Back in the fall of 2016, Adrienne Martini knew who her Senators were, wasn’t too sure who her Congressman was, and had only vague inklings about who her state reps were. After the presidential inauguration, she reached out to a friend of a friend, who was involved in the Otsego County Democratic Party. Maybe she could help out with phone calls or fundraising? But Dave’s idea was: she should run for office. Someone had to do it.
... 50 percent memoir, 50 percent advice manual and 100 percent heart ... A book aimed at incentivizing people to run for local office could read the way sawdust tastes, but Martini spices up her subject with pithy humor, wry backhands directed at the patriarchy and (most important) clear advice on how to follow her lead ... This is not your standard focus-group-approved politician fare; it’s an honest, in-the-moment, firsthand account of a disappointed mother’s foray into local politics ... Martini tells it like it is, doling out levelheaded instruction while condemning Trump enablers with fiery scorn ... isn’t sexy or scandal-ridden — and that’s the point.
... humorous and thoughtful ... Martini’s approach is simultaneously lighthearted and enlightening, brimming with practical advice on how (and why), if you want to enact real change, your local government is the place to start. It’s a fast-paced, easy read that serves as a reminder that the world isn’t hopeless ... If you feel any discontent with your government, either national or local, Somebody’s Gotta Do It serves as a reminder that your rage can be the basis for making real change.
Using humor and anecdotes, Martini shows the importance of running for local office and helps provide a broader understanding of local government. Readers interested in learning about government organization and policy, and those who might want to run for office one day will enjoy the insights and lessons offered throughout.
