One sentence summary
Al Franken, Giant of the Senate is a hilarious yet inspirational memoir by U.S. Senator Al Franken, chronicling his improbable rise to the U.S. Senate.
Book genre
Memoir, Political History, Biography
Main topic of the book
The main topic of Al Franken, Giant of the Senate is Senator Al Franken’s journey from comedian and writer to U.S. Senator.
Key ideas
- Working hard and with self-efficacy is the key to tackling life’s challenges and succeeding. Senator Franken believes that if a person works hard and believes in themselves, success is a natural consequence.
- Political outcomes are the result of collective actions. Senator Franken shares his belief that when people come together and take collective action, politics can achieve significant changes.
- Humor is an important political tool. Franken demonstrates that humor can aid in bridging partisan divides, serve as a form of self-defense against hostile politicians, and provide another forum for advancing political ideas.
Main parts of the book and a short summary
- “Based on a True Story”: In this section, Franken discusses his life before politics, from his time as a comedian and author to his shift to political activism. He talks about his early years as a candidate in Minnesota and the lessons he took from the 2008 and 2012 elections.
- “Life in the United States Senate”: This section details Franken’s time in office, including his accomplishments, his relationship with the other senators, and his place as a collaborator and bridge-builder.
- “The Future of Democracy”: In this section, Franken looks ahead to the future of democracy and wonders what values will remain important. He advocates for an all-encompassing view of democracy, one that considers the role of identity, economics, and policy.
Key takeaways
- Work hard and have faith in yourself to achieve your goals regardless of how difficult they may be.
- Politics is best achieved through collective action, and when people come together, remarkable changes to society can be made.
- Humor is a powerful tool to bridge partisan divides and advance political ideas.
Author’s background and qualifications
Al Franken is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, and elected U.S. Senator representing Minnesota from 2009 to 2018. He has authored seven books, including his memoir Al Franken, Giant of the Senate. Franken is known for his political satire show “Saturday Night Live” where he served as a writer and occasional on-air performer. He has received several Emmy Awards for his television work. In addition, Franken is a member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party.
Target audience
Al Franken, Giant of the Senate is an inspiring and comedic memoir that targets readers interested in politics as well as those looking for a humorous read. Inspirational readers will be encouraged by Franken’s resilience and improbable rise to U.S. Senator.
Publisher and first publication date
Al Franken, Giant of the Senate was published by Twelve in 2017.