Living History

Hillary Rodham Clinton

3.76

33,651 ratings by Goodreads

ISBN 10: 0755312619 ISBN 13: 9780755312610

Publisher: Headline, 2003

One of the most intelligent and influential women in America reflects on her eight years as First Lady of the United States in a revealing book -personal, political and newsmaking. During her husband's two administrations, Hillary Rodham Clinton redefined the position of First Lady. Strong-willed, impassioned, fiercely loyal, yet strikingly independent, Mrs Clinton inspired an unprecedented level of scrutiny and conjecture from the media and political foes. How this intensely private woman not only survived but prevailed is the dramatic tale of her book.

Hillary Clinton looks back on her singular journey through the political and cultural arenas of American life. She shares the untold story of her White House years and recalls the challenging process by which she came to define herself as a wife, a mother, and a formidable politician in her own right. Mrs Clinton was the first First Lady who played a direct role in shaping domestic policy; she was an unofficial ambassador for human rights and democracy around the world; and she helped save the Presidency during the impeachment crisis.

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Review:

As with most books written by politicians while in office (or at least aiming for one), Living History is, first and foremost, safe. There are interesting observations and anecdotes, the writing is engaging and there is enough inside scoop to appeal to those looking for a bit of gossip, but there are no bombshells here and it is doubtful the book will change many minds about this polarising figure. This does not mean the work is without merit, however, for Hillary Clinton has much to say about her experience as first lady, which is the primary focus of the book. Those interested in these experiences and her commentary on them will find the book worth reading; those looking for revelations will be disappointed.

Beginning with a brief outline of her childhood, college years, introduction to politics and courtship with Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton covers a wide variety of topics: life on the campaign trail, her troubled tenure as leader of the President's Task Force on National Health Care Reform, meeting with foreign leaders and her work on human rights, to name a few. By necessity, she also addresses the various scandals that plagued the administration, from Travelgate to Whitewater to impeachment, though she does not go into great detail about each one; rather, she seems content to simply state her case and move on without trying to settle too many old scores.

Along the way, she offers many apologies, though perhaps not the kind some would expect. She does not shy away from her "vast right-wing conspiracy" comment, for instance, though she does wish that she had expressed herself differently. Regarding the Monica Lewinsky scandal, she maintains that her husband initially lied to her, as he did the rest of the country, and did not come clean until two days prior to his grand jury testimony. Calling his betrayal "the most devastating, shocking and hurtful experience of my life", she explains what the aftermath was like personally and why she has elected to stand by her man. In all, Living History is an informative book that goes a long way towards humanising one of the most recognisable and controversial women of our age. --Shawn Carkonen

This review refers to the print edition of this book

Review:

Over the past couple of weeks, I've spent every spare minute I can with my nose buried in Living History, Hillary Clinton's engrossing account of her life (Fiona Phillips, Sunday Express)

Hillary's book is engrossing stuff. I found myself liking her and wishing she could stand for presidency next year (Daily Mail)

The book is at its best when Hillary is rueful or self-satirising (The Times)

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