. . . And His Lovely Wife: A Campaign Memoir from the Woman Beside the Man

by Connie Schultz

Book Overview

Writing with warmth and humor, Connie Schultz reveals the rigors, joys, and absolute madness of a new marriage at midlife and campaigning with her husband, Sherrod Brown, now the junior senator from Ohio. She describes the chain of events leading up to Sherrod's decision to run for the Senate (he would not enter the fray without his wife's unequivocal support), and her own decision to step down from writing her Pulitzer Prize-winning column during the course of one of the nation's most intensely watched races. She writes about the moment her friends in the press became not so friendly, the constant campaign demands on her marriage and family life, and a personal tragedy that came out of the blue. Schultz also shares insight into the challenges of political life: dealing with audacious bloggers, ruthless adversaries, and political divas; battling expectations of a political wife; and the shock of having staffers young enough to be her children suddenly directing her every move. Connie Schultz is passionate and outspoken about her opinions-in other words, every political consultant's nightmare, and every reader's dream. " Schultz is] a Pulitzer Prize--winning journalist with a mordant wit. . . . The campaign memoir] genre takes on new life." -The Washington Post Book World "With her characteristic wit and reportorial thoroughness, Schultz] describes the behind-the-scenes chaos, frustration and excitement of a political campaign and the impact it has on a candidate's family." -Minneapolis Star Tribune "Witty and anecdotal, whether read by a Democrat or a Republican." -Deseret Morning News "Frank and feisty . . . a spunky tribute to the survival of one woman's spirit under conditions in which it might have been squelched." -The Columbus Dispatch

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812976878
• ISBN13: 9780812976878
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Insight into love on the campaign trail

Connie Schultz has written a love story and a fun quick read! This couple had their priorities straight as they struggled--and triumphed--through the inevitable challenges of the American political campaign. I appreciated Ms. Schultz calling herself a feminist (without apologizing for keeping her name) and Sherrod Brown accepting the label of liberal--it was refreshing to peek into the lives of people true to their roots and their beliefs. And it makes me think about what Michelle Obama must be experiencing right about now...

Very readable inside look at a major political campaign

Connie Schultz takes us inside her husband's 2006 senatorial campaign and shows us, in a warm, conversational style, just what it takes for the candidate--and the family--to win a statewide office. She is real, down-to-earth, funny and tells it like it is. Her passion for helping people matches her husband's, and she puts her heart and soul into the election. A book for all political junkies of any party!

A book that gives me hope for America

Smart, funny, and honest, ...and His Lovely Wife shows how crushingly difficult it is to run for public office. It also demostrates that there are still some honorable politicians who care deeply about average people. And there are dishonorable politicians willing to lie and slander in order to hang on to their power. (The incumbent Sherrod Brown defeated accused John Glenn--John Glenn--f being unpatriotic and soft on communism. The mind boggles.) The book is also a lot of fun. Not surprisingly, Connie Schultz writes very well (Pulitzers are not given out as Cracker Jack prizes), and she can be very funny about the lunacy of campaigning. I'm glad Ms. Shultz has been able to go back to her life as a journalist, and I hope this book is read by everyone who cares about American politics and government.

a bird's eye view of a crucial campaign

Schultz writes with humor and passion. She was there every inch of the way as her husband Sherrod Brown fought the underdog's battle and knocked off the incumbent Ohio senator, Mike DeWine. Political junkies will love this inside look at the campaign that shifted the balance of power in the US Senate. Most telling, Schultz and Brown are progressives with strong Christian beliefs, a real slap across the kisser for all those holier than thou right wingers who trumpet their family values while having affairs on the side: Newt Gingrich-please don't run for office again.

Honest viewpoint

So many political memiors are thank you notes to supporters or influential people who can advance a politician's career. But, Ms. Schultz's book provides an outsider a view to the inside of a political campaign as well as to her inner most thoughts (at times) when it came to dealing with her own identity issues. As the book (and campaign) progresses, the reader can see how the humor and energy changes. This is a great read that will take you, from the wife's perspective, through the underbelly of how campaign strategy works and how the opponent's tricks play upon the candidate. It will take you, as well, through the inter mind workings of an intelligent woman who had to change her life and put her career on hold to support someone she loves. This is not your normal political read. You do not need to be a "political junkie" to enjoy it. Anyone who has ever evaluated their own life, or had to deal with society's stereotypes of how wives and women are to "be"; or just want a good read with humor and insight on life thrown in, will enjoy this book.