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joanna_banana's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, I enjoyed listening to Huma Abedin tell her own story in her own words. I especially like hearing about her family and her childhood and early travels and how it shaped who she became. Her early years working in First Lady Hillary Clinton’s White House was really interesting and knowing what scandal she’d eventually face as a newly married woman I wondered if seeing how Hillary managed Bill’s infidelity and lies influenced her. The state department years were also very interesting talking about all her great work around the globe. It was tough to hear about her relationship with Anthony Weiner unravel so quickly. And of course reliving the 2016 loss was painful. I appreciated her perspective and learned a lot about what goes on behind the scenes of high profile politicians. I felt it was a little long and so many tiny details as if she was trying to prove she was a Hillaryland insider? Not sure, at times it worked, other times I needed fewer details on the clothing, paint color, phone calls, and minutiae. Would recommend as the audiobook!
lizmarasse's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Thorough, substantial, and very well told. Great insights into recent American political history and into one incredibly dedicated public servant’s beautiful and imperfect life.
joyousreads132's review against another edition
5.0
To the women who gets ostracized for their spouses' transgressions.
This poor woman. I can't even imagine the guilt she carried knowing that her ex husband's sins might've contributed to HRC's 2016 loss.
This poor woman. I can't even imagine the guilt she carried knowing that her ex husband's sins might've contributed to HRC's 2016 loss.
vickyrosem123's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Truly inspiring story combining the complexities of growing up with two home countries and with a mixed cultural heritage, working in the inner sanctum of politics and overcoming personal hardship all the same time.
schnurrly's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this personal and political memoir. Very rich with stories of a life well-lived, ups and downs.
deirdrelistens2books's review against another edition
5.0
Really interesting book. Started on Kindle finished as audiobook. There's a lot that's fascinating about Huma Abedin - she came into public mostly because of her husband Anthony Weiner, but she's a longtime aid of Hillary Clinton and ahs a really interesting life growing up as a devout Muslim.
There's a lot of funny moments in this book, probably mostly at the beginning when she's working as an intern and then a real position in the First Lady's office - this was just years after she lost her own father. You get to see how bright she is, and a hard worker, and watch her become a daughter to the Clintons in a way -- Bill Clinton officiated her wedding and how that happened is another sweet moment in the book. She hid Hillary Clinton's jacket's she didn't think were flattering and she would spring back to a car in heels with barely any notice to save a draft of a Hillary Clinton speech moments before it was supposed to be given. But really interesting, enjoyable read. She's had a front seat to history as a loyal aid to the Clintons through impeachment to Comey announcing he was reopening an investigation into Hillary's emails for a hot second all because an email was found on Huma's computer.
She's clearly had a lot to reckon with married to Anthony Weiner. Unfortunately, by the time it was confirmed to her that he was sending lewd photos to women she was already pregnant - something that humiliatingly was revealed to the world through the New York Times before she could even break the news to her family. Not that it's anyone's business to know why she stayed in her marriage, she grew up with a family that was in tact and she wanted her son to be raised by her father. The most difficult parts of the book are the Anthony Weiner days -- his run for mayor and the downfall, his lewd texts with a minor, James Comey, and Weiner goes to prison.
Hillary losing the 2016 election at least has presented Huma with a gift of more time, and it sounds like she has done to work to reckon with all she's been through - in some ways this book is about forgiveness, because it's a fair question to ask who could possibly forgive Anthony Weiner? But she does and her reasoning is understandable - it's not that she is justifying his behavior but it sounds like she's reckoned with it.
More great parts of this book -- her mother's conversation with Hillary Clinton, confiding in Clinton that she's worried about Huma and feels disconnected a bit since her husband passed. Another great part is Huma and her son vacationing with Bill/Hillary when Anthony is in prison and just kind of wild to see her hanging out with them and doing semi normal people things. Another random thing I like is how she refers to Hillary as HRC and Bill as WJC.
The book doesn't get in the weeds of historical stuff we already know about which I appreciated. Someone should turn her story into a musical and call it Hillaryland.
