Moving Forward

September 1, 2019
Political analyst Jean-Pierre's enthusiastic first book documents her life in politics and offers advice and encouragement to those thinking of taking a similar path. Born in Martinique, the author was raised by working-class Haitian immigrant parents in New York. Realizing that she wasn't going to fulfill her parents' dream that she become a doctor, she was drawn to politics after getting a master's degree in public administration from Columbia University. She was a regional director for the John Edwards campaign in 2004, served as Barack Obama's regional political director in the Office of Political Affairs, and is now the chief public affairs officer for MoveOn.org and a political analyst for MSNBC. Along the way, she documents some of the pressures of entering the political scene as a young, black, immigrant, lesbian woman. However, she doesn't dwell on these pressures, mentioning only in passing her experience of childhood sexual abuse and a suicide attempt. Instead, she focuses on the lessons of hard work and determination that she learned from her family. A committed Democrat, she believes unequivocally that Donald Trump is "unfit to be president." Throughout the narrative, the author leaps from topic to topic, following a vaguely chronological arc without lingering long or delving deep into any subject or period of her life for more than a few pages. The book will be most useful as a source of advice and encouragement for those who think they might be interested in political action but don't know where to start. Jean-Pierre offers strategies for networking, which she sees as the primary way to get ahead in the world of politics, and counsels pragmatism, patience, and frequent expression of gratitude. She also advocates for the role of local politics rather than "pulling up your roots, loading the van, and driving to Washington, to your state capital, or even to your county seat." Inspiring for those who think politics is only for the rich and well connected.

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September 15, 2019
Getting from point A to point B in life isn't always as straightforward as it may seem, and when point A is being an openly gay, Haitian American woman and point B is a triple-threat career in journalism, politics, and public policy, the road may seem especially circuitous. Born in Martinique to Haitian parents, Jean-Pierre was inculcated from birth with their desire to succeed. As a naturalized citizen, she became immersed in this country's history, its goals and ideals, but despite her parents' wishes that she become a doctor, Jean-Pierre fortuitously realized that her strengths lay in interpreting the often murky, frequently befuddling world of governance for millions of individuals overwhelmed and voiceless in the face of the political juggernaut. Jean-Pierre succinctly but with verve and honest passion lays out practical advice for hopeful activists as she traces her inspirational personal and professional journey that includes working for such disparate politicians as Anthony Weiner and Barack Obama and becoming a respected political analyst on MSNBC and chief public affairs officer for the progressive MoveOn organization.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

Starred review from August 1, 2019

Part memoir, part call to action, this debut from Jean-Pierre (international & public affairs, Columbia Univ.) offers a response to the Trump administration that is accessible, smart, and powerful. The author writes with profound empathy and shares a personal narrative that includes her own struggles as a woman from a Haitian American family whose efforts to escape poverty led to difficult sacrifices. With raw honesty, she shares her story of coming out, and her shift from environmental studies to politics. With experience as a political commentator and campaign organizer, Jean-Pierre relates these defining career moments along with other key events in her life, including her work for Barack Obama, the impact of the 2016 election, and the interrelated need she sees for activism. The introduction promises "step-by-step advice for getting involved in progressive causes." VERDICT This is not exactly a how-to guide or a toolkit, despite the powerful tools designed to encourage grassroots activism, including media links and recommended readings in the final chapters. Instead, Jean-Pierre shows how and why we all need to participate in democracy and what is at stake if we don't. [See Prepub Alert, 4/22/19.]--Emily Bowles, Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison

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