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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
This was really two books, one before Madeleine Albright became Secretary of State, the other starts once she takes on that role. I liked both.
I found the first (the personal history part) quite readable and entertaining. But the second part (also easy to read) was a real "wow" for me. I am not a political junkie by any means, and I have some gaps in details of world history. The way this book was written included just enough description of the history of the areas of conflict, and the interactions between the various countries, regimes, and personalities that I could comfortably understand the work she was doing. I ended up with a much better appreciation and understanding of world history from the time of the Clinton administration.
One important note: if you read this on paper, know that the book is quite hefty. Plan your reading accordingly.
I found the first (the personal history part) quite readable and entertaining. But the second part (also easy to read) was a real "wow" for me. I am not a political junkie by any means, and I have some gaps in details of world history. The way this book was written included just enough description of the history of the areas of conflict, and the interactions between the various countries, regimes, and personalities that I could comfortably understand the work she was doing. I ended up with a much better appreciation and understanding of world history from the time of the Clinton administration.
One important note: if you read this on paper, know that the book is quite hefty. Plan your reading accordingly.
I really enjoyed this. It took me many, many weeks to finish (and I'm usually a pretty fast reader) both because it was very long and because the 2nd half is incredibly dense.
Many of the reviews here and on amazon talk of the first half (which is primarily a personal story of growing up) as being great, but the second half (focused on policy decisions in her time as ambassador and secretary of state) as being too long, boring, heavy handed, etc. So I really wasn't expecting much. I was expecting to maybe give up on it when I got to that part. But I just loved it. Sure, it was harder to parse, sure it was more challenging to get through, but so rewarding. I loved the extraordinary access & insight, and the "inside story" that happened behind the headlines.
Also, I just love it when you get to see the vulnerable side of powerful and gutsy people. Though I didn't agree on every policy decision, she's clearly gutsy and a true leader and deserving of admiration.
Many of the reviews here and on amazon talk of the first half (which is primarily a personal story of growing up) as being great, but the second half (focused on policy decisions in her time as ambassador and secretary of state) as being too long, boring, heavy handed, etc. So I really wasn't expecting much. I was expecting to maybe give up on it when I got to that part. But I just loved it. Sure, it was harder to parse, sure it was more challenging to get through, but so rewarding. I loved the extraordinary access & insight, and the "inside story" that happened behind the headlines.
Also, I just love it when you get to see the vulnerable side of powerful and gutsy people. Though I didn't agree on every policy decision, she's clearly gutsy and a true leader and deserving of admiration.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Another Madeline Albright book! I listened to this one with the new Spotify Premium audiobook option and I ran out of hours for the month before I could finish it so there was a gap between starting and finishing it, which is unfortunate as I have the memory of a gnat.
I really loved this audiobook, and I’m also happy I didn’t start with it. Listening to Facism and Hell and Other Places first, gave me the perspective of who Madeline grew into over time. Her later books showcase her sense humor and intelligence more than you get from this book, and you see her continual evolution as a person. It’s inspiring to see the through line of her true personality and core beliefs remain, but see how much she continued to grow and evolve later in life. She really was an indomitable person but she came to embrace life with so much joy and humor later on.
She is much more serious in this book, and for good reason. She doesn’t shy away from the fact that she really wanted the Secretary of State appointment, or that she deeply loved the job itself. Like all of her books, she is honest in her remembrance about things she would do different, deep regrets, and pride in what she did right. Her commitment to democracy, free markets, and human rights is the thread throughout all of her professional life and her books.
Her epilogue from 2013, I believe, references how sad she is at the continual move towards partisanship in the US. Much of her career was spent totally committed to the ideals and policies of the Democratic Party, all while working closely with those across the aisle. She makes it clear that compromise is part of effective politics and that pluralism is the foundation of a good democracy. She never wavers on her disgust for Communism, understandable since her family lost their homeland to it, but she also believed in a democracy committed to social programs and support of the policies for the less fortunate.
Her later books reference some of her childhood and earlier adult years, but this one goes into more detail, particularly about her marriage. She was happily married and deeply in love with her husband and subsequently blindsided when he left her for another woman. Even worse, he dragged out the ordeal by wavering and coming back for awhile. Her kindness in later books about this period and generosity in talking about how he remained a good father are admirable.
I think I gave 4 stars to all of the books I have listened to by her but when taken as a group I do think they add up to 5 stars all together. I am sad that I did not discover Madeline’s books before she passed away. Truly an inspirational person.
I really loved this audiobook, and I’m also happy I didn’t start with it. Listening to Facism and Hell and Other Places first, gave me the perspective of who Madeline grew into over time. Her later books showcase her sense humor and intelligence more than you get from this book, and you see her continual evolution as a person. It’s inspiring to see the through line of her true personality and core beliefs remain, but see how much she continued to grow and evolve later in life. She really was an indomitable person but she came to embrace life with so much joy and humor later on.
She is much more serious in this book, and for good reason. She doesn’t shy away from the fact that she really wanted the Secretary of State appointment, or that she deeply loved the job itself. Like all of her books, she is honest in her remembrance about things she would do different, deep regrets, and pride in what she did right. Her commitment to democracy, free markets, and human rights is the thread throughout all of her professional life and her books.
Her epilogue from 2013, I believe, references how sad she is at the continual move towards partisanship in the US. Much of her career was spent totally committed to the ideals and policies of the Democratic Party, all while working closely with those across the aisle. She makes it clear that compromise is part of effective politics and that pluralism is the foundation of a good democracy. She never wavers on her disgust for Communism, understandable since her family lost their homeland to it, but she also believed in a democracy committed to social programs and support of the policies for the less fortunate.
Her later books reference some of her childhood and earlier adult years, but this one goes into more detail, particularly about her marriage. She was happily married and deeply in love with her husband and subsequently blindsided when he left her for another woman. Even worse, he dragged out the ordeal by wavering and coming back for awhile. Her kindness in later books about this period and generosity in talking about how he remained a good father are admirable.
I think I gave 4 stars to all of the books I have listened to by her but when taken as a group I do think they add up to 5 stars all together. I am sad that I did not discover Madeline’s books before she passed away. Truly an inspirational person.
This book taught me a lot and the way she is able to go through years of experience in a little bit of time while making it feel like you lived those years is incredible. I would recommend this to anyone who loves autobiographies and firsthand accounts.
Madam Secretary Albright is an amazing woman. Her story is so inspiring and I could see myself re-reading it on a regular basis.
This book is long and dense, but its topics are relevant to modern day politics. It was fascinating to read about specifically the experiences of the first female secretary of state. A must-read for anyoen interested in foreign policy
I enjoyed learning both more about Madeleine Albright and more about Clinton Era politics from an up-close-an-personal vantage. I was too young to have most of Clinton's presidency be more than just buzz words. Albright's story helped me understand what was really going on, what happened, and why.
Most fascinatingly though, it showed me part of what a president DOES. Why the personality of our leaders makes a difference, and how the US plays on a global stage.
Most fascinatingly though, it showed me part of what a president DOES. Why the personality of our leaders makes a difference, and how the US plays on a global stage.
"Shortly after the Inauguration ceremonies I received a phone call from Harold Koh, who had headed our bureau on human rights. Harold said that when Colin Powell's face had appeared on the television his nine-year-old son Willie had yelped in surprise. 'How could they give Madeleine's job to that person?' the boy asked. Sternly Harold lectured his son about equal opportunity. 'It's not that,' Willie said, bewildered. 'It's just I never thought the secretary of state could be a man.'"