Essay Questions

Why does Booker make a point of discussing relationships and connections with those around us?

Booker emphasizes the need to form meaningful connections with those around us—including our neighbors and our family members. By forming and strengthening ties with those we are close to, we are in a better position to take action and bring about genuine change. Booker encourages his readers to understand that we, as humans, are invested in everything together. Though we may have opposing views or belong to differing political parties, we are ultimately bound together in this perpetual game of life. When we rise together, so too we fall; we must rely on each other. As such, Booker argues, we must be willing to connect with our neighbors, with random passerby, with people from across the world. This is a skill—one we must re-claim and re-learn if humanity is to succeed.

How can this book be perceived as being different from other political narratives of the time?

Booker’s piece is unique in that it is in equal parts a personal narrative and a political call-to-action. Though Booker addresses political themes and his own political aspirations/upbringing, he makes a point to exclude any mention of his political opponents or their agendas. Unlike other books by modern political figures, Booker’s text does not aim to galvanize readers through political propaganda and slander. Rather, Booker aims to inspire his readers to pursue a life-long career of action through acts of compassion, empathy, and care. As such, many may view Booker’s text as a departure from those written by other political figures, as it does not aim to persuade readers to join or support a political party, but rather evokes as sense of civic duty through empathy, hope, and kindness.

Why might Booker have chosen to call upon his own experiences when writing this book?

Throughout this text, Booker uses anecdotal evidence and personal narratives—both triumphant and heartbreaking—to drive home his point. It was likely that Booker chose to weave certain elements of his own life into the text so as to lend credibility to his claims and to form connections with his readers. Booker uses themes of tenacity, power, and empathy to compel his readers to bring about action and change—political or otherwise—in the world around them. By including anecdotes and narratives from his own life and childhood, Booker is showing his readers his experience with those particular themes. This lends credibility to him as both an author and a politician and can help readers relate to his messages by forming a connection with his personal experiences.