Hillary

by Karen Blumenthal

As a young girl, Hillary Diane Rodham’s parents told her she could be whatever she wanted--as long as she was willing to work for it. Hillary took those words and ran. In a life on the front row of modern American history, she has always stood out--whether she was a teen campaigning for the 1964 Republican presidential candidate, winning recognition in Life magazine for her pointed words as the first student commencement speaker at Wellesley College, or working on the Richard Nixon impeachment case as a newly minted lawyer. For all her accomplishments, scrutiny and scandal have followed this complex woman since she stepped into the public eye―from her role as First Lady of Arkansas to First Lady of the United States to becoming the first female U.S. senator from New York to U.S. secretary of state. Despite intense criticism, Hillary has remained committed to public service and dedicated to health-care reform, children's issues, and women’s rights. Now, she aspires to a bigger her nation's first woman president. In Hillary Rodham A Woman Living History , critically acclaimed author Karen Blumenthal gives us an intimate and unflinching look at the public and personal life of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Illustrated throughout with black-and-white photographs and political cartoons, this is a must-have biography about a woman who has fascinated--and divided--the public, who continues to push boundaries, and who isn’t afraid to reach for one more goal. "After decades in the public eye, Hillary Rodham Clinton is still an enigma, as Blumenthal ( The Gun That Changed America ) emphasizes in this compelling portrait of the former U.S. Senator and Secretary of State’s journey from budding activist to presidential aspirant." ― Publishers Weekly , starred review

448 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Karen Blumenthal is a critically acclaimed author of narrative nonfiction for young people, who is fascinated by controversial subjects and social change. Her books include Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different; Tommy: The Gun that Changed America; Hillary Rodham Clinton: A Woman Living History, and Let Me Play: The Story of Title IX. Her books have won a Sibert Honor and a Jane Addams Children's Book award and have been a finalist for YALSA's Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults award three times. She lives in Dallas, where Roe v. Wade originated. For more information, go to www.karenblumenthal.com.

Reviews

[Peter Gerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite a feeling that I was reading a heritage builder, I found it covered a lot of ground fairly

[Neha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just read living history by Hillary herself. The last 50-70 odd pages that capture her senate tenure and runs for the Presidency don't really add anything to the narrative. Hillary herself never was interviewed for this book, or even responded to questions so this reads like a rehash of the publicly available information. A large chunk of the book appears lifted verbatim from Living History by Hillary esp. the anecdote about reintroducing broccoli in the White House after bill Clinton got elected the first time.

[Arya Hari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronologically written with adequate number of beautiful quotes and pictures so that one can get a feel of the life at the White House and the journey of a woman through tough and easy times. It shows the amplified effects of the results of a decision when taken at the national level. The books does not turn boring as the flow of events go in similar lines as a story.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reminder of what could have/should have been if America had elected the more qualified candidate.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-researched and compulsively readable account of Hillary’s life and career. It’s unfortunate that Clinton did not agree to an interview, but Blumenthal did her homework and it shows.

[Pompi Mazumdar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Informative read.

[Emilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My opinion of Hillary has always been mixed, in a sense that I couldn't quite pinpoint what I like or dislike about her, whether as a politician or as a woman. But the beautiful speech she delivered after the presidential election defeat last year won me over. For a woman who braved the political storms for close to half a century and is still in the game, that is something remarkable.

This biography provides informative insights into the life of the First Lady of US (and also the first lady of many other things), tracing back to her childhood, her teen years, her private life and marriage to Bill Clinton and the turbulent years she would face in the White House and as Secretary of State. It's fact based and yet not boring, easy to understand and yet written with prose. It's an enjoyable read and one of my favourites this year.

This biography is a reminder of how we don't read enough and often take things at face value. Our opinions are often built based on what we see, hear and perceive, rather than through a conscientious thought process.

[Renald Micallef · Rating 5 out of 5]

With only few days before American citizens choose their new President, I hope they quite make the 'only' possible sane choice: electing Hillary Rodham Clinton!

This was the fastest book I read in 2016 so far, that means I enjoyed it. I had bought 'Hard Choices' but received this biography as a gift and decided that it was best to first familiarize myself with Hillary's story. Millions of people that intend to vote for her, describe her as the 'best qualified' for the role of President. In fact there was never any person with such a long experience in American politics. In this book there is everything, from her birth till 2016, passing through her achievements and failures. The book offers also various photos from her childhood years throughout all her life. This helps the reader a lot, as it gives us a glimpse of Hillary through the years.

Kudos to the writer of this biography, for her research on Hillary. I was astonished however to read that she never met her in person not even to interview her for this bio. The author even mentions how the questions she had sent by email where never acknowledged nor replied. The book is so easy to read, straight to the point and informative, that I deem there was no better way in writing it. No wonder I finished reading it in just a week.

I have to agree with many who say that they do not know the 'real' Hillary Rodham Clinton, as even while reading this book I sensed there is something missing: a part which Mrs Clinton hid so well through the years. One thing however is beyond any doubt, the woman is a rock of resilience. All her struggles never discouraged her to arrive to this point, being the official nominee of the Democratic party for President, and the first woman in US history to have broken such barrier. Will she shatter that barrier by becoming the 1st Woman President of the USA? Whatever the outcome, this is her last chance. She just celebrated her 69th birthday. We will either witness the end of her career or the start of her dream come true. Good luck Madame!