Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I always think of Anna Wintour as so mysterious so I really enjoyed this very researched if a teeny bit dry for me peek behind the scenes.
medium-paced
This is the story of Anna Wintour, famed Vogue editor who was characterized in The Devil Wears Prada. It is quite interesting, entertaining, and well-read (I listened to the audio). My only criticism would be the timeline; it's not told in chronological order which gets a bit confusing at the end when stories start to overlap...like how the Met Gala is mentioned throughout, but there there is a late chapter devoted to the “Oscars of the East Coast.”
Nevertheless, I enjoyed learning about Anna's life and career...and I realize that she is very much the badass I aspire to be.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed learning about Anna's life and career...and I realize that she is very much the badass I aspire to be.
Great, quick read. Anna Wintour’s life is fascinating. I think anyone could take away lessons on how to influence or become a power broker, but the story will take on even more significance if you’re familiar with the big fashion players. The sources are well-documented as well, and I hope to continue rabbit-trailing down the memoirs and biographies referenced in “Anna”.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
She is the ultimate girlboss, she amassed so much power and influence that has reached well beyond the magazine. Sure, she’s a nepo-baby but it’s undeniably impressive what she’s been able to do for Vogue, Condé Nast, the fashion industry, and media as a whole.
She has her pitfalls, of which there are many, but I loved being able to get a look inside one of the most iconic media moguls working today. I look up to this woman, her ability as a tastemaker and kingmaker in her industry is insane.
I found the book to be pretty interesting overall, well written and engaging. There were parts where it lulled a bit, unsure if that’s because I was traveling a lot recently or if the book was poor. If you’re remotely interested in what makes this woman tick, then a must-read.
She has her pitfalls, of which there are many, but I loved being able to get a look inside one of the most iconic media moguls working today. I look up to this woman, her ability as a tastemaker and kingmaker in her industry is insane.
I found the book to be pretty interesting overall, well written and engaging. There were parts where it lulled a bit, unsure if that’s because I was traveling a lot recently or if the book was poor. If you’re remotely interested in what makes this woman tick, then a must-read.
Fascinating subject and given approval… but with no direct contact with Anna Wintour. And as mysterious as she is, I felt this book felt a bit flat.
Except perhaps for my significant other, I can't say I know of anyone who doesn't know the name Anna Wintour.
I admit it to picking this up with a somewhat voyeuristic glee, knowing next to nothing about her, just like most people I imagine :)
I was pleasantly surprised with how well written it is, how well the reading flows from beginning to end and, I admit, how much I ended up respecting the woman behind the sunglasses (and the author).
Amy Odell states quite clearly at the end that this was a struggle of a project to get off the ground, and at times she despaired on whether or not she would succeed, but succeed she did, and with flying colors I should add.
This is not an official biography, so she could have we easily gone the gossipy way and turn this into a vehicle for everyone who has pending business with Wintour to speak their mind and air the dirty linen - thankfully she did not.
What this is is a very well crafted project telling the beginning, middle and present/future of a woman whose career is nothing short of remarkable and whose life is to say the least, supremely interesting.
You don't get to the top like Anna Wintour has without making a few frenemies along the way, especially when you're a woman in a very manly world, which publishing was when she started (and still is in some ways).
Amy Odell somehow manages to walk that thin line between respect and outright flattery, never turning into a Wintour fan while always making it clear how much she admires the woman.
Frankly this is a great example of diplomatic writing, and I wouldn't be surprised if Wintour had given the ok for a lot of the author's sources to talk to her.
If you want gossip, this ain't it, but if you want to learn a tiny little bit more about the magazine lady like my husband calls her...lol....by all means have a go, you will not regret it.
Happy Reading!
I admit it to picking this up with a somewhat voyeuristic glee, knowing next to nothing about her, just like most people I imagine :)
I was pleasantly surprised with how well written it is, how well the reading flows from beginning to end and, I admit, how much I ended up respecting the woman behind the sunglasses (and the author).
Amy Odell states quite clearly at the end that this was a struggle of a project to get off the ground, and at times she despaired on whether or not she would succeed, but succeed she did, and with flying colors I should add.
This is not an official biography, so she could have we easily gone the gossipy way and turn this into a vehicle for everyone who has pending business with Wintour to speak their mind and air the dirty linen - thankfully she did not.
What this is is a very well crafted project telling the beginning, middle and present/future of a woman whose career is nothing short of remarkable and whose life is to say the least, supremely interesting.
You don't get to the top like Anna Wintour has without making a few frenemies along the way, especially when you're a woman in a very manly world, which publishing was when she started (and still is in some ways).
Amy Odell somehow manages to walk that thin line between respect and outright flattery, never turning into a Wintour fan while always making it clear how much she admires the woman.
Frankly this is a great example of diplomatic writing, and I wouldn't be surprised if Wintour had given the ok for a lot of the author's sources to talk to her.
If you want gossip, this ain't it, but if you want to learn a tiny little bit more about the magazine lady like my husband calls her...lol....by all means have a go, you will not regret it.
Happy Reading!
Three stars isn’t really a fair rating because Odell writes clearly and well, and the book is well researched. But (sorry) the subject matter is not nearly as interesting as I had expected. I want to watch The September Issue documentary and hopefully find something redeeming, justifying Anna Wintour’s influence. The book leaves the reader with the understanding that Anna Wintour works very hard . . .at micromanaging her staff and rejecting/remaking their work to fit her own vision of what/who is “in” and “out.” Really a joyless and empty vocation, when you think about it. I now feel a little uneasy about enjoying fashion (and its role in style) so much. I don’t particularly care what Anna Wintour finds beautiful and appealing, and neither should you. But: Since 1988, the standards of beauty that end up getting shoved down all our throats are Anna Wintour’s, through her Vogue magazine and the other Condé Nast publications she oversees. I suspect a lot of damage to women from the exclusionary messages Anna Wintour has (not so subtly) conveyed. ALL of Vogue’s fashion spreads are retouched—did you know that? I did not. However, I’m definitely aware of the [ridiculous and unattainable] standard of beauty for females in the United States, according to Vogue. How dare Anna Wintour, arbiter of chic and extravagance and starving oneself, cause such suffering? Is she evil or simply clueless? Okay, now I’m getting mad. I’ll shut up.
3 stars for being researched and reported thoroughly but I found this a super dry read. It took me months to get through it. I would’ve expected a book about Anna Wintour to be more interesting than this.