Condoleezza Rice: A Memoir of My Extraordinary, Ordinary Family and Me

by Condoleezza Rice

From Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state and New York Times bestselling author of Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom, comes a captivating memoir of her remarkable childhood.

Condoleezza Rice's life began in Birmingham, Alabama in the 1950s, a place and time where black people lived in a segregated parallel universe away from their white neighbors. She grew up during the violent and shocking 1960s, when bloodshed became a part of daily life in the South. Rice's portrait of her parents, John and Angelena, highlights their ambitions and frustrations and shows how much they sacrificed to give their beloved only child the best chance for success. Rice also discusses the challenges of being a precocious child who was passionate about music, ice skating, history, and current affairs. Her memoir reveals with vivid clarity how her early experiences sowed the seeds of her political beliefs and helped her become a vibrant, successful woman.

Condoleezza Rice: A Memoir of My Extraordinary, Ordinary Parents and Me is a fascinating and inspirational story for young people, adapted from Condoleeza Rice's adult sensation Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family. Includes a 16-page photo insert.



Praise for Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family

"An origins story . . . memoir is teeming with fascinating detail." --The New York Times

"A thrilling, inspiring life of achievement." --Publishers Weekly

"Surprisingly engrossing . . ." --Daily Beast

"Vivid and heartfelt writing . . . Highly recommended."--Library Journal

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Politics, History, Leadership, Biography Memoir

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Condoleezza Rice is the 66th United States Secretary of State, and the second in the administration of President George W. Bush to hold the office. Rice is the first black woman, second African American (after her predecessor Colin Powell, who served from 2001 to 2005), and the second woman (after Madeleine Albright, who served from 1997 to 2001 in the Clinton Administration) to serve as Secretary of State. Rice was President Bush's National Security Advisor during his first term. Before joining the Bush administration, she was a professor of political science at Stanford University where she served as Provost from 1993 to 1999. During the administration of George H.W. Bush, Rice served as the Soviet and East European Affairs Advisor during the dissolution of the Soviet Union and German reunification.

When beginning as Secretary of State, Rice pioneered a policy of Transformational Diplomacy, with a focus on democracy in the greater Middle East. Her emphasis on supporting democratically elected governments faced challenges as Hamas captured a popular majority in Palestine yet supported Islamist terror, and influential countries including Saudi Arabia and Egypt maintained authoritarian systems with US support. She chairs the Millennium Challenge Corporation's board of directors.

In addition to English, she speaks, with varying degrees of fluency, Russian, German, French, and Spanish.

Reviews

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very good book. In the beginning, I was only reading it for a report but liked it too much to stop. My favorite part of the book was the part about her childhood. I loved how even someone as awesome and brave as Condoleezza still had/has flaws. Towards the end, I found myself skipping through the book so I could get to the end faster. I am young after all, and the stuff about her book bored me. But overall the book was good.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite whatever political views you may hold, this is an extraordinary memoir about the challenges Condoleezza faced as both an African-American in childhood and a woman in adulthood in pursuit of a career, how she questioned what direction her life was directing her at times, but always met each challenge with determination. She also meets some very interesting people along the way. You will also see where her determination comes from when you read how her dad accomplished many firsts for black males in order to provide Condoleezza with an opportunity for a better life.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir. It was very interesting to read about Condi's childhood in Birmingham during the civil rights unrest of the 1960s and very interesting to consider how being a witness to all that made her more determined than ever to get her education and pursue her dreams. Her parents were very focused on providing a top-notch education for her, and they sacrificed a lot financially for her. My favorite quote of the book: "....my parents did have me convinced that even if I couldn't have a hamburger at Woolworth's lunch counter, I could grow up to be President of the United States." Amazing that her parents were able to instill that in her despite all they witnessed and experienced in the segregated South.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been curious about Dr. Rice. So when I came across her book I purposed in my mind to read it. As I read I learned about Dr. Rice the woman. She was clearly proud of her up bringing and took a lot of time to write about it. As she wrote about the many things she had achieved in life I was proud of her and inspired by her story.

[Tanika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read! I could not put it down.
If you thought you knew Condoleezza Rice, you have no idea! A truly ground-breaking woman with a brilliant story and experience of Birmingham, Alabama during its darkest history. A true testament to the strength and ambition instilled in her and honored throughout her life.

