This book contributes to the ongoing discussion of women’s representation in executive politics. Through the use of feminist CDA, the author aptly shows how gendered frames, expectations, a country’s political history and a politician’s own history all are factors in how women presidents see themselves and how they want to be seen by the political elite and general population.

International Feminist Journal of Politics

Christie’s insights on maternalism and female political leadership are intriguing.

Journal of Latin American Studies

Jane Christie's provocative study examines a pivotal point in a period of political change in South America. It highlights the strategic appropriation of resonant discourses around the maternal body and the continuation of life; the family and the strengthening of community; the ethics of care; and the functions prescribed to female political leaders that have inhibited their full engagement in a rights-based feminist agenda. This is an exciting contribution to the growing discussion of female political leaders in Latin America and is sure to stimulate debate.

Raylene Ramsay, University of Auckland

Negotiating Gendered Discourses provides convincing evidence of the ways Cristina Fernández and Michelle Bachelet skillfully negotiated culturally specific gender-coding as they became the first elected women presidents of Argentina and Chile. Most fascinating is the study’s juxtaposition of these two leaders´ framing of economic policies designed for the majority of citizens: women. Christie’s feminist discourse analysis of women and political power has larger implications for understanding women’s leadership during crisis, and provides insight into strategies used by other world leaders to soften their image, such as those of Angela Merkel in negotiating the refugee crisis in Europe.

Kathryn Lehman, The University of Auckland