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A review by voidboi
Madame President: The Extraordinary Journey of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf by Helene Cooper
3.0
This book is incredibly informative about Johnson Sirleaf and recent Liberian history, especially the ways that economics and gender politics factored into huge events like the civil war and ebola crisis.
However, this wasn't my favorite writing style for a biography. I know much about the events in the subject's life, but not much about her personally. There's a level of detachment throughout the book; it doesn't feel like the author spent as much time with Ellen as she did.
I also disliked the way trauma was described and reemphasized- it felt insensitive, sensationalist, and exploitative. I recognize that it is truly difficult to effectively relate the horrors of war and poverty, but this one missed the mark for me.
This is definitely an important history, and I'm glad it was told. I just wish the author hadn't relied so much on it telling itself, because it often falls flat.
However, this wasn't my favorite writing style for a biography. I know much about the events in the subject's life, but not much about her personally. There's a level of detachment throughout the book; it doesn't feel like the author spent as much time with Ellen as she did.
I also disliked the way trauma was described and reemphasized- it felt insensitive, sensationalist, and exploitative. I recognize that it is truly difficult to effectively relate the horrors of war and poverty, but this one missed the mark for me.
This is definitely an important history, and I'm glad it was told. I just wish the author hadn't relied so much on it telling itself, because it often falls flat.