[Khin Su · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best autobiographies I've ever read. Condoleezza Rice writes about her life up to the point where she became the National Security Advisor to President G W Bush. Courage, fortitude and integrity come to mind when I reflect on the story of Condoleezza Rice. She is a great role model. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

[Alicea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Condoleezza Rice: A Memoir of My Extraordinary, Ordinary Family and Me covers her childhood in segregated Birmingham, her close-knit family life, education, and rise through professional, educational, and political worlds. I went into this knowing almost nothing about Condoleezza beyond her serving in the White House under President Bush but by the end of this book I felt that I knew her as one knows a friend. I think what I found most surprising is that she still teaches classes (Managing Global Political Risk if you're curious) at Stanford University. This book runs chronologically as most autobiographies do but two of the biggest focuses are her relationship to her parents (she is an only child) and her professional life as an academic and political scientist. She is an accomplished, intelligent, and ultimately fearlessly ambitious woman. She has never married but seems genuinely happy with her single life (sounds familiar). She makes no bones about her many achievements which include but are not limited to being a proficient pianist and fluent Russian speaker. I also appreciated that she included photographs, a chronology of her career, and a glossary of historic events and people during her lifetime. I'd say that this book would be good for anyone looking to learn more about women in politics and/or what it was like for this particular woman who was raised during segregation in the tumultuous city of Birmingham...and still make it to the upper echelons of government. Good for history buffs and political junkies.

[Christy Blanco · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible human. While I don’t share 100% of Dr. Rice’s political views, she is a tremendous force of a woman and for that, I admire her.

This memoir details her childhood, growing up in Birmingham, Alabama and her experiences there during the Civil Rights movement and continues into adolescence and adulthood (prior to her time working for the Bush administration).

Her perspective as a Black Republican is refreshing and aligned with how I was raised as a woman of color; you are not a victim. This phrase is repeated multiple times throughout the story and, though I relate to what she is saying on a personal level, at times comes across as a bit tone deaf. She is an extreme outlier. At points in the story, she seems to use her reality as a metric to determine what is possible for all Black people in America as if to say “as long as you don’t act like a victim you, too, can do this,” which is, fundamentally, inaccurate.

Do I believe that a victim mentality is helpful? Not at all. She and I are in agreement that it shouldn’t excuse underachievement, ignorance, or settling for less. However, overcoming systemic oppression is far more complicated than refusing to be a victim.

That said, this story is a captivating read and I loved it. Condoleezza Rice is a fascinating and inspiring person and I’m glad I know a bit more about her.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

From a humble upbringing in the segregated south, to a humble, yet remarkable career in higher ed and politics, her memoir is a touching tribute filled with love and grace with memories of her parents and family.

I enjoyed reading her thoughts on affirmative action and her experiences serving as Provost at Stanford. One such experience included what happened when she was invited to attend a town hall style meeting and she received push back on budget cuts from the ethnic centers:

“After a few strong words about how marginalized and victimized the ethnic students were feeling, the president of Stanford’s Black Student Union handed me the microphone. I resisted the temptation to say that I thought ‘marginalization’ was a peculiar term for students who’d been given the chance at a Stanford education.”

[Taylor]

I found this memoir to be far more interesting than I thought it would be. I had heard of Ms. Rice before, but had no idea who she was.

Growing up during segregation, she studied piano and politics, then went on to study the Soviet Union. From there she was asked to serve the White House and helped to ease tension during the Cold War. I think a lot of her moderate views make sense. I'm sure we wouldn't agree on every issue, but I think she has served our country well. I wish every politician could be this hard-working and focused on unity.

[Yogeldy German · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredible, it really showed you the number of horrible things some people go through. Neitherless the story and learning about Dr.Rice's childhood was truly an eyeopener to those who truly believe that certain people don’t face harder challenges because of their skin color. But as to say that no one faces challenges would be incredibly ignorant. This book was one of those books that were hard to stop reading. And I would recommend anyone of all ages to read this book.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about the life and achievements of Condoleezza Rice was interesting and inspirational.
She grew up in Birminham, Alabama, when segregation was the normal state of affairs in America.
She was the only child, and her parents were remarkable. They gave her everything she needed to be successful.
I highly recommend this book.

