Heart of Fire

February 15, 2021
The life story of the first Asian American woman and only immigrant in the Senate. Hirono was born in 1947 in a rural town in Japan. Following years of abuse, her mother escaped back to her native Hawaii with the author and her older brother in hopes of a better life. Being a single parent, she had to work multiple jobs to support the family. "She had a heart of fire and would always pick herself up and try something else, seek another way forward," writes Hirono. "Mom didn't believe in feeling sorry for herself or in bemoaning her circumstances. She intended to take care of us, and in that purpose she never wavered. Always looking out for the next opportunity." They initially lived in a "small, windowless room" in a boardinghouse and had no access to health care. These early experiences became pivotal in her decision to pursue public service in order "to help the most defenseless among us." Given her cultural roots in Japan and Hawaii, as well as the often unfair expectations placed on women in politics, Hirono often exercised restraint in showing her emotions in order to get measures passed during much of her early political career. However, her demeanor changed markedly following the 2016 presidential election. No longer could she stay silent in the face of grave injustices. "My expectations of the most xenophobic, misogynistic, corrupt, and self-dealing president in history could not have been lower, yet he would sink beneath even that, plunging the nation into one crisis after another," she writes. "There was no end to the cruelty, compulsive lies, and outright fraud perpetrated by Trump and his enablers." With both ferocity and compassion, Hirono chronicles her experiences in Congress, exposing the rampant hypocrisy and illogical behavior she has witnessed. At the same time, warmth and love shine through, as she attributes her success and determination to the example set by her mother. A heartfelt and fiery political memoir and immigrant story.

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Starred review from March 1, 2021

Hirono has written one of the finest political memoirs in the history of the genre and offers details of political resistance during the Trump era. Hirono's story begins with her family's roots in Japan and their experience as immigrants in Hawai'i. One of the book's greatest strengths is the author's ability to consistently connect the experiences of her formative years with her political drive and perspective. The book also embraces the setting of Hawai'i, providing insight into the cultural and political scene of the 50th state, especially focusing on the experience of women leadership in Hawai'i's unique culture. It is the latter half of the book, however, recounting Hirono's time as a U.S. Senator, that contains the most passion. Hirono shares in detail what it was like to speak out against the Trump administration, and readers will find that her voice is as strong in her memoir as it was on the Senate floor. VERDICT Hirono offers an astoundingly compelling glance into U.S. politics, and also provides an honest look at how much grit it takes for people from less privileged backgrounds to make it in American politics and make a difference in their community. A must-read that demands a broad audience.--Sarah Schroeder, Univ. of Washington Bothell

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2021
Hirono is fierce and forthright as she shares the life experiences that led to her becoming a U.S. senator from Hawaii. Born in Japan to an American-born Japanese mother, Hirono chronicles her early days in rural Japan, her family's migration, and extreme poverty in Honolulu. Hirono's deep reverence for her mother, who fled a bad marriage with her three children, comes through in her account of how she was motivated by her mother's quiet persistence as a proofreader and inspired gardener. Hirono traces the psychological impact of her family's struggles on her choices as a public servant. Her unsentimental yet transparent sharing of her personal history makes this memoir a gripping read. While Hirono's ideological evolution over the various stages of her political life is fascinating, her grit and determination make this a motivating story even for those who are not ordinarily interested in politics. Recent events in Washington, DC, and Hirono's part in them make this a very timely reminder of the varied and significant backgrounds guiding our nation's lawmakers.

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April 5, 2021
This inspiring memoir follows Hirono’s personal and political life, from her childhood as an immigrant living in Hawaii to becoming the first Asian-American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate. At age seven, Hirono and her mother left her abusive father and Japan for Hawaii. She didn’t encounter racism in multicultural Hawaii, but her family’s poverty and being immigrants led to struggles with her more privileged, English-speaking classmates. However, Hirono notes, she’d inherited her mother’s “heart of fire,” a tenacity that helped power her through the discrimination she faced in college, law school, and throughout her political career, from Hawaii’s House of Representatives to the U.S. House of Representatives to a landslide victory in the U.S. Senate. Hirono writes that she adopts the same attitude in her personal life, whether standing up to friends when necessary or beating cancer. Throughout, her mother’s presence is invoked as a model of stoicism and confidence. Equally affecting is the memory of her younger brother, Wayne, who was left behind in Japan as a toddler. Though they eventually reunited, his tragic experience makes Hirono’s argument against former-President Trump’s border separation policy heartbreakingly intimate. These personal details are where the narrative shines. Hirono’s story of struggles and triumph satisfies and enlightens in equal measure.