Living a Political Life: One of America's First Woman Governors Tells Her Story

by Madeleine May Kunin

The first time Madeleine M. Kunin ran for office it was because she thought there ought to be more women in politics. In time she fulfilled that belief by becoming the first woman governor of Vermont. Throughout her career, Kunin found that the rules for women politicians were she would not be forgiven (nor would she forgive herself) for neglecting her family. She could not afford to display emotion at the wrong times lest she be thought "weak." And she would have to learn to play political hardball with the best of them while keeping her integrity.

In Living a Political Life, Kunin-who is now Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education-takes a frank look at the challenges that confronted her as she tried not just to succeed in politics but to set a precedent for other women. In doing so, she illuminates both what it means to be a woman and what it means to be a public servant and gives us a memoir as thoughtful and revealing as any to emerge from the corridors of power.

Genres: Politics, Memoir

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madeleine Kunin is a wonderful writer. She is able to tell the story of her political career leading up through her governorship of Vermont with vivid imagery and brave emotional exposure. I especially appreciated her ponderings of the line between a public and private life. I recommend this book for anyone (men and women) involved with political life or even contemplating running for office.