107 Days by Kamala Harris – Complete Book Summary & Analysis (2025)
For the first time, and with surprising and revealing insights, former Vice President Kamala Harris tells the story of one of the wildest and most consequential presidential campaigns in American history.
📖 Introduction: Why 107 Days Matter
Kamala Harris’s memoir 107 Days (Simon & Schuster, 2025) is not just another political autobiography. It is a day-by-day chronicle of her 2024 presidential campaign, which lasted just over three months after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race. The title reflects the exact length of her sprint to the Democratic nomination and eventual loss to Donald Trump.
Unlike traditional political memoirs, 107 Days reads with the urgency of a suspense novel. Harris collaborated with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks to craft a seamless narrative style that blends political drama, personal reflection, and raw honesty.
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🗳️ Context: The 2024 Election and Biden’s Withdrawal
The book opens with the shocking moment when Joe Biden privately asked Harris if she would be willing to take his place should he step aside. Harris recalls the conversation in the White House Situation Room after the failed July 13 assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
Within days, Biden officially announced his withdrawal, and Harris became the Democratic nominee. This set off a 107-day whirlwind campaign that tested her resilience, loyalty, and political instincts.
🔑 Major Themes in 107 Days
1. Loyalty and Betrayal
Harris repeatedly reflects on her loyalty to the Bidens, contrasted with moments when she felt abandoned or undermined. She cites instances where Biden’s speeches barely mentioned her, even after endorsing her candidacy.
2. The Weight of History
As the first Black woman to lead a major party ticket, Harris acknowledges the historic burden she carried. She wrestled with questions of electability, particularly when considering running mates like Pete Buttigieg versus Tim Walz.
3. Campaign Chaos
The memoir details the chaotic scramble for endorsements, fundraising, and debate preparation. Harris describes moments of exhilaration, such as securing key endorsements, and moments of despair, like Election Night when cupcakes decorated with “Madame President” toppers had to be stripped bare.
4. Candid Reflections on Trump
Harris recounts both public clashes and private conversations with Donald Trump. In private, she describes him as oddly cordial—even complimentary—yet she concludes he is a “con man” skilled at manipulation.
5. Disillusionment with the System
By the end, Harris questions whether change is truly possible from within the system. She laments the fragility of democratic institutions, quoting journalist Françoise Giroud: “This is how fascism begins.”
📚 Chapter-by-Chapter Breakdown
Part I: The Handover
Biden’s debate struggles and decision to step aside.
Harris’s initial hesitation and eventual acceptance of the nomination.
Early campaign strategy meetings in Wilmington, Delaware.
Part II: Building Momentum
The scramble for endorsements from governors and senators.
Tensions with Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Josh Shapiro.
Choosing Tim Walz as her running mate after weighing Buttigieg.
Part III: The Campaign Trail
Day-by-day accounts of rallies, debates, and media appearances.
Behind-the-scenes look at debate prep and messaging strategy.
Harris’s frustrations with Democratic leaders who doubted her.
Part IV: Election Day
The emotional rollercoaster of November 2024.
Early optimism in Michigan, followed by devastating losses in swing states.
The symbolic removal of “Madame President” toppers from cupcakes.
Part V: Aftermath
Harris’s concession call to Trump, where he surprisingly pronounced her name correctly.
Reflections on what went wrong and what she might have done differently.
A bleak afterword questioning the strength of American democracy.
🖋️ Writing Style and Tone
Unlike her earlier memoir, The Truths We Hold, Harris’s 107 Days is raw, fast-paced, and unfiltered. The collaboration with Geraldine Brooks gives it a novelistic feel, with cliffhanger moments, candid dialogue, and even humor.
The book is filled with political name-dropping, insider anecdotes, and moments of vulnerability. Harris does not shy away from profanity, which adds authenticity to her voice.
📊 Key Takeaways for Readers
107 Days is both a political memoir and a cautionary tale about the fragility of campaigns.
Harris portrays herself as both a loyal lieutenant and a frustrated candidate navigating betrayal.
The book is valuable for readers interested in campaign strategy, political drama, and leadership under pressure.
It also serves as a historical document of one of the shortest yet most intense presidential campaigns in U.S. history.
Q: What is 107 Days by Kamala Harris about?
A: It is a memoir of her 2024 presidential campaign, covering the 107 days between Joe Biden’s withdrawal and her loss to Donald Trump.
Q: Who wrote 107 Days?
A: Kamala Harris, in collaboration with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks.
Q: When was 107 Days published?
A: September 23, 2025, by Simon & Schuster.
Q: How long is the book?
A: 320 pages, also available as an audiobook narrated by Harris.
Q: Where can I buy 107 Days?
A: 👉 Get 107 Dayson Amazon here.
📝 Conclusion: Why You Should Read 107 Days
Kamala Harris’s 107 Days is more than a campaign diary—it is a political thriller, a memoir of resilience, and a meditation on democracy itself. Whether you admire Harris or not, the book offers a rare glimpse into the pressures of modern campaigning and the personal toll of leadership.
For readers of political memoirs, campaign histories, or anyone fascinated by the intersection of power and personality, 107 Days is a must-read.
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