her life and advocacy. She’s a mother who learned from wrenching personal experience why child care is so essential. She’s a teacher who has known since grade school the value of a good and affordable education. She’s a planner who understands that every complex problem requires a comprehensive response. She’s a fighter who discovered the hard way that nobody gives up power willingly. She’s a learner who thinks, listens, and works to fight racism in America. And she’s a woman who has proven over and over that women are just as capable as men.
A deeply personal call to action, Persist will inspire everyone to believe that if we’re willing to fight for it, profound change is well within our reach.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2021
311 people are currently reading
4236 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Warren
159 books872 followersElizabeth Warren (born 1949) is an American academic and politician, and the current senior U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and a Democrat. She is the Leo Gottlieb Professor of Law at Harvard Law School -- where she taught contract law, bankruptcy, and commercial law -- and devoted much of the past three decades to studying the economics of middle class families. In the wake of the 2008-9 financial crisis, she became the chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel created to investigate the U.S. banking bailout (formally known as the Troubled Assets Relief Program). In that role, she has provided a critical check on the U.S. Department of the Treasury and has been a leading advocate for accountability and transparency. Since 2007, she had advocated for the creation of a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency, which was established by the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act signed into law by President Obama in July 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews
June 14, 2021
I purchased and read this book. I say that because there are ratings from people who did not, one-stars from pathetic partisans abusing the ratings system to make a political point, five-stars from those trying to offset them. For me it's a hard book to rate because the number of stars depends entirely on how much you know and care about Elizabeth Warren's life from childhood through and beyond her campaign for President (the capital P is back).
I'd give it three stars only because I knew a lot of the content already. She was my preferred candidate. I have followed and admired her since as a Harvard law professor teaching bankruptcy law she successfully came up with the concept and plans and worked tirelessly for the creation of the Consumer Protection Finance Bureau. That success figured heavily in her decision to run for office in 2012 in Massachusetts and go for the gold her first time out: the Senate. She defeated a popular, well-funded Republican incumbent. I supported her from the time she got into the Democratic primary race. I still believe she would have been the best president but I'm pragmatic and don't believe she would have won nor would Biden had he chosen her for Vice President.
The more you know about Warren's life and career the less you'll find that's new here, biographically or politically. I don't mean to suggest there's nothing new for even her most ardent admirers. There were things throughout that I didn't know and were interesting enough to keep me reading despite all the deja vu. If you're familiar with most of her life in and out of politics you really don't need to read this book.
If you're not familiar with her life, which is interesting from childhood on and from a young age had a major impact on her career and beliefs, her love of facts and specifics, her extraordinary intelligence, achievements and work ethic -- including her mother's childcare problem; the challenges of going to law school with two small children even with a very supportive husband; her academic career, what she learned teaching bankruptcy law and a large landmark study she did while teaching bankruptcy law at three successive law schools which demonstrated pervasive discrimination on the basis of race and ethnicity in bankruptcy courts; her subsequent acceptance of a position at Harvard Law (Rep. Katie Porter was one of her students); the decision to run for Senate and then for President; what the primary campaign was like for her and her family; through Biden's win and a bit beyond -- you may be very interested in reading this. For you it may well be a five-star book.
I should have realized I'm familiar enough that this wasn't a good fit for me. Nevertheless ;) I'm always glad to be in Sen. Warren's company because she's brilliant, personable and although we could not be more different, relatable. It's clear there was no ghostwriter here; she writes the way she speaks.
Early on the morning after candidate Warren dropped out of the presidential primary she awoke to find written in chalk on the sidewalk in front of the family's Cambridge home: PERSIST. She did, she does, she always has.
I'd give it three stars only because I knew a lot of the content already. She was my preferred candidate. I have followed and admired her since as a Harvard law professor teaching bankruptcy law she successfully came up with the concept and plans and worked tirelessly for the creation of the Consumer Protection Finance Bureau. That success figured heavily in her decision to run for office in 2012 in Massachusetts and go for the gold her first time out: the Senate. She defeated a popular, well-funded Republican incumbent. I supported her from the time she got into the Democratic primary race. I still believe she would have been the best president but I'm pragmatic and don't believe she would have won nor would Biden had he chosen her for Vice President.
The more you know about Warren's life and career the less you'll find that's new here, biographically or politically. I don't mean to suggest there's nothing new for even her most ardent admirers. There were things throughout that I didn't know and were interesting enough to keep me reading despite all the deja vu. If you're familiar with most of her life in and out of politics you really don't need to read this book.
If you're not familiar with her life, which is interesting from childhood on and from a young age had a major impact on her career and beliefs, her love of facts and specifics, her extraordinary intelligence, achievements and work ethic -- including her mother's childcare problem; the challenges of going to law school with two small children even with a very supportive husband; her academic career, what she learned teaching bankruptcy law and a large landmark study she did while teaching bankruptcy law at three successive law schools which demonstrated pervasive discrimination on the basis of race and ethnicity in bankruptcy courts; her subsequent acceptance of a position at Harvard Law (Rep. Katie Porter was one of her students); the decision to run for Senate and then for President; what the primary campaign was like for her and her family; through Biden's win and a bit beyond -- you may be very interested in reading this. For you it may well be a five-star book.
I should have realized I'm familiar enough that this wasn't a good fit for me. Nevertheless ;) I'm always glad to be in Sen. Warren's company because she's brilliant, personable and although we could not be more different, relatable. It's clear there was no ghostwriter here; she writes the way she speaks.
Early on the morning after candidate Warren dropped out of the presidential primary she awoke to find written in chalk on the sidewalk in front of the family's Cambridge home: PERSIST. She did, she does, she always has.
April 26, 2021
haven't read this yet. rating it already to compensate for the anonymous jerk account who is giving it a low rating without reading it either.
May 9, 2021
Oh my god, she's so wonderful! She would have been an amazing president! Why can't we have nice things?
I listened to the audiobook, read very personably by the Senator herself. She does talk some about her presidential campaign, her defeat, and it's end, while also insisting, "This isn't a campaign memoir." And, she's right. Persist is far more than that.
Within the text, she tells stories from her life, and often uses them as jumping off points for discussions of policy or issues. Among the topics she tackles are: government supported childcare, and how much that would help America's women; climate change; taxing the uber-wealthy; sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace; pregnancy discrimination; and her brother's death from Covid. It is almost a greatest hits compilation, but it still feels fresh and vital.
