Scan barcode
A review by asreadbycatarina
The Education of an Idealist by Samantha Power
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
2023 Reading #0 (9/9) | Spring Reads
(Badass activist women and mothers make the world go round.)
_______
Mini-review: Next time someone asks me about who I look up to the most professionally, I will automatically and instantly redirect them to this book! Samantha's power (saw what I did there?) not to take herself too seriously while also navigating life side by side with some of our modern history's most important moments left me in awe. Inspiring yet lighthearted, this book brought me hope.
_______
A few years ago, when I was researching Sérgio Vieira de Mello's life for a university paper, I first heard about Samantha Power. Her profile instantly intrigued me, and her fearlessness struck me right away. A former activist turned diplomat? Her story seemed right up my alley — and, needless to say, I was not disappointed.
In The Education of an Idealist, we find an engaging and relatable story of a powerhouse that does not take herself too seriously. This book, an honest and refreshing glimpse into her personal and professional life (without trying to make herself sound like the hero of an epic saga!), is unlike any of the political memoirs I have read before. In a very frank and straightforward writing style, Power tells us things exactly how they are — and you cannot expect anything less from her.
It is difficult not to get immersed in her story from the get-go. An Irish immigrant from Dublin, both a Yale and a Harvard alumna, a fearless activist and journalist and a passionate diplomat, Power is impossible to define. She is a force of nature, and her story often blends with our world's modern history, from the genocides in former Yugoslavia and various African and Middle Eastern nations to the Syrian civil war and the Russian annexation of Crimea. By reading her book, we are in for a lesson in geopolitics, international diplomacy, modern American politics… and ideology. In a refreshingly paradoxical way, Samantha can be very realistic about her own idealism and critical of her very human flaws, pushing her political persona to slowly transform before our eyes.
This book is a tender reflection on a female trailblazer's path in politics and diplomacy and how she became a key player on the international stage. Power's incredible career development and struggles seamlessly combine with her thoughts on family, romantic love and motherhood. And friendship is undoubtedly not forgotten: we also get a glimpse into her friendships with several international relations and politics heavy hitters — including Barack Obama. Portrayed as a very curious man, brimming with ideas to change the United States and the world, Obama is charming, charismatic and likes to surround himself with some of America's greatest minds. Juxtaposing with his cool, calm and collected persona, we find Samantha, a self-proclaimed nerd whose passion for equality must serve as an example to us all.
It is a 10/10 for all my female-identifying politics and international relations aficionados! This book brought me so much hope — not only for the world but also for my own career — that I cannot recommend it enough!
Also: if you have the opportunity, listen to the audiobook. There is something very special about hearing a person narrating their own life story — and Power's is undoubtedly one you should not miss.
[Read between 17 December 2022 - 7 May 2023. | Review written on 12 May 2023. || I am also on Bookstagram and Goodreads as @asreadbycatarina!]
(Badass activist women and mothers make the world go round.)
_______
Mini-review: Next time someone asks me about who I look up to the most professionally, I will automatically and instantly redirect them to this book! Samantha's power (saw what I did there?) not to take herself too seriously while also navigating life side by side with some of our modern history's most important moments left me in awe. Inspiring yet lighthearted, this book brought me hope.
_______
A few years ago, when I was researching Sérgio Vieira de Mello's life for a university paper, I first heard about Samantha Power. Her profile instantly intrigued me, and her fearlessness struck me right away. A former activist turned diplomat? Her story seemed right up my alley — and, needless to say, I was not disappointed.
In The Education of an Idealist, we find an engaging and relatable story of a powerhouse that does not take herself too seriously. This book, an honest and refreshing glimpse into her personal and professional life (without trying to make herself sound like the hero of an epic saga!), is unlike any of the political memoirs I have read before. In a very frank and straightforward writing style, Power tells us things exactly how they are — and you cannot expect anything less from her.
It is difficult not to get immersed in her story from the get-go. An Irish immigrant from Dublin, both a Yale and a Harvard alumna, a fearless activist and journalist and a passionate diplomat, Power is impossible to define. She is a force of nature, and her story often blends with our world's modern history, from the genocides in former Yugoslavia and various African and Middle Eastern nations to the Syrian civil war and the Russian annexation of Crimea. By reading her book, we are in for a lesson in geopolitics, international diplomacy, modern American politics… and ideology. In a refreshingly paradoxical way, Samantha can be very realistic about her own idealism and critical of her very human flaws, pushing her political persona to slowly transform before our eyes.
This book is a tender reflection on a female trailblazer's path in politics and diplomacy and how she became a key player on the international stage. Power's incredible career development and struggles seamlessly combine with her thoughts on family, romantic love and motherhood. And friendship is undoubtedly not forgotten: we also get a glimpse into her friendships with several international relations and politics heavy hitters — including Barack Obama. Portrayed as a very curious man, brimming with ideas to change the United States and the world, Obama is charming, charismatic and likes to surround himself with some of America's greatest minds. Juxtaposing with his cool, calm and collected persona, we find Samantha, a self-proclaimed nerd whose passion for equality must serve as an example to us all.
It is a 10/10 for all my female-identifying politics and international relations aficionados! This book brought me so much hope — not only for the world but also for my own career — that I cannot recommend it enough!
Also: if you have the opportunity, listen to the audiobook. There is something very special about hearing a person narrating their own life story — and Power's is undoubtedly one you should not miss.
[Read between 17 December 2022 - 7 May 2023. | Review written on 12 May 2023. || I am also on Bookstagram and Goodreads as @asreadbycatarina!]