You've Come a Long Way, Maybe: Sarah, Michelle, Hillary, and the Shaping of the New American Woman

The most recent presidential election brought on a new era of gender politics, according to political strategist Sanchez. The author's background in polling, broadcast journalism and consulting to Republican candidates shapes the book: rather than focusing on amorphous public opinion, she hones in on the realities of political power, influence and ability. While Sanchez should be lauded for addressing general sexism and the sexualization of women candidates, she still rehashes the mainstream media storyline, from Hillary Clinton's seemingly inevitable success and Sarah Palin's meteoric rise and fall to Michelle Obama's wardrobe. Shanchez concludes without offering concrete steps for eradicating the deep seated biases that make life difficult for women leaders of any race or class background. The strengths of the book lie in the last chapters, when the author has finished making her case and looks to grassroots, online, and alliance-based responses to sexism in the political arena.