Go, Elizabeth, go! You will always have my vote!
I listened to the audiobook, read very personably by the Senator herself. She does talk some about her presidential campaign, her defeat, and it's end, while also insisting, "This isn't a campaign memoir." And, she's right. Persist is far more than that.
Within the text, she tells stories from her life, and often uses them as jumping off points for discussions of policy or issues. Among the topics she tackles are: government supported childcare, and how much that would help America's women; climate change; taxing the uber-wealthy; sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace; pregnancy discrimination; and her brother's death from Covid. It is almost a greatest hits compilation, but it still feels fresh and vital.
Go, Elizabeth, go! You will always have my vote!
April 15, 2022
Often eager to exercise my grey cells with some political reading, I turned to this piece by Elizabeth Warren. Admittedly, I knew little about her, save that she ran for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 US Presidential Election, and sought to use this book to gain a better understanding. Warren admits that this is not a campaign memoir, but more a means of expressing some of the sentiments she expressed on the campaign trail, as well as using the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic to highlight some major issues America must face head-on. A great piece, full of great arguments about where America’s faults continue to lie and how the average American remains behind the political eight ball.
Warren has a great knack of being able to get to the heart of the matter, with numerous examples emerging throughout the book. She explores her early life in Oklahoma, as well as some of the struggles she faced as a school teacher, law student, and eventually a professor of law. Warren highlights the issues that women faced in the workplace, some of which were newly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These struggles have been apparent, never truly dormant, though many chose to turn away from them and pretend that America could not have slipped back into something so troublesome.
Warren uses her experience in bankruptcy law to highlight many of the financial issues that America faces, going so far as offering some simple (sounding) solutions about how small tax increases on the richest could benefit the masses. While there are times that her arguments sound like political stumping, there is no ignoring the effectiveness of their delivery. How opening the wallet of those who make ridiculously large sums of money could help everyone seems simple, but the pushback has been enormous, even within Congress. It truly forces the reader to wonder whose interests the elected representatives value most.
In a narrative that mixes political, personal, and professional anecdotes, Warren effectively pushes for a change to the way things have been done in America. While she does not deny that the Trump Administration was a major blight, things were broken beforehand and have not been remedied since President Biden took office. Warren’s optimism remains strong, but she is not blinded by Democrat rhetoric that it is a work in progress. There is much that needs doing and it will only occur when the mentality of the electorate and their representatives care enough to take the plunge.
I am not ignorant to the fact that most political books seek to push a specific agenda, especially in an era where division is the only political speak known to American politicians. However, Warren’s arguments are also well-grounded and appear feasible. She has the education under her to show that the points have merit and seems clearly on the path to wanting solutions, rather than simply new ways of baking the same cake. An effective narrative pulls the reader in throughout, using a handful of clearly defined chapters to push key arguments about fixing the American social system. I found myself agreeing with her at various points, both aloud and in my mind, as she makes a great deal of sense without needing to tear others down to make her points. This book has me excited to explore more books of a political nature, which usually forces me to think outside the proverbial box to better understand the world around me. With hints that The Donald will try to steal another presidential election, it’s best to get into the mindset for more mud slinging.
Kudos, Madm Warren, for this enlightening piece of political writing. I will have to get back into the swing of things, as I always learn so much reading political non-fiction.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Warren has a great knack of being able to get to the heart of the matter, with numerous examples emerging throughout the book. She explores her early life in Oklahoma, as well as some of the struggles she faced as a school teacher, law student, and eventually a professor of law. Warren highlights the issues that women faced in the workplace, some of which were newly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These struggles have been apparent, never truly dormant, though many chose to turn away from them and pretend that America could not have slipped back into something so troublesome.
Warren uses her experience in bankruptcy law to highlight many of the financial issues that America faces, going so far as offering some simple (sounding) solutions about how small tax increases on the richest could benefit the masses. While there are times that her arguments sound like political stumping, there is no ignoring the effectiveness of their delivery. How opening the wallet of those who make ridiculously large sums of money could help everyone seems simple, but the pushback has been enormous, even within Congress. It truly forces the reader to wonder whose interests the elected representatives value most.
In a narrative that mixes political, personal, and professional anecdotes, Warren effectively pushes for a change to the way things have been done in America. While she does not deny that the Trump Administration was a major blight, things were broken beforehand and have not been remedied since President Biden took office. Warren’s optimism remains strong, but she is not blinded by Democrat rhetoric that it is a work in progress. There is much that needs doing and it will only occur when the mentality of the electorate and their representatives care enough to take the plunge.
I am not ignorant to the fact that most political books seek to push a specific agenda, especially in an era where division is the only political speak known to American politicians. However, Warren’s arguments are also well-grounded and appear feasible. She has the education under her to show that the points have merit and seems clearly on the path to wanting solutions, rather than simply new ways of baking the same cake. An effective narrative pulls the reader in throughout, using a handful of clearly defined chapters to push key arguments about fixing the American social system. I found myself agreeing with her at various points, both aloud and in my mind, as she makes a great deal of sense without needing to tear others down to make her points. This book has me excited to explore more books of a political nature, which usually forces me to think outside the proverbial box to better understand the world around me. With hints that The Donald will try to steal another presidential election, it’s best to get into the mindset for more mud slinging.
Kudos, Madm Warren, for this enlightening piece of political writing. I will have to get back into the swing of things, as I always learn so much reading political non-fiction.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
April 27, 2021
I'm with Crystal on this one...
June 4, 2021
I don't have kids and have never dealt with the difficulty of getting good, affordable childcare, but by the end of the first chapter of Persist, I cared so passionately about national childcare that, typing this sentence while eating a carrot, I got excited enough to swallow the wrong way and had to lurch from my desk to open my airway.
How is it possible to explain the tax code, tax deductions, and how business is constantly subsidized by all of us (aka socialized wealth distribution; what people are so afraid of is already going on, but the recipients are large corporations and billionaires!*) so clearly that the reader has an aha about the movement of money in the economy resulting in a feeling that she can articulate life itself: all life is movement and change, and Warren ties that to the economy so simply and coherently that you will never not understand this again, and hence, never not understand inequity of investment that is built into our system and an imbalance that will eventually topple us all if not corrected.
