Americas
![Katie Porter - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B0BDCRKDW5.jpg)
I Swear: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan
An honest, inspiring, and laugh-out-loud funny memoir about re-energizing our politics and standing up to corporate America-while carting three kids around in a minivan.
"Just like her whiteboard schoolings of CEOs, this book showcases Katie's ability to entertain while making the inner workings of Congress more accessible than ever before."-Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Never having run for office before, Katie Porter charted a new path in 2018 when she was elected to Congress as a Democrat in historically conservative Orange County, California. Underestimated as a single mom and chided for her progressive values, Katie defied expectations. Then, using her signature whiteboard, she began to take CEOs and corrupt government officials to task in Congressional hearings. The videos went viral, introducing Americans to her no-bullshit style, and making her a coveted guest on cable news and late-night television.
I SWEAR: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan is a witty, down-to-earth exploration of what it's really like to serve in Congress, particularly as a single mom. Katie offers Americans a clear picture of what their elected leaders are doing-and how they're doing it-exposing the gaps between politicians' press conferences and real people's lives.
Katie reveals how her challenges as an Iowa farmgirl diverted her to the Ivy League and how she came to see herself as a Californian, teaching law and raising three kids in Orange County. She shares why she made the jump from academia to politics and how she quickly mastered the art of making CEOs and cabinet members squirm when they bluff and bloviate instead of doing the job for America.
With the same clarity she demonstrates in Congressional hearings, Katie makes the case for consumer protection, corporate accountability, and anti-corruption reforms. She pulls back the curtain on the political messaging machine, campaign fundraising, and Congress' traditions, showing that the way things have always worked, in fact, does not work for a Congressperson without someone at home to do the shopping and take care of the kids. Along the way, she provides whiteboard lessons on where your campaign donations go, how to fight the corporations that cheat you, and how to conduct her trademark robust oversight.
Full of candid and inspiring stories-from how Katie lent Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez a pair of sneakers during the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, to her kids' lightly illegal campaign hijinks-this is a book by an exhausted, committed parent who just doesn't have the time for nonsense in her house or in the House of Representatives.
"Just like her whiteboard schoolings of CEOs, this book showcases Katie's ability to entertain while making the inner workings of Congress more accessible than ever before."-Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Never having run for office before, Katie Porter charted a new path in 2018 when she was elected to Congress as a Democrat in historically conservative Orange County, California. Underestimated as a single mom and chided for her progressive values, Katie defied expectations. Then, using her signature whiteboard, she began to take CEOs and corrupt government officials to task in Congressional hearings. The videos went viral, introducing Americans to her no-bullshit style, and making her a coveted guest on cable news and late-night television.
I SWEAR: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan is a witty, down-to-earth exploration of what it's really like to serve in Congress, particularly as a single mom. Katie offers Americans a clear picture of what their elected leaders are doing-and how they're doing it-exposing the gaps between politicians' press conferences and real people's lives.
Katie reveals how her challenges as an Iowa farmgirl diverted her to the Ivy League and how she came to see herself as a Californian, teaching law and raising three kids in Orange County. She shares why she made the jump from academia to politics and how she quickly mastered the art of making CEOs and cabinet members squirm when they bluff and bloviate instead of doing the job for America.
With the same clarity she demonstrates in Congressional hearings, Katie makes the case for consumer protection, corporate accountability, and anti-corruption reforms. She pulls back the curtain on the political messaging machine, campaign fundraising, and Congress' traditions, showing that the way things have always worked, in fact, does not work for a Congressperson without someone at home to do the shopping and take care of the kids. Along the way, she provides whiteboard lessons on where your campaign donations go, how to fight the corporations that cheat you, and how to conduct her trademark robust oversight.
Full of candid and inspiring stories-from how Katie lent Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez a pair of sneakers during the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, to her kids' lightly illegal campaign hijinks-this is a book by an exhausted, committed parent who just doesn't have the time for nonsense in her house or in the House of Representatives.
