The Joy of Politics: Surviving Cancer, a Campaign, a Pandemic, an Insurrection, and Life's Other Unexpected Curveballs

by Amy Klobuchar

An intimate and revelatory memoir—on personal challenges, political turmoil, and the state of American democracy—from one of the most effective voices in politics, Amy Klobuchar.

During the past few years, as our country has faced unprecedented challenges, Senator Klobuchar has been in the room where it happens—on the Senate floor for critical votes during the pandemic, at the debate podium during one of the most critical presidential elections in US history, and in the Capitol on January 6, 2021, when insurrectionists stormed the building, interrupting the certification of the electoral college. It was well past midnight when Klobuchar stood beside then-Vice President Pence to officially certify President Biden's victory.

In her candid, honest, and at times bitingly funny memoir, the pragmatic senator shares insider stories from these historic moments, while also inviting readers into her personal life. An underdog in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary campaign, she built surprising early momentum--only to suspend her candidacy in order to support Joe Biden. Within weeks of returning to work in the Senate, the sudden onslaught of COVID-19 hit her family directly. Her husband got very sick and spent a week in the hospital on oxygen and a month in isolation. Klobuchar shares her experience facing a cancer diagnosis while watching her beloved father succumb to Alzheimer's. She recounts the dramatic narrative of January 6 and how close we came to losing our democracy. And, with her signature humor, she reveals what it's like to work with some of her more...well, interesting...colleagues.

At the crux of these stories is a narrative of resilience – of personal resilience and the resilience of a nation – and, improbably, joy.

Genres: Memoir, Politics, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography, Autobiography, History

368 pages, Hardcover

First published May 9, 2023

About the author

Amy Jean Klobuchar is the senior United States Senator from Minnesota. She is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, an affiliate of the Democratic Party. She is the first woman to be elected as a senator for Minnesota and is one of twenty female senators serving in the 113th United States Congress.

She previously served as the county attorney for Hennepin County, Minnesota, the most populous county in Minnesota. She was a legal adviser to former Vice President Walter Mondale. She has been named by The New York Times as one of the seventeen women most likely to become the first female President of the United States, and by MSNBC and The New Yorker as a possible nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Reviews

[Megan Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Senator Klobuchar is able to maintain a solid focus on the theme of joy and politics, while offering a real authentic look at the process of passing legislation and being a politician. She proves that being a politician is not a bad thing

[Janelle Bailey]

53: The Joy of Politics: Surviving Cancer, a Campaign, a Pandemic, an Insurrection, and Life's Other Unexpected Curveballs by Amy Klobuchar

This was an enlightening reading experience, learning more about and getting to know better Amy Klobuchar, United States Senator from just across the river in Minnesota, and a woman making a major mark on American politics.

The Joy of Politics is the first of her books that I have read, but I also learned that there are other older ones that I must now add, also, to my TBR stack. While I feel that I have learned a lot about her and her family--husband, John, and daughter, Abigail, primarily--I suspect that I'd learn more of where she's come from, as well, by reading her earlier books (The Senator Next Door and Antitrust).

I find her--here as well as in other activities--to be a grounded, well-rounded, stable and steady voice of the people and working for the people. I enjoyed this dive into real life--hers and in all of its high and low complexities--with her.

[Elise Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this illuminating book by Amy Klobuchar, the energetic and very capable senator from my home state of Minnesota. With her natural exuberance and optimism, she conveys a sense of joy and resilience "in the midst of a pandemic, a cancer diagnosis, a presidential primary defeat, an insurrection, and the ever-present bare-knuckles politics of Washington, D.C."

Through it all, Senator Klobuchar remains optimistic and hopeful, finding "plenty of joy" despite the setbacks. She quotes Reverend Claudette Anderson Copeland, who said, "Start where you are. Don't get stuck in your reality at the expense of your possibility." If and when Amy Klobuchar launches another presidential campaign, she'll have my vote. This book easily earns five stars and my highest recommendation!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, it’s difficult to read a politics book after November 2024. But… Amy Klobuchar gives me some hope. She’s so strong and such a role model.

[Jess Witkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - Interested in learning more about Senator Amy Klobuchar, then this book is great. As the author and narrator, she comes across incredibly dedicated, responsible, responsive, and skilled. I appreciated her motivation and perseverance to get results and her explanations of some senate and other court rulings that should get updated to reflect the changing times and allow congress to get more done, regardless of how they vote, but to move things forward vs just stopping votes.

