Hate Won't Win - by Mallory McMorrow (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Mallory McMorrow was on the verge of giving up. Once the youngest state senator in Michigan's history--a title she assumed after defeating a Republican incumbent in one of the biggest political upsets of 2018--the work of legislating was nothing like she'd hoped. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but wasn't counting on an insidious culture of sexual harassment, armed protestors storming the floor, or colleagues who had zero interest in reaching across the aisle to get anything meaningful done. And things needed to get done. A new mother to a baby girl, Mallory was as worried as the rest of us about the state of our country and world. School shootings, dire climate reports, natural disasters, escalating political violence and extremism, a plummeting life expectancy and birth rate, crippling student and healthcare debt, LGBTQ kids being legislated out of existence, the rolling back of abortion rights--the list had become overwhelming. Where could one even start? But then a colleague in the Michigan senate sent out a fundraising mailer calling Mallory a 'groomer' and a 'pedophile'--for the crime of standing up for LGBTQ kids and preserving history in our schools--and she realized that she had to say something. ... And so she gave an impassioned speech that changed everything, eventually flipping the Michigan State Senate blue for the first time in over forty years"--

Book Synopsis

In this urgent expansion of her viral speech, Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow details her unlikely journey into politics with a front-row seat to democracy at its breaking point--then outlines the tangible, proven steps that anyone can take to build community, fight for what's right, and create real, lasting change.

Mallory McMorrow was on the verge of giving up. She knew the work of legislating wouldn't be easy, but she hadn't been expecting an insidious culture of sexual harassment, armed protestors storming the state Capitol, or colleagues who had zero interest in reaching across the aisle to get anything meaningful done. Where could one even start? But then fate forced her hand. A Senate colleague called her out as a "groomer"--for standing up for LGBTQ+ kids and fighting against attempts to whitewash history in our schools.

In response, Mallory delivered a blistering rebuke with a speech from the Michigan Senate floor that reverberated throughout the country and the world, leading many long-jaded political pundits to hail Mallory's action as a "blueprint" for fighting back. Here, Mallory pulls back the curtain on what it's like to work in today's politic arena, rife with conspiracy theories and division--yet emerges clear-eyed, offering actionable steps for building community and creating change.

Hate Won't Win is a step-by-step guide for anyone who's fed up with the divisiveness in American politics, and anyone who wants to make a real difference but has no idea where to start--a blueprint for creating the communities and country we want to see.

Review Quotes

"McMorrow's kind and direct guidance offers readers ideas for how and where to start... and in so doing, find their power and their hope. It's hard to imagine a more timely, important, and inspiring book."--Shelf Awareness

"McMorrow, whether in print or in conversation, is funny, sharp, principled, tough, and relatable--exactly the kind of young voice her party needs if it's going to bounce back."
--Vanity Fair

"This is the book we need to jumpstart the process of restoring American democracy. A poignant history of the past tumultuous years from the perspective of Mallory McMorrow, who became one of its iconic figures even as she had to negotiate her way through sexual harassment, new motherhood, and MAGA protesters, this book provides both inspiration and a roadmap for doing the next right thing."

--Heather Cox Richardson, American historian

"Hate Won't Win will empower anyone to learn how to get involved to steer the country in the right direction. Mallory peels back the curtain on her own life with so much heart and vulnerability: what's clear is that Mallory is one of us, and that means that we can do anything - especially if we do it together."

--Mandy Moore, actor, singer, and philanthropist

"A resonant, accessible guide for those looking to feel their way forward in this dire political era, through fear, anger and the paralysis that can sometimes accompany them. McMorrow offers a playbook for standing up to hate and dishonesty, protecting our communities, and working with others to create a more just and hopeful future."

--Rebecca Traister, author of Good and Mad and All The Single Ladies

"In Hate Won't Win, Mallory lays out the truth--just as in business, there are no shortcuts to creating the America we can be proud of. It takes drive, perseverance, and shattering our preconceived notions about people "on the other side," to realize that the only way we succeed as a country is from the ground up, together. We each have a responsibility as Americans to participate fully, and Mallory's book is the definitive guide to show you how. The rest is up to you."
--Mark Cuban

"State Senator Mallory McMorrow is one of the most exciting young political leaders in America who gives resounding voice to a new generation looking to bridge divides, bring people together and banish hate. Hate Won't Win reminds us that democracy isn't a spectator sport--we have to participate, we have to lead. This book is so valuable for anyone looking for an engaging playbook for getting involved and making a big difference."--U.S. Senator Cory Booker

About the Author

After Googling "how to run for office" in the wake of the 2016 election, Mallory McMorrow took on an incumbent Republican State Senator as a first-time candidate and won. In 2023, she became the first woman Senate Majority Whip in state history, and only the second Senator in state history to give birth while in office. Her writing has appeared in Road & Track, Jalopnik, Jezebel, The New York Times, NBC News, CNN, and The New Republic. HATE WON'T WIN is her first book. She lives with her husband, Ray, and daughter, Noa, in Royal Oak, Michigan.