Simply put, Elizabeth Warren is a great teacher. I understand why Rep. Katie Porter changed her life while taking Warren's class (a wonderful anecdote). As I type this, I'm now in the middle of an explanation of a two-cent wealth tax and what that would mean and how it would work, and again, it's so exciting, I'm chewing my carrot extra carefully in order to stay at the computer.
One of my other favorite teachers, Bertice Berry, recently did a video about how being your authentic self brings light to all situations and people, so if another person who is not being authentic is illuminated in that light, it can expose them and make them really angry. I thought of this when Warren first talked about former Mayor Mike Bloomberg. I remembered her stunning exposure of his arrogance during the presidential debates (deliciously reported later in the book in a chapter called A Fighter). In that moment she exposed her authentic brilliance in a way that constantly flows through this well-made book.**
Yes, Elizabeth Warren is a plucky, feisty, people-loving homebody, but there is a relentless laser-like light that comes from her authentic commitment to service over personal gain, to truth over convenience, and to fearless defense of those values. Add to that, she is a good writer, eternally optimistic, and has created a book full of power that made me bawl with hope at the end.
I never got an in-person selfie, but this'll do.
___________
* Lest anyone believe that any business becomes successful all on its own and that government could be eliminated and we'd all do just fine if we just have the gumption, I share this wonderful quotation about Amazon's trajectory. It follows a quote from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos crediting his success to the "heavy-lifting infrastructure" of telecommunications, credit card payment systems, and the US Postal Service, Royal Mail, and Deutsche Post:
And because I can't resist editorializing: now just think about the fact that Amazon doesn't pay taxes to support the same infrastructure that enables its life.
** I like everything about the way this book is made—from the stark, serious, yet striking cover with type that sticks up from the paper (3-D? I'm sure there's a name for that in printer's lingo; anyone know?) to the writing to the organization. It is organized in such a way that Warren can easily jump around in time, going back to a time period she mentions earlier and, with a little repetition, using the second mention to tell a full story. In most books, this might come off as redundant, but the organization of this book makes it smooth and logical. Warren credits Alex Blenkinsopp as an organizer and John Sterling as editor. However this structure came about, kudos to the team!
* * *
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
How is it possible to explain the tax code, tax deductions, and how business is constantly subsidized by all of us (aka socialized wealth distribution; what people are so afraid of is already going on, but the recipients are large corporations and billionaires!*) so clearly that the reader has an aha about the movement of money in the economy resulting in a feeling that she can articulate life itself: all life is movement and change, and Warren ties that to the economy so simply and coherently that you will never not understand this again, and hence, never not understand inequity of investment that is built into our system and an imbalance that will eventually topple us all if not corrected.
Simply put, Elizabeth Warren is a great teacher. I understand why Rep. Katie Porter changed her life while taking Warren's class (a wonderful anecdote). As I type this, I'm now in the middle of an explanation of a two-cent wealth tax and what that would mean and how it would work, and again, it's so exciting, I'm chewing my carrot extra carefully in order to stay at the computer.
One of my other favorite teachers, Bertice Berry, recently did a video about how being your authentic self brings light to all situations and people, so if another person who is not being authentic is illuminated in that light, it can expose them and make them really angry. I thought of this when Warren first talked about former Mayor Mike Bloomberg. I remembered her stunning exposure of his arrogance during the presidential debates (deliciously reported later in the book in a chapter called A Fighter). In that moment she exposed her authentic brilliance in a way that constantly flows through this well-made book.**
Yes, Elizabeth Warren is a plucky, feisty, people-loving homebody, but there is a relentless laser-like light that comes from her authentic commitment to service over personal gain, to truth over convenience, and to fearless defense of those values. Add to that, she is a good writer, eternally optimistic, and has created a book full of power that made me bawl with hope at the end.
I never got an in-person selfie, but this'll do.
___________
* Lest anyone believe that any business becomes successful all on its own and that government could be eliminated and we'd all do just fine if we just have the gumption, I share this wonderful quotation about Amazon's trajectory. It follows a quote from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos crediting his success to the "heavy-lifting infrastructure" of telecommunications, credit card payment systems, and the US Postal Service, Royal Mail, and Deutsche Post:
That "heavy-lifting infrastructure" that Bezos relied on to build his business and his fortune made Amazon possible. And it wasn't only the communications network, the monetary system, and the postal system—he also relied on public roads and bridges that enabled his trucks to make deliveries, police and firefighter protection that kept his sprawling business safe, and a public education system that made it possible for him to hire employees who could read. Because of the enormous investments made by American tax payers, Bezos was able to take his shot at creating a trillion-dollar company.
. . . [He] counted on our government to come up with plans that made it possible to expand opportunity. No matter who we are, we all need these plans. (107-108)
And because I can't resist editorializing: now just think about the fact that Amazon doesn't pay taxes to support the same infrastructure that enables its life.
** I like everything about the way this book is made—from the stark, serious, yet striking cover with type that sticks up from the paper (3-D? I'm sure there's a name for that in printer's lingo; anyone know?) to the writing to the organization. It is organized in such a way that Warren can easily jump around in time, going back to a time period she mentions earlier and, with a little repetition, using the second mention to tell a full story. In most books, this might come off as redundant, but the organization of this book makes it smooth and logical. Warren credits Alex Blenkinsopp as an organizer and John Sterling as editor. However this structure came about, kudos to the team!
* * *
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
May 1, 2021
Elizabeth Warren is brilliant and the fact that some of you all are so pathetic as to disparage her book that you are seemingly incapable of reading is just sad.
January 4, 2022
Much of the material in this book has been covered in other books by Warren and in the campaign for president. I respect her as a gracious loser in the presidential campaign. She behaved in what is now an old fashion manner. I enjoy reading Warren’s books as she is an excellent writer. She is concise and to the point. The book was a nice review of Warren’s plans and goals; but, if I had realized the book was mostly a review of her message, I would have skipped it as I am familiar with the content.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and thirty-five minutes. Warren does a good job narrating the book. When she is no longer in politics, she can obtain a job narrating audiobooks.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and thirty-five minutes. Warren does a good job narrating the book. When she is no longer in politics, she can obtain a job narrating audiobooks.