[Brittni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve just decided I like biographies! I love hearing people’s stories, and everyone has one. This book gave such fascinating insight into an upper-middle class black family during the civil right movement. I found her thoughts on affirmative action equally thought provoking.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading her memoir and learning about the history that she lived through!

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent. I so enjoyed reading about Condoleezza Rice's life. She is a strong, smart, and kind woman. She's normal yet so accomplished I can hardly believe it. I especially enjoyed how she challenged me to think differently about Affirmative Action.

Oh, and she doesn't rant and rave. She tells the truth, gives her opinion with strong, supportive arguments, and keeps her compassion in the process. Thank you, Condoleezza.

[H.k. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Condoleezza Rice: A Memoir of My Extraordinary, ordinary family and Me is beautiful and charming book for the youth. The story is a reflection of Rice's childhood. As an African American living in the south she was always surrounded by pain and inequality. It was a place where black people lived in a parallel universe to their white neighbors. From the youth perspective, I never experienced such pain, racism, neglect and anything else that comes with living in Birmingham, Alabama in the early 1950's but by reading this book I see the world differently, in a different light.It painted a clear vivid picture of how life was and how she overcame the struggles of being the only black girl in a room of power and success. I personally enjoyed this book for several reasons one being the pain, passion,and emotion that I felt as I read the book, I was Condoleezza Rice starting from page 1 all the way to page 336.

The book also includes a collection of both old and new pictures of Condoleezza Rice, her family, and her friends, giving you an inside look to help the reader better see what Condoleezza beautifully created when writing her memoir. All in all, Condoleezza's memoir vividly shows the path to her success, a path full of obstacles both emotional and physical which anyone can relate to. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. To all the youth who feel lost and unnoticed, to all the teens hungry to learn about their past in a different perspective, to every parent in search of hope when they feel that they should just give up, and to anybody else in the mood to read a great emotional and lively auto-biography.

[Mike Horne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Angie v. Condi

Angela Davis: An Autobiography

Condoleezza Rice: A Memoir of my Extraordinary, Ordinary Family and Me

Condoleezza Rice was born in Birmingham, a child of middle-class black college educated parents (mother a teacher), knew one of the girls killed in the church bombing of 1963, went to Moscow, and became a professor in California.

Angela Davis was born in Birmingham, a child of middle-class black college educated parents (mother a teacher), knew one of the girls killed in the church bombing of 1963, went to Moscow, and became a professor in California.

Can you think of two more disparate American women?

Angela Davis is 10 years older than Rice. Davis became an adult in the 1960s, while Rice became an adult in the 1970s. And though they both grew up black middle-class, their parents were very different. And they had very different mentors in college.

Angela Davis’s mother was a teacher but was very active in politics. She was connected to communists. She got her masters in NYC during the summers, and Angela became good friends with the children of Black communist James E. Jackson who was driven into hiding during the McCarthy era.

Angela's parents were the first black family to move right next to a white neighborhood (in the late 1940s). The houses on the other side of the street were "white only." As Blacks moved into that area, houses were burned and blown up. Angela Davis remembers the house right across the street that had just been bought by a Black family was blown up by dynamite.

Angela Davis developed (against her parents’ wishes) a strong hatred of white people as a child. Though she would meet (and in high school live with) white people that she became friends with, her physical descriptions of the white prison guards, police, judges, etc. throughout her book drip with revulsion.

The evil of white southerners was made clearer by her trips to NYC and LA as she grew up. Though racism was rampant throughout 1950s America, Angela Davis saw it through both southern and cosmopolitan eyes. She was intellectually precocious and had a chance at the age of 15 to enter Fisk University or The Elisabeth Irwin High School in Manhattan. She chose the latter, a private very progressive interracial school. It was here that she started her road to communism. The Communist Manifesto had a huge impact, and she joined a Marxist-Leninist youth organization.

But it was her time at Brandeis, especially at a rally against the American blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis, that really formed her. She met Herbert Marcuse and became his prized student. “Herbert Marcuse taught me that it was possible to be an academic, an activist, a scholar, and a revolutionary.” She went to the Soviet sponsored 8th World Festival of Youth and Students in Finland in 1962.

