Executive Branch, Women's Biography, U.S. Politics in the Post Cold-War Era, United States History - 20th Century - 1945 to 2000, U.S. - Political Biography, U.S. Politics - History, Women's Biography, Legislative Branch

Living History

Name: Living History
Author: Hillary Rodham Clinton
ISBN: 9780743222259

by Hillary Rodham Clinton, Nan Graham

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Overview

The Phenomenal #1 Worldwide Bestseller

WITH A NEW AFTERWORD

Hillary Rodham Clinton is known to hundreds of millions of people around the world. Yet few beyond her close friends and family have ever heard her account of her extraordinary journey. She writes with candor, humor and passion about her upbringing in suburban, middle-class America in the 1950s and her transformation from Goldwater Girl to student activist to controversial First Lady. Living History is her revealing memoir of life through the White House years. It is also her chronicle of living history with Bill Clinton, a thirty-year adventure in love and politics that survives personal betrayal, relentless partisan investigations and constant public scrutiny.

Hillary Rodham Clinton came of age during a time of tumultuous social and political change in America. Like many women of her generation, she grew up with choices and opportunities unknown to her mother or grandmother. She charted her own course through unexplored terrain — responding to the changing times and her own internal compass — and became an emblem for some and a lightning rod for others. Wife, mother, lawyer, advocate and international icon, she has lived through America's great political wars, from Watergate to Whitewater.

The only First Lady to play a major role in shaping domestic legislation, Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled tirelessly around the country to champion health care, expand economic and educational opportunity and promote the needs of children and families, and she crisscrossed the globe on behalf of women's rights, human rights and democracy. She redefined the position of First Lady and helped save the presidency from an unconstitutional, politically motivated impeachment. Intimate, powerful and inspiring, Living History captures the essence of one of the most remarkable women of our time and the challenging process by which she came to define herself and find her own voice — as a woman and as a formidable figure in American politics.

Synopsis

Hillary Rodham Clinton came of age during a time of tumultuous social and political change in America. Like many women of her generation, she grew up with choices and opportunities unknown to her mother or grandmother. She charted her own course through unexplored terrain -- responding to the changing times and her own internal compass -- and became an emblem for some and a lightning rod for others. Wife, mother, lawyer, advocate and international icon, she has lived through America's great political wars, from Watergate to Whitewater.

The only First Lady to play a major role in shaping domestic legislation, Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled tirelessly around the country to champion health care, expand economic and educational opportunity and promote the needs of children and families, and she crisscrossed the globe on behalf of women's rights, human rights and democracy. She redefined the position of First Lady and helped save the presidency from an unconstitutional, politically motivated impeachment. Intimate, powerful and inspiring, Living History captures the essence of one of the most remarkable women of our time and the challenging process by which she came to define herself and find her own voice -- as a woman and as a formidable figure in American politics.

The Denver Post

Living History is a solidly written, personal account from a major player in one of this country's most politically contentious periods. It is an important part of the record. — Tom Walker

About the Author, Hillary Rodham Clinton

Hillary Rodham Clinton was elected to the U.S. Senate from New York in 2000 and is the author of An Invitation to the White House: At Home with History; Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets and It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us. She lives in Chappaqua, New York.

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Editorials

From Barnes & Noble

One of the most influential women of her time, Hillary Rodham Clinton has always found herself in the vanguard of political activism and social reform. In her high-profile roles as lawyer and children's activist, first lady, and U.S. senator, she has fought tirelessly and passionately for what she believes in. Now, in this meticulously detailed political memoir, she discusses her eight years in the Clinton White House and the watershed events of her husband's historic presidency. She describes the ecstatic triumphs and crushing defeats of an administration that set out to accomplish progressive reforms but was hamstrung from the start by relentless media scrutiny and criticism; she presents her views on such emotionally charged issues as the Whitewater investigation, the Lewinsky scandal, and the Clinton impeachment; and she sheds illuminating light on her complicated relationship with her brilliant, flawed, and charismatic husband. A thoughtful and provocative read, this memoir provides a rare and intimate glimpse into the mind and heart of a true political icon.

Los Angeles Times

[Hillary] Clinton has produced a surprisingly engaging and, at points, even compelling book. Especially once the couple reaches the White House; she provides enough of a peek behind the curtain to keep the pages turning. She presents intriguing new details on her role in shaping the policies of her husband's presidency. — Ronald Brownstein

Kansas City Star

The only thing that matters, with any book, is this: Is it worth reading? And in the case of Living History, the answer is yes...it's going to be hard for any but the most partisan to ignore her grace, and her mix of self-confidence and the insecurities that seem to burden us all.

The Denver Post

Living History is a solidly written, personal account from a major player in one of this country's most politically contentious periods. It is an important part of the record. — Tom Walker

The New York Times

Living History is neither living nor history. But like Hillary Rodham Clinton, the book is relentless, a phenomenon that's impossible to ignore and impossible to explain. — Maureen Dowd

Publishers Weekly

Whether or not you believe that the Clintons were victims of what Hillary calls a "vast right-wing conspiracy," this memoir has enough information and personality to appeal to people on both sides of the political fence. Most will not be surprised by Clinton's reading style, as it is similar (though not nearly as formal) to the manner in which she has delivered many television addresses. Her Midwestern accent is evenly pitched and pleasant. She easily laughs at herself, and fluctuations in her delivery render her emotions nearly palpable. Indeed, the casual straightforwardness of her delivery will engender a sense of trust and respect in listeners. Though she does not offer much new material, she is adept at disclosing many "backstage" details-from the personal, like her inner feelings about the Lewinsky scandal ("the most devastating, shocking and hurtful experience of my life"), to the humorous, like the time a mischievous Boris Yeltsin tried to coax her into sampling moose-lip soup. Her devotion to Chelsea, Bill and to her country feels genuine, as do her hopes for future. All in all, her infectious sense of optimism and unwavering energy shine through in her delivery and will leave listeners with a new respect for the former First Lady. Simultaneous release with the S&S hardcover. (June) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.