It’s a solid read, but a little dry, as it’s written like a long campaign speech more so than a memoir. A fair amount of the content on early days of the Covid pandemic was almost triggering and repetitive. Her firsthand account of the insurrection, however, was interesting and I appreciate anyone dedicated enough after that experience to stick with their role and continue to uphold and preserve democracy.

[Anne Hartley Pfohl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Senator Klobuchar. Her words are always inspiring, I love her sense of humor, and she delivers for her constituents.

[Tracy R · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 stars.
Joy
Strong
Woman

[Sharon Banitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy Klobuchar tells her story of being a senator, a candidate for president, a cancer survivor, her husband's covid and her Dad's dementia and death. She also gives us a look at her life with her husband John and daughter Abigail. During this time she worked across the aisle to help pass major bills. Her hard work and positive thinking makes her a great senator from Minnesota.

[Steve P · Rating 3 out of 5]

If Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar were to win the presidency, the White House food would probably get worse (tater tot casserole?), but almost everything else would be better. Women's Rights. LGBTQIA+ Rights. Empathy. Explanations.

I like Amy and enjoyed her short presidential candidacy, attending one of her rallies in Las Vegas in 2020. She's homespun like Jimmy Carter. Her wit as sharp as Barack Obama. I found her book to very light on issues.

If/when she runs again, this book can serve as an adequate introduction to her for middle America... in the many ways that can be defined.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the 2020 Democratic primaries I had an "Amy for America" bumper sticker on my car and I'd do it again. I admire and like her, and find her to be a public servant who is in the work for the right reasons, a woman who sees public service as a calling rather than a career that allows one to accrue power.

Amy is a glass-half-full kind of person, and she genuinely finds joy in the ideal to which she has dedicated her life. The last paragraph of the acknowledgments at the end of the book reads, "And when it comes to democracy? My state [Minnesota] repeatedly bests the rest of the country on voter turnout. Representing people with high expectations for their elected officials is a good thing. It makes you rise to the occasion. And when that happens and you get stuff done for people? That is the joy of politics."

Well done, Senator Klobuchar.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Klobuchar was my first choice for President in 2020, and I appreciate her analysis, wisdom and humor. Reading this was like having a conversation with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, only this friend ran for President, had breast cancer and a hip replacement, co-chaired the Senate Rules Committee, was actively involved in planning two Presidential Inaugurations, and was a principal participant in preserving democracy on January 6, 2021. You know, a basic overachiever. But nice. Principled, but able to have positive personal relationships with coworkers who have different goals for the country. Senator Klobuchar could give lessons in social skills to many of us, including some of her less likable co-workers. Best of all, she cares about us.

[Tess Mertens-Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the autobiography of the life in politics so far for MN Senator Amy Klobuchar.
I lived in MN and got to know her politics better when she fought for mothers and newborns to stay in the hospital more than 24 hours.
She has been a great inspiration to young women and has made a difference in politics.
She chronicles her time so far as a Senator. The bills she entered and passed, the good and the bad of the system, COVID, her father’s death, her bought with breast cancer and the January 6 insurrection.
She went through her Senate life not bragging, but showing the reader what really happens in the government. She is a true inspiration to all.

[Kayla Barton Hadden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amy tells a great story and I was drawn in particularly by her account of navigating legislative work while trying to keep her cancer diagnosis and treatments under wraps from her coworkers. However, too much of this is peppered with her tooting her own horn of her political feats. She seems like an amazing woman and has definitely been a part of some nationwide positive changes but she pats herself in the back too much in the book.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy Kobuchar is the U.S. Senator from Minnesota, the State just 60 minutes from where I live. This very insightful book explores her recent years of public service - both the joys and challenges - and wonderfully displays her continued joy in public service and the power of American Democracy. From her battles with breast cancer, dealing with a parent who has developed Alzheimer's, to her run for the Democratic presidential nomination, to her continued work in the Senate, Klobuchar shares incredible stories about the political life of our nation. Her humanity showed through, with wonderful stories about issues brought forth to help her constituents, as well as empowering women to service freely in a still-male dominated political machine. She highlighted what she felt were her best accomplishments in her service; and, I must agree, she has done a lot of wonderful things for America.

