A stunning look back. An inspiring push forward.

[BobcatJH]

I'm a sucker for a lot of things: Personal journalism. Progressive politics. Behind-the-scenes reporting. Media criticism. Strong, intelligent women. In Connie Schultz's new book, "... and His Lovely Wife: A Memoir from the Woman Beside the Man", we're treated to all of these things, and more. In case you didn't know, Schultz is the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The "Man", in this case, is Congressman-turned-Senator Sherrod Brown. And the book is Schultz's very personal chronicle of Brown's race for U.S. Senate, a year-plus spent in the maelstrom of a campaign, and the efforts Schultz and Brown undertook to make their young, enthusiastic marriage work. He won, they survived, and their love - portrayed beautifully in the book - endures. The importance of this book will, too, making it a no-doubt-about-it addition to your must-read list.

Schultz's book, which captures the period from shortly before Brown's decision to enter the race to a time shortly after his victory last year, works on many levels. It succeeds at behind-the-scenes chronicle thanks to its attention to detail and, most importantly, its author. Schultz, naturally, is able to take us further inside the tent than any other author, doing so with ease, thanks to the intelligence and heart in her writing. It is also a winning example of fearless, applied feminism, and should therefore be required reading (like Jessica Valenti's "Full Frontal Feminism") for women of all ages in need of a Hell yeah! from a fellow traveler. It works, too, as an inspiring kick in the pants to progressives everywhere, reminding us that our values - the values that built this country - win with Americans desperate for leaders willing to fight for them.

In Brown, Ohio found that fighter. Throughout the book, Schultz recounts how the Congressman brought his progressive populism to every corner of Ohio - those nearby, too - and never sold his soul to the Devil to beat Mike DeWine. Brown and his team fought hard to beat back any of the increasingly cheap attacks coming from the right; attacks that said far more about those making them than those on the receiving end. Brown met every charge, combining his best traits and lessons learned from other candidates to earn a hard-fought victory. Schultz, in her writing, offers several tantalizing glimpses at the mindset of the Republican Party during the campaign, as well as those in the media doing their best to fairly cover the race and its most important issues ... as well as those in the Fourth Estate (more than a few) who failed in their responsibilities. The depth of this book is amazing.

Personally, reading "... and His Lovely Wife" felt like watching video from a cheerful family reunion, or footage of your favorite team winning a championship. For so many, the charge to the 2006 election was a grueling, yet exciting, time, one in which the final outcome was matched only by the intensity of those working to achieve victory. I'll always remember the passion of election night and the feelings that came with the knowledge that we had turned Ohio blue and had helped usher in change nationwide. Schultz brings us closer, and the many personal and professional challenges faced throughout the campaign make that November night all the more special. I finished the book in such short order - a little more than a day - thanks both to its engaging subject matter and my inability to put it down. I didn't want it to end; you won't, either.

The true brilliance in "... and His Lovely Wife" is Schultz's ability to draw to nothing the distance between author and reader. I never felt distant, in time or proximity, from the story. Nor did Schultz ever feel apart as its reporter. This book, like her columns, feels as though your friend Connie is on the line, or the other side of the kitchen table, and just has to tell you something.* Something that will make you laugh. Something that will make you cry. Something that will rekindle your passion to leave this world better than you found it. Or, you'll discover after reading this great book, all of the above. We're lucky to have "... and His Lovely Wife". We're even luckier to have its author.

* Quick story: When in the airport waiting to fly home from New York this weekend, I encountered someone else reading Schultz's book. We struck up a conversation, and he told me about his recent experience at a local book signing with the author. Despite the fact that hundreds were there jockeying to meet Schultz, she took the time to speak in detail with the man, who was interested in getting into politics. He left even more impressed than he already was, and was well on his way to finishing the book, which he too loved. Small world.

[blondie58]

1. thanks for posting, Bobcat

another one for my ever growing list!