Member Review

A Moving Portrait, A Missing Record

Deb Haaland’s memoir, “A Voice Like Mine,” paints a portrait of a truly remarkable woman whose life has been defined by resilience and service. Unfortunately, it falls short of providing a truly insightful or comprehensive political record. Her narrative arc—stretching from an upbringing steeped in the traditions of the Pueblo of Laguna to her historic appointment as the first Native American cabinet secretary—is deeply moving. Haaland addresses her personal hurdles, such as alcoholism and poverty and presents her journey toward sobriety as evidence of her steadfast resolve. Her deep commitment to community, her heritage, and her “leave the ladder down” philosophy shines through every chapter, making it easy to align with her progressive political beliefs and her fierce advocacy for marginalized voices.

While the memoir effectively highlights the enduring trauma of boarding schools and her steadfast environmental commitment, it is not without its flaws. Haaland is running for office, and a primary weakness lies in the narrative's tendency to sidestep political friction. The narrative lacks a deep dive into the criticisms of her opponents or a thorough rebuttal to the resistance she faced as her political career surged. Notably, the text fails to address the controversial $8 billion "Willow Project" in Alaska. Despite her earlier stance of opposition in Congress, Haaland drew sharp criticism for not showing any resistance to this Biden administration oil drilling venture during her tenure as Secretary of the Interior—a silence that stands in stark contrast to her recounted support for activists at Standing Rock. The lack of comment on Willow is especially notable given that Native American tribes in the Southwest (her home region) were also closely monitoring the project, particularly due to concerns about potential implications for culturally significant areas like the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. This omission contradicts her stated values of "deep commitment to community, her heritage, and her ‘leave the ladder down’ philosophy". Here “A Voice Like Mine” is silent when it needs to be raised.

There is a tension between the memoir's strengths and weaknesses. While its choice to steer clear of political friction allows it to flourish as an intimate narrative of determination—serving as a powerful reflection of her spirit and objectives— regrettably, it does not deliver a particularly profound or thorough account of her political career. Ultimately, the memoir's profound omission of critical political events sacrifices what could have been a definitive record into a missed opportunity.

Thank you to Henry Holt & Company and to NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. “A Voice Like Mine” will be published June 9, 2026. #AVoiceLikeMine #NetGalley