24 Years of Housework...and the Place Is Still a Mess: My Life in Politics

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Summary: America needs politicians like Shroeder in 2005
Review: As a native of Denver, I was proud that the first vote I ever cast in my life was for Patricia Scott Schroeder. I had the good fortune to meet Mrs. Schroeder several times during her tenure because she took the time and made the effort to connect with her constituency by showing up, unannounced, in locales ranging from student cafeterias on the University of Colorado at Denver campus to Sunday afternoon beer bashes at The Foxhole, a local gay club (both occassions that I was present for). Schroeder cared what people had to say and when she went to Washington she represented them instead of herself which is why the citizens of Denver kept sending her back. Her personal decision to retire is the only reason she isn't still our congresswoman today. This book is full of Shroeder's delightful wit, insightful and rare wisdom and overwhelming humanity. While it is a mostly light-hearted account of her 24 years of service to her country, she also explains her very personal reasons for fighting so hard to defend reproductive choice and to pass the Family Medical Leave Act, her greatest legacy; a bill which she authored but selflessly relinquished credit in order to ensure it's success.
Read the book.

Rating:
Summary: Zero Stars If I Could
Review: As one of the most admired Congress persons of all times, the author still has an optimistic view of the instituation and of the American political process as a whole. This book is a snapshot into what is involved on a personal level when a dedicated public servant makes a decision to fight on behalf of the greater good. This book should be required reading in all high schools so that the young can appreciate the whole political process, understand it, and be motivated to complete the jobs that are yet to be done. This book is one that leaves you thinking about your personal future as well as the future of this great country.

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Summary: Congress lost an insightful, intelligent woman
Review: As one of the most admired Congress persons of all times, the author still has an optimistic view of the instituation and of the American political process as a whole. This book is a snapshot into what is involved on a personal level when a dedicated public servant makes a decision to fight on behalf of the greater good. This book should be required reading in all high schools so that the young can appreciate the whole political process, understand it, and be motivated to complete the jobs that are yet to be done. This book is one that leaves you thinking about your personal future as well as the future of this great country.

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Summary: I liked it so much,I read it three times
Review: I am a high school student who is considering a political career. I found this book to be funny, informative and inspiring. Pat Schroeder definitely ranks high on my list of heroes.

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Summary: Several hours of my life I'll never get back!
Review: I received this book as a graduation gift and while I was never a big fan of Pat Schroeder, I figured I'd give it a chance and see what she had to say. That was my first mistake, the second being reading the entire thing from cover to cover. The book is neither thought provoking nor intellectually stimulating and contains very little of substance. I got the distinct impression this was something she threw together over the course of a week in hopes of cashing in on her retirement from the U.S. House. Regardless of your political persuasion, you'll be wasting your money, and more importantly your time, if you purchase and read this book. ...

Rating:
Summary: It could have been written by a Washington reporter
Review: I was really looking forward to reading this book. I was hoping for some inside information on how our political system works or more importantly, why our political system works the way it does. Instead, except for a few minor items, this book could have been written by a Washington reporter. It would also appear Ms Schroeder did not want to burn any bridges when she left as she said very little about the people she left behing in Washington. If you are looking for a book about politics, there are much better books out there.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and eye-opening
Review: It is interesting to read how things have changed - and how they haven't - in the past quarter century. When she first got married, birth control was illegal in the entire state of Massachusetts - she had to go out of state to buy contraceptives so she could postpone motherhood until she finished law school. How different things are now. Yet, many things about political culture haven't changed, especially the challenges women face. There are lots of amusing anecdotes in the book, of course told from her perspective. She's proud to be a bleeding heart liberal, so if you don't like liberals, you probably won't like the book. But otherwise, it's fun to read.

Rating:
Summary: A Congressperson everyone can admire
Review: Pat Schroeder is served as a Congresswoman that I think all members of public service should look up to as an example.

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Summary: Don't judge it until you have read the whole book
Review: This book is full of wisdom. Being a teenager to find book that interest me is hard to find. This book is one of the first books I have read that kept me interested and thought me things that are slowly fading away as the new generation makes their mark in the world. I first thought "Man, I have to read this for my summer assignment. I can learn all about politics and government when I'm in class," but its not all about that, its more than what it seems. You don't have to take my word for it until you read it for yourself then you can get back at me with your own opinion!