Most interesting for me was some of the new insights I learned about the true wickedness of the Trump presidency. Sure, we all have our political differences of opinion. And public service is all about working together and compromising with each other for the greater good of our communities. But Trump's era, and the extremist politicians who still support him, have ripped at the very fabric of our democracy. It is scary. Some in the information she shared about his actions, and the actions of his minions in Congress, and most worryingly, the long-term damage to our nation by his stacking of the Supreme Court with poorly equipped judges, was eye opening. Still, she continues to fight for decency and law. And, she still believes in American decency and law, and that the Trump damage can still be fixed. But we, as citizens must put forth the energy and desire to preserve our nation's political legacy.

Very enjoyable and very insightful. I am very glad a read this book.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really only know of Klobuchar as being a Senator from Minnesota and as a 2020 presidential candidate but not as anything else. She was never a candidate I preferred and I was not planning to read her book, however I saw that while promoting it for launch some protesters decided to interrupt her event. I figured I'd give this a read.

If you know of Klobuchar's story, there is not a lot here that is exceptionally new. It's part memoir, part commentary, part launch of her next thing, whether it's another run for president or Senate leadership, etc. So it has a lot of what you can expect: her work as a Senator, some of her presidential run, what it was like to deal with COVID, the death of her father, etc. Depending on your preference you may or may not like it.

If you're looking for a traditional memoir-type of book, this isn't it. If you're a fan, are more curious about her, want to know of her specific experiences, this might be a good book for you. Otherwise, a layperson who isn't particularly interested in politics probably wouldn't enjoy that. It'd probably would make for a good addition for libraries such as women in politics, presidential candidates, Minnesota politicians, etc.

I borrowed this from the library, and that was best for me.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I read this book, I didn't know much about Amy Klobuchar other than what I'd seen in the media. I was an Elizabeth Warren supporter during the 2020 election, though was proud to see the two women together endorsed by the NY Times. But since then, I've watched Klobuchar in her role in making sure the votes were certified in that miserable night of Jan. 6/7 and her activities in the Senate. And I've grown to really admire her. This book gives me more of a background from which to interpret the media coverage. I really appreciate her Midwest values and the kind of patriotism we learned in elementary school in 1950s Michigan. It's familiar, admirable, and idealistic in the best of ways. I'll follow her career more closely now, and certainly will support her, given the chance. BTW, Amy has a great sense of humor!

[Mary Kesson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Senator Klobuchar has written a memoir that covers the past few years, including her presidential campaign, the pandemic, the 2020 election, and the health issues that impacted her family during this period. I wouldn't recommend running out to buy it unless you're a hard-core Amy fan, but I picked it up at the library and found some of the sections interesting. I liked the behind-the-scenes campaign stories (eyelash extensions on Amy?), as well as January 6th and inauguration details related to her role as ranking member and then chair of the Senate Rules Committee.

One of the highlights is a touching story she tells of her mother's teaching about monarch butterflies. Just lovely.

I think of Senator Klobuchar as a workhorse, not a showhorse, but it was good to see her profile raised during her presidential run. There are some good politicians out there who are working hard on our behalf.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting inside look of Senator Klobuchar’s life. She briefly writes of her cancer and working as a Senator during COVID. The Senator was literally on the front line on January 6. As one of the two leaders of the Rules Committee, she walked into The House of Representatives behind Vice-President Mike Pence and Senator Roy Blunt. Senator Klobuchar was there to assist the smooth transition from one president to another president as we have done for over 200 years. Senator Klobuchar sat between former Senator John McCain and Senator Bernie Sanders during President Trump’s inauguration. Very interesting comments from those three Senators. Maybe, maybe, maybe we have some representatives in our government trying to protect us. Read this book!

[Koren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy is a senator from my state (yes, I get to vote for her) so I was excited to see that she had a new memoir out. She has a previous memoir that talks about her early life, so this book mostly recaps the last few years. Covid, a presidential election where she ran for president, a Capitol insurrection to name a few, plus a bout with cancer have happened since the last book. If you follow Amy like I do, then there isn't really too much in this book you don't already know. But if you want to know more about her, read The Senator Next Door: A Memoir from the Heartland first, then read this one.

[Gabrielle (bookforte) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A little saccharine, a tad repetitive, but overall a great reflection on her recent years of cancer, the death of her father, the pandemic, a presidential run, her work as a senator, *and* her work as a senator during Trump's presidency... I didn't love hearing about Trump, the insurrection, or the pandemic (still difficult even for me to process) but I do appreciate hearing her take and hearing a bit of what it was like in the inside. Especially because she had a leadership role while the insurrection was happening. So, overall, I enjoyed it and I do really like her.

