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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Hesitant to pick up Hillary Clinton's book, [b:What Happened|34114362|What Happened|Hillary Rodham Clinton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501171573s/34114362.jpg|55143253], I got this from the library instead. I was worried that there were aspects of Clinton that she herself wasn't aware of that played a key role in the election and I wanted something more at a remove and critical, but reasonable. This fit that to a degree. And, I love these kinds of books, by journalists about what they are seeing as they cover the stories. But this had two hard lessons.
Chozick was the New York Times reporter assigned to follow the Clinton campaign. This means that she was on the press plane and attended about every event she could, at the cost of, in a way, of being too close and not getting a chance to really analyze the campaign, and do research and talk to other people and whatever it entails to get a broader picture. Her book is wordy and mixes in a lot extra information about her personal life, but Chozick is entertaining and writes intelligently and perceptively and is a terrific narrator. Unfortunately, she writes about a very naive, under-experienced journalist making a lot of mistakes, losing sight of the big picture, and accomplishing roughly the opposite of what she intended. Kudos for honesty, but... Chozick saw Clinton up close and all the problems and awkwardness Clinton managed to convey to the press, and that's basically what she reported. From her came a series of negative articles - to the point that Clinton campaign hated her. Of course, she was actually a big fan of Clinton. What she did was exactly in line with what the New York Times accomplished in a nutshell. Find the flaws in every candidate, and equate them on the headlines. Clinton e-mails become just as bad on Trump's lacks of ethics. It's a really disturbing kind of insight and one that left me disheartened and discouraged with our big presses. (I know, I'm not alone there).
But this book is a two punch, and that's just one of them. The other is against Clinton.
Anecdotal side note: So, I know I made too much of this, but I have this memory of Clinton as Secretary of State, after having recently lost to Obama. She was in Malaysia and doing an event with a bunch of kids and I was interested because, despite all her time as a public figure, I never felt I got a sense of who she was. It was such an awkward event. Clinton clearly wasn't comfortable with these kids, but she forced her way through it, smile pasted on. The kids were fine and, later the same day news stories praised her. I've been worried about her since. (this isn't in the book, of course)
Clinton, it turns out, is really awkward with the press and with groups of people she doesn't know in general. In her fund raising sessions, she can cut the chase and say the critical stuff and comes across really smart. She is really smart. She is also knowledgeable, experienced and hard hitting. But, in the midst of supporters and watched by the press, she struggles and hates every minute of it, pastes on the fake smile that no one thinks is real. She looks like she is putting on an act.
Chozick thinks it was Clinton's handling of the emails that gave Trump the confidence he could beat her. I think this noteworthy. Most people at a sane-allowing political remove know that e-mail thing was a lot of about nothing. It's unfortunate she wasn't careful, she should have known better, but mainly it was just bad consequence of a kind of innocent mistake. But, it became a story because Clinton couldn't handle the press and kill it. It was left to linger.
She was apparently way worse in 2016 than in 2008. Chozick implies she seemed worn out and she kept the press, the group Chozick was a part of, at an unbridgeable distance, never letting any of them get to know her or interview her. No private conversations, no insightful comments and news releases. She even had two campaign planes - one for herself, and a second plane for the press dedicated to following her campaign.
In a nutshell, she was terrible with the press and did everything in her power to make it worse. I close this book convinced that had Clinton become president she would have pushed a lot of good policies, done a generally good job with all the executive agencies, appointed generally good people to critical posts, and the country would have hated her. Every mistake would be blown out of proportion, like Benghazi, and she wouldn't handle it well. In the midst of whatever success, the spotlight would be focused on the problems. And the New York Times would be part of that.
I really appreciate this book. I have to say that. Whatever Chozick did or didn't do wrong in her job, she provides a great deal of insight here into a lot things. I wonder how much of this kind of analysis is in [b:What Happened|34114362|What Happened|Hillary Rodham Clinton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501171573s/34114362.jpg|55143253]. How does one say, "I was awkward at my own rallies and hated them"? How does one say, "I failed to build any relationship with the press because I didn't want to"? You can't get that kind of ground truth from the person who is actually in the spot light and must be guarded about everything they say.
As we now live under a world where the US is run by a sociopathic nutjob undermining critical aspects of all government agencies and the courts, strengthening the ugliest world leaders, while running out a series a news-absorbing lies and nursing his relationship to white supremacists, it's kind of hard to understand how this happened. Russian bots, Breitbart, Fox and The Drudge Report all played their parts in their misinformation campaigns, but also, the mainstream press allowed themselves to be played, and the Clinton campaign was unable to manage it.
