Rating: 
Summary: I liked her before.....and I love Hillary now!
Review: Poised to run for the presidency in 2008, Hillary Clinton's life took her from "Goldwater Girl" in suburban America to "Campus activist" at Wellesley and Yale to corporate lawyer, and then the White House. From the moment Bill Clinton launched his 1992 campaign, Hillary Rodham Clinton became a lighting rod for this country's ideas about women and our rights. Although it was obvious the 'average woman' was different than 30 years ago, we did not collectively want to admit the shift until epitomized by the new First Lady. Not glossing over the author's flaws or those of friends/family, this book is very different than most biographies-especially those written by public figures. We ultimately see a woman whose politics evolved over time, but her love of family and community remain constant. Reading the 'family' vignettes also reminded me that these are real people instead of the one-dimensional images presented through the mass media. They eat, sleep, breathe, and watch TV just like any one of us. Like other mothers around the country, Hillary panicked when her child was going off to college and arrived with contact paper in an attempt to make peace with her own separation anxieties. I laughed as I easily pictured these people driving their own daughter nuts in her new dorm room and found comfort that many families have gone through that same experience which I had with my own parents. Because I am a campus activist and aspiring politician myself, reading this memoir was very inspiring. Simply having made it this far in her own life has required Clinton to stand up for the rights of other women in America and around the world. In the face of much criticism from the American right (who still believes everybody lives a fairytale life) she is a truth-teller who will not rest until women's rights are universal. This focus on women's freedom is a genuine concern, and not an activity undertaken for appearances sake....the book makes it clear that she is more interested/involved in women's rights than the 'liberal' mass media has disclosed. Hillary acknowledges her critics, but is very careful to avoid using her book to attack people. It is far more productive to acknowledge your own internal flaws while not dwelling on the motivations of those who are predisposed to hate you simply for existing. This is called taking the political high road. The only flaw with this book is such a dynamic woman is continuing to chart history at such a rapid pace that another edition or volume will certainly have to be written. Standing alone, this version cannot do her (or championed social causes) justice. I eagerly await these new versions.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: OK. I waited until the hub-bub died down. I bought the book hoping to find out the real Hilary's story. What I found was a mix of fiction and half-truth. As a political scientist, I was very disappointed that her ghost writer went to the lenghts to put Hilary in a good light. As a tried and true Democrat, I was amazed at the inaccuracies in this missive. It should have been advertised as 'mostly fiction' instead of her life story. I know she made a lot of money on this book and I expect Bill to do the same. Unfortunately, the revisionism I'm seeing is unreal. Even Rush Limbaugh occasionally tells the truth.
Rating:
Summary: The biggest lie I've ever seen...
Review: I thought the book was absolutely laughable. First of all, Hillary didn't even write her "autobiography" herself: she had a bunch of other people doing it for her. Next she portrays herself as a caring, loving, compassionate person: actions speak louder than words - she's the most dominating, controlling, power-hungry woman I've ever seen. Of course, in her book she's going to portray herself as what she wants people to think of her; certainly not the scary political terror she really is. If you want to know the truth, don't read what she and her supporters wrote about herself - examine the true evidence. What about all the people who knew the Clintons and died under suspicious circumstances? I didn't read any explanations of them. What about Mr. Clinton's betrayal to our country's safety in selling security secrets to China - not to mention all the opportunities he passed up to capture Osama bin Laden. That goes to show you how lightly the Clintons hold the safety and security of our nation, yet they have maintained a disgusting contempt for our wonderful military - the men who are sacrificing their lives for our freedom and security for which the Clintons could apparently care less. The Clintons disgraced and degraded the name, reputation, and honor of America for eight years. I shudder to think of Hillary ever becoming president. If you want to see just how unbelievingly this woman and her cohorts can lie, I found the book entertaining in that respect...it was hilariously ridiculous.
Rating:
Summary: Not worth the paper it's printed on...
Review: As an independent voter who has voted for Republicans and Dems alike, I generally have held a favorable view of former Pres. Bill Clinton. However, I've never really trusted Hillary, and have generally found her to be transparent, unconvincing, and quite opportunistic. I hoped that this book would shed some light, and perhaps change my opinion of the woman. It didn't. In fact, it has changed my view from one of distrust to all out dislike. There is a chance that she may one day become president, or vice pres. for that matter, but it will not be with the help of my vote.
Rating: 
Summary: A woman of great strength and intellect.