Editorial Reviews
"This book is Katie-funny, sharp, fearless. I laughed out loud, I teared up, and I got furious. If you've ever thought of having lunch with Katie, but you figure that probably won't work out, read this book-it's a close second."-Senator Elizabeth Warren
"High-octane, no-bullshit . . . The whiteboard represents some of Porter's greatest political assets-sharp intelligence, ability to break down complex ideas into digestible bites, canny political instincts."-The New Republic
"Just like her whiteboard schoolings of CEOs, this book showcases Katie's ability to entertain while making the inner workings of Congress more accessible than ever before. You will really chuckle as Katie recounts her unlikely path to rock stardom in the House of Representatives."-Julia Louis-Dreyfus
"When Representative Katie Porter speaks, I know she knows what she's talking about and gives it to you straight up. That's the reason I love her. The fact that this book is helping to explain the mess in politics thrills me no end. If anybody can tell us, it's Katie. This is a great read."-Whoopi Goldberg
"In Congress, Katie has proven herself to be a profound storyteller. In this book, she remains a brilliant narrator of the glories and heartaches of trying to do the people's business in tumultuous times. I love this book. I love Katie's clarity, her passion, and her humor. I love Katie Porter."-Jason Alexander
"High-octane, no-bullshit . . . The whiteboard represents some of Porter's greatest political assets-sharp intelligence, ability to break down complex ideas into digestible bites, canny political instincts."-The New Republic
"Just like her whiteboard schoolings of CEOs, this book showcases Katie's ability to entertain while making the inner workings of Congress more accessible than ever before. You will really chuckle as Katie recounts her unlikely path to rock stardom in the House of Representatives."-Julia Louis-Dreyfus
"When Representative Katie Porter speaks, I know she knows what she's talking about and gives it to you straight up. That's the reason I love her. The fact that this book is helping to explain the mess in politics thrills me no end. If anybody can tell us, it's Katie. This is a great read."-Whoopi Goldberg
"In Congress, Katie has proven herself to be a profound storyteller. In this book, she remains a brilliant narrator of the glories and heartaches of trying to do the people's business in tumultuous times. I love this book. I love Katie's clarity, her passion, and her humor. I love Katie Porter."-Jason Alexander
Readers Top Reviews
Big Otter Books
4 stars. Engrossing. Katie goes to Washington and we get the real story of a single mom navigating the system while her kids are back home in California. Real, raw, snarky and at times harrowing (Jan 6); you don't have to be her constituent-Katie is working for all of us. If you have any interest in how 'government' actually works for a new congressperson with a whiteboard, this is the behind the scenes look you have been waiting for. I enjoyed the backstory of growing up in Iowa and how she and her kids navigated her election and the pandemic. Great book! I was given a copy, this is my opinion.
Steve G
I loved this book. The tone changed from light to serious and back as the subject matter allowed, but there was a strong undercurrent of good-naturedness in the stories. I found the stories charming, entertaining, and highly informative. While I did not read anything that was laugh-out-loud funny, I was certainly smiling through most of the book. The only downside, and a minor one at that, is that Porter can come across as boastful. I recommend this book for anyone interested in politics or anyone who just wants to read a well-written autobiography. Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for the digital review copy.
OC Reader
This book was a funny and sometimes cringeworthy glimpse into what it is to be Katie Porter. I loved reading how she went from Iowa school girl, to the Ivy league, to single Mom of 3 running for Congress in a very red OC district and winning! It was fast and informative and left me wanting to know what's next. I've been following her career for years now and am so happy she represents me. We need more honesty in Congress and someone who's living like most of us - messy van and all. Go Katie Go! This is my opinion.
California Fan
If you’ve ever seen Katie Porter in one of her many viral videos, you know exactly what to expect from this book - it is smart, well written, and tells the story of her journey from Iowa farm girl to Congressional Rep. As someone who lives in her district and has volunteered on her campaign, I loved reading about how she decided to run as well as her honest thoughts about trying to balance being a single mother working in an institution not set up for people like her. My favorite stories were those about her kids - from their questionable campaign contributions to her viral tweet about them repairing a hole in the wall with help from a YouTube Video. This is a fast, fun read.
