Madam President, Revised Edition: Women Blazing the Leadership Trail

By Eleanor Clift and Tom Brazaitis

Book Overview

The first Madam President will be sworn in sooner than most people think. But the gender gap in politics is still shockingly broad, say two of America's most readable political commentators in this timely look at the nation's sputtering efforts to envision a woman in America's top job.(The Boston Globe ). Charting the transformation of women's power in American politics from the first female presidential candidate (Victoria Woodhull in 1872) to the shattered presidential hopes of Shirley Chisholm and Elizabeth Dole, Madam President presents tales of passion, determination, set-backs, and triumph from nearly all national women politicians and most leading state politicians in the pipeline. With insight garnered from years on the Washington political scene and candid interviews with leading politicians like Christine Todd Whitman and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Clift and Brazaitis explain why the barriers to women are still formidable: There are only 3 female governors (one of the best routes to the White House) and at the current rate it will take 250 years before there are as many women Senators and Representatives as men. A forward-looking, savvy analysis of women in politics, Madam President gives the first inside look at how America's female politicians got there, stayed there, and what it will take for them to make it to the presidency.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 041593432X
• ISBN13: 9780415934329
• Release Date: December 1899
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 366 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A must read for all women

I really enjoyed the book. I could't put it down. It was enlightening and very interesting to see that these highly placed women are confronted with some of the same issues as other women. I began to understand why there aren't more women occupying seats of power. Very relatable and valuable for women who want to shatter the glass ceiling in their own organizations.

Inspiration for Female Politicians

A good book for females seeking a career in politics, as well as males looking to see how a female as Vice-President or President is inevitable in the near future. This book is not based strictly on feminist beliefs, but it does describe how female politicians feel in a political field dominated by male candidates. Interviews rage from some of the most well-known female politicians (Elizabeth Dole, Gov. Christi Whitman, Sen. Dianne Feinstein) to the lesser-known female politicians (Rep. Jennifer Dunn, Sen. Mary Landrieu). Excellent book, look forward to more like it...

Fun Summer Read in an Election Year

What a pleasant break to read a Washington tell-all book that's not about scandals. I'm taking it to the beach with me where I can truly savor every juicy morsel.

Uplifting and enjoyable read

When I first picked up this book I wasn't sure if it had enough new information to hold my interest. Boy way I wrong (I'll never judge a book by its cover again). Unlike so many other inside-the-beltway tomes, this book has something important to say. It's pithy, polished and unpretentious. I'm enjoying every delicious page!

Original, Insightful and Inspriational

Eleanor and Tom have written a classic. It's about time someone has taken the role of women in high political office seriously. I'm buying copies for my daughters and nieces.