Nine and Counting: The Women of the Senate

by Barbara Mikulski, Barbara Boxer, Susan Collins

The Women of the United States Senate have forever changed the political landscape.  Their backgrounds, personal styles, and political ideals may be as diverse as the nation they serve.  Yet they share a commonality that runs deeper than politics or geography -- they desire to give a voice to all their constituents while serving as role models for women young and old. Once every month, these distinguished women for an informal dinner to share their knowledge, their hearts, and a good meal.  Leaving behind partisanship and rhetoric, they discuss and debate the issues, both political and personal, affecting their lives. And following the 2000 election of four women to the Senate, the table is now set for thirteen.  Weaving together their individual stories of triumph, adversity, adaptability, and leadership, Nine and Counting gives voice to these charismatic women as never before, offering a rare, insider's glimpse into Washington and sending the powerful message that membership in the "world's most exclusive club" is open to every woman in America.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Biography, Womens Studies

304 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been on my bookshelf for a while now and I keep meaning to read it. Since Hillary Clinton (mentioned in the Afterword entitled "Now We are Thirteen") will be the Democratic candidate for president this year and there are 20 women currently in the Senate and Barbara Mikulsky will be retiring after being the mentor to all of them, it seemed a good time. Plus the reading theme for this month is numbers.

Such a good read -- full of fascinating history and refreshing in its lack of partisan squabbling -- and very encouraging in some ways. There is a good discussion of how women made being excluded from the good old boy clubs of all male lawfirms and golf clubs work for them by using their organizational skills and social network. There was a great deal of information on how to be an effective leader in an inefficient and ineffective work place. And there were great stories that really should be more widely known. I have lived in Maryland for 7 years, represented by Barbara Mikulsky, and yet knew next to nothing about her back story. I lived in Washington state and heard Patty Murray referred to as the "mom in tennis shoes" without knowing that back story (when she went to Olympia to rally support for a program she believed in, a state politician dismissed her as a nobody with no chance of success, just a "mom in tennis shoes.") I knew Dianne Feinstein had been mayor of San Francisco, but had no idea she got the job because she was 3rd in line when Mayor George Muscone and Harvey Milk were assassinated, or that she was just feet away when it happened. A very enlightening and grounding work of political and feminist thought.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a very superficial and disconnected overview of each of the women of the Senate and doesn't cover the inner workings of the Senate at all. It's basically a recitation of each woman's career trajectory and legislation they've supported. It probably took a week to write it. I was hoping this book would be the Senate version of The Nine or Brethren, but it's not at all.

[Edwin Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

not very readable because it jumps back and forth between the 9 women, so you can't remember which is witch except for the only two I knew from their picture on the cover. The book does not even identify them on the cover. I had to google each one to learn who's who. It was a 10 cent library sale book, so I can't complain or ask for my money back.

[Betsy Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been a reporter on Capitol Hill during the time of this book, I found it took me back to many of the issues they wrote about (Tailhook especially). It's not a deep book, but I found it interesting and very readable. It is definitely something I would share with a pre-teen daughter as inspiration.

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it is a little outdated since there are currently 20 women serving in the senate I found this to be inspiring, practical and informative. I would recommend this to any woman running for office and for anyone interested in politics and or women's issues.

[Midnights · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is not superficial and does what it says it will. it gives the details behind the nine women that were in the senate, meant to inspire other women and give an accounting of how they got there. it actually seems pretty well-researched. I haven't been able to find this information anywhere else.

[Laurie Schrall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love politics...especially when its about getting women in office and the powerful women already in office!

[Brie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely inspiring!!! I would recommend this to all young women!

[Melissa]

Decided to add this to my reads, after seeing Sen. Hutchison speak this morning at the "Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day" event in the Russell Building.

[Jacquelyn Fagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent gift for young women in your life. So inspiring.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspirational.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essays by and about the nine women (at the time) in the United States Senate.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this enlightening and inspiring, both democrats and republicans.

[Polly Callahan · Rating 1 out of 5]

doesn't give you much information about the Senate

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read before; re-skimmed for thesis

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good and inspiring read.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this last year. Such a cute book, showcases the idea that everyone has a story to tell. This book is easy to digest and you get to see the stories of nine influential and powerful women in United States politics. Even the people on an opposing side of the spectrum you can see a dynamic of their personality and life you would otherwise never see.

[Linda Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an inspiring walk through recent history. I enjoyed it tremendously although I had actually been searching our library’s holdings for a book about Dianne Feinstein. Obviously, she figures prominently in this book, but I want a full look at her incredible life - a biography or autobiography. Good read but back to the search engine….. 🤗

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read even though the book is a 2000 print.

[Cami Pease · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to read it while I’m still working on the Hill, but it was like watching paint dry.

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written at a 4th or 5th grade reading level.

[Michelle Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because it gives an insight into real world politics from women's perspectives. In a man's world, women are seen as homemakers. Up until 1920, women didn't have a right to vote let alone participate as politicians. Nine of the senators giving an insight of what it's really like to create and debate legislation is truly inspiring to those aspiring to be in politics. It sheds a light of hope that it is definitely possible to a woman in the senate, creating policies and reforms for the better of American people.