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You know her from her role as a CNN commentator (and political analyst on other networks) who carefully calculates her punditry, but packs a punch. She somehow manages to be cautious and blunt at the same time. She was the first African-American female campaign manager for a major candidate (Gore), and knows plenty about the Demcorats going back for years.

Although she remained undeclared for months as a superdelegate, it was pretty clear in a recent CNN dust-up with Paul Begala that she was an Obama supporter in terms of party inclusivenesss.

This is her memoir, which was well-received a couple years back.

Once again, we are offering this book at a special reduced BuzzFlash price, including shipping and handling.

From an online reviewer:

Hundreds of "insider" political biographies have been written over the last few years. This book gives a very accurate and insightful look at what actually goes on at the highest levels of national politics, with a minimum of "spin." Unlike many others, Brazile has few axes to grind and spends little time shining her own reputation. I found the chapters about her early years more compelling than those written by Bill Clinton about his early life. This is an important book to read now, but it may be even more valuable to historians years from now in their attempt to understand this period of US history.

From Publishers Weekly:

Brazile's lifelong love affair with politics culminated in September 1999, when she became Al Gore's presidential campaign manager. She was also the first African-American woman to head a mainstream national presidential campaign. Both achievements are the subject of this lively, sometimes moving memoir. After joining the Dukakis campaign at age 21, through wise strategy choices and sheer ability, Brazile carved out a place at the table with the primarily male, white, middle-aged political elite.

Her colorful observations about the high-profile politicians she met (black and white) are often entertaining, although she tries not to slam the door on potential future campaign positions. Bill Clinton "had the mind of six men..."; Rev. Jesse Jackson "was brilliant in terms of politics and he was a master of manipulation when it came to the media." Yet for all the insider look at the Gore campaign, the book's strength is Brazile herself, a self-described "abrasive Black woman." And while some may find self-serving her penchant for distancing herself from the Gore campaign's mistakes, readers will respond positively to the loving description of her Louisiana roots, her remarkable sense of purpose and her fierce loyalty to friends and family. Being a black woman informs all of Brazile's experiences, and readers get an invaluable glimpse of what it is like to be who she was, where she was, during one of America's most tumultuous political moments.

Booklist:

*Starred Review* Brazile made history as the first black woman to head a major presidential campaign but is much admired for fiercely trumpeting the rights of the poor and minorities in American politics both out front and behind the scenes. Firmly grounded in her Louisiana roots, Brazile uses the state's spicy cooking and cuisine as a metaphor in this frank and fascinating look at her rise from her first involvement in political campaigns at the age of nine to heading the 2000 Gore-Lieberman campaign. In between, Brazile campaigned for civil rights; developed a strong, sometimes contentious relationship with Jesse Jackson and other civil rights figures; battled racism and sexism within the Democratic Party while fighting fervently for her party and candidates; and locked horns with Republican adversaries, including Karl Rove. Brazile's strong sense of social justice (learned early in life as one of nine children in a poor family living in a small town near New Orleans) and energy and passion for politics come shining through here. She displays the brutal honesty that occasionally got her into hot water on the campaign trail, including her disappointment in the Democratic Party for failing to more aggressively champion voting rights after the alleged irregularities in Florida during the 2000 election. Readers will love this sparkling and passionate political memoir.

"Brazile...recounts her poor Louisiana roots, her early passion for social activism, and the tenacity and quick wit she utilized to gain a voice in the shaping of numerous presidential campaigns."

-- The New York Times

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