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46. Chasing Hillary : Ten Years, Two Presidential Campaigns, and One Intact Glass Ceiling (audio) by Amy Chozick
published: 2018
format: 12:42 Libby audiobook (~352 pages, 382 pages in hardcover)
acquired: Library
listened: Jun 27-Jul 3, Aug 31 - Sep 11
rating: 4+
Chozick was the New York Times reporter assigned to follow the Clinton campaign. This means that she was on the press plane and attended about every event she could, at the cost of, in a way, of being too close and not getting a chance to really analyze the campaign, and do research and talk to other people and whatever it entails to get a broader picture. Her book is wordy and mixes in a lot extra information about her personal life, but Chozick is entertaining and writes intelligently and perceptively and is a terrific narrator. Unfortunately, she writes about a very naive, under-experienced journalist making a lot of mistakes, losing sight of the big picture, and accomplishing roughly the opposite of what she intended. Kudos for honesty, but... Chozick saw Clinton up close and all the problems and awkwardness Clinton managed to convey to the press, and that's basically what she reported. From her came a series of negative articles - to the point that Clinton campaign hated her. Of course, she was actually a big fan of Clinton. What she did was exactly in line with what the New York Times accomplished in a nutshell. Find the flaws in every candidate, and equate them on the headlines. Clinton e-mails become just as bad on Trump's lacks of ethics. It's a really disturbing kind of insight and one that left me disheartened and discouraged with our big presses. (I know, I'm not alone there).
But this book is a two punch, and that's just one of them. The other is against Clinton.
Anecdotal side note: So, I know I made too much of this, but I have this memory of Clinton as Secretary of State, after having recently lost to Obama. She was in Malaysia and doing an event with a bunch of kids and I was interested because, despite all her time as a public figure, I never felt I got a sense of who she was. It was such an awkward event. Clinton clearly wasn't comfortable with these kids, but she forced her way through it, smile pasted on. The kids were fine and, later the same day news stories praised her. I've been worried about her since. (this isn't in the book, of course)
Clinton, it turns out, is really awkward with the press and with groups of people she doesn't know in general. In her fund raising sessions, she can cut the chase and say the critical stuff and comes across really smart. She is really smart. She is also knowledgeable, experienced and hard hitting. But, in the midst of supporters and watched by the press, she struggles and hates every minute of it, pastes on the fake smile that no one thinks is real. She looks like she is putting on an act.
Chozick thinks it was Clinton's handling of the emails that gave Trump the confidence he could beat her. I think this noteworthy. Most people at a sane-allowing political remove know that e-mail thing was a lot of about nothing. It's unfortunate she wasn't careful, she should have known better, but mainly it was just bad consequence of a kind of innocent mistake. But, it became a story because Clinton couldn't handle the press and kill it. It was left to linger.
She was apparently way worse in 2016 than in 2008. Chozick implies she seemed worn out and she kept the press, the group Chozick was a part of, at an unbridgeable distance, never letting any of them get to know her or interview her. No private conversations, no insightful comments and news releases. She even had two campaign planes - one for herself, and a second plane for the press dedicated to following her campaign.
In a nutshell, she was terrible with the press and did everything in her power to make it worse. I close this book convinced that had Clinton become president she would have pushed a lot of good policies, done a generally good job with all the executive agencies, appointed generally good people to critical posts, and the country would have hated her. Every mistake would be blown out of proportion, like Benghazi, and she wouldn't handle it well. In the midst of whatever success, the spotlight would be focused on the problems. And the New York Times would be part of that.
I really appreciate this book. I have to say that. Whatever Chozick did or didn't do wrong in her job, she provides a great deal of insight here into a lot things. I wonder how much of this kind of analysis is in [b:What Happened|34114362|What Happened|Hillary Rodham Clinton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501171573s/34114362.jpg|55143253]. How does one say, "I was awkward at my own rallies and hated them"? How does one say, "I failed to build any relationship with the press because I didn't want to"? You can't get that kind of ground truth from the person who is actually in the spot light and must be guarded about everything they say.
As we now live under a world where the US is run by a sociopathic nutjob undermining critical aspects of all government agencies and the courts, strengthening the ugliest world leaders, while running out a series a news-absorbing lies and nursing his relationship to white supremacists, it's kind of hard to understand how this happened. Russian bots, Breitbart, Fox and The Drudge Report all played their parts in their misinformation campaigns, but also, the mainstream press allowed themselves to be played, and the Clinton campaign was unable to manage it.
-----------------------------------------------
46. Chasing Hillary : Ten Years, Two Presidential Campaigns, and One Intact Glass Ceiling (audio) by Amy Chozick
published: 2018
format: 12:42 Libby audiobook (~352 pages, 382 pages in hardcover)
acquired: Library
listened: Jun 27-Jul 3, Aug 31 - Sep 11
rating: 4+
Ive been reading this back to back with Too Much and Never Enough by Mary Trump. Both books "profile" two very well known, very controversial political figures.
