Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America

by Karine Jean-Pierre

Overview

“Karine Jean-Pierre illuminates her path to insider status so others can follow in her footsteps.”—Essence

“Jean-Pierre inspires us to get involved in politics—every single one of us, no matter where we are from or who we are.”—The Atlantic

Most political origin stories have the same backbone. A bright young person starts reading the Washington Post in elementary school. She skips school to see a presidential candidate. In middle school she canvasses door-to-door. The story can be intimidating. It reinforces the feeling that politics is a closed system: if you weren’t participating in debate club, the Young Democrats and Model UN you have no chance.

Karine Jean-Pierre’s story breaks the mold. In Moving Forward, she tells how she got involved, showing how politics can be accessible to anyone, no matter their background. In today’s political climate, the need for all of us to participate has never been more crucial. This book is her call to arms for those who know that now is the time for us to act.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781094003474
Publisher:	Hanover Square Press
Publication date:	11/05/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 5.60(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Karine Jean-Pierre is the Chief Public Affairs Officer for MoveOn; a political analyst at MSNBC; and member of the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University faculty, where she teaches a course on campaign management. In 2020, Karine joined Biden's presidential campaign as a senior adviser. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Editorial Reviews

In Moving Forward, Karine Jean-Pierre shares her inspiring personal story and offers a useful roadmap for all of us about how to make a difference in this big, bustling democracy.” —David Axelrod, former senior advisor to President Obama and a CNN Senior Political Commentator

“Moving Forward arrives at a moment when inspiration, insight, and optimism are in short supply. Karine Jean-Pierre delivers all three in abundance. Her advice resonates across differences with a single, necessary command: Move Forward. With Karine’s book as our guide, we absolutely can.” —Stacey Abrams, author of Lead from the Outside

“Jean-Pierre inspires us to get involved in politics—every single one of us, no matter where we are from or who we are—by remarkably sharing her unlikely march from New York’s Haitian community to Barack Obama’s White House to the clear-eyed MSNBC contributor she is today. –The Atlantic

"If your idea of political power is a bunch of old seen-it-all cynics playing an inside game, Moving Forward will inspire you to believe every voice has the potential to be a mighty force for good. The poignantly honest story of Karine Jean-Pierre’s journey proves that despite formidable obstacles, and profound disappointments, a talented new voice can develop the strength and resilience to thrive and become a force for good who serves as a role model for the next generation of leaders. Looking for hope? Looking for inspiration? You’ll find them here within this remarkable story." —Valerie Jarrett, former senior advisor to President Obama and author of Finding My Voice

“Karine Jean-Pierre’s new book Moving Forward inspires us to re-engage in the struggle for an enduring and just society with a fresh voice that is crucial at this crossroads in American leadership. A child of Haitian immigrants who rose to serve in the Obama White House, her story, while both unique and representative of our ideals, will fill you with hope.” —David N. Dinkins, 106th mayor of New York City

“Karine Jean-Pierre is one of the most important voices of her generation. Her story is the very essence of the American story. This powerful narrative will teach you about strength, courage and determination, reaffirm your faith in our immigrant nation, and have you saying ‘yes she can!’ It will also teach you how you can get involved in helping America live up to its ideals.” —Joy-Ann Reid, author and host of MSNBC's AM-Joy

“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.” —Booklist

“Jean-Pierre's enthusiastic first book documents her life in politics and offers advice and encouragement to those thinking of taking a similar path...Inspiring for those who think politics is only for the rich and well connected." —Kirkus Reviews

“Karine Jean-Pierre’s Moving Forward gives us an astute and insightful look at both a remarkable political journey and an inspiring life. Part memoir, part instruction manual, this is one of those books that will become indispensable in helping us make sense of the long election cycle ahead, and beyond.” —Edwidge Danticat, author of Brother, I’m Dying


"Karine Jean-Pierre is at once a committed citizen and a remarkable human being. Moving Forward is not only a field guide for those who would transform our politics but also a manual for living a virtuous and warm-hearted life. This book should be read by political junkies, of course, but also by anyone who appreciates a moving and honest story about the struggles and triumphs of a first-generation American. Jean-Pierre will teach you a lot about elections and movements, and just as much about personal growth and character." —E. J. Dionne Jr., author of One Nation After Trump

"Karine Jean-Pierre illuminates her path to insider status so others can follow in her footsteps." –Essence

"Jean-Pierre shows how and why we all need to participate in democracy and what is at stake if we don't." —Library Journal

From the Publisher

This political memoir has all the makings of a unique, inspiring story. But it falls short in its execution, including its narration by the author. Jean-Pierre’s story is truly compelling; she possesses a stunning amount of optimism and drive. She is the daughter of Haitian immigrants who finds herself, comes out as a lesbian, and pursues a political career that eventually lands her in the Obama White House. But the story sags with believe-in-yourself one-liners that fail to address the complexities of access and opportunity in a white supremacist society. Where these issues are addressed, they are glossed over. As narrator, Jean-Pierre discusses issues like racism and her own suicide attempt in the same bubbly tone she uses for funny anecdotes. Jean-Pierre’s life and work are remarkable, but this memoir is not. S.N. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

JANUARY 2020 - AudioFile

This political memoir has all the makings of a unique, inspiring story. But it falls short in its execution, including its narration by the author. Jean-Pierre’s story is truly compelling; she possesses a stunning amount of optimism and drive. She is the daughter of Haitian immigrants who finds herself, comes out as a lesbian, and pursues a political career that eventually lands her in the Obama White House. But the story sags with believe-in-yourself one-liners that fail to address the complexities of access and opportunity in a white supremacist society. Where these issues are addressed, they are glossed over. As narrator, Jean-Pierre discusses issues like racism and her own suicide attempt in the same bubbly tone she uses for funny anecdotes. Jean-Pierre’s life and work are remarkable, but this memoir is not. S.N. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

JANUARY 2020 - AudioFile

2019-08-18
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.

Kirkus Reviews