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jennwhosit's review against another edition
3.0
Liked learning about this amazing politician and stateswoman. Waiting to get audio back-time expired on library loan
theredhead15's review against another edition
4.0
Good overview of Hillary during the Secretary of State years. Not a glowing account by any means. Shows the positives and negatives of her tenure, with the conclusion that her time as Secretary of State was largely positive.
crinklawunit's review against another edition
4.0
HOLY HELL!!! This book me forever to get though. Not because I wasn't enjoying it or that I didn't like it. Just so much information. So many names!!!!! Deputy secretary of this or that....assistant deputy secretary of assistant secretary....JEEZ! so many people and names...no wonder this country is in debt. We have WAY too many people employed :) From now on...no one has an assistant!
Anyway, it was a fascinating read. Very informative and interesting. I am a Hilary fan and this book made me an even bigger one. It was such an eye opener regarding the fund raising and the backing that goes into any campaign let alone a Presidential one. I was intrigued by the amount of "loyalty" that is given and expected.
I thought this was a great read!
Anyway, it was a fascinating read. Very informative and interesting. I am a Hilary fan and this book made me an even bigger one. It was such an eye opener regarding the fund raising and the backing that goes into any campaign let alone a Presidential one. I was intrigued by the amount of "loyalty" that is given and expected.
I thought this was a great read!
sedeara's review
3.0
Read Harder Challenge Item: Read a book about politics
My library had this book shelved with "bios," so I thought I was getting another biography of Hills (I already read [b:A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton|820077|A Woman in Charge The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton|Carl Bernstein|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1178670970s/820077.jpg|1080454]) that was published later and therefore covered her post-Senate years and her time as Secretary of State.
This isn't actually a biography -- it pretty much picked up where the last Clinton book I read left off, beginning with her first presidential run, focusing on her tenure as Secretary of State, and wrapping up with questions about a 2016 run.
Although I followed Clinton's 2008 campaign (and voted for her), I have to admit that I paid absolutely no attention to her time as Secretary of State -- I wasn't really a news junkie, and she no longer held the position by the time I started working for a news organization. So this book filled in the gaps nicely, although similarly to "A Woman in Charge," there was a certain sense of "distance" in the narrative. Although I got a better idea of the workings of Obama's administration, some interesting character insight into our current president, and a few noteworthy stories about Clinton, I still felt held at arm's length. I haven't ready Hillary Clinton's memoirs ([b:Living History|56073|Living History|Hillary Rodham Clinton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442705677s/56073.jpg|480368] or [b:Hard Choices|17727276|Hard Choices|Hillary Rodham Clinton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402198745s/17727276.jpg|24806264]), but I feel skeptical about them because I know they are part of her political persona, written to present herself in the best light. Yet these journalistic, more "objective" takes always leave me a little unsatisfied, ultimately still feeling that she is an enigma. I often come away feeling as if I've learned more about the people around her -- Bill Clinton, Obama, etc. -- than I have about her. I think what I'm really itching for is Huma Abadin's tell-all up-close memoir.
Overall, this book was a bit too much about political machinations for my taste, and either it was published prior to or demurred from mentioning the email scandals, so I felt like it was somewhat incomplete. But I'm a little bit more informed than I was before I read it, and this is an election season in which it's especially important to be well armed.
My library had this book shelved with "bios," so I thought I was getting another biography of Hills (I already read [b:A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton|820077|A Woman in Charge The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton|Carl Bernstein|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1178670970s/820077.jpg|1080454]) that was published later and therefore covered her post-Senate years and her time as Secretary of State.
This isn't actually a biography -- it pretty much picked up where the last Clinton book I read left off, beginning with her first presidential run, focusing on her tenure as Secretary of State, and wrapping up with questions about a 2016 run.
