In this candid and self-effacing autobiography, Barbara Lee chronicles the challenges she overcame to break the cycle of multi-generational domestic violence, and her rise from being a single mother of two young children to being one of the most progressive and respected voices in Congress today.

The Honorable BARBARA LEE United States Congress (D-CA) 9th Congressional District, CA

"Some of the poorest people in the world will never know the name Barbara Lee, yet owe their lives to her determination in the fight against AIDS. Her sense of justice--and injustice--runs about as deep as it's possible to go."
- Bono, lead singer of U2 and co-founder of the anti-poverty organization ONE

Congresswoman Barbara Lee's willingness to stand on principle earned her unsolicited international attention when she was the only member of Congress to vote against a resolution giving President George W. Bush virtually unlimited authority to wage war against unspecified nations, unspecified organizations, and unspecified individuals for an unspecified period of time in the wake of the horrific events of September 11. Some praised her vote opposing this blank check to use force as heroic and inspirational; others called for her death.

But this was not her only profile in courage. In addition to being one of Congress's most vocal opponents to the war in Iraq, Lee has been a leader in promoting policies that foster international peace, security, and human rights and has been an advocate for communities of color and for the poor. Her principled stands include disavowing the doctrine of preemptive war, offering legislation to address the HIV-AIDS pandemic, and helping to lead the bipartisan effort in Congress to end the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of the Sudan.

Barbara Lee was first elected to represent California's ninth Congressional District in 1998. In 2005, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize along with women from 150 countries as part of the international project, 1000 Women for Peace. She lives in Oakland, CA and Washington, DC.