May 15, 2021
I love Elizabeth Warren. She engages in a process of thought starting with gathering the real facts. She then evaluates the issue with objective discernment, always thinking about what is "right" and what is less than that. She then intellectually formulates a plan and double checks it with the less intellectual analysis. There is no better system for governing. She is brilliant, caring, thoughtful, creative and, in my opinion, Christian. She is a very balanced person with a great sense of family, kindness and self evaluation. She recognizes her imperfections as a human, the very few she seems to have. Her diligence and work ethic are nearly unmatched in any realm of life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its author!
December 31, 2025
The fierceness of this woman inspires me. That she is out there fighting in all her different roles, impresses me completely. If you have ears to hear and eyes to read, I highly recommend this read.
TOC describes her message generally, discussing all the roles she plays and uses to fight the good fights:
Prologue - You don't get what you don't fight for
Chap 1 - a Mother
Chap 2 - a Teacher
Chap 3 - a Planner
Chap 4 - a Fighter
Chap 5 - a Learner
Chap 6 - a Woman
TOC describes her message generally, discussing all the roles she plays and uses to fight the good fights:
Prologue - You don't get what you don't fight for
Chap 1 - a Mother
Chap 2 - a Teacher
Chap 3 - a Planner
Chap 4 - a Fighter
Chap 5 - a Learner
Chap 6 - a Woman
May 4, 2021
In true Elizabeth Warren fashion, she doesn’t waste a moment of this book resting on her laurels after a historic presidential campaign- she knows there is too much to be done. This book is the updated and expanded version of her iconic presidential stump speech that so seamlessly wove her personal story with her signature plans for a more fair and just America. Of course, we already know Elizabeth as our beloved billionaire antagonist, fierce legislator, and consumer advocate, but this is the book that paints her as the mother, sister, and teacher that made her all of those things.
A lot has changed since Elizabeth Warren dissolved her presidential campaign: the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6 insurrectionist attack on the Capitol, Democrats' newfound control of Congress. She writes in light of these events with infectious hope and optimism that gave me a sense of closure with the election season and a rallying cry to stay in the fight during this new chapter.
This book would make a beautiful gift to a supporter, volunteer, young people interested in politics, and anyone looking to learn more about the woman with the plans!
A lot has changed since Elizabeth Warren dissolved her presidential campaign: the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6 insurrectionist attack on the Capitol, Democrats' newfound control of Congress. She writes in light of these events with infectious hope and optimism that gave me a sense of closure with the election season and a rallying cry to stay in the fight during this new chapter.
This book would make a beautiful gift to a supporter, volunteer, young people interested in politics, and anyone looking to learn more about the woman with the plans!
April 21, 2022
I didn’t even know this existed because I haven’t been really following any politician’s writings for a while now. So when I found this while browsing my library catalog, I wanted to listen to it immediately. And that was definitely a good decision.
Frankly, I don’t know how reading this book will feel like. But listening to it narrated by Elizabeth Warren herself is an experience I’m glad I didn’t miss. She brings all her knowledge and passion that we usually see her display during speeches to this book and it was amazing. I also liked how she prefaced it by saying it’s not a campaign book and went on to structure it in a way that reflects her life experiences. She goes through the phases of her life her marriage, motherhood, being a teacher, then a bankruptcy law expert and later a politician and details some of the challenges she faced in each of these phases. She then explains in a very accessible manner the various similar kinds of issues that millions of people face in this country even till today and how we can go about solving some of them, if only there was will and determination to solve them, instead of just winning elections. Her solutions may seem too simple or maybe impossible too, but I don’t see anything wrong with starting from impossible solutions and then arriving at more possible ones. In a highly partisan world that we live right now, there is no point starting with low expectations because the bar is already very low.
The issues Warren highlights in this book are not something new or what we don’t already know, but it’s the way she intersperses her experiences with that of the people, navigating the history of policy making that led to some of the changes, and the need to make more decisive policy changes - that’s what makes this a very effective book. And it’s just spectacular in terms of narration. Do recommend, especially if you’re not used to reading a lot of political books. It might feel more like “nothing new” if you are a seasoned reader.
Frankly, I don’t know how reading this book will feel like. But listening to it narrated by Elizabeth Warren herself is an experience I’m glad I didn’t miss. She brings all her knowledge and passion that we usually see her display during speeches to this book and it was amazing. I also liked how she prefaced it by saying it’s not a campaign book and went on to structure it in a way that reflects her life experiences. She goes through the phases of her life her marriage, motherhood, being a teacher, then a bankruptcy law expert and later a politician and details some of the challenges she faced in each of these phases. She then explains in a very accessible manner the various similar kinds of issues that millions of people face in this country even till today and how we can go about solving some of them, if only there was will and determination to solve them, instead of just winning elections. Her solutions may seem too simple or maybe impossible too, but I don’t see anything wrong with starting from impossible solutions and then arriving at more possible ones. In a highly partisan world that we live right now, there is no point starting with low expectations because the bar is already very low.
The issues Warren highlights in this book are not something new or what we don’t already know, but it’s the way she intersperses her experiences with that of the people, navigating the history of policy making that led to some of the changes, and the need to make more decisive policy changes - that’s what makes this a very effective book. And it’s just spectacular in terms of narration. Do recommend, especially if you’re not used to reading a lot of political books. It might feel more like “nothing new” if you are a seasoned reader.
May 4, 2021
Elizabeth Warren masterfully crafted Persist by weaving together personal stories and legislative policy to create a truly compelling, educational and visionary book. I'd highly recommend Persist to anyone who's looking for hope and heart, and for those who want to understand policy through personal narratives. My biggest takeaway – Elizabeth Warren has had one hell of a life and is a one of a kind woman and author.
August 1, 2021
I lived in Massachusetts when Elizabeth Warren was first elected as a senator. I liked her then and liked her as a presidential candidate as well. I don’t agree with all her solutions, but I like that she is smart, principled, and passionate.
But, I am not rating Elizabeth Warren as a politician, I am rating what I thought of this book. Her intelligence, principles, and passion do come through in the book. I liked learning about her life growing up in Oklahoma and as a young teacher then lawyer/law professor and a young mom. The chapter about the need for childcare was particularly compelling, and her description of both the problem and her solution (wealth tax, of course) were the most in-depth of all the chapters.
However, I grew tired of the repetitive nature of all the chapters as the book went on. The basic outline of each chapter is to mention a problem, describe how billionaires are mostly the cause of the problem, explain how she has a plan to fix it (sometimes the plan is explained fully and at other times it is just mentioned vaguely with a whole lot of “I have a plan for that because plans are awesome” cheerleading), and then say that her plan hasn’t come to fruition yet because billionaires. And then some rah rah-ing about not giving up the fight.
