"Lawrence’s book gives us rare insights into the personality, leadership style, and power dynamics that have driven Pelosi’s historic run as arguably the most significant American leader of the last twenty years."—Congress & the Presidency
"For anyone who is fascinated by how power operates at the top level, this book is a compelling read."—Washington Monthly
“John Lawrence, who served as Nancy Pelosi’s chief of staff from 2005–2012, offers a wise, detailed account of Pelosi’s speakership in this absorbing book. Lawrence offers deeper insights into legislative sausage-making than other Pelosi chroniclers. He portrays Pelosi as a passionate progressive but also a master political strategist who knows when to fold and when to hold. No congressional leader since Lyndon Johnson has wielded political power so masterfully. Pelosi battles on multiple fronts, almost constantly. The toughest pills to swallow are failures of nerve by fellow Democrats in the Senate and the White House, as in debates over health care reform. Readers will not be surprised to learn that Pelosi is combative, feisty, and an ardent dealmaker. They may be surprised to learn that she has a caustic wit and a gift for metaphors, as in this gem on party leadership: ‘We want to look like swans going across the lake, serene on top but frantically paddling’ below the surface. Students of Congress, public policy, and the art of leadership will love this book!”—William T. Gormley, author of Voices for Children: Rhetoric and Public Policy
“Important and revealing, Arc of Power puts the reader in the room for key interactions between Speaker Pelosi, her congressional colleagues, and the presidents with whom she served. This book offers a window into the personal nature of Congress, the interchamber and interbranch politics that shape US policy, and the key contributions of a congressional leader managing it all for her party and institution. This superbly written insider’s account is a must-read for historians, political scientists, and anyone interested in American national politics.”—Douglas B. Harris, professor of political science, Loyola University Maryland
“Drawing upon his many years of experience as a top political staffer, Lawrence provides a revealing insider account of the House Democratic Caucus and Nancy Pelosi’s leadership during the Bush and Obama presidencies. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in how congressional Democrats grappled with such issues as the Iraq War, the Great Recession, and health care reform.”—Matthew Green, professor and chair, Department of Politics, The Catholic University of America
“As one who attended many of the meetings and events John Lawrence describes, I can say they vividly capture the scenes, personalities, and especially the leadership of Nancy Pelosi. There have been and will continue to be many books about Pelosi. Written from the inside, this volume is indispensable to understanding her.”— Steve Israel, former US representative from New York
“One of the very best accounts of the internal workings of Congress we have ever had or are likely to have. Anyone interested in understanding the legislative process and how it worked during the financial crisis of 2008–2009, as well as the creation of the Affordable Care Act, will find Lawrence’s study not only essential but also exceptionally rich and revealing. Among historical accounts of Congress, Arc of Power is a remarkable and probably unparalleled achievement.”—Richard D. Brown, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of History, Emeritus, University of Connecticut
