In the presidential election of 2008 America seemed ready to elevate a woman to the presidency or vice presidency and—with Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin—was on the verge of actually doing so. Words like inevitable and phenomenon were in the air and the political and cultural stars seemed to be aligned.Why didn’t it happen? What will it take to make it happen soon?In a probing analysis sure to ignite controversy; acclaimed White House correspondent Anne Kornblut argues that the optimists are blind to formidable obstacles that still stand in the way of any woman who aims for America’s highest political offices. And she makes clear exactly which strategies and common assumptions will need to change if a woman intends to break through the “highest; hardest glass ceiling†of all. Delving deep inside the Clinton and Palin campaigns; Kornblut reveals:• the strategists’ mishandling of their candidates as women by failing to strike the right balance between femininity and toughness• Clinton’s weathering of a series of stinging gender-based attacks; until accusations of “pimping out†her daughter; Chelsea; finally brought her to tears• that Barack Obama was celebrated for his “historicâ€win in Iowa; even though it was not the first time an African American had won a caucus; but few noticed when Clinton became the first woman to win a primary in New Hampshire• that Palin was chosen solely by men; none of whom had experience in running women for officeDrawing from exclusive interviews with prominent women in both parties; Kornblut pinpoints where politically ambitious American women have gone wrong and what it will take to put them on track to the ultimate prize: the presidency. Former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice asserts: “We crossed the bar on African Americans some time ago. I’m not quite sure we’ve crossed it on women.†House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remarks on the “suit of armor†women must don to survive the sexism and viciousness of politics. Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano confronts the false rumors that she is a lesbian and reveals what an invigorating “kick in the pants†it is to be in politics. And California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman; the former head of eBay; compares politics to business: “It feels to me; thus far; as less of a meritocracy and more of a popularity contest. More of a little bit of an old boys’ club.â€Kornblut identifies the surprising realities of gender politics; such as the harsh treatment female candidates often receive from women voters; the gap between the United States and other countries when it comes to the electability of women; the “mommy penalty†that handicaps women candidates with young children; and the special appeal that women with law enforcement backgrounds have with voters.Notes from the Cracked Ceiling reveals that the highly touted new era of gender-equal politics never got as far as was commonly perceived and is now in full retreat. It is essential reading for anyone who cares about politics and the limits for women that persist.From the Hardcover edition.
#401426 in Books Vintage Books USA 2010-02-09 2010-02-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.02 x 1.78 x 5.28l; 1.68 #File Name: 0307388417848 pagesVintage Books USA
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Harry E. Rosenbergok0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Mrs Katalin DayVery good.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Why you should read this bookBy SSG James AndersonYou should read this book because Piers Brendon is one of the very; very few authors who has the courage to examine the British Empire honestly. That Empire claimed (and many of its modern apologists still claim) that it ruled its hundreds of millions of subjects wisely and well; for their own good and to their own betterment. Any polity making this claim deserves tough scrutiny; and Brendon provides exactly this.In this book you'll find a tremendous amount of information about how the various regions were annexed; the motives for the conquests; the methods by which they were ruled; as well as the mentality of the rulers; administrators; soldiers; supporters and critics.I found this portrait of Empire fascinating and quite readable; although the more casual reader of history may find it a bit challenging at first. The author's style is certainly not terse; though I would not describe it (as some others have) as verbose. In a book that is as fact-rich as this one; i think that a more spartan style of writing would simply make it too dry and "dense" to be easily readable.This is; so far; the only book on the British Empire that I keep permanently on my Kindle; I refer to it frequently when reading other historical works that touch on the same subjects or time periods.I heartily recommend this book.