Although I followed Clinton's 2008 campaign (and voted for her), I have to admit that I paid absolutely no attention to her time as Secretary of State -- I wasn't really a news junkie, and she no longer held the position by the time I started working for a news organization. So this book filled in the gaps nicely, although similarly to "A Woman in Charge," there was a certain sense of "distance" in the narrative. Although I got a better idea of the workings of Obama's administration, some interesting character insight into our current president, and a few noteworthy stories about Clinton, I still felt held at arm's length. I haven't ready Hillary Clinton's memoirs ([b:Living History|56073|Living History|Hillary Rodham Clinton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442705677s/56073.jpg|480368] or [b:Hard Choices|17727276|Hard Choices|Hillary Rodham Clinton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402198745s/17727276.jpg|24806264]), but I feel skeptical about them because I know they are part of her political persona, written to present herself in the best light. Yet these journalistic, more "objective" takes always leave me a little unsatisfied, ultimately still feeling that she is an enigma. I often come away feeling as if I've learned more about the people around her -- Bill Clinton, Obama, etc. -- than I have about her. I think what I'm really itching for is Huma Abadin's tell-all up-close memoir.
Overall, this book was a bit too much about political machinations for my taste, and either it was published prior to or demurred from mentioning the email scandals, so I felt like it was somewhat incomplete. But I'm a little bit more informed than I was before I read it, and this is an election season in which it's especially important to be well armed.
nileimaj's review against another edition
3.0
It's rare I read non-fiction, but with the audio book format, I thought I should branch into something I wouldn't normally read -- good for my brain, and it turns out good for sleep too. What I learned... don't cross the Clintons! They will f*&k you up.
heathdwilliams's review against another edition
3.0
Paints Hillary as the main player in every event in which she was involved as Secretary of State, even events in which she realistically played a minor role.
The authors at times nauseatingly read into small actions (e.g. Hillary saying she was feeling better weeks after a blood clot) as positioning herself for a 2016 run. Not everything a politician does, even a politician like Hillary Clinton, is political posturing.
The authors at times nauseatingly read into small actions (e.g. Hillary saying she was feeling better weeks after a blood clot) as positioning herself for a 2016 run. Not everything a politician does, even a politician like Hillary Clinton, is political posturing.
danoreading's review against another edition
3.0
Really interesting. I am a Hillary fan, but this would be a good read for those who aren't as well.
leasummer's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this very in depth look at HRC. I learned a lot and appreciated the perspective given. I didn't feel it was overly pro-Clinton but it does highlight her strengths.
Audio book from Overdrive/library.
Audio book from Overdrive/library.
ajreader's review against another edition
4.0
Read my full thoughts on this book and hundreds more over at Read.Write.Repeat.
This book felt like a fairly balanced look at Clinton's modern persona. Allen and Parnes finished writing it just before Clinton officially declared her candidacy for president in 2015, so it would be interesting to read their thoughts on how things have gone since that point. Still, their deep investigation into Clinton's career and public image in the previous eight years is fascinating. They are gracious and likely Clinton supporters, but those qualities do not prevent them from revealing some of her weaknesses and failings.
As we race ever closer to this important election, I encourage you to research, read, and respond accordingly. This book could be a good starting point if you're looking to learn more about Clinton. And, don't forget, regardless of who you are voting for, there is never an excuse to personally attack other voters for their opinions. Learn to agree to disagree with grace. After all, you'd hope for the same from someone who disagrees with you.
This book felt like a fairly balanced look at Clinton's modern persona. Allen and Parnes finished writing it just before Clinton officially declared her candidacy for president in 2015, so it would be interesting to read their thoughts on how things have gone since that point. Still, their deep investigation into Clinton's career and public image in the previous eight years is fascinating. They are gracious and likely Clinton supporters, but those qualities do not prevent them from revealing some of her weaknesses and failings.
As we race ever closer to this important election, I encourage you to research, read, and respond accordingly. This book could be a good starting point if you're looking to learn more about Clinton. And, don't forget, regardless of who you are voting for, there is never an excuse to personally attack other voters for their opinions. Learn to agree to disagree with grace. After all, you'd hope for the same from someone who disagrees with you.