A Different Kind of Power - by Jacinda Ardern

I started reading this book with a biased viewpoint: I had regarded Jacinda Ardern as one of the most influential politicians [or world leaders] of my lifetime. This is simply because she is unusual [IMHO], but thankfully not unique, in being in politics for all the right reasons. She was not interested in power for power’s sake and not looking to financially benefit - her simple goal was [is] to make the world just a bit better for as many people as possible.

I really enjoyed reading her story of how she developed her interest in politics and how that became focussed, culminating [so far] in her becoming Prime Minister of New Zealand. Unlike many political memoirs, she does not spend lots of time telling the reader how great she is or celebrating her achievements. To me, she comes over as a real person, suffering the Imposter Syndrome that most of us seem to exhibit.

In summary, the book delivered on the promises of its blurb. We see [or at least I do] that Jacinda Ardern is very intelligent and driven, with a large dose of empathy and compassion. The world needs more people like that. I very much hope that we haven’t heard the last of this extraordinary woman.