For graduate school she went to the University of Frankfort and finally to the University of California at San Diego (where Marcuse had begun teaching). Communist countries (East Germany, Cuba, the Soviet Union) seemed to her to be better at fighting “fascism” than Western countries. She became involved with the Black Panthers and other radical groups. However, she rejected the black nationalism and decided to join the Communist Party USA.

The armed kidnapping of a judge, a prosecutor, and three jurors in a Marin County courtroom by the “bodyguard” of Angela Davis (and the brother of someone she was trying to get out of prison through activism) using a shotgun that she had bought, made her a fugitive. Her life underground, arrest, prison time, and trial make up most of the Autobiography.

Condoleezza Rice was the only child of a teacher and a teacher/preacher. Her grandfather had gone to college and seminary and was a well-known preacher in Birmingham. They lived in a middle-class black neighborhood, went to black schools and black churches, and kept away from white people as much as possible. Her father was a Republican and was very pro-American and conservative. During the 1963 civil rights movement in Birmingham (MLK, Rev. Shuttlesworth and the Children’s Crusade), Reverend Rice did not march and did not have his (Presbyterian) church involved in the active protests. Many said that he was afraid of getting his church bombed.
Rice’s father later got a job at Stillman College and later at the University of Denver. Condoleezza was the center of her family’s life. She became a figure skater and a concert pianist. She entered college early majoring in music–piano performance at the University of Denver and joined a sorority. Though she was pushed to always do her best and work twice as hard as white folk, she realized that both skating and piano were not where she would shine. She looked around for a new major. She discovered Josef Korbel (a former Czech diplomat and father of Madeline Albright) and began studying international politics with intentions to become a Soviet specialist. She went to Notre Dame and ended up teaching at Stanford.

Angela Davis grew up hating white folk but overcame that. However, she never overcame hating the American system. She thought the Kennedys, along with all the political elites, were guilty of the deaths of the four Black girls in the church in Birmingham. She looked with great hope to the Russian, Cuban, Vietnamese revolutions. She thought that East Germany was more successful in fighting “fascism” than West Germany. She praised the “collective vigilance” of the Cuban Committees for the Defense of the Revolution. She praised the sacrifice that John Jackson made with his “rebellion” when he was killed (after kidnapping and while murdering a judge). She was a member of the Communist Party USA until 1991.

Condoleezza Rice, on the other hand, grew up very happy in a conservative black middle-class family. Her energies were not focused on reading and philosophy, but piano and figure skating. Those pursuits were dropped for academic life. She loved America and saw the Soviet Union as the aggressor (especially in the communist coup of Czechoslovakia). Her first book was published by Princeton Press on this subject. When the Soviets invaded Afghanistan she switched from being a Democrat to a Republican–she saw Ronald Reagan as a bulwark against the Soviets. She was an advisor to George H.W. Bush and Secretary of State under George W.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It flowed very well and could be considered a quick read, even though I didn't do it that way. I was initially interested in ready this autobiography when it came into our home last Christmas because I was curious. Secondary to her involvement in politics and her prodigious background, Condoleeza Rice is a black woman of influence. I figured it wouldn't hurt to know more about her so if one day Callie asked about influential black women or men, I'd know at least a few and more importantly, WHY they were influential.

I was so impressed with Condoleeza Rice...rather, I AM impressed. Whether you agree with her politically or not, she is an incredible woman. She is intelligent, talented, compassionate, organized, and truly loves her family. I found reading about her life inspiring. I often thought of ways I could incorporate her mother and father's parenting philosophies. They were great people as well...and as the saying goes "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

It was a good autobiography and I'm glad I read it.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir. It was well-written, touching at times, and well-paced. Ms. Rice and I were born in the same year, and as I was reading this, I thought about how much she accomplished in her life, the people she worked with, and her place in history. I am amazed at her tenacity, ambition, and her intellect. I want every one of my students to read how this woman, who grew up in Jim Crow Birmingham, accomplished so much with her life. Nothing and no one held her back. Ms. Rice emphasizes how important her parents were in her life, and how her faith carried them all through difficult times.
This book is from my school library collection, and yet, it really might be too difficult for middle school students. I would hope some teachers might read it, though, and share some excerpts with their students.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a page turner. I didn't know much of anything about the famous author and I wasn't interested in her either, but someone gave me the book. It is about a girl who grew up in the heart of the civil rights movement as a black girl in the center of US history. She was an only child of parents devoted to her intellectual growth and future success. It is a story of a tight-knit group of 3 that can only exist to this level when there is only one child in the family. She details her passions and talks about her struggles to decide what kind of career to pursue and touches on her feelings of inadequacies in certain areas. However, she was like a cream that rose to the top literally in pretty much most of the things she did.

