The Firsts

The Inside Story of the Women Reshaping Congress

De: Jennifer Steinhauer

Narrado por: Tanya Eby

In November 2018, the greatest number of women in American history entered Congress. From Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and "the Squad" to "the Badasses" with national security backgrounds, from the first two Native Americans in Congress to the first two Muslim women, all were swept into office on a wave of grassroots support, diverse in background, age, professional experience, and ideology.

In The Firsts, New York Times reporter Jennifer Steinhauer follows these women's first year in the 116th Congress, chronicling their transition from running trailblazing campaigns to the daily work of governance. In committee rooms, offices, and conversations on the run through the halls of the Capitol, she probed the question: Would Washington, with its hidebound traditions, change the changemakers, or would this Congress, which looked a little more like today's America, truly be the start of something new?

Vivid and smart, The Firsts delivers fresh details, inside access, historical perspective, and expert analysis as these women - inspiring, controversial, talented, and rebellious - do something truly surprising: make Congress essential again.

©2020 Jennifer Steinhauer (P)2020 Kalorama

Excellent. Interesting. Smart. Women in politics

I heard the author interviewed by Ken Rudin on his podcast, Political Junkie. I downloaded it immediately and read it it 2 days. Deep and personal dive into the women who were elected to Congress in 2018. So many firsts. Stories, interviews, details about campaigns. Highly recommend this book.

I Wish I'd Liked it Better

I had high hopes for this book, the subject matter felt interesting and I love that women are stepping up and hopefully at some point soon the power imbalance closes. Unfortunately I found that I continually needed to rewind portions of the book because my attention had drifted away from the narrative. Perhaps it's just where my head is now that kept me from enjoying this work, but bottom line is, I didn't.