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4.48 AVERAGE

r_ebeccaf's profile picture

r_ebeccaf's review

4.0
emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

During her years as the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern enjoyed a global popularity disproportionate to the size and relative importance of her country. While the initial curiosity was because of her relative youth and of the fact that a head of government chose to have a child while in office, the enduring legacy of her tenure was of the kindness and empathy she displayed consistently. Whether it was how she conducted herself after the hate crime targeting the Muslim population, or the gentle but firm manner of handing the COVID pandemic, she came to personify the empathetic leadership style that one longs for in a world which seems to be moving towards chest thumping nationalism.
It was a joy to read her memoir- to understand the influences that shaped her, of the serendipitous events that led to her becoming the youngest Prime Minister of New Zealand and of why she took some of the decisions she took. Two parts episodes stand out for me- the first is of the coincidence of her discovering (after months of dealing with infertility) she was pregnant hours before finding out she was going to become the Prime Minister, and the other is of a school student telling how the crucial characteristic of a politician is 'kindness'. The latter is the legacy that Jacinda Ardern has left behind (and which she, hopefully, continues in her current role of mentoring potential leaders).
I read the audio book which was narrated by Jacinda Ardern herself, and hearing her voice tell her story was certainly an experience I cherish.
funny informative reflective medium-paced

Loved the beginning of the book with how the subject got into politics and he drive and compassion. 
The second half - essentially when she was in politics was not as great. But it was refreshing to have a politician talk so openly about their thoughts feelings and family life. and the constant struggle all women who have careers and family face every day. Very inspiring 
theghostisshe's profile picture

theghostisshe's review

5.0
emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

boswall_books's review

4.5
emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

arhines's review

3.5
hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

leda00's review

3.0
informative reflective slow-paced
emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Appreciated starting from when she was young to understand her background and how it shaped her politics. Very interesting, especially how she continued to be a part of the Morman church even when most of her views appeared to be very different. Overall, well written with the right amount of detail.
paulomareadsbooks's profile picture

paulomareadsbooks's review

4.5
informative inspiring reflective fast-paced