“History was being made and I had a view, not from the front row seats, but even better, from the wings, with one eye on the stage and a hand behind the curtain, helping the principals play their roles.”
Insley has had unique experiences and met truly extraordinary people. In this autobiography, she chronicles her professional life, which began after she attended the University of Maryland. Her first job was in the office of Senator Edward M. Kennedy during the mid-sixties. While she loved the fast-paced and exciting work, it did concern her conservative Methodist parents. Insley had no way of knowing when she started that she would be at the center of so many pivotal events in American history. These included the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the tremendous upheaval that followed in cities around the country, the assassination of Robert Kennedy, and the Watergate scandal.
What elevates this book is the skillfulness with which Insley brings to the surface multiple layers of social issues prevalent at the time. She describes her experiences with authenticity and honesty, not shying away from difficult or divisive issues. Rather, she weaves them into the narrative, making them part of the landscape she had to navigate. Contemporary readers are reminded of how sexist and racist the common attitudes were. Through her point of view, they get a sense of how women were treated in the workplace. Insley also notes more nuanced cultural differences between rural and urban settings as well as the North and South. Benefitting from time, distance, and emotional intelligence, the lens through which the author views historical events seems less judgmental than observations sometimes made by other writers.
There are various interesting references in the narrative to ordinary life in the sixties that are almost obsolete today. One example is when the team was on the campaign trail and needed to find an address. In such cases, they relied on a physical map or stopped at a gas station for directions. There was no GPS or Google Maps to guide them. Interpersonal communication and relationships were the keys to everything in her work.
Insley exhibits honesty about herself, often with a sense of humor. She describes jobs that did not fit her, dating struggles, and family pressure to marry. However, her integrity never wavered, and she was true to herself. These traits led to several different jobs and careers. Being fired several times seemed to fortify her because she used the episodes as learning opportunities. One of her most profound experiences was her survival trip. Her inner circle thought she had gone insane to head to the wilderness to “survive.” It was the most transformative event for her as she pushed herself physically and mentally to the limits. When she returned from that trip, she began a career in real estate. She had a lot of tough lessons and once again proved to be successful by learning from her mistakes.
The author has tremendous writing skills, which make the often-complex subjects of the book accessible to a wide audience. It is fast-paced yet vividly descriptive. Her voice is educated and sophisticated without sounding condescending. Pictures are strategically placed, making her story come to life. Anyone interested in politics, American history, or accounts of life in rarified air will be captivated by this book. It is perfectly balanced with insights from an insider into the world of lawmaking and campaigning.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
