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31st out of 180 books
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The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs
Does America, as George W. Bush has proclaimed, have a special mission, derived from God, to bring liberty and democracy to the world? How much influence does the Christian right have over U.S. foreign policy? And how should America deal with violent Islamist extremists?
Madeleine Albright, the former secretary of state and bestselling author of "Madam Secretary,"
...morePaperback, 351 pages
Published
April 1st 2007
by Harper Perennial
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Secretary Albright's book is significantly better when she talks about the Mighty than when she tries to describe the role of the Almighty. Many of her chapters have insightful analyses of the current states of various countries around the world. I think Secretary Albright thinks she's adding valuable insight by pointing to religious angles for various conflicts, but when she drops that and stays in her comfort zone of listing major characters and events, she shows an impressive ability to synth...more
I found this book extremely interesting. The author makes extremely intelligent and well thought out points that do not come out from blind following of ideas but through conscience thought. She touches on subjects that most people, I am sure, would be very uncomfortable dealing with. The ideas of politics and religion.
When I went into this book I had thought the best solution is the seperation of religion from government policies but I now see that we really, truly cannot do that a...more
When I went into this book I had thought the best solution is the seperation of religion from government policies but I now see that we really, truly cannot do that a...more
This book is like a primer on Middle Eastern-US relations. It gives a nice but brief history of Islam and Middle Eastern politics. I'm wary thought that it does not warn the reader of the things that it may have left out. Unfortunately I am coming to this book with a very weak background in history, so often I would read a paragraph and immediately forget what I just read. At times it felt like some blunt editing went on in order to be able to hit all of the major points.
Overal...more
Overal...more
I filled nearly every margin in this book with either seething criticism or cries of "Yes!" Madeleine Albright is a politician and a successful one, which means that however admirable her morals may (sometimes) be, they have often been compromised. Consequently, the book is a terribly interesting exposé of foreign policy behind closed doors.
I was glad to see her apologize for her statement that the thousands of Iraqi children dead because of the sanctions was "worth ...more
I was glad to see her apologize for her statement that the thousands of Iraqi children dead because of the sanctions was "worth ...more
Does America, as George W. Bush has proclaimed, have a special mission, derived from God, to bring liberty and democracy to the world? How much influence does the Christian right have over U.S. foreign policy? And how should America deal with violent Islamist extremists?/ Madeleine Albright, the former secretary of state and bestselling author of Madam Secretary, offers a thoughtful and often surprising look at the role of religion in shaping America's approach to the world. Drawing upon her exp...more
The former secretary of state under Clinton, Madeleine Albright, discusses the importance of religion in today's political climate. She discusses the rise of 'evangelicals' as a force in American culture, mostly with a negative slant. She seems to fall in the same category as most religious liberals- religion is a good and necessary force for teaching morality, but when it comes to specifics like abortion and gay marriage, well, the government shouldn't decide things like that. Nothing instructi...more
Awful, awful book. So dry I had to force myself to stick with it and finish it. How can someone write so much while saying so little? I still don't know what the take away point was for this book, or why it was written. It offers no profound insight on any of the subjects it claims to address. Yes Madeleine, you believe in God, and so do a lot of people, thanks for letting us know. It did leave me wondering how she managed to get appointed to the position she filled in Bill Clinton's cabin...more
I'll be honest. I read half of it and skimmed the rest. Any student of politics need not read this book. It will tell you nothing you haven't already learned (or should have learnt) about politics, September 11, US policy in the Middle East etc. To me it seemed that the earlier parts of the book lacked coherence. Albright delves into the religious aspects of politics and statesmanship fairly well, and her brief synopsis of Islam is a credit to her, but I could never really forgive her open espou...more
Once I had a chance to really read this book, I found it almost impossible to put down. Even to eat. Or sleep.
If you've ever wondered about the part religion plays in world affairs, especially as this relates to Islam, this is a book you must read. This woman has been all over the world, has worked in both the Carter and Clinton administrations, and has served as the US Secretary of State. She knows her stuff, and as a college professor, she also knows how to teach.
She ...more
If you've ever wondered about the part religion plays in world affairs, especially as this relates to Islam, this is a book you must read. This woman has been all over the world, has worked in both the Carter and Clinton administrations, and has served as the US Secretary of State. She knows her stuff, and as a college professor, she also knows how to teach.
She ...more
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I love Madeleine Albright. In my opinion, she's one of the most amazing people in the modern world. An immigrant, a daughter, a mother, a wife, a professor, an advisor, a diplomat, a writer - she's exactly the type of woman I would like to emulate.
This book is the second I read by M. Albright. The first was her memoir. Another fantastically interesting read! The Mighty & The Almighty, however, is so relevant to the time in which we're living. She recounts history of conflicts that p...more
This book is the second I read by M. Albright. The first was her memoir. Another fantastically interesting read! The Mighty & The Almighty, however, is so relevant to the time in which we're living. She recounts history of conflicts that p...more
I had the opportunity to hear Madeleine Albright speak recently, which inspired me to move this book that had been sitting around the house to the top of the "to read" list. I find her to be very genuine, wise, and likable person. She is brilliant too! In this book, she examines the role of religious beliefs in global conflicts. I can't say it is exactly inspiring, but I did learn a lot.
"We must lead in a divided world. To that end, we should blend realism with idealism, placing morality near the center of our foreign policy even while we debate different understandings of what morality means." - p. 289
I'm wondering how we can place something that we can't even define at the center of policy decisions? Perhaps that is our problem.
I'm wondering how we can place something that we can't even define at the center of policy decisions? Perhaps that is our problem.
Angela
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone looking for a little context for this crazy world we live in
I'm usually not one for non-fiction, but this was a well-written, well-balanced, and incredibly fair book and definitely worth reading. I didn't pay much attention to politics and modern history growing up (and come on, I would've learned it from Fox News and Rush Limbaugh--can you imagine how I would've turned out?), and I skipped most of my political science classes in college, so for me this book was all about gaining the context around which today's events have been shaped.
The b...more
The b...more
An easy to read book from some one who has been part of foreign policy. It was nice to see someone who thinks that you need to put forth moral policies when preaching morality. The simplistic national interest driven foreign policy model always seems to create problems.
I've slowed to a turtle's pace on this one. It's now got the effect on me of a good lullaby. I really like her and the way she thinks about and looks at people and the world. I agree with her conclusions on how things would be best handled, but her book itself is boring. I do, however, feel as though I'm learning a little history as I think it should be written, so I'm determined to finish it!
Madeline Albright totally threw me for a loop with this one; not only did she re-establish her relevance, even as a sidelines commentator, in the foreign policy arena, but she also proved that her ideas are still applicable today, though proved may be the wrong word. There's no proof of such a thing, but the insinuation is certainly there, and I immediately believed it.
She's a lot more "wide-scope" than I imagined her to be, a refreshing trait for a statesperson (though sh...more
She's a lot more "wide-scope" than I imagined her to be, a refreshing trait for a statesperson (though sh...more
Before I started the madness otherwise known as graduate school, I got to hear Madeleine Albright speak about her new book -- and got a free copy. I just started it and am learning about some of the historical background of foreign policy in the US. Have you ever read something someone has written and thought, "I would love to have a conversation with this person?" I have that feeling reading this book.
Finished it. Now want to learn more about Islam and all the countrie...more
Finished it. Now want to learn more about Islam and all the countrie...more
Anyway, The Might and the Almighty is a very interesting exploration of the way faith and religion influence political motives and choices in various countries and contexts. Albright has the unique perspective of being able to tell stories about how she approached certain world leaders and international issues with a respect for the influence of faith. Also, Albright has the luxury of dropping brilliant quotes from Bill Clinton (who also wrote the introduction) all over the place. It’s a good re...more
Madeleine Albright is a brilliant woman if you believe in her politics or not. Her insight into the separation (or lack thereof) of church and state prove to be spot on in a post Bush administration.
Good advice from the former Madame Secretary of State.. If only those people in power (both present and future) would take a few pointers from this book, the world will be a (slightly) better place..
As a political junkie, anything by Ms. Albright is on my "must read" list. This was a great view of the complexity of world affairs as seen through the eyes of someone who has been privy to all the information, that we citizens have not.
Absolutely terrific. Albright as reader is not the best, but that is a small detail when measured against her view of the Middle East and America's troubled history in dealing with the area. This book is a must read to understand the events of today. It is not a polemic against the Bush administration. It offers more subtle reasons for the tragedies in the region.
Full disclosure. I love Madeleine Albright. She is a hero to me--brilliant, tough, and a successful Secretary of State. It makes me love Bill Clinton more for choosing her to represent America to the world. The Mighty and the Almighty was not the most fascinating memoir I've ever read (sorry Maddy!). But its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. Albright talks about the Clinton administration's decision-making processes (which she speculates are far, far different from those of the current admi...more
A worthy read...don't have to agree, but sure makes a person think about how things 'could be'...
This is the one she autographed for me - woo hoo
An extended exploration of her obvious and basically unexceptional foreign policy philosophy: nations shouldn't act wholly amorally in their self-interest, but at the same time must take into account harsh realities and unintended consequences. Worth reading for the insights into how policy discussions are conducted at the cabinet and intra-department level (although no more than you get from any book by a policy maker, I suppose) and for the few specific examples of unintended consequences of...more
A very compelling look at the world, its leaders, its past, current, and future situations through the eyes of Madeline Albright. Her thoughtful and careful attention to the Catholic faith, Muslim and jewish faith in her writing is wonderful. She offers respect to all religions, and appropriately states that if we fail to address religious beliefs in the world theatre, we will dearly pay the price. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in how religion shapes our world. The Mighty ...more
Carrie Pirmann
added it
politics
I love and respect this woman.
What great insight on how important it is to understand the religions of a country before you can adequately communicate with them.
What great insight on how important it is to understand the religions of a country before you can adequately communicate with them.
A sensible, calm look at our foreign policy and struggles between religion over the last 50 years or so, with a focus on looking towards the future. Not much of the information was brand-new but she clarified a lot of things and reminded me of stuff I had forgotten after history classes. It was a refreshing break after those finger-pointing, name-calling, angry political books. Albright seems so smart and nice and humble and I want to hang out with her.
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Madeleine Korbel Albright (born Marie Jana Korbelová) was the first woman to become United States Secretary of State. She was nominated by President Bill Clinton on December 5, 1996 and was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate 99-0. She was sworn in on January 23, 1997.
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