I wish she would have incorporated more of her life throughout each chapters rather than that openness being stuck in the beginning. After awhile it was as if Warren decided it was too personal and went back to her presidential stump speech. I also wish there was more of her thoughts on the presidential campaign itself. I wanted more raw, deep thoughts about it. It seemed like she held herself back from truly examining it, though, and kept repeating the sound bites I’ve heard before. Similarly, she mentions some of the infamous controversies around her but doesn’t give us more than what she’s already said elsewhere. She’s sorry for taking the DNA test and she has learned from it. Never mind telling us what she learned and how she learned.
The whole book read as if it were a job interview/resume. Warren keeps describing all her accomplishments, and toward the end she ticks off the boxes that maybe haven’t been ticked yet, just to make sure the reader knows where she stands. She goes from Me Too to Black Lives Matter to Green New Deal in the span of a few pages. It’s kind of like the kid who has a 4.0 and is an accomplished musician but decides to volunteer senior year at a nursing home for a few hours just so she can put it on her college application. I definitely had to force myself to even skim through the last few chapters.
But, I am not rating Elizabeth Warren as a politician, I am rating what I thought of this book. Her intelligence, principles, and passion do come through in the book. I liked learning about her life growing up in Oklahoma and as a young teacher then lawyer/law professor and a young mom. The chapter about the need for childcare was particularly compelling, and her description of both the problem and her solution (wealth tax, of course) were the most in-depth of all the chapters.
However, I grew tired of the repetitive nature of all the chapters as the book went on. The basic outline of each chapter is to mention a problem, describe how billionaires are mostly the cause of the problem, explain how she has a plan to fix it (sometimes the plan is explained fully and at other times it is just mentioned vaguely with a whole lot of “I have a plan for that because plans are awesome” cheerleading), and then say that her plan hasn’t come to fruition yet because billionaires. And then some rah rah-ing about not giving up the fight.
I wish she would have incorporated more of her life throughout each chapters rather than that openness being stuck in the beginning. After awhile it was as if Warren decided it was too personal and went back to her presidential stump speech. I also wish there was more of her thoughts on the presidential campaign itself. I wanted more raw, deep thoughts about it. It seemed like she held herself back from truly examining it, though, and kept repeating the sound bites I’ve heard before. Similarly, she mentions some of the infamous controversies around her but doesn’t give us more than what she’s already said elsewhere. She’s sorry for taking the DNA test and she has learned from it. Never mind telling us what she learned and how she learned.
The whole book read as if it were a job interview/resume. Warren keeps describing all her accomplishments, and toward the end she ticks off the boxes that maybe haven’t been ticked yet, just to make sure the reader knows where she stands. She goes from Me Too to Black Lives Matter to Green New Deal in the span of a few pages. It’s kind of like the kid who has a 4.0 and is an accomplished musician but decides to volunteer senior year at a nursing home for a few hours just so she can put it on her college application. I definitely had to force myself to even skim through the last few chapters.
June 7, 2021
This was a fantastic read. I’m saddened even more that she’s not our President. Incredible!
May 1, 2021
I'm with Crystal ....
May 27, 2021
I went into this with an extreme bias, because I think Elizabeth Warren is brilliant and wonderful and the best of us. That being said, this book was still somehow better than I expected. Persist had this perfect mix of policy, her experience on the presidential campaign trail, and some new stories from her life. I really enjoyed reading A Fighting Chance, because it was full of her lived experiences that wowed me a bit. Wistfully, I was hoping for a bit more of that in future books, so I was more than pleasantly surprised when they showed up in Persist.
The book was organized in this perfect flow of memoir and policy positions, discussing the plans she's famous for, but woven together from her lived experiences and the characteristics that drive her- being a mother, a teacher, a fighter, a learner, and a woman. The narrative felt seamless and I often lost myself in it. It's been quite awhile since I savored the last of a book, hoping to make it last a little longer. The 2nd to last portion broke my heart with her candid feelings on a difficult loss. The final pages surprised me as she used them almost exclusively to praise several women around her and one in particular- using the last words of her work to lift someone up and pass the torch. If there's any advice I'll take, it's Liz's.
The book was organized in this perfect flow of memoir and policy positions, discussing the plans she's famous for, but woven together from her lived experiences and the characteristics that drive her- being a mother, a teacher, a fighter, a learner, and a woman. The narrative felt seamless and I often lost myself in it. It's been quite awhile since I savored the last of a book, hoping to make it last a little longer. The 2nd to last portion broke my heart with her candid feelings on a difficult loss. The final pages surprised me as she used them almost exclusively to praise several women around her and one in particular- using the last words of her work to lift someone up and pass the torch. If there's any advice I'll take, it's Liz's.
May 8, 2021
Told through anecdotes from Warren's own life and presidential campaign, we hear about today's many societal problems in America - and how to fix them. The author is undoubtedly a great storyteller, talking about politics in a personal manner and mapping out an ideal future worth fighting for.
Hearing this audiobook was an absolute joy, in great deal thanks to Warren's unmatched ability to energize and enthrall her audience. Her deeply rooted enthusiasm shines through and it doesn't feel like she reads this book at all. Instead, it's just like listening to someone speaking right from their heart.
Hearing this audiobook was an absolute joy, in great deal thanks to Warren's unmatched ability to energize and enthrall her audience. Her deeply rooted enthusiasm shines through and it doesn't feel like she reads this book at all. Instead, it's just like listening to someone speaking right from their heart.
May 4, 2021
This is a quite accessible, well sourced, and touchingly personal book — the main focus is Warren’s policy vision for the country. Although she does make statistical arguments, etc, I found the highlights to be the stories from voters, other political leaders, and her own life that underline the policy. A pretty fun, interesting read, would definitely recommend if you like progressive policy, want to better understand the argument for said policy, or are a fan of Warren and politicians like her.
May 22, 2021
An excellent sharing of Elizabeth Warren’s ideas of improving the United States in format of different roles she has had in life.
I like the way she blended her experiences with detailed ways to meet the challenges the average person faces.
Warren is an excellent planner, a avid learner and an articulate writer. I found this book be informative, but personal enough that I did not feel bogged down in policy.
