“Kamala, you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you are not the last.”
Kamala Devi Harris is an American attorney and politician whose position as 49th and current vice president of the United States has made her both the first female vice president and the highest-ranking female official in US history. She is also the first African American and Asian American vice president. Having previously served as attorney general and then senator of California, Harris’ rise through the ranks has been as inspiring as it has been significant for the landscape of American politics. Following the withdrawal of Joe Biden ahead of the 2024 presidential election, she became the official Democratic nominee, potentially adding ‘President’ to her long list of achievements. Whether you’re looking to learn more about her life, career or policies, join us today at What We Reading for the best Kamala Harris books!
The Truths We Hold: An American Journey – Kamala Harris
Where better to kick off a list of Kamala Harris than with the woman herself? In her 2019 work The Truths We Hold, Harris offers a masterclass in problem-solving, crisis management and crisis management, as well as a fascinating window into the processes and insights that have guided her life and career.
By taking readers on a tour through her own life, Harris communicates a vision of shared struggle, shared purpose and shared values. It serves as a potent demonstration of how the majority of us have much more in common than we have to divide us, as well as a fascinating tour into the inner workings and principles that continue to inspire and drive the vice president even in today’s polarised political climate.
Kamala Harris: Rooted In Justice – Nikki Grimes
Nikki Grimes’ Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice is a book on the 49th vice president that explores her longstanding views on civil rights, justice and freedom, and how they have all continued to evolve and mould her life.
From her days as a small child in Oakland attending civil rights marches alongside her parents, fighting for the use of a soccer field in middle school, to fighting for the people she represents in Congress, Grimes expertly captures how Harris has used her voice to speak up for what she believes in, and for those whose voices too often go unheard. Featuring coloured illustrations by Laura Freeman, it is one of the best books on Kamala Harris for younger audiences looking for a snappy, inspiring read.
Amateur Hour: Kamala Harris In The White House – Charlie Spiering
Ahead of the 2024 US presidential election, many voters have found themselves still wondering: ‘Who is Kamala Harris?’ as well as questions such as: ‘How did she become vice president’? In his 2024 political biography, Amateur Hour, former Washington Examiner and Breitbart News reporter Charlie Spiering offers the first and ultimate comprehensive investigation into the life and career of Kamala Harris.
Featuring exclusive reporting and a keen detective’s eye, Spiering’s account isn’t always the most flattering of the Californian senator. Nevertheless, it remains a valuable resource for becoming better acquainted with Harris’ rapid ascent, some of the dynamics in play between the vice president and President Joe Biden, as well as the arguments that remain front and centre in her opponents’ attacks against her.
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We’re Speaking: The Life Lessons Of Kamala Harris: How To Use Your Voice, Be Assertive, And Own Your Story – Hitha Palepu
One of Kamala Harris’ most defining qualities is the inspiration she empowers in millions of individuals who listen to her speak. In We’re Speaking, Hitha Palepu provides an inspirational guide on how to overcome life, work and adversity with lessons taken from Harris’ trailblazing ascent to the position of vice president.
Having spent her entire career smashing glass ceilings and influencing new generations that had previously been unheard of, Harris has redrawn what is possible to achieve in American politics. We’re Speaking joins illuminating stories from Harris’ unique biography with a series of timely tactical advice that is sure to educate and inspire. One of the best Kamala Harris books, Palepu’s work empowers readers to follow in the vice president’s footsteps and begin living the life of their dreams.
Kamala Harris: A Biography – University Press
Rounding off our list of books about Kamala Harris is another captivating portrait of the former California attorney general. University Press’ biography on Harris explores her upbringing as a child born to a Tamil mother from India and a black father from Jamaica, singing in the choir at a Baptist church whilst also attending a Hindu temple. She married a Jewish lawyer and gained a reputation for being tough on crime, but also as one of the most progressive individuals in the American political landscape.
Much to the irritation of her critics, through her rapid ascent up the ranks, Kamala Harris has been an individual who has defied stereotypes since the very beginning. Undoubtedly one of the best Kamala Harris books, University Press’ account of America’s 49th vice president is an intensely human portrait of a woman changing a world in a way that no one else can.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
