As "Madam Speaker," Nancy Pelosi has broken new ground for women in American politics and has become a notable role model for young women. Yet hers has hardly been a Cinderella career. Pelosi was virtually born into politics, and her series of "firsts"--first female minority whip in the U.S. House; first female minority leader; and, finally, first female Speaker--was preceded by three decades of service as a political organizer, candidate, and U.S. representative. All along she balanced her political career with her role as a wife and the mother of five children.

In this book a distinguished Washington journalist traces Pelosi's classic rise through the political ranks, culminating in her historic elevation to the Speaker's chair--and explains how Pelosi's career and legislative priorities have been shaped by her gender.