[Annabelle Dorion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read my first autobiography (at least that I can remember). Condoleeza Rice spoke at my high school graduation, and back then she was President Bush's National Security Advisor. I didn't know much about her then, and I wish I did. Having read her autobiography, Rice's life was truly interesting to me, from her childhood in Birmingham, Alabama during the 1960s all the way to her PhD graduation and the connections she made throughout her life that lead her to some of the highest positions one hold in the U.S. I admire her parents the most, and throughout the book, she emphasizes her admiration and love for her parents who believed in education and hard work and determination as the foundation of success.

[Amber Andrews Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Condoleezza's memoir and would have given 5 stars but she failed to write about her appointment as U.S. Secretary of State. The book was written well after she served in office so I'm unsure why only a mention appeared. Other than that I found her story fascinating. She gives credit to her upbringing and the effort her parents provided to ensure she was given the best education possible. She was raised during a time when all odds were stacked against her, and racism and segregation were unfortunately an everyday part of life. I loved her story about her family's tenacity and hope she writes another memoir to pick up where she left off.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the young reader's version of Condi's memoir. I found her life story very compelling and finally understand how this intelligent black woman from segregated Birmingham, AL became a republican. The one thing that bothered me was how "dumbed down" it was, using very simple sentence structures and chapters that were less than 10 pages. Teens can certainly be challenged much more. Since this was modified for middle and high school readers, I imagine more complex explanations are given in the "adult" version, but I don't know.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the record, this book is actually called: A Memoir of Family Extraordinary, Ordinary People. But since that wasn't in Goodreads, I'm guessing this is the right one and they got the title wrong! Anyway, I LOVE Condoleeza Rice. She's brilliant, hard-working, prayerful and just an all around impressive person. I saw her speak earlier this year at an event and I was blown away. So, I enjoyed reading about her life from her perspective. But, it's not necessarily a "page-turner" and if you don't share my love of Condie, then this will be a hard book to get through.

[Pam Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an amazing story about an amazing woman. This is really a how-to book for people to see the sacrifices her parents made to insure that she had a good education and good experiences in music, athletics etc. It is quite a story. For a black girl growing up under segration in Birmingham, AL her parents and teachers always stressed that for her to get ahead in a white world, she had to be twice as good as a white person. And, she was/is!

[Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A love story between two parents and their only child. Tracing her life from a very segregated Birmingham, Alabama in the mid-fifties to the eve of George W. Bush's presidency in 2000, this is a story of magnificent accomplishments and a few heartbreaks. While written for a younger audience, I enjoyed and was touched by the book.

(Note to daughter: the book is on your bed at home for your reading.)

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting shift from my usual reads. Condoleezza Rice grew up in Birmingham, so I was interested in that aspect. She worked hard to become a very accomplished woman. As an only child, she was totally spoiled. Her parents gave her everything to help her be successful. It doesn't always work that way.

[Mml · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised with how readable and likable Ms. Rice is thru this work. I feel as though I understand her mindset and stance just a bit more. Written for YA's, this is certainly a worthwhile read for all history buffs. She provides an interesting and rather different perspective of living and growing up in Alabama in the 1950's and 60's. One which needs to be heard.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely remarkable book by an amazing and well-acomplised woman. While she is highly regarded in the political world, she tells a down-to-earth story about everything from her childhood to being the first black woman National Security Directory and then Secretary of State. Well worth the read.

[Bobbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this autobiography. Condi Rice is an extraordinary woman, bright and motivated and capable. Her story of success, after growing up in still-segregated Birmingham, is impressive and enlightening. This book was more about her background than the "No Higher Honor", and, as such, an easier read. I still hope that she runs for President!