Rachel Maddow earned her bachelor’s degree in public policy from Stanford University in 1994, graduating as a John Gardner Fellow. The following year, she was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and began postgraduate studies at Lincoln College, Oxford, ultimately earning her doctorate in political science.

This biography is a must-read for anyone who follows Rachel Maddow. It captures her consistency of focus and principle, as well as her remarkable open-mindedness. Throughout the book, we see examples of her seeking out—and genuinely valuing—the perspectives of those who disagree with her, a quality that is both admirable and rare.

Maddow has described herself as an “explainer,” and this biography affirms that claim. Clear, insightful, and deeply human, it highlights why the world is better with Rachel Maddow in it.

Brent M. Jones

Brent writes with quiet confidence and curiosity, exploring communication, reinvention, and what truly matters. His reflections invite readers to slow down, reconsider their stories, and reconnect with the values that guide them. Through books, essays, and his What Matters newsletter, he offers writing that doesn’t shout—but still speaks clearly.

Reflections on communication, reinvention, and what truly matters—delivered in a quiet, thoughtful voice.