A Good Fight

Sarah Brady describes herself as a college goof-off, never quite the prettiest girl, and a happy housewife. She was delighted in 1981 when Ronald Reagan selected her husband, Jim Brady, as his Press Secretary. But she admits she was in over her head, wearing the wrong clothes and star-gazing at Washington's elite. Within three months, the dream was over. Jim Brady was gravely injured during the March 1981 assassination attempt on Reagan. Sarah Brady's life changed and she became a passionate advocate for sensible gun laws. Her hard work and name were instrumental in passing two laws over the objections of the NRA: the Brady Law that mandated a waiting period for handgun purchases, and the Assault Rifle Ban. For those interested in the give-and-take of the firearms battles in Washington, the book may drift a bit too often into asides about Jim's medical difficulties or the doings of a family maid or longtime friend, while not revealing all you might wish to know about the legislative tussles. Fair enough, you can flip ahead. In the end, the personal material reveals Mrs. Brady as a compassionate, strong woman who struggles with family, trauma, and self-doubt, and earns her every victory. She's not quite a hero, in some ways she's more interesting than that. An every-Jane who outworks her opponents. Brady was a dedicated Republican who felt the firearms issue need not be partisan, but rather one of common sense. While she has become something of a bogeywoman for the right-wing gun fans (just read some of the other reviews on this page), she states her position clearly, "I believe that law-abiding citizens should be able to buy and keep firearms. And I believe there are sensible standards that we can and should insist upon when it comes to gun ownership." (p.104). Her long years of work in Washington as a director of Handgun Control Inc., give her insights into the corridors of power. Thus her unflattering portraits of Charlton Heston ("phony") and Dick Cheney, who unconscionably was on the losing side of a 413-4 House vote in 1988 to ban plastic handguns that terrorists could use to sneak through metal detectors. One wonders if 9-11 has made Cheney revisit his position.Brady's greatest legacy may not be the two key bills that she shepherded into law. It may be that she showed the country that the majority of Americans who favor sensible gun regulations can be heard, and that their wishes can overcome extremist views. She showed us that one hard-working housewife can make a difference. This is a story of American democracy, how one brave citizen can change the law.

Sarah Brady describes herself as a college goof-off, never quite the prettiest girl, and a happy housewife. She was delighted in 1981 when Ronald Reagan selected her husband, Jim Brady, as his Press Secretary. But she admits she was in over her head, wearing the wrong clothes and star-gazing at Washington's elite. Within three months, the dream was over. Jim Brady was gravely injured during the March 1981 assassination attempt on Reagan. Sarah Brady's life changed and she became a passionate advocate for sensible gun laws. Her hard work and common sense were instrumental in passing two laws over the objections of the NRA: the Brady Law that mandated a waiting period for handgun purchases, and the Assault Rifle Ban. For those interested in the give-and-take of the firearms battles in Washington, the book may drift a bit too often into asides about Jim's medical difficulties or the doings of a family maid or longtime friend, while not revealing all you might wish to know about the legislative battles. Fair enough, you can flip ahead. In the end, the personal material reveals Mrs. Brady as a compassionate, strong woman who struggles with family, trauma, and self-doubt, and earns her every victory. She's not quite a hero, in some ways she's more interesting than that. An every-Jane who outworks her opponents. Brady was a dedicated Republican who felt the firearms issue need not be partisan, but rather one of common sense. While she has become something of a bogeywoman for the right-wing gun nuts (just read some of the other reviews on this page), she states her position clearly, "I believe that law-abiding citizens should be able to buy and keep firearms. And I believe there are sensible standards that we can and should insist upon when it comes to gun ownership." (p.104). Her long years of work in Washington, as a director of Handgun Control Inc., give her access and insights into the corridors of power. Thus her unflattering portraits of Charlton Heston ("phony") and Dick Cheney, who unconscionably was on the losing side of a 413-4 House vote in 1988 to ban plastic handguns that terrorists could use to sneak through metal detectors. One wonders if 9-11 has made Cheney revisit his position.Brady's greatest legacy may not be the two key bills that she shepherded into law. It may be that she showed the country that the majority of Americans who favor sensible gun regulations can be heard, and that their wishes need not be trampled by the extremists who have hijacked the NRA. She showed us that one hard-working housewife can make a difference. This is a story of American democracy, how one brave citizen can change the law.

I borrowed this book from the library and read it in a day and a half. (I work two jobs, so I consider this to be a major accomplisment!) I liked "A Good Fight" so much that I then purchased a copy for my mom for mother's day. There is a lot to admire about Sarah Brady: the strength with which she faced and continues to face an adversary like the NRA; her courage in dealing with her husband's disability and her own cancer; her brutal honesty with which she addresses and discusses her ongoing battle with a cigarette addiction. The list goes on. Sarah faces every challenge in life with strength and determination and she is an inpiration to anyone who wants to make a difference and live their lives fully. There are many "good fights" in this inspiring and uplifting book. Kudos to Sarah Brady.

I read two autobiographies back-to-back: one by Katherine Graham, and the other by Sarah Brady. These are two different women in Washington's inner political circle, from two different walks of life. Both women had life-altering experiences due to their husbands being shot. Graham's husband committed suicide; Brady's husband was permanently disabled during an assassination attempt on President Reagan. I found Brady's story about her life to be completely unpretentious and honest. It is a compelling story that reads easily. Brady wants to tell us about the episodes of her life, but the real inspiration lies in the way she addresses each of those episodes. Feel free to agree or disagree with her political preferences, or her beliefs about gun control. But don't for one minute question her authenticity. This is a book that entertains, while also making readers analyze their own values.

I don't know what it is about guns that makes people react with such hatred and anger. This book is a powerful story of an intelligent, tough woman who has taken tragedy and turned it into a powerful crusade. She turned the tragic shooting of her husband, Jim, into an effort that has kept guns out of the hands of criminals only to find out that she's been stricken with cancer. And, again, she chose to fight - this time against the disease within. It's a powerful story, well told. Whether you agree with her policies or not, it's impossible not to admire her strength of character and conviction.