Drawing from hundreds of interviews with colleagues, friends and with unique access to campaign records, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and aut...
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Sep 21, 2007
Charlotte
rated it: 
Carl Bernstein obviously has done a prodigious job of research on a woman who has stirred strong emotions among Americans for many years. Despite copious media coverage and intense scrutiny, she has remained somewhat of an enigma. Bernstein has written a book that smoothly presents a remarkable human being whose intellect and political savvy are impossible to ignore.
Collectively, the author's presentation of Hillary has defined a human being who, her tribulations notwithstanding, More...
Collectively, the author's presentation of Hillary has defined a human being who, her tribulations notwithstanding, More...
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Feb 17, 2008
As someone who at this point is still undecided, I thought that I'd pick up both this book and one of Obama's to read.
Let me tell you - HRC is a completely kick-ass woman, much more so than I'd ever thought. She's not an easy person to get behind, and this book make an unintentional argument against the cult of personality that seems to be sweeping the political arena right now.
Reading this book confirmed the things I didn't necessarily like about her, but it also gave m More...
Let me tell you - HRC is a completely kick-ass woman, much more so than I'd ever thought. She's not an easy person to get behind, and this book make an unintentional argument against the cult of personality that seems to be sweeping the political arena right now.
Reading this book confirmed the things I didn't necessarily like about her, but it also gave m More...
Feb 11, 2008
Stephanie
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I was inspired to read this book after hearing an interview with Carl Bernstein on NPR. I must say, he couldn't have picked a more fascinating subject for a biography. Somehow, Hillary Clinton has managed to keep her private life under wraps for all these years, which is strange, given how much of it has been devoted to good works.
The single thing that most surprised me about HRC is her deep and profound faith. After reading this book, I'm extremely impressed that she doesn't trot it More...
The single thing that most surprised me about HRC is her deep and profound faith. After reading this book, I'm extremely impressed that she doesn't trot it More...
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Aug 01, 2007
Nancy
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I'm no less conflicted about her being president than I was before I picked this up.
I found the section on her childhood illuminating, and as an amateur armchair headshrinker I thought it makes her attraction to Bill (and his to her) make perfect sense. I found the section on the White House years illuminating as well, in terms of the dynamics that culminated in Bill doing that utterly stupid thing he did.
While this isn't the hatchet job I thought it might be after heari More...
I found the section on her childhood illuminating, and as an amateur armchair headshrinker I thought it makes her attraction to Bill (and his to her) make perfect sense. I found the section on the White House years illuminating as well, in terms of the dynamics that culminated in Bill doing that utterly stupid thing he did.
While this isn't the hatchet job I thought it might be after heari More...
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Mar 29, 2010
Blog on Books
rated it:
Until the last few years it would have been considered unusual to have a biographical tome delivered in the middle of one’s continued political assent (as opposed to years later.) But modern day campaigns have dictated that the ‘approved’ biography be released almost as a marketing tool of the political aspirant. Such is not the case here.
Famed investigative reporter Bernstein spent the last eight years researching and writing this extensive book interviewing over 200 friends, enemi More...
Famed investigative reporter Bernstein spent the last eight years researching and writing this extensive book interviewing over 200 friends, enemi More...
Sep 30, 2007
Maybe it's that I write about people for a living too (I'm not a journalist) but I couldn't stand the style of this book. I know journalists are allowed to have unnamed sources but when I make a statement about somebody that's damaging I always name it's source so the reader can evaluate the context. Every nasty remark in this one was from an unnamed source. It just grated on me. I couldn't take it and I put it down. Perhaps I'll come back to it some day.
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Aug 01, 2007
Lara
rated it:
Detailed overview of what makes Hillary, Hillary. I found that many of my perceptions of her were challenged and changed. Ultimately, I had more in common with her than I ever thought I would and I am proud of her as a female politican. It was a facinating read, I still am confused about many things--why she put up with Bill for one, but you do understand more of where she is coming from than ever before.
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Mar 31, 2011
Richard
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This book came out in the early stages of the 2008 Presidential campaign. It added to the already growing interest and debate surrounding Hillary Clinton, since she was a front-runner in the Democratic Party. Some critics have accused Carl Bernstein of deliberately releasing the book to enhance Hillary's campaign, since it paints a mostly favorable image of her. The book is not, however, a political tract, in the context, as Bernstein points out, that her books ("It Takes a Village" an
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Oct 02, 2010
Jessica
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I chose to read this bio of Hillary because I wanted a more objective opinion about her. This particular book is supposed to be critical of her political motives. However, the more I read it, the more I admire and respect Ms. Clinton.
