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A review by greatlibraryofalexandra
Hell and Other Destinations: A 21st-Century Memoir by Madeleine K. Albright
5.0
I am constantly impressed with Madeleine Albright. She's one of my idols and she's such a dynamic, intelligent, witty, resilient woman. It is one of my greatest regrets that I joined Diplomatic Security twenty years too late to serve on her detail.
I thoroughly enjoyed this work - a comprehensive "Where is she now?" of sorts that details Albright's life and experiences post Secretary of State. It was intriguing to read her observational thoughts on so many things that were formative political events for me as I was growing up, going to college, and coming of age. Her thoughts on George Bush and Sarah Palin were interesting, and so too were her opinions on teaching, twitter, controversies of her past, and why and when she decided to do certain things.
Albright does not shy from self-critique, but nor does she shy from taking credit where credit is due, and discussing her achievements. She's bold and stubborn and matter-of-fact, and she lays out her reasoning for her actions and her opinion of her ups and downs with a "take it or leave it" frankness that is illumination and refreshing. She's also outrageously funny in quite a subtle, sneak attack way.
I plan on reading all of Albright's books, and I have already read "Madam Secretary," but I'd recommend this book heavily to someone who doesn't want to commit to the huge, lengthy depths of her other books, but still wants an inside look. It would serve as a great way to decide what parts of her, if any, you'd like to hear more about. "Hell and Other Destinations" is almost an Albright 'primer' of sorts, because she does briefly address her other books, briefly revisit some of her major moments and comment on them again, and ties together everything about her long and prolific life up until 2020.
83 years old and putting us all to shame. She's #1 on my list of people I'd like to meet.
EDIT: Re-read March - Sept 2022, post death of Secretary Albright.
I thoroughly enjoyed this work - a comprehensive "Where is she now?" of sorts that details Albright's life and experiences post Secretary of State. It was intriguing to read her observational thoughts on so many things that were formative political events for me as I was growing up, going to college, and coming of age. Her thoughts on George Bush and Sarah Palin were interesting, and so too were her opinions on teaching, twitter, controversies of her past, and why and when she decided to do certain things.
Albright does not shy from self-critique, but nor does she shy from taking credit where credit is due, and discussing her achievements. She's bold and stubborn and matter-of-fact, and she lays out her reasoning for her actions and her opinion of her ups and downs with a "take it or leave it" frankness that is illumination and refreshing. She's also outrageously funny in quite a subtle, sneak attack way.
I plan on reading all of Albright's books, and I have already read "Madam Secretary," but I'd recommend this book heavily to someone who doesn't want to commit to the huge, lengthy depths of her other books, but still wants an inside look. It would serve as a great way to decide what parts of her, if any, you'd like to hear more about. "Hell and Other Destinations" is almost an Albright 'primer' of sorts, because she does briefly address her other books, briefly revisit some of her major moments and comment on them again, and ties together everything about her long and prolific life up until 2020.
83 years old and putting us all to shame. She's #1 on my list of people I'd like to meet.
EDIT: Re-read March - Sept 2022, post death of Secretary Albright.