I didnt intend to read these together but doing so revealed an interesting contrast. The writers both have some sort of connection to the subject of their books. Both of them appear to have cared for their subject in some shape or form. If not care then some at least some form of attatchment or admiration. Both authors convey their deep disappointment in these figures.
Amy's a quick witted writer. If you arent interested in American Politics this book will feel like reading a book in another language. I barely managed to hold on.
Its an interesting read, dry political facts interlaced with diary like excerpts of Amy Chozicks time on the campaign trail. The author is very transparent and reflective over her own words and actions. I didnt always like her, but i was consistently interested in reading what she had to say. There are very personal intersections of the authors personal life developments which feel very out of place, just because its such a stark contrast to the politically focus narrative of the rest of the book. It was jarring to suddenly read about pregnancy and romance in between these takes. However, this is the authors personal experience which entitles her to write about whatever she chooses.
In the end, the book serves its purpose, it shows just why Hilary didnt end up becoming the president, despite the odds in her favour (seemingly). This book showcases just how much work and networking is required behind the scenes and how presidential nominees have to work just like any salesperson, they need to sell the narrative using every tool at hand. It doesn't matter what the product is, it just needs to be convincing enough.
I didnt intend to read these together but doing so revealed an interesting contrast. The writers both have some sort of connection to the subject of their books. Both of them appear to have cared for their subject in some shape or form. If not care then some at least some form of attatchment or admiration. Both authors convey their deep disappointment in these figures.
Amy's a quick witted writer. If you arent interested in American Politics this book will feel like reading a book in another language. I barely managed to hold on.
Its an interesting read, dry political facts interlaced with diary like excerpts of Amy Chozicks time on the campaign trail. The author is very transparent and reflective over her own words and actions. I didnt always like her, but i was consistently interested in reading what she had to say. There are very personal intersections of the authors personal life developments which feel very out of place, just because its such a stark contrast to the politically focus narrative of the rest of the book. It was jarring to suddenly read about pregnancy and romance in between these takes. However, this is the authors personal experience which entitles her to write about whatever she chooses.
In the end, the book serves its purpose, it shows just why Hilary didnt end up becoming the president, despite the odds in her favour (seemingly). This book showcases just how much work and networking is required behind the scenes and how presidential nominees have to work just like any salesperson, they need to sell the narrative using every tool at hand. It doesn't matter what the product is, it just needs to be convincing enough.
I have mixed feelings about this one. This is definitely not your “Yes We Can!” Obama alum memoir. (Not that I was expecting it to be, but that’s what I’ve been reading lately, so this was a bit of a shock to the system.) This book brought all the 2016 campaign anxiety back full force. Honestly, it was probably too soon. Reading Chozick’s experiences following Hillary on the campaign trail was largely a frustrating experience, yet even though I knew how it was going to end, I found the second half of the book hard to put down. The frustration isn’t all directed at Chozick, either. Mostly it’s at Hillary and her staff (at least, the author’s portrayals of them), the author for letting Hillary’s male press wranglers' BS get to her, sexist Bernie bros, and the universe at large for manifesting such a terrible election.
My favorite part of the whole thing was probably the “girls on the bus” stories. It was fun to recognize names of reporters from other networks, and just generally appreciate the fact that the first female candidate for president was covered by a mostly female press corp.
My favorite part of the whole thing was probably the “girls on the bus” stories. It was fun to recognize names of reporters from other networks, and just generally appreciate the fact that the first female candidate for president was covered by a mostly female press corp.
This isn't exactly what I thought it would be. It was definitely a lot of Amy Chozick's memoir. But it does have a lot of Hillary stuff worked into it. It's just not what I had expected. But it is really good and worth the read. I did have a few issues with it.
My main issue was the continued put down of Bernie supporters. I feel like she views them exactly the same way as the Clinton campaign did. During the primaries we were called the sexist and gross, even though there were a decent amount of women who want to see women in powerful positions. Then after months of being called terrible people for not supporting Hillary, it was shocking that we did not love her. It was a complete mystery that we weren't enthusiastically supporting her after she just got done calling whiny babies through out an entire primary. I understand why Amy Chozick isn't comfortable with a group from which a lot of people sent her death threats. I get that. I don't understand why the idea that Bernie had support is shocking.
Other than that I think it was a good book. It definitely brought back a lot of the feelings from the election night. I found myself crying when Amy Chozick was going through election night. Now I understand a lot of this book was what Chozick thought that campaign was doing. But it felt like I got a better picture into the last months of the Clinton campaign. Honestly, I have never quiet gotten why everyone was so absolutely sure that Clinton would win. Why they never even treated Trump like an opponent. But this cleared that up a little bit. It gives some clarity into Hillary Clinton and the entire campaign.
