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rachellarson2019's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars but rounding up because parts of it were SO enjoyable and overall, I found Madeline Albright to be a fascinating and inspiring person. Which is especially interesting since I was raised in a fundamentalist Christian home and in the 90's, anyone in the Clinton administration was synonymous with the devil. Because of that upbringing, I really knew nothing about Madeline Albright other than she was probably evil.
I listened to Facism: A Warning recently, and it was so good and the narration (done by Madeline) was so enjoyable, that I decided to listen to this as well.
A few other reviewers noted that the book is a little uneven and meandering. It is a memoir and one thing I took away from it was the insane amount of things that Madeline did after her service in the Clinton administration. Her schedule was PACKED. And some of it is more interesting or memorable as a reader than others, thus the half a star docked off. However, much of it was interesting and memorable.
Madeline does talk about her regrets, things she wished she would have done differently, and her continual evolution as a human. While she doesn't back down on her convictions, even if they were or are unpopular, she also clearly didn't stagnate or become set in her intellectual ways. She is very funny and smart and that definitely comes across.
But, my biggest takeway: Madeline was essentially a society wife/stay at home mom until she was 39. Her husband abruptly divorced her for another woman around the same time she embarked on a career. So, let that be a lesson to you ladies: Madeline's career started late and she worked hard well into her 80's. Her ambition, work ethic, curiosity, and dedication to excellence is inspiring and admirable. A late start doesn't need to limit you in life.
I listened to Facism: A Warning recently, and it was so good and the narration (done by Madeline) was so enjoyable, that I decided to listen to this as well.
A few other reviewers noted that the book is a little uneven and meandering. It is a memoir and one thing I took away from it was the insane amount of things that Madeline did after her service in the Clinton administration. Her schedule was PACKED. And some of it is more interesting or memorable as a reader than others, thus the half a star docked off. However, much of it was interesting and memorable.
Madeline does talk about her regrets, things she wished she would have done differently, and her continual evolution as a human. While she doesn't back down on her convictions, even if they were or are unpopular, she also clearly didn't stagnate or become set in her intellectual ways. She is very funny and smart and that definitely comes across.
But, my biggest takeway: Madeline was essentially a society wife/stay at home mom until she was 39. Her husband abruptly divorced her for another woman around the same time she embarked on a career. So, let that be a lesson to you ladies: Madeline's career started late and she worked hard well into her 80's. Her ambition, work ethic, curiosity, and dedication to excellence is inspiring and admirable. A late start doesn't need to limit you in life.
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
2.0
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I really wanted to like this book, as I respect Madeleine Albright, but I was ultimately disappointed with this book. The first part of the book is good, but the following 2/3 just didn't interest me. The most interesting parts were the times she was summarizing her previous books, which have to be more interesting than this book. Albright mentions all the businesses and charities she's involved in, and the people she works with, but rarely goes in depth about interactions with said people. I agree with the other reviewers who said this book seems more like a cash grab book than anything substantial. I will, however, probably pick up her previous works which seem more interesting than this turned out to be.
I really wanted to like this book, as I respect Madeleine Albright, but I was ultimately disappointed with this book. The first part of the book is good, but the following 2/3 just didn't interest me. The most interesting parts were the times she was summarizing her previous books, which have to be more interesting than this book. Albright mentions all the businesses and charities she's involved in, and the people she works with, but rarely goes in depth about interactions with said people. I agree with the other reviewers who said this book seems more like a cash grab book than anything substantial. I will, however, probably pick up her previous works which seem more interesting than this turned out to be.
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
I don't pay nearly enough attention to politics so I can't comment intelligently on the accuracy of Albright's memories, but I did enjoy this memoir of her life after her stint as Secretary of State for Bill Clinton. She's got a great sense of humor. While she is clearly opinionated and feels strongly about most foreign affairs policy, she has a lovely capacity to laugh at herself and situations. She's also the most energetic eighty-something I've ever known about and she's still going strong trying to make this world a better place. Some nice photographs from these years are included in the book. An enjoyable read/overview of the past couple of decades.