Rebecca Traister described the 2008 presidential election as "a completely gripping narrative" during which "everything in America was busted open", but was disappointed by the way it was covered in the mainstream media.
[1] Traister felt that some "big stories"—such as Hillary Clinton becoming the first woman to win an American presidential primary—had been underreported, and that many misogynistic and racist remarks made by political commentators had gone unnoticed.
Despite this, Palin was celebrated by Republican women voters; Traister argues that this inspired a wave of feminism which focused on political empowerment but neglected other values such as reproductive rights.
On the other hand, Traister compares Elizabeth Edwards' public image to that of Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton, and criticizes her for "enabl[ing] her husband's deception" about his extramarital affair.
In a review for Foreign Affairs, Walter Russell Mead described Traister as "one of the most powerful voices in a new generation of American feminist writers",[11] while Liesl Schillinger of The New York Times called the book "a passionate, visionary and very personal account" of the 2008 election.
[7] Maureen Corrigan of NPR praised the "superb" book, and concluded that "Girls, these days, can not only run for president; they can brilliantly analyze presidential campaigns, too.
"[12] The Washington Post critic Connie Schultz felt that at times Traister's writing seemed to "alienate every female reader over 40", but wrote that the book was "in its best parts ... a raw and brave memoir".
[6] Lynda Obst wrote for The Atlantic that the book served as a satisfying explanation to "mystified" Obama supporters "what the hell all the crying was about" after Clinton conceded from the Democratic primary.
[8] While Slate reviewer Hanna Rosin questioned the relevance of some chapters but overall concluded that, "Traister can be clever, caustic, wickedly funny, and as cynical as the next blogger, but it's always clear that in her heart she cares.