Scan barcode
runjuliet's review against another edition
3.0
Katharine Graham was the publisher of the Washington Post, most notably during the Watergate era. (Yea, she was name-checked in the movie, but not seen.) It's a remarkably candid memoir, and she makes much of her faults: low self-esteem, playing into the era's sexism, incredible self-denial and then untimely moments of selfishness. For all the insight she has into the historical events and historical people she was involved, I was surprised the quality of the writing wasn't a little better. It did win a Pulitzer, after all. But I guess she deserves it, if only for dealing with her philandering, bipolar husband for as long as she did. Yes, I just spoke ill of the dead. Sue me.
kermittuesday's review
3.0
I read this about ten years ago and I really loved it. This time, I felt put off by how much of the book was about her father and her husband and very little about her.
brigitte's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
esmeralda's review
4.5
I really enjoyed this memoir and I am certainly glad that I took the time needed to read it.
Maybe I'll share more thoughts later.
Maybe I'll share more thoughts later.
bab's review
1.0
Katharine Graham asks a rethoric question in the final chapter of this autobiography: «Why write a book?»
It's impressive that she doesn't manage to provide an answer, even though the question was rethoric...
Another question comes up to mind instead: how can such a rich life, so full of possibilities and actual events, be so outstandingly boring? Or, at least: how can it be told in such a superficial and boring way? Or, how can you manage to say so little about so many people through so, so many words?
Fascinating...
Interesting in that sense, also because of her very personal, extremely privileged point of view about life, and because of her account of how journalism used to work in the old times, but it still didn't really make it to the 2nd star for me.
It's impressive that she doesn't manage to provide an answer, even though the question was rethoric...
Another question comes up to mind instead: how can such a rich life, so full of possibilities and actual events, be so outstandingly boring? Or, at least: how can it be told in such a superficial and boring way? Or, how can you manage to say so little about so many people through so, so many words?
Fascinating...
Interesting in that sense, also because of her very personal, extremely privileged point of view about life, and because of her account of how journalism used to work in the old times, but it still didn't really make it to the 2nd star for me.
ewf's review
3.0
Really interesting, but (I can't believe I'm saying this) seemed to need an editor. Repetitive to the point where I started skimming, not really reading. However, even while skimming, great content. Surprised by description of strike at the Post. Had no idea how complicated that was.
eralon's review
3.0
I liked the feminist story here. It's rare that you hear about all the self-doubt and hardship that afflicts even the most successful women. Particularly surprising because she started out wealthy. She comes off as a very thoughtful person that considers each person and decision very carefully, and I think that's very admirable.
plantedreading's review
4.0
Not an overly long read, but personal and striking. She would've been an incredible woman to meet.