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pamiverson's review against another edition
4.0
The former Secretary of State recounts her life after serving in the Clinton Administration. She is committed to making a difference in so many ways -- working for global understanding and peace; teaching, based on her experience in government; mentoring young people, especially those marginalized; writing; modeling active (and sometimes activist) aging. Inspiring, but not as dramatic as earlier phases of her life.
annemariewhelehan's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Surprisingly enjoyable. I knew the name, but this is one of several memoirs she has written, and I hadn't read earlier ones. It focuses on her life in retirement, although there is very little retiring going on. It was a lovely gentle way to hear about and understand some world politics. I listened via @borrowbox
danicapage's review against another edition
4.0
MINI REVIEW
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: This is the first book I've read by Madeleine Albright, and it won't be the last. I enjoyed hearing her thoughts about various matters and current events. It's well written, engaging, and conversational.
I'm glad I picked it up, and I plan to read more by her.
Love,
Danica Page
You can read more of my reviews at http://danicapagewrites.com or by connecting with me on Instagram @danicapage (handle in profile.)
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: This is the first book I've read by Madeleine Albright, and it won't be the last. I enjoyed hearing her thoughts about various matters and current events. It's well written, engaging, and conversational.
I'm glad I picked it up, and I plan to read more by her.
Love,
Danica Page
You can read more of my reviews at http://danicapagewrites.com or by connecting with me on Instagram @danicapage (handle in profile.)
hockneybutt's review against another edition
3.0
Madeleine Albright continues to be awesome and is really living her life fully and using her talents for good. I just didn't care about most of the chapters.
greatlibraryofalexandra's review against another edition
5.0
I am constantly impressed with Madeleine Albright. She's one of my idols and she's such a dynamic, intelligent, witty, resilient woman. It is one of my greatest regrets that I joined Diplomatic Security twenty years too late to serve on her detail.
I thoroughly enjoyed this work - a comprehensive "Where is she now?" of sorts that details Albright's life and experiences post Secretary of State. It was intriguing to read her observational thoughts on so many things that were formative political events for me as I was growing up, going to college, and coming of age. Her thoughts on George Bush and Sarah Palin were interesting, and so too were her opinions on teaching, twitter, controversies of her past, and why and when she decided to do certain things.
Albright does not shy from self-critique, but nor does she shy from taking credit where credit is due, and discussing her achievements. She's bold and stubborn and matter-of-fact, and she lays out her reasoning for her actions and her opinion of her ups and downs with a "take it or leave it" frankness that is illumination and refreshing. She's also outrageously funny in quite a subtle, sneak attack way.
I plan on reading all of Albright's books, and I have already read "Madam Secretary," but I'd recommend this book heavily to someone who doesn't want to commit to the huge, lengthy depths of her other books, but still wants an inside look. It would serve as a great way to decide what parts of her, if any, you'd like to hear more about. "Hell and Other Destinations" is almost an Albright 'primer' of sorts, because she does briefly address her other books, briefly revisit some of her major moments and comment on them again, and ties together everything about her long and prolific life up until 2020.
83 years old and putting us all to shame. She's #1 on my list of people I'd like to meet.
EDIT: Re-read March - Sept 2022, post death of Secretary Albright.
I thoroughly enjoyed this work - a comprehensive "Where is she now?" of sorts that details Albright's life and experiences post Secretary of State. It was intriguing to read her observational thoughts on so many things that were formative political events for me as I was growing up, going to college, and coming of age. Her thoughts on George Bush and Sarah Palin were interesting, and so too were her opinions on teaching, twitter, controversies of her past, and why and when she decided to do certain things.
Albright does not shy from self-critique, but nor does she shy from taking credit where credit is due, and discussing her achievements. She's bold and stubborn and matter-of-fact, and she lays out her reasoning for her actions and her opinion of her ups and downs with a "take it or leave it" frankness that is illumination and refreshing. She's also outrageously funny in quite a subtle, sneak attack way.
I plan on reading all of Albright's books, and I have already read "Madam Secretary," but I'd recommend this book heavily to someone who doesn't want to commit to the huge, lengthy depths of her other books, but still wants an inside look. It would serve as a great way to decide what parts of her, if any, you'd like to hear more about. "Hell and Other Destinations" is almost an Albright 'primer' of sorts, because she does briefly address her other books, briefly revisit some of her major moments and comment on them again, and ties together everything about her long and prolific life up until 2020.
83 years old and putting us all to shame. She's #1 on my list of people I'd like to meet.
EDIT: Re-read March - Sept 2022, post death of Secretary Albright.