The Truths We Hold
An American Journey
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
A New York Times bestseller
From Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, one of America's most inspiring political leaders, a book about the core truths that unite us, and the long struggle to discern what those truths are and how best to act upon them, in her own life and across the life of our country
Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris's commitment to speaking truth is informed by her upbringing. The daughter of immigrants, she was raised in an Oakland, California community that cared deeply about social justice; her parents--an esteemed economist from Jamaica and an admired cancer researcher from India--met as activists in the civil rights movement when they were graduate students at Berkeley. Growing up, Harris herself never hid her passion for justice, and when she became a prosecutor out of law school, a deputy district attorney, she quickly established herself as one of the most innovative change agents in American law enforcement. She progressed rapidly to become the elected District Attorney for San Francisco, and then the chief law enforcement officer of the state of California as a whole. Known for bringing a voice to the voiceless, she took on the big banks during the foreclosure crisis, winning a historic settlement for California's working families. Her hallmarks were applying a holistic, data-driven approach to many of California's thorniest issues, always eschewing stale "tough on crime" rhetoric as presenting a series of false choices. Neither "tough" nor "soft" but smart on crime became her mantra. Being smart means learning the truths that can make us better as a community, and supporting those truths with all our might. That has been the pole star that guided Harris to a transformational career as California’s attorney general, as a United States senator, and now as vice president-elect, grappling in every role with an array of complex issues, from health care and the new economy to immigration, national security, the opioid crisis, and accelerating inequality.
By reckoning with the big challenges we face together, drawing on the hard-won wisdom and insight from her own career and the work of those who have most inspired her, Kamala Harris offers in THE TRUTHS WE HOLD a master class in problem solving, in crisis management, and leadership in challenging times. Through the arc of her own life, on into the great work of our day, she communicates a vision of shared struggle, shared purpose, and shared values. In a book rich in many home truths, not least is that a relatively small number of people work very hard to convince a great many of us that we have less in common than we actually do, but it falls to us to look past them and get on with the good work of living our common truth. When we do, our shared effort will continue to sustain us and this great nation, now and in the years to come.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Kamala Harris exudes confidence and composure, but her memoir digs much deeper than her public image. The country’s 49th vice president—the first African American, South Asian American, and woman to hold the office—walks us through the pivotal moments of her remarkable life, from her Oakland childhood and Howard University years through her service as California’s attorney general and, later, senator. Some of Harris’ stories speak to her passion for justice; after reading about her early professional experiences in the chaotic San Francisco district attorney’s office, we understood why she felt called to seek public office. Others, from a hilarious childhood story about a kitchen mishap with a pan of homemade lemon bars (salt and sugar look alike!) to her pride at officiating the first same-sex marriage in California after Proposition 8 was overturned, make her seem funny, charming, and familiar. The Truths We Hold peels back the layers of one of America’s highest-profile politicians to reveal a spiritual woman devoted to truth and equality. Her story is a testament to the power of community, hard work, and dedication.
Customer Reviews
Remarkable
A truly remarkable yet utterly American story. A must read for people interested in substance over sound bites.
A Tale of Pride and Hope
Kamala Harris delivered an inspiring and insightful account of the most impactful moments that shaped her multicultural upbringing. I truly enjoyed the wonderful discoveries in her memoir. I look forward to digesting more of these fantastic tales.
Wow
She is just not too intelligent. God help us all!