An insider's view of women in politics, beginning in 1972 with a personal electoral defeat and ending with the historic transformation of the Senate 20 years later, when for the first time male candidates were rejected in droves by the voters and California became the first state in the nation to be represented by two female senators. Photos.

When Ross K. Baker's House and Senate first appeared in 1989, it became an instant favorite among students and instructors for its engaging and highly accessible description of congressional processes.

"One goal of this memoir is to inspire people to fight for change. It takes what I call the Art of Tough and I've had to do it all my life." -- Senator Barbara Boxer Barbara Boxer has made her mark, combining compassionate advocacy with scrappiness in a political career spanning more than three decades. Now, retiring from the Senate, she continues the work to which she's dedicated 30 years in Congress. Her memoir, The Art of Tough, shares her provocative and touching recollections of service, and cements her commitment to the fight for women, families, quality, environmental protection, all in a peaceful world. Sometimes lauded, sometimes vilified, but always standing tough, Boxer has fought for what is right even when her personal convictions conflicted with her party or the majority rule.