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klaraperko's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
5.0
livredujour's review against another edition
5.0
Raw and thoughtful. It’s a difficult feat to summarize your life over 25 years of public service, marriage, divorce, many scandals, motherhood and putting your life back together but she does a stunning job. Gave an intimate look at some moments in history and the legend that is Hillary Clinton. Overall thought provoking and a great read for anyone still trying to figure out how we ended up with Trump.
lilmissjanet's review against another edition
5.0
Wow- not only was this a beautifully written memoir, but it was a close-up look of historical moments from the eyes of Huma Abedin, one of Hillary Clinton’s closest aides. Not only do you get to know Huma, who has been private in the media, but also her famous boss.
I spent the first half of the book living vicariously through this fascinating woman who traveled the world as a civil servant, who met kings and queens, and who had a front seat to Washington politics for 20+ years. She had the career I thought of pursuing once upon a time but instead chose a different path of journalism— which interestingly enough was the path she almost took.
But the second half of the book was a reminder that no life is perfect— with highs come lows and there are consequences to choices we make- even if we’ve calculated the risks. I appreciated her honesty in sharing her private struggles during the very public downfall of her marriage to Anthony Weiner, yet she stays so graceful even speaking about that heartbreak.
Keep in mind that it is HER account of history and people, so not everyone will agree with her views. For me, it was a chance to relive history from closer seats than I had!
I spent the first half of the book living vicariously through this fascinating woman who traveled the world as a civil servant, who met kings and queens, and who had a front seat to Washington politics for 20+ years. She had the career I thought of pursuing once upon a time but instead chose a different path of journalism— which interestingly enough was the path she almost took.
But the second half of the book was a reminder that no life is perfect— with highs come lows and there are consequences to choices we make- even if we’ve calculated the risks. I appreciated her honesty in sharing her private struggles during the very public downfall of her marriage to Anthony Weiner, yet she stays so graceful even speaking about that heartbreak.
Keep in mind that it is HER account of history and people, so not everyone will agree with her views. For me, it was a chance to relive history from closer seats than I had!
m_l_valentine's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.25
mayamahdi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.5
I read this book because my mom recommended it. She said it reminded her a lot of her family. I thoroughly enjoyed the first couple of chapters about the authors early life and family. Some of the book focused too much on Hillary and read more like a praise of Hillary than a memoir. Overall, this is very well written and insightful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
disasterchick's review against another edition
4.0
I really only knew who Huma Abedin was after the Anthony Weiner scandal broke. Huma's life is very much tied to Hillary Clinton's. When I was in college (before West Wing was on) I wanted to be like Huma. Life took me in a different direction, but it was great reading a book about someone that I wanted to be at one point in my life. One could say this is more of a book about Clinton. Huma worked for Hillary even before graduating college so her career and even adult personal life is very connected to the Clintons. Also Huma works behind the scenes, and she didn't like being in the spotlight thanks to her now ex-husband. I never understood the attraction to him, but I did understand why she stayed and eventually left him. She is a strong and intelligent woman who I don't think we have seen the end of yet.
wintermote's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
This was a hard read—mainly because I wasn’t all that interested in the political side of things and all the name-dropped didn’t do anything for me. …I was also a bit disappointed that HRC was portrayed as a wonderful practically perfect woman without a flaw (expect for getting pneumonia at an inopportune time). She likely is the wonderful capable person presented in this book, but it felt like I rather flat portrayal of a very public figure. someone isn’t a hero simply because of all of their positive qualities, but because of what they do with both their faults and strengths. I picked up the book because of Huma’s marriage and experiences married to a sec addict. Those aspects were handled, quite sensitively and with grace, but not really to the extent the review I read indicated it would be dealt with. Overall an interesting book but I certainly would not have complained if it were 100 or 200 pages less.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
Description of betrayal trauma, and sexual addiction can be triggering for betrayal trauma survivorsin2reading's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting and well written memoir that illuminates Hillary Rodham Clinton's life as well as the author's own fascinating and sometimes turbulent journey.
kristincatch's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0