My main issue was the continued put down of Bernie supporters. I feel like she views them exactly the same way as the Clinton campaign did. During the primaries we were called the sexist and gross, even though there were a decent amount of women who want to see women in powerful positions. Then after months of being called terrible people for not supporting Hillary, it was shocking that we did not love her. It was a complete mystery that we weren't enthusiastically supporting her after she just got done calling whiny babies through out an entire primary. I understand why Amy Chozick isn't comfortable with a group from which a lot of people sent her death threats. I get that. I don't understand why the idea that Bernie had support is shocking.
Other than that I think it was a good book. It definitely brought back a lot of the feelings from the election night. I found myself crying when Amy Chozick was going through election night. Now I understand a lot of this book was what Chozick thought that campaign was doing. But it felt like I got a better picture into the last months of the Clinton campaign. Honestly, I have never quiet gotten why everyone was so absolutely sure that Clinton would win. Why they never even treated Trump like an opponent. But this cleared that up a little bit. It gives some clarity into Hillary Clinton and the entire campaign.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Fascinating! Had no idea about the subtleties of the Hillary campaigns, being in the UK. And so well written - honest and self effacing from the author herself. Not something I'd go for - got it from a 'blind' subscription - but glad I gave it a go.
I don't know why I continue this masochistic process of reading election books. This one was from the NYT designated Hillary reporter. I did not learn much and the areas that I thought could be really interesting (dealing with her relationship as she's on the road all the time or the relationship/competition between her and the other reporters) were just glossed over. The main highlight of the book is how politicians (Hillary in particular) would go to any lengths to avoid the press. If you're going to read an election recap book, skip this one.
Incredible, beautiful, breath-taking - could not put it down. One of my favourite books of all time, by far.
“Bernie’s supporters, Republicans, and garden-variety Hillary haters always told me it wasn’t about gender. They’d vote for a woman, just not ‘THAT woman.’ Hillary walked onstage in Brooklyn wearing white for the suffragettes. I wanted to scream at every critic that thirty years of sexist attacks had turned her into ‘that woman.’ That sooner or later, the higher we climb, the harder we work, we all become ‘that woman.’ “
"The primal instinct to tell a Good Story, the story that people read and share and talk about breathlessly on cable TV, goes back to the dawn of man and always requires tension. The charcoal scrawls of the Stone Age rarely portrayed human-interest stories. The ancient Greeks didn't do puff pieces. Tension means the subjects of the Good Story (in my case the Clintons) often don't think it's good. They think it's a heaping pile of bias ordered up by compromised, click-obsessed editors and written by unscrupulous reporters with below-average IQs. They think it's Fake News from the Failing New York Times."
3.25 stars. I thought that after reading [b:What Happened|34114362|What Happened|Hillary Rodham Clinton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501171573s/34114362.jpg|55143253], there wouldn't be anything else to read about the Clinton campaign. However, Chozick offered a unique perspective in her complicated relationship with Hillary and the campaign - a professional reliance on and frustration with the "beat" as her life gets wrapped up in both the 2008 and 2016 campaigns. Chozick has a knack for pointing out the absurdity of both campaign staff and the press but this book needed some serious editing. Probably half of the chapters were some version of "I wrote a story, the 'Guys' hated it and were angry with me, but the story was fair, and the campaign trail is weird". There were several versions of this that got to the crux of the complicated, symbiotic relationship between the press and the communications team. It didn't really feel like Chozick could identify how she actually felt about Hillary or the campaign, but tried to wrap it up neatly anyway, which felt a bit disingenuous. I also wanted her to speak more about the fact that the press - including the "failing NYT" - played a not unimportant role in Hillary's loss.
3.25 stars. I thought that after reading [b:What Happened|34114362|What Happened|Hillary Rodham Clinton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501171573s/34114362.jpg|55143253], there wouldn't be anything else to read about the Clinton campaign. However, Chozick offered a unique perspective in her complicated relationship with Hillary and the campaign - a professional reliance on and frustration with the "beat" as her life gets wrapped up in both the 2008 and 2016 campaigns. Chozick has a knack for pointing out the absurdity of both campaign staff and the press but this book needed some serious editing. Probably half of the chapters were some version of "I wrote a story, the 'Guys' hated it and were angry with me, but the story was fair, and the campaign trail is weird". There were several versions of this that got to the crux of the complicated, symbiotic relationship between the press and the communications team. It didn't really feel like Chozick could identify how she actually felt about Hillary or the campaign, but tried to wrap it up neatly anyway, which felt a bit disingenuous. I also wanted her to speak more about the fact that the press - including the "failing NYT" - played a not unimportant role in Hillary's loss.