The Fight You Don't See

“When Wendy Davis decided to run for office, she made a map--a 3-foot square, color-coded, detailed, beautiful, laminated map of her House district. She's now given us this map in the form of a memoir, the beautiful, sharp, wrenching, joyous story of her campaign, of her life as a woman of politics, of faith, of family, and, now, of words. She's a writer, a wonderful writer, and I can't wait for you to read her remarkable map.” --Dr. John Murphy, University of Illinois Professor of Rhetoric and Public Discourse and author of John F. Kennedy and the Liberal Persuasion

“Wendy Davis has written a fascinating account of what it takes to be civically engaged. This is not your grade school civics primer, but an unvarnished look at how politics really works. Read this book to learn the real story behind a political campaign, which is less about glitz than grit. In doing so, you will gain a new appreciation for all the Wendy Davises out there, people of good will who are willing to endure the trials of running for office. At a time when the very future of American democracy is at a crossroads, the nation needs them more than ever.” --Dr. David Campbell, Packey J. Professor of American Democracy, University of Notre Dame

“Wendy Davis has a voice that is both compelling and approachable, and she makes questions of citizenship, belonging, and civil disobedience kitchen table issues in this fascinating memoir. From her childhood in small-town America through her quest to find a seat in the Utah state house, Davis explains tough political concepts and uses her academic expertise and her lived experience as a candidate to give readers a peek behind the political curtain. The Fight You Don't See makes visible the kind of barriers that women face when they run for office, how social class impacts advocacy, the way party affiliation shapes access to power, and what's really at stake when everyday Americans participate in democracy.”--Dr. Sarah Jedd, Associate Professor of Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison

“Elections unfold in public, but like an iceberg, most of the pivotal moments remain hidden from view. The Fight You Don't See offers an unparalleled firsthand account, unveiling the intricate political maneuvers and undisclosed power plays transpiring behind closed doors during an election. A compelling read, this book is essential for those seeking a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by candidates, the behind-the-scenes dynamics of running for office, and the unseen forces shaping our elections and politics.”--Dr. James M. Curry, author of Legislating in the Dark: Information and Power in the House of Representatives