I like the way she blended her experiences with detailed ways to meet the challenges the average person faces.
Warren is an excellent planner, a avid learner and an articulate writer. I found this book be informative, but personal enough that I did not feel bogged down in policy.
May 10, 2021
I've been a fan of Elizabeth Warren since she won her Senate race back in 2012. To me, there is no more inspiring politician. I wanted her to run for president in 2016 and when she entered the race in 2020, I was ecstatic. I was sure she would win the primary, go on to defeat Donald Trump, and make history as the first woman president.
As we know, that didn't happen. Nevertheless, Warren has continued to persist and is leading the fight for equality and Democracy within the Senate. And, apparently, she spent time writing this book as well. Like all of her previous publications, this one is a mixture of personal stories and policy, and after reading it, one thing is clear - our country truly missed out on electing this remarkable woman as President of the United States and Leader of the Free World.
The book was well-written, intelligent, and equal parts heartbreaking - I needed tissues for the stories of individuals she met throughout her professional life, struggling to make it in America; and sobbed like a baby whenever she reflected on her failed presidential campaign - and inspiring - she lays out a grand vision (complete with detailed policies - she has a plan for everything!) for a more equitable future; a progressive one more realistic and achievable than Bernie Sanders ever laid out with his rhetoric and lack of policies; and it helps knowing she's in the Senate actually trying to enact this change for the better.
I can't recommend this book enough. It easily earns its five stars, and I would gladly give it more if I could.
As we know, that didn't happen. Nevertheless, Warren has continued to persist and is leading the fight for equality and Democracy within the Senate. And, apparently, she spent time writing this book as well. Like all of her previous publications, this one is a mixture of personal stories and policy, and after reading it, one thing is clear - our country truly missed out on electing this remarkable woman as President of the United States and Leader of the Free World.
The book was well-written, intelligent, and equal parts heartbreaking - I needed tissues for the stories of individuals she met throughout her professional life, struggling to make it in America; and sobbed like a baby whenever she reflected on her failed presidential campaign - and inspiring - she lays out a grand vision (complete with detailed policies - she has a plan for everything!) for a more equitable future; a progressive one more realistic and achievable than Bernie Sanders ever laid out with his rhetoric and lack of policies; and it helps knowing she's in the Senate actually trying to enact this change for the better.
I can't recommend this book enough. It easily earns its five stars, and I would gladly give it more if I could.
Read
June 28, 2021This admirable senator needs to live a few more thousand years... Her youthful energy, idealism, ragged and unapologetic grip on detail-oriented plans and policies,sharp knowledge, readiness to barrel down with shadowy powers on behalf of a fairer American country, and commitment to so many issues , as shown in this book, are indispensable.
I have a couple of observations about this book. First is how the figure of Bernie looms large even more because Sen. Warren doesn't talk about him, though she speaks glowingly of other colleagues both progressive and moderate, such as Julian Castro, Ayenna Pressley, Deb Haaland, Jay Inslee, Joe Biden, Barack Obama. I feel like when Sen. Warren keeps repeating her emphasis on the need for concrete plans, top-to-bottom, funding breakdowns for the implementations of policies, and how without plans ambitions are pipe dreams, that might be her roundabout way of providing her explanation for the faint rift between them.
Secondly, Sen. Warren's plans mostly focus on taxation of the wealthiest Americans. She mentions her desire to cancel student debt up to a certain dollar amount. I don't know if that addresses the root causes of the problem, which is the skyrocketing amount of tuition that may not be commensurate to educational expenditures on the professoriate or building infrastructure, but may be due to luxuries that students don't really need to bear or pay for. Maybe a study could go into this?
I have a couple of observations about this book. First is how the figure of Bernie looms large even more because Sen. Warren doesn't talk about him, though she speaks glowingly of other colleagues both progressive and moderate, such as Julian Castro, Ayenna Pressley, Deb Haaland, Jay Inslee, Joe Biden, Barack Obama. I feel like when Sen. Warren keeps repeating her emphasis on the need for concrete plans, top-to-bottom, funding breakdowns for the implementations of policies, and how without plans ambitions are pipe dreams, that might be her roundabout way of providing her explanation for the faint rift between them.
Secondly, Sen. Warren's plans mostly focus on taxation of the wealthiest Americans. She mentions her desire to cancel student debt up to a certain dollar amount. I don't know if that addresses the root causes of the problem, which is the skyrocketing amount of tuition that may not be commensurate to educational expenditures on the professoriate or building infrastructure, but may be due to luxuries that students don't really need to bear or pay for. Maybe a study could go into this?
May 23, 2021
I was a Warren supporter in 2020 and even ran as a delegate. But maybe, for me, reading this outside of an election year, the glow has faded.
This is an odd book, but I guess I shouldn't expect any different from a campaign memoir. It intersperses national problems and policy talk with stories from her early life and stories from her campaign. Because I've read some of her older books and followed her campaign closely, little here was new to me. I guess I wanted something deeper, more vulnerable. More about regrets and how she really felt about certain incidents. I guess Liz is not ready for that yet. Or it's not her nature to give it.
This is an odd book, but I guess I shouldn't expect any different from a campaign memoir. It intersperses national problems and policy talk with stories from her early life and stories from her campaign. Because I've read some of her older books and followed her campaign closely, little here was new to me. I guess I wanted something deeper, more vulnerable. More about regrets and how she really felt about certain incidents. I guess Liz is not ready for that yet. Or it's not her nature to give it.
May 4, 2021
Persist encouraged me to think critically about what to do after a tough loss and how to organize around a policy agenda. I also learned more about Senator Warren's personal trajectory and mindset, from childhood to marriage(s) to law professor days and time spent on the campaign trail. It made me laugh and it made me cry. It's a great read to 1. find inspiration for the many fights ahead and 2. learn more about the policies that could transform our country.
August 2, 2021
I don't care what your politics are, I think you should read this book. Elizabeth Warren is a woman who has a plan, unlike so many who run for office. I love her energy, enthusiasm, and her brains. She shows what happens when you do persist. I think she would have been a transformative president, but I'm glad that she continues to work to better our country in the Senate.
June 2, 2021
5 Stars - Non Fiction
So glad I picked up this book. I love Elizabeth Warren and her ideals and this book really opened up her past and why she fights for the things she does.
