MOVING FORWARD

Political analyst Jean-Pierre's enthusiastic first book documents her life in politics and offers advice and encouragement to those thinking of taking a similar path.

Born in Martinique, the author was raised by working-class Haitian immigrant parents in New York. Realizing that she wasn’t going to fulfill her parents' dream that she become a doctor, she was drawn to politics after getting a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University. She was a regional director for the John Edwards campaign in 2004, served as Barack Obama's regional political director in the Office of Political Affairs, and is now the chief public affairs officer for MoveOn.org and a political analyst for MSNBC. Along the way, she documents some of the pressures of entering the political scene as a young, black, immigrant, lesbian woman. However, she doesn’t dwell on these pressures, mentioning only in passing her experience of childhood sexual abuse and a suicide attempt. Instead, she focuses on the lessons of hard work and determination that she learned from her family. A committed Democrat, she believes unequivocally that Donald Trump is “unfit to be president.” Throughout the narrative, the author leaps from topic to topic, following a vaguely chronological arc without lingering long or delving deep into any subject or period of her life for more than a few pages. The book will be most useful as a source of advice and encouragement for those who think they might be interested in political action but don't know where to start. Jean-Pierre offers strategies for networking, which she sees as the primary way to get ahead in the world of politics, and counsels pragmatism, patience, and frequent expression of gratitude. She also advocates for the role of local politics rather than “pulling up your roots, loading the van, and driving to Washington, to your state capital, or even to your county seat.”

Inspiring for those who think politics is only for the rich and well connected.