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Feb 03, 2009
Bryan
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 11, 2011
J.
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I began reading this book by Carl Bernstein with a little hesitancy. Have read so many books about political people that were either a whitewash or dug for more than what really was there. I was very pleased with the work he did. Bought it only because of his name. He did an outstanding job with Hillary. He did not hesitate to saw where she was wrong or point out the faults whe has yet he was clear in those cases in which he thinks she was wrongly accused. Begins in childhood and goes to the tim
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Mar 20, 2011
Trudee
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I am presently quarter of the way through reading this biography. It is obviously extremely well researched but I am finding that I am glossing over the heavier political data in favour of the story line which interests me more.
I am learning that the life of a politician is complex in many ways and one not to aspire to unless 'chosen' for such responsibility. Whether one chooses this position themselves or is lifted to these lofty heights by majority votes from people who for whateve More...
I am learning that the life of a politician is complex in many ways and one not to aspire to unless 'chosen' for such responsibility. Whether one chooses this position themselves or is lifted to these lofty heights by majority votes from people who for whateve More...
Feb 26, 2010
John
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Thoroughly and painstakingly researched with treasure trove of insights, anecdotes, observations ... the danger with these kind of books is that in the context of a heated election, they can become partisan. The politics and biases of the author can seep through. Hilary Rodham Clinton is a highly charged bio subject ... she evokes strong emotions from both extremes. Bernstein deftly navigates through her life raising issues, describing challenges, ups and downs. For example, he describes how
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Apr 16, 2008
Shana
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Fascinating biography of HRC, chronicling her formative years, ambitions during college, varied legal and political work including working for the Children's Defense Fund, the Nixon impeachment, the McCarthy campaign, as well as her relationship and marriage to Bill Clinton. During her years as governor's wife, she and Bill worked together as equal partners in politics, both having shared ideas and work during their college years.
As one of the first women in the white house who was n More...
As one of the first women in the white house who was n More...
Nov 18, 2007
Anasuya
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I should be a fervent supporter of Hillary Clinton, but somehow I just can't be. It must be the crush I have on Obama.
Anyway, Bernstein does a great and fair job of dissecting Hillary and you find out that she has a lifelong commitment to public service, and the wit and grit and smarts to be a good politician and maybe even a good leader.
What isn't so great though is the lengths she has gone to to willfully obfuscate and obstruct justice in the past and I feel uneasy about some More...
Anyway, Bernstein does a great and fair job of dissecting Hillary and you find out that she has a lifelong commitment to public service, and the wit and grit and smarts to be a good politician and maybe even a good leader.
What isn't so great though is the lengths she has gone to to willfully obfuscate and obstruct justice in the past and I feel uneasy about some More...
Dec 17, 2007
Gail
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OMG - I feel like I deserve to be president after finishing this book!
Sarcasm aside, I picked a bad time of year (with the holidays upon us) to read a 550-page tome focused on politics. 'Nuff said.
But for what it's worth, this book is captivating in its own way. I was fascinated by Bernstein's retelling of Hillary's youth, her years in college, first meeting Bill, their early years in Arkansas, and so on ... It's when I hit around Page 300 that I started to lose a bit of More...
Sarcasm aside, I picked a bad time of year (with the holidays upon us) to read a 550-page tome focused on politics. 'Nuff said.
But for what it's worth, this book is captivating in its own way. I was fascinated by Bernstein's retelling of Hillary's youth, her years in college, first meeting Bill, their early years in Arkansas, and so on ... It's when I hit around Page 300 that I started to lose a bit of More...
Jan 21, 2008
Karen
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This is probably the longest I've ever taken to read a book that captured my attention. I knew a book by Bernstein would be thorough and illuminating, and it was. Funny how during the time I was reading it, Mrs. Clinton went from being the Obvious Woman in Charge to Has-Been Woman in Charge back to the Front Runner Woman in Charge. And I think Carl Bernstein could have predicted the entire thing!
For those of us ruminating over our political choices this season, the book is a wond More...
For those of us ruminating over our political choices this season, the book is a wond More...
Aug 08, 2011
Sondra
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To get a better sense of the primary candidates I picked some books on the frontrunners I was interested in. Sadly, this book was a disappointment. Written by a journalist, it feels like a bunch of articles somewhat awkwardly cohered together to produce a book. While a few of the articles were interesting, overall it was a rather disjointed read, and I did not feel I knew too much more about the subject than before I read it.