Review: This review refers to the abridged CD-audio book. The reward in listening to the audio is that the author reads from her book. Regardless of what is said about her, she has an engaging style of speech and kept my interest throughout. The downside is that the story is rather choppy. There is too much thrown in so the story jumps in and out with sometimes little satisfaction. I also would have liked to have heard more about how her total family (i.e., grandmother included) might have affected her emotional/intellectual development. I understand from others that the full text also did not elaborate much on this and other issues. Despite the problems, I found the book to be of great interest and I felt a better understanding and appreciation about her. She is certainly a person of high intelligence and character. I doubt many others could have withstood the horrific attacks upon her and her family (such as people like Rush Limbaugh comparing her daughter to a dog). The listener can hear the pain in her voice as she talks about her husband's infidelity. Hillary not only stood firm, she fought back and gained a political status on her own right.. I have two daughters, and I would be proud to hold Hillary Clinton as a career role model for them.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing and inspiring memoir by Hillary Rodham Clinton
Review: Sen. Clinton's autobiography goes beyond the glitz and glamour of life in the White House. She was politically shaped by her republican father as a Goldwater Girl and participated in Young Republicans. It was the liberal Rev. Don Jones of the United Methodist Church, the Vietnam War, and Wellesley that converted her into a democrat. Influenced by her mother's sad and lonely childhood and Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady Clinton became a passionate advocate for the rights of women and children. Further, most of her research at Yale Law School was on the lines of child advocacy. In her legal career, Sen. Clinton worked for the Children's Defense Fund, the Nixon Impeachment Inquiry, Rose Law Firm, and the University of Arkansas among others. She wrote of her experiences and mistakes in the South as the wife of Arkansas's Attorney General and later Governor. Sen. Clinton built on those experiences to establish personal relationships and successfully advance the Administration's foreign policy agenda. She also described in detail the strategy and planning for all her husband's campaigns, her own senatorial campaign, and other political campaigns that employed her, including the unsuccessful George McGovern and Nelson Rockefeller campaigns. She dismissed most allegations of adultery against President Clinton as part of republican negative attacks and a right wing conspiracy (Rutherford Institute, Richard Mellon Scaife et all). Sen. Clinton devoted two chapters to her fragile state during the Monica Lewinsky episode. She felt let down by her husband but fully supported her President during the impeachment proceedings. Besides the expected tirades against Newt Gingrich and Kenneth Starr, Sen. Clinton also criticized Henry Hyde,Dick Armey, Tom DeLay, Bob Livingston, Dan Burton, Al D'Amato, Rick Lazio, Rudolph Giuliani, William Rehnquist, Robert Mugabe, Suha Arafat, and Jiang Zemin in this book. Regardless of one's political affiliation, this book offers useful insights in incorporating human rights into foreign relations, healthcare reform, and the Third Way/ New Democrat/ New Labour approach to politics
Rating:
Summary: Typical Autobiography
Review: Not everyone is David McCullough.....
Her writing style is like she is somewhat formal, intent,
and human (keep your day job Hillary). The early years were boring, like a laundry list.
When her and her husband enter the White House years the story
becomes fascinating. Remember this is supposed to be a recount
through HER eyes. What I loved the most was the stories about
all the people who showed her kindness during her most troubled
times. What wonderful and special people on a personal level
are Nelson Mandela, Jackie Kennedy, Walter Cronkite, Stevie Wonder and all of her closest friends from the old days.
I especially loved what Jackie told Hillary about raising her
daughter in the spotlight.
Hillary is as I expected a human being who wants to do the right thing.
Rating:
Summary: Packed With Knowledge!
Review: What can you say about a book as long-awaited as Hillary Rodham Clinton's autobiography, except "read it"? No matter what your political persuasion, you will find something to chew over in this memoir. Clinton fans will love Hillary's spirited defense of her husband and her refusal to back down from her claim that a conservative conspiracy was gunning for him during his entire presidency. Conservatives will eagerly sift through her recollections of the Whitewater investigation for slips, omissions and excuses. Mrs. Clinton says her book should be viewed as a collection of her feelings and memories, rather than as a definitive account of the Clinton presidency. More than a simple memoir, this is a fascinating self-portrait of a woman who carved out a successful career in what was formerly a man's profession and became one of the most adored and simultaneously most reviled First Ladies in American history.We say: Read it.
Rating:
Summary: Hillary in her own words!
Review: Bill Clinton (his fillandering not withstanding) is the most brilliant politician among living U.S. Presidents. It is now evident that Hillary Clinton is not only a winning politician, but a brilliant mind in her own right. Autobiographies are supposed to tell your story in the best possible light, without distortion and 'Living History' does just that. Hillary Clinton sincerely sets forth her recollection of the Clinton Whitehouse in a book that is very readable and compelling. We are given unique insight into the trials and triumphs of team Clinton. When Hillary Clinton first spoke of a "great right-wing conspiracy" few took her seriously. Their successful battles against these foes are legendary. Today the right-wing has gained the Whitehouse and misrules an America now uncertain of it's direction. Looking at the power of the 'right-wing' today, one can better appreciate what Hillary and Bill Clinton were up against. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: A truly insightful book and a wonderful read. It shows how someone can still press on even when the entire world is against you. I am a proud Patriotic Democrat and this book made me even more proud of my political views. This book will not change anyone's ideological views but will shed light on the true Hillary: A regular human being with the same proclivities to make mistakes and in most cases curb them and move on, not the viscious monster that conservatives make her seem. By the way, being ambitious is not a crime and if God wants her to be our first female president, so be it.
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