Excellent on audio!

Great Bono reference I didn't expect, haha.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because of the word JOY in the title, a hopeful word that I look for a lot these days. I listened to the audiobook version read by the author, which was a good choice. Like all memoirs, The Joy of Politics offers a peek into a life. In this case, it is about how intelligent, resourceful, Minnesotan mover/shaker Amy Klobuchar ticks. She shares insights into how the Senate works and what is joyful and not joyful about politics. Her "curveballs" have been daunting, but more remarkably she has carried on in the public eye while dealing with those curveballs. I strongly recommend the audiobook version because it's better when a person reads his/her own memoir aloud.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

281:2023
At first when I started reading this I thought for sure Amy was setting herself up for future presidential runs, and that may still be true, but I think the real heart of this book is to encourage people to be informed about what's going on in their world and government, and to take part in the process at SOME level. This one was good. I don't know that a staunch Trump supporter would enjoy it, but someone who's a moderate conservative, but appreciates thoughtful people getting stuff done will be able to give Senator Klobucher credit for the good work she's done and respect her viewpoints, even if they're not all shared.

[Bill Sleeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent example of the ever-growing subgenre of the campaign biography - the "Post-Campaign biography." Klobuchar leans heavily into her mid-west, middle-class ideals and personality, lots of "gee whiz" expressions and Sunday potluck and "why can't we all just get along" moments grace this interesting take on how the sausage is made. This reader came away thinking that if Klobuchar had won, she would use a different recipe to make the sausage. I liked it. I like her. Senator Klobuchar is smart as a whip and tough enough to not need to act like she is tough. Read this to better understand how she flies under the radar to deliver for her constituents and the nation.

[Alanna C · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be clear, I rank a book based on other books in similar categories. This was a book my Dad sent me for my birthday. We both adore nonfiction and political books that are either indifferent or aligned to a party. For this one, I compared it to other political books I’ve read. It was well written, and particularly interesting to me given my move to Minnesota a few years back. Beyond that? Unfortunately, more often than not, whether you like a political book depends on how much it aligns with your beliefs. So my review will stop here.

[Claire Kranz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This popped up on my”available now” through my Libby App and since she’s up for re-election, I thought I would give it a try. I was also intrigued by the title because honestly, nothing about politics right now seems joyful! It was a good biography and I enjoyed reading about places in Minnesota that I’ve been. She captures the joy of working in politics quite well, although I don’t know that I would share in that joy if I’m the same situation. That’s what a good author does though, make a reader experience something for the first.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lifelong Republican, I am somewhat appalled that I loved this book so much. I loved not only getting to “know” Amy, but getting a much needed education on how politics actually works. She is a gifted writer (no ghostwriter!) and is able to get the information across to us “average joes” in an easily understandable way. This is a very age intense (meaning that she is writing about current events of this age) book and I hope it will stand the test of time. Good work, Amy!

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am from Minnesota, and Amy Klobuchar is one of my most admired people! Her book is entertaining, but quite honestly, a little repetitive. Anyone that watches the news closely is well aware of her bid for the Presidency, Trumps criminal activity, the riots on the capitol, etc. I wish she would share more about her early life and what shaped her in to who she is today. But overall, the book was well written, and I enjoyed it.

[Julie Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a neighbor of Minnesota and a fan of her dad’s columns in the Minneapolis Star/Tribune, I really enjoyed much of Amy’s insight, experiences and humor.
There were times when it seemed she was more listing her accomplishments (I sponsored this bill, and co-sponsored that bill, etc)that I found it less interesting. Truly enjoyed hearing her story of where she was and what she did during the insurrection.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in the Midwest and follow Amy. She is smart and strong willed especially as I found out in this book. She works hard for her beliefs and does right by her constituents. This book talked about how she began in politics and her tenure to current day. Interesting was the tidbits about running for the Presidency. She is down to earth and adds light heartedness and good humor to what she endures. Amy you Rock!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A no nonsense senator, who looks at how to help every day people not companies. Two good quotes
1. “Immigrants don’t diminishing America. They are America.”
2. “One useful measure of candidates regardless of party do they tap into our hopes? Do they tend to look for the good or the bad in people?”
I am also amazed that she can work across the aisle to get things done! Hats off to her.