A review by libra17
When Women Win: EMILY's List and the Rise of Women in American Politics by Craig Unger, Ellen Malcolm

4.0

So, first thing's first: this is a very specific history. When Women Win is a history of women in politics, but it is specifically a history of democratic, prochoice women in politics that have been assisted by EMILY's List, and it reads more like a biography of the organization rather than a history of women in politics, at that. I didn't necessarily mind that - I've heard a lot about EMILY's List since the 2016 election and wasn't opposed to learning more about it - but it does make the title somewhat misleading, as that was not what I was expecting when I purchased the book. That being said, When Women Win is well written, explains the background and politics of various periods of modern politics, chronicles the reasons behind the gender representation gap between the two major parties, and is careful to explain why electing women - and women in particular, when all things are equal (which they usually are) - has proven to be helpful in improving bipartisanship, supporting the middle class and families, supporting women as a class of citizens, and generally improving the general life circumstances for all.