There's a lot of funny moments in this book, probably mostly at the beginning when she's working as an intern and then a real position in the First Lady's office - this was just years after she lost her own father. You get to see how bright she is, and a hard worker, and watch her become a daughter to the Clintons in a way -- Bill Clinton officiated her wedding and how that happened is another sweet moment in the book. She hid Hillary Clinton's jacket's she didn't think were flattering and she would spring back to a car in heels with barely any notice to save a draft of a Hillary Clinton speech moments before it was supposed to be given. But really interesting, enjoyable read. She's had a front seat to history as a loyal aid to the Clintons through impeachment to Comey announcing he was reopening an investigation into Hillary's emails for a hot second all because an email was found on Huma's computer.
She's clearly had a lot to reckon with married to Anthony Weiner. Unfortunately, by the time it was confirmed to her that he was sending lewd photos to women she was already pregnant - something that humiliatingly was revealed to the world through the New York Times before she could even break the news to her family. Not that it's anyone's business to know why she stayed in her marriage, she grew up with a family that was in tact and she wanted her son to be raised by her father. The most difficult parts of the book are the Anthony Weiner days -- his run for mayor and the downfall, his lewd texts with a minor, James Comey, and Weiner goes to prison.
Hillary losing the 2016 election at least has presented Huma with a gift of more time, and it sounds like she has done to work to reckon with all she's been through - in some ways this book is about forgiveness, because it's a fair question to ask who could possibly forgive Anthony Weiner? But she does and her reasoning is understandable - it's not that she is justifying his behavior but it sounds like she's reckoned with it.
More great parts of this book -- her mother's conversation with Hillary Clinton, confiding in Clinton that she's worried about Huma and feels disconnected a bit since her husband passed. Another great part is Huma and her son vacationing with Bill/Hillary when Anthony is in prison and just kind of wild to see her hanging out with them and doing semi normal people things. Another random thing I like is how she refers to Hillary as HRC and Bill as WJC.
The book doesn't get in the weeds of historical stuff we already know about which I appreciated. Someone should turn her story into a musical and call it Hillaryland.
jenb17's review against another edition
4.0
A little long-winded on the political stuff but gave me a greater appreciation for Hillary Clinton for sure! Also amazed at the adversity that Huma has faced and risen above.
glendareads39's review against another edition
4.0
Gripping, well-written and moving memoir by Huma Abedin, former U.S. state department deputy chief of staff and senior advisor for Senator Hillary Clinton. Her journey is fascinating.
jamiebooks15's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, and I’m so glad she chose to write it and share her story. I loved the intimate portrait of Hillary Clinton, who seems pretty awesome and even cooler than I had imagined. The story of her marriage really gutted me, but it was so compelling to read.
Just a great memoir, one of the best I’ve read.
Just a great memoir, one of the best I’ve read.
mybestfriendisabook's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
5.0
i genuinely enjoyed every chapter!
it was very interesting to learn about the behind of scenes of such a high level role - i’m a sucker for this stuff. the writing was understandable and consistent, making it extremely easy to read despite the intimidating length. loved the photo inserts. i noticed that it focused more on the happening of events (there’s so much to do!) rather than a reflection of her experiences but switched more to the latter towards the end - FYI if you’re looking for something particular.
from the book jacket, i could see that her and Anthony didn’t work out but didn’t expect that it would be that deep. very sad. :(
this makes me admire the author and HRC for the tireless work they do. it made me realize how easy it is to believe and judge someone from what the media puts out but there is so much more behind it - real human beings. really interesting to get the inside scoop behind the big events - 9/11, the emails, 2016 election
i didn't plan to read this anytime soon but it just felt right when i was browsing my library and i’m glad i picked it up! it’s my first 500+ read in a long time.
it was very interesting to learn about the behind of scenes of such a high level role - i’m a sucker for this stuff. the writing was understandable and consistent, making it extremely easy to read despite the intimidating length. loved the photo inserts. i noticed that it focused more on the happening of events (there’s so much to do!) rather than a reflection of her experiences but switched more to the latter towards the end - FYI if you’re looking for something particular.
from the book jacket, i could see that her and Anthony didn’t work out but didn’t expect that it would be that deep. very sad. :(
this makes me admire the author and HRC for the tireless work they do. it made me realize how easy it is to believe and judge someone from what the media puts out but there is so much more behind it - real human beings. really interesting to get the inside scoop behind the big events - 9/11, the emails, 2016 election
i didn't plan to read this anytime soon but it just felt right when i was browsing my library and i’m glad i picked it up! it’s my first 500+ read in a long time.