Member Reviews
This was OK but not really engaging. I listened to the audio and the author had a cadence to her voice will reading it that was slightly aggravating. She emphasized so many things that it sounded like everything was incredulous or exciting.
MOVING FORWARD by Karine Jean-Pierre is described by her publishers as "her call to arms for those who know that now is the time for us to act." It is subtitled "A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America" and begins with her immigration story. Subsequent chapters deal with being an environmentalist, getting into politics, and working for Barack Obama. I liked the information near the end with Twitter handles for a number of reporters, anchors and others involved with news media. I was a little disappointed, though, in her characterization in that same section of some media outlets (e.g., on The Wall Street Journal: "read it so you know what the enemy is up to"). Rather than using divisive labels, I strongly encourage my students to have an open mind and to read a VARIETY of sources so that they are better informed. However, Jean-Pierre is not at all shy about expressing her opinions, saying, for example, "like a lot of people I fear I will go to my grave struggling with PTSD from Tuesday, November 8, 2016." As an inspirational figure and an immigrant, lesbian woman of color, it is too bad that she couldn't have taken a more positive tack, even in the face of dispiriting and massive challenges. If you are looking for a book by a strong woman involved in politics, consider ones that Jean-Pierre recommends like Finding my Voice by Valerie Jarrett or Lead from the Outside by Stacey Abrams.
An intriguing memoir. I was not familiar with Karine Jean-Pierre before reading this but I plan to look for her now. To be fair, she's not the only child of immigrants to become deeply involved in politics but her story is unique in its way. It was the family stories more than the politics I found most interesting. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This would be a good YA read- inspirational and educational.
I love memoirs but this one missed the mark for me. I don't want to critique someone's life story but she is not that interesting. Even though she's been in exciting places, her perspective was just not engaging. Also, her political takes are divisive. Someone apart of Obama's team I would think would be more about bridging us all together and NOT taking sides. The introduction said this would be a book showing how you can get a late start in politics. It was just a mere reflection, not a guide. She offered tips here and there but definitely not gonna aspire anyone to politics.
3.5 stars. I always like watching KJP on AM Joy so I was very interested to read this. However, I didn't feel the text captured how dynamic she seems on TV. Instead, it seemed stilted, not at all like I expect KJP would seem telling her story in speech. Still, I really enjoyed the family stories, particularly how her parents and she and her siblings grew up. Not quite what I expected but a decent read.
An engrossing story of a first generation American and her struggle to prove herself. This refreshing face on MSNBC and other television commentary programs, who stood down an audience member confronting Kamala Harris during a women's empowerment conference, shows readers how she reached her goals and how we can too. Her story is not easy, nor is her relationship with her parents. Her honesty is refreshing; her achievements, gratifying.
Political memoirs are perhaps my favorite, and Karine Jean-Pierre's did not disappoint. It was refreshing to read about a campaign insider who did not come from the traditional political background, which made her story even more fascinating. I also appreciated the amount of work she put into this book to help other activists learn more about truthful sources and ways to get involved.
As my first review on Net Galley, I am feeling a great deal of pressure to get this right, but Karine Jean-Pierre has made my job much less difficult with her lovely memoir. Moving Forward focuses on her childhood in Queens and the daily work that is required of the eldest child of an immigrant couple, her own journey to naturalized citizenship, and her subsequent lively political and media career.
Sharing the same birth year I felt at one with Jean-Pierre as she traced her youth and early adulthood in the 1980s and 90s. She has a wonderful way with words and although our experiences are vastly different I was quite drawn in by the narrative. Her writing style helped me feel closer to her and the people in her universe. This is exactly what a good memoir should do.
Jean-Pierre's retelling of aspects of her time in government, on various political campaigns and, ultimately, in the White House on the staff of President Obama, offers a clear and concise window into both the inner-workings of a campaign and the funny, sad, heart-wrenching, and joyous things that can happen along the way. It is by no means a comprehensive look at any one campaign, but the details she provided gave me just enough information to hold my continued interest.
I also greatly appreciated the additional information she provided on media awareness and specific news sources, pundits, and reporters that she feels are worthy of a readers time. Jean-Pierre has written this book to be used as somewhat of a manual for future politicos, explaining how she navigated that space through a successful career, but it is still quite a wonderful read for those of us that want to be involved at a more local level or just participate through our votes.
If you are looking for an interesting political memoir, Moving Forward is most definitely the book for you.
I enjoyed the story of an immigrant family whose daughter was a self-starter and grew up to work in a high position of the Obama White House. Many political details which I was unaware of were learned through her writings. Proof that a strong woman can make it in this world.