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pahinailocana's review
4.0
A well-written memoir of Hillary Rodham Clinton. I’ve learned so much about her life - from her childhood, family business, college and law school days, love anthem, to her political battles.
Hillary was the brains behind Bill’s US health, children protection, and women empowerment programs and projects. Correspondingly, she’s definitely one of the strongest women in the American politics for she faced a lot of adversities before, during, and after her husband’s political career, and she conquered every crisis with a brave heart and tough armor. She learned this mantra from Eleanor Roosevelt, that every woman in political life must develop a skin as tough as rhinos. No doubt her armor had thickened over the years.
A male friend of hers recalled, “Hillary could be extremely nice, or else she could be a real bitch. Not a lot in between.”
I was shell-shocked knowing that the Lewinsky case is also included in this book. It was so straightforward of her to share what happened, and what she felt during the controversy. On one level, my heart goes to Hillary and Chelsea, and Paula and Monica for suffering the raw wounds Bill left them. On another level, I also believed Bill was a good person and a great President but, he’s still a trash for playing and hurting women.
Hillary was the brains behind Bill’s US health, children protection, and women empowerment programs and projects. Correspondingly, she’s definitely one of the strongest women in the American politics for she faced a lot of adversities before, during, and after her husband’s political career, and she conquered every crisis with a brave heart and tough armor. She learned this mantra from Eleanor Roosevelt, that every woman in political life must develop a skin as tough as rhinos. No doubt her armor had thickened over the years.
A male friend of hers recalled, “Hillary could be extremely nice, or else she could be a real bitch. Not a lot in between.”
I was shell-shocked knowing that the Lewinsky case is also included in this book. It was so straightforward of her to share what happened, and what she felt during the controversy. On one level, my heart goes to Hillary and Chelsea, and Paula and Monica for suffering the raw wounds Bill left them. On another level, I also believed Bill was a good person and a great President but, he’s still a trash for playing and hurting women.
sksrenninger's review
4.0
Go Hillary! Girl power! That's what I think after reading this book. I loved it. It gave me a lot of respect for her and for the complicated balancing act of political life and First Lady-hood. I really enjoyed learning about her passions for women's and children's rights, and I can't wait to read her next memoir. I would also like to note that my copy of this book actually has 800 pages, not the 520 Goodreads seems to think this ISBN has, and I wish that figure would be reflected in my "Pages Read" statistic.
yikesbmg's review
4.0
Good book overall, although I really do not think it had to be nearly 500 pages long. The things about HRC that stand out most are her reliance on and dedication to her team (willingness to collaborate), her attention and love of detail and preciseness, and her deep dedication to helping others. She mostly writes about stuff she's done (lawyer stuff, health reform, listening tours, diplomatic trips focused on women as First Lady, etc.) but she also reflects on being a mom, a daughter, and a wife in a really insightful way. Whereas Justice Sotomayor talks about her child as if she were still that child, Clinton reflects on her childhood as an adult. It's a little less accessible but still interesting. She calls out by name people on the Hill that were there for the wrong reasons -- public servants who were not interested in public service at all -- which I appreciate. She doesn't really talk about race relations, welfare, or criminal justice stuff in this book -- mostly health reform and tackling women's issue. Also, I would've liked her to reflect more about her choice to run for NY senator even though she had 0 ties to the state at the time. I also would've like to hear more about her mentors or people that have shaped her personal philosophy, but ya know.
I would recommend the book to anyone who is wary about HRC. I don't think it'll make you love her, but you'll learn a ton more about her and gain a lot of respect for her. At the very least, you'll come to understand that she's a public servant through and through.
I would recommend the book to anyone who is wary about HRC. I don't think it'll make you love her, but you'll learn a ton more about her and gain a lot of respect for her. At the very least, you'll come to understand that she's a public servant through and through.
gj377's review
4.0
Incredibly interesting book about HRC's time as First Lady, but one that seemed increasingly poignant as this year's election result played out. It was strange to read "lessons" learnt within the text, which were apparently not remembered during this year's election cycle. In places the book felt a little like show and tell, and a who's who of American politics (albeit 20 years ago), but I imagine it would be hard to write a 500 page text on personal biography without falling into that trap sometimes. The wise words found within, and the years of HRC's hard work that it showcases, makes her loss of the Presidency even more heartbreaking. I really would recommend this book, even if it is slightly outdated in places.
liann24's review
3.0
I guess she wrote her bio a little too soon. No matter what happens in this election, she is a trailblazing woman I give kudos to.
kimball_hansen's review
2.0
2.5 stars. A while back I wanted to read [b:My Life|49195|My Life|Bill Clinton|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1431741967s/49195.jpg|775862] by Bill Clinton. But I found out that it's a dong 48 CD book that I will be shelving away for many years - if I ever get to it. This book gave me a glimpse of Bill and Hillary's life, which was what I wanted. The strong feminist ideals that Hillary embraces goes a long way back to when she was a little girl. Apparently she wrote NASA and asked to be an astronaut and the director said they are not seeking out any females for the program at that time. Too bad. I was surprised that Bill proposed to Hillary so many times. At least more than 3 times. I don't know what he saw in her after she rejected him that often. I guess we all make that mistake though. Even a future POTUS. Speaking of mistakes, it's interesting that Bill had a lot of inappropriate scandals rumoring around him before the Monica Lewinsky incident. Makes me wonder if some of those were true as well.
Why does Hillary hate Newt Gingrich so much? And who's this Star character she kept talking about at the end? Those were questions that I demanded to have answered.
Overall the book was pretty broad and general and didn't give very many specifics like I'd liked. I wanted to learn more about how Hillary was able to stay married to Bill after the fiasco of infidelity.
And when was this cover picture taken? 40 years ago?
Why does Hillary hate Newt Gingrich so much? And who's this Star character she kept talking about at the end? Those were questions that I demanded to have answered.
Overall the book was pretty broad and general and didn't give very many specifics like I'd liked. I wanted to learn more about how Hillary was able to stay married to Bill after the fiasco of infidelity.
And when was this cover picture taken? 40 years ago?
thetamari's review
1.0
Not that Hillary Clinton doesn't have an interesting life or achievements, but her writing is dull as hell! I used to keep this book by my bed when I was having night terrors because when I opened it up I could think only of the most banal, harmless things. So for that reason, the book was worth reading. I guess.
ajreader's review
4.0
Read my full thoughts over at Read.Write.Repeat.
Despite her controversial standing among Americans, I found Hillary Clinton's memoir to be both enjoyable and educational. Read the full blog to find out how she surprised me!
Despite her controversial standing among Americans, I found Hillary Clinton's memoir to be both enjoyable and educational. Read the full blog to find out how she surprised me!