So glad I picked up this book. I love Elizabeth Warren and her ideals and this book really opened up her past and why she fights for the things she does.
May 31, 2021
Having followed Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign I didn't learn too much that was new in "Persist," but it confirmed my opinion that she is in politics for the right reasons. In this call to action Warren discusses her personal experiences as a mother, teacher, lawyer and planner to help solve problems that affect women, people of color, anyone, really, affected by the economy or societal rules and expectations. Here are some things Warren weighs in on.
*Of 37 of the highest income countries, the U.S. is the only one that doesn't offer paid family leave. That needs to change.
*High quality caregiving and pre-school is one of the best investments the U.S. can make for its future. Same with college and trade schools.
* People often ask where we would get the additional money needed for various issues, and Warren proposes this in the way of tax reform: A 2 cent wealth tax on earnings of a total earnings of $50million or more and 3 cents for every dollar earned above $1billion would go a long way in raising money for public education, childcare, reducing student loan debt, raising teacher salaries, etc.
*We must recognize the climate change threat and develop a plan; we must produce clean energy.
* Improving the ACA (Affordable Care Act) is necessary.
*Help people with housing costs would be beneficial.
* We need recognition of the gender gap and racial disparity in housing, bankruptcy, criminal justice.
* One of my favorites is outlawing corporate contributions for candidates for the House, Senate, and White House.
*Of 37 of the highest income countries, the U.S. is the only one that doesn't offer paid family leave. That needs to change.
*High quality caregiving and pre-school is one of the best investments the U.S. can make for its future. Same with college and trade schools.
* People often ask where we would get the additional money needed for various issues, and Warren proposes this in the way of tax reform: A 2 cent wealth tax on earnings of a total earnings of $50million or more and 3 cents for every dollar earned above $1billion would go a long way in raising money for public education, childcare, reducing student loan debt, raising teacher salaries, etc.
*We must recognize the climate change threat and develop a plan; we must produce clean energy.
* Improving the ACA (Affordable Care Act) is necessary.
*Help people with housing costs would be beneficial.
* We need recognition of the gender gap and racial disparity in housing, bankruptcy, criminal justice.
* One of my favorites is outlawing corporate contributions for candidates for the House, Senate, and White House.
October 4, 2021
"People feel like the system is rigged against them. And here's the painful part: the system IS rigged."
"If you don't have a seat at the table, you're probably on the menu."
"I'm running for president because that's what girls do."
“There is nobody in this country who got rich on his own. Nobody. You built a factory out there—good for you. But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers that the rest of us paid to educate...Part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along.”
― Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren is the unabashed progressive senator from Massachusetts who has plans, plans, and more plans for the United States. She presented many of those plans during her run for president in 2020, making it to the final four of candidates for the Democratic nomination. In Persist, she tells much of the story of where she is coming from and what she still wants to accomplish. Warren has written ten books, some of which deal with her specialty in bankruptcy law, and one of which was autobiographical called A Fighting Chance. Persist is both autobiographical and political.
Warren got her beginning as Elizabeth Herring, born in Oklahoma to a family that was "teetering on the ragged edge of the middle class." She was a devout conservative up until the 1980's when she did a complete turnaround and became one of the nation's top progressive voices. She got married, had two children, and still managed to finish law school and become a professor in the 1980's when few women held that position.
Warren specialized in bankruptcy law and did substantial research into how and why families find themselves in bankruptcy court. Her research uncovered the unpleasant truth that white Americans are much more likely to get their debt discharged, while people of color are much more likely to file for debt protection. She co-wrote a book on the phenomenon, (As We Forgive Our Debtors), and the unfairness of the entire financial industry and how it treated poor people. This experience inspired her to fight for the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB), that is the only government agency empowered to act on behalf of people who've been shafted by the shady and confusing world of finance. (The CFPB has saved consumers over $7 Billion dollars in unfair fees since its establishment).
Persist touches on many of Warren's pet peeves regarding the unfairness of American society. She dives into our shoddy treatment of mothers (she was fired from a teaching job when she first became pregnant), telling the story of how a relative saved her from having to quit working by watching her kids. She freelly admits that the handy relative who will watch your kids for free is not realistic for most of today's parents. The costs of childcare have skyrocketed 900% in the past 30 years according to Warren, and parents at every level are struggling to find something that they can afford and live with. Working women have added tremendously to the US economy, but women are still expected to be responsible for child care- a nearly impossible task for many working mothers. (Single mothers are also the most likely to end up in bankruptcy court.)
The book also looks at the state of education, and how things have deteriorated in America in the last few decades. State support for education, especially higher education is down, while student loan debt has skyrocketed to over a trillion dollars. 40% of people paying back student loans never were able to graduate, and it continues to get worse. One in six US teachers work a second or third job (or one in three younger teachers), while they try to pay back loans and make a living on meager teacher pay.
Senator Warren tells a disturbing tale about a senior professor who tried to sexually molest her, and how she was afraid to report him because of the power imbalance back then. Women still face discrimination, sexual harassment, a gender gap, and a threat to family planning and the right to choose, and the book touches on all of those topics in one way or another. Being a female politician, she has had to deal with a system that is dominated by powerful men, and she has become an inspiration to young women everywhere.
There are many great stories in this book, including:
- How she got to know California Representative Katie Porter and mentor her as her law professor.
- Warren got into trouble for claiming mistakenly that she had Native American ancestry. She never benefited from it, but she was criticized relentlessly by people like Donald Trump who called her "Pocahontas." In this book Warren shows how she used the controversy to reach out to actual native Americans and help them.
- Elizabeth Warren may have single-handedly dismantled Michael Bloomberg during his first Democratic debate after sitting out the early part and thinking he could buy his way to the presidency. She also may be responsible for getting Chris Mathews fired from MSNBC because of a clueless interview he did with her.
- During her run for president in 2020 she spent hours after every speech taking selfies with attendees. Warren has a lot to say about campaign financing and is proud of the fact that she relied mostly on smaller donations.
What I liked best about Persist is Elizabeth Warren's passionate, optimistic spirit. (Full disclosure- I voted for her in 2020 and think she would have been much better than either Biden or Trump). She seems to be the perfect combination of a tough, smart visionary with plenty of well-researched plans and a good listener who could work with different constituencies. Most politicians are of questionable character, and Warren is far from perfect I'm sure, but so far at least I think she believes what she proposes will truly help the most people.
Most of Warren's plans involve taxing the rich and using that money to make life better for the poor and middle class and right now those goals seem way out of reach. Her wealth tax, which would take 2% of the amount over $500 million, seems like it could work, but the rich have gotten their way and then some for decades. Government has been a bogeyman for the past fifty years, and it would be nice to see what a well-run federal government could have accomplished with the right people at the top. There are some problems, like Climate Change, Child Care, Education, and Health Care, that government is uniquely positioned to make the most difference, and perhaps some day someone like Warren will get the chance to show us what Scandinavians already know.
It's so easy to be cynical these days, when politicians from both sides try to tell us why we can't have nice things. It's just so damned refreshing to hear from one who wants to at least try.
"If you don't have a seat at the table, you're probably on the menu."
"I'm running for president because that's what girls do."
“There is nobody in this country who got rich on his own. Nobody. You built a factory out there—good for you. But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers that the rest of us paid to educate...Part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along.”
― Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren is the unabashed progressive senator from Massachusetts who has plans, plans, and more plans for the United States. She presented many of those plans during her run for president in 2020, making it to the final four of candidates for the Democratic nomination. In Persist, she tells much of the story of where she is coming from and what she still wants to accomplish. Warren has written ten books, some of which deal with her specialty in bankruptcy law, and one of which was autobiographical called A Fighting Chance. Persist is both autobiographical and political.
Warren got her beginning as Elizabeth Herring, born in Oklahoma to a family that was "teetering on the ragged edge of the middle class." She was a devout conservative up until the 1980's when she did a complete turnaround and became one of the nation's top progressive voices. She got married, had two children, and still managed to finish law school and become a professor in the 1980's when few women held that position.
Warren specialized in bankruptcy law and did substantial research into how and why families find themselves in bankruptcy court. Her research uncovered the unpleasant truth that white Americans are much more likely to get their debt discharged, while people of color are much more likely to file for debt protection. She co-wrote a book on the phenomenon, (As We Forgive Our Debtors), and the unfairness of the entire financial industry and how it treated poor people. This experience inspired her to fight for the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB), that is the only government agency empowered to act on behalf of people who've been shafted by the shady and confusing world of finance. (The CFPB has saved consumers over $7 Billion dollars in unfair fees since its establishment).
Persist touches on many of Warren's pet peeves regarding the unfairness of American society. She dives into our shoddy treatment of mothers (she was fired from a teaching job when she first became pregnant), telling the story of how a relative saved her from having to quit working by watching her kids. She freelly admits that the handy relative who will watch your kids for free is not realistic for most of today's parents. The costs of childcare have skyrocketed 900% in the past 30 years according to Warren, and parents at every level are struggling to find something that they can afford and live with. Working women have added tremendously to the US economy, but women are still expected to be responsible for child care- a nearly impossible task for many working mothers. (Single mothers are also the most likely to end up in bankruptcy court.)
The book also looks at the state of education, and how things have deteriorated in America in the last few decades. State support for education, especially higher education is down, while student loan debt has skyrocketed to over a trillion dollars. 40% of people paying back student loans never were able to graduate, and it continues to get worse. One in six US teachers work a second or third job (or one in three younger teachers), while they try to pay back loans and make a living on meager teacher pay.
Senator Warren tells a disturbing tale about a senior professor who tried to sexually molest her, and how she was afraid to report him because of the power imbalance back then. Women still face discrimination, sexual harassment, a gender gap, and a threat to family planning and the right to choose, and the book touches on all of those topics in one way or another. Being a female politician, she has had to deal with a system that is dominated by powerful men, and she has become an inspiration to young women everywhere.
There are many great stories in this book, including:
- How she got to know California Representative Katie Porter and mentor her as her law professor.
- Warren got into trouble for claiming mistakenly that she had Native American ancestry. She never benefited from it, but she was criticized relentlessly by people like Donald Trump who called her "Pocahontas." In this book Warren shows how she used the controversy to reach out to actual native Americans and help them.
- Elizabeth Warren may have single-handedly dismantled Michael Bloomberg during his first Democratic debate after sitting out the early part and thinking he could buy his way to the presidency. She also may be responsible for getting Chris Mathews fired from MSNBC because of a clueless interview he did with her.
- During her run for president in 2020 she spent hours after every speech taking selfies with attendees. Warren has a lot to say about campaign financing and is proud of the fact that she relied mostly on smaller donations.
What I liked best about Persist is Elizabeth Warren's passionate, optimistic spirit. (Full disclosure- I voted for her in 2020 and think she would have been much better than either Biden or Trump). She seems to be the perfect combination of a tough, smart visionary with plenty of well-researched plans and a good listener who could work with different constituencies. Most politicians are of questionable character, and Warren is far from perfect I'm sure, but so far at least I think she believes what she proposes will truly help the most people.
Most of Warren's plans involve taxing the rich and using that money to make life better for the poor and middle class and right now those goals seem way out of reach. Her wealth tax, which would take 2% of the amount over $500 million, seems like it could work, but the rich have gotten their way and then some for decades. Government has been a bogeyman for the past fifty years, and it would be nice to see what a well-run federal government could have accomplished with the right people at the top. There are some problems, like Climate Change, Child Care, Education, and Health Care, that government is uniquely positioned to make the most difference, and perhaps some day someone like Warren will get the chance to show us what Scandinavians already know.
It's so easy to be cynical these days, when politicians from both sides try to tell us why we can't have nice things. It's just so damned refreshing to hear from one who wants to at least try.
May 18, 2021
I enjoyed reading her book! She has so much to and so many stories to tell. She's met a lot of supporter in her Senate bid and the latest Presidential bid. From her first love of teaching little kids to teaching law students, she's covered vast amounts of topics and peoples' lives. I even learned some Black History facts and people. She touched the lives of three particular activists that show her persistence in progressive causes when you read who they have become. I screamed "noooo" when I got to the end and realized the rest of the pages were her notes. I had wanted to read more and can since she has several other books. Great job, senator.
May 9, 2021
Elizabeth Warren thinks deeply about how to utilize our government to help make life better “for mommas and babies.” She’s a gifted storyteller. It’s no wonder that she’s a Harvard Law Professor and was re-elected as Senator of Massachusetts. We’re lucky to have her fighting for American democracy. I read the book in 1 day. Please don’t rate this book if you haven’t read it.
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