Aug 12, 2011
Mo
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Better written and more comprehensive (ie less scary) than Her Way. Devious Devious Devious! Secretive. Pushy. Great anecdotes that are revealing of Hillary's character--anyone with a question is an enemy, etc. It IS interesting to read this a story set in the Clinton Whitehouse with Hillary as the main character. People I talked to see some Nixon in her. SCCARRRRRRY.
Edit: Wow, just re-read this review. Clearly written in the height (beginning) of the 2008 Democratic primary. I was obv More...
Edit: Wow, just re-read this review. Clearly written in the height (beginning) of the 2008 Democratic primary. I was obv More...
Feb 19, 2008
Sally
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Update: I have finished reading the book. In hindsight it seems like I read the whole thing looking for a reason to be sure I shouldn't vote for her on April 22. 550 pages and it wasn't till the last 5 pages that I got my answer: actively, passionately supports/ed a ban on flag-burning. Why couldn't he have written that at the beginning?
The book: engrossing until she marries Bill, from there on out a useful history lesson. Poorly, poorly edited, especially for a second edition. Well-resear More...
The book: engrossing until she marries Bill, from there on out a useful history lesson. Poorly, poorly edited, especially for a second edition. Well-resear More...
Jun 02, 2009
AuthorsOnTourLive!
rated it:
Carl Bernstein’s A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton, is a stunning portrait of Hillary Rodham Clinton and shows us, as nothing else has, the true trajectory of her life and career with its zigzag bursts of risks taken and safety sought. Marshaling all the skills and energy that propelled his history-making Pulitzer Prize reporting on Watergate, Bernstein gives us the most detailed, sophisticated, comprehensive, and revealing account we have had of the complex human being and p
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Jan 11, 2012
Madelaine
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I really enjoyed this book! Even if you don't agree with Mrs. Clinton's way of doing things, she is certainly a woman of her convictions, who stands by her man...although the road may be very bumpy at times. My perception of Mrs. Clinton is that she has a core of strength like steel, which is derived from her spiritual beliefs.
Jul 28, 2011
Albert
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Very insightful portrayal of a person of extraordinary character. It gave me the impression that there is no way she could lose this election, and that she would have made a better president than Bill -- after all, she won him the presidency. The only letdown is that the book is mainly about her pre-senate days.
Jan 18, 2009
Marie
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Not a huge Hillary Clinton fan, I was still intrigued by her and what her ultimate place in history will reveal. Carl Bernstein has provided an incredibly balanced and objective perspective of the woman and I think she can be summed up with his assessment of her: "(she) has always had a difficult relationship with the truth. She is hardly different from most conventional politicians in this regard. But she has always aspired to be better than conventional...judged against the facts she has
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Aug 10, 2011
Kathryn
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Very interesting to read about Hillary's childhood and her committment to public service that began very early in her life. I had to admire her drive and ambition and also her concern for those less fortunate. She has devoted her life to helping others.
Dec 23, 2008
Abdul Malik
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This book is the best biography book written by Carl Bernstein with its journalism style. With the Hillary's passion to be in the White House as the first women's president of America, this book could be the best agent for its campaign.
Jul 31, 2011
Meghan
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Was given this as a gift from Australian EMILY's List and enjoyed reading it on 'planes and pool-side during a holiday in Vietnam and Thailand. Great backgrounder to a great woman although would be fabulous to see an updated version.
Feb 20, 2008
durban
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When I told an Obama supporter that I wanted Hillary to win, she said I should read this book by Bernstein, alluding to the dark subject matter I would find.
Granted, I am not done yet, but SO FAR I have found her life completely fascinating and I am more convinced that the right-wing has so succeeded in the perpetuation of their window-dressing of her life that most have never looked in the window to look at the life she has actually lead.
I am sure she has failings...Will updat More...
Granted, I am not done yet, but SO FAR I have found her life completely fascinating and I am more convinced that the right-wing has so succeeded in the perpetuation of their window-dressing of her life that most have never looked in the window to look at the life she has actually lead.
I am sure she has failings...Will updat More...
Mar 22, 2008
Shannon
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I decided I wanted to know the candidates well, so I got this book on Hillary. It's really comprehensive and overall a pretty engaging read. In the beginning I thought it was biased toward her because it was making me respect and appreciate her more than I expected to, but once she met Bill it didn't seem so favorable. I appreciated the perspective that the book gave me on which issues really have been important to her from the beginning--civil rights, feminism, family, children, and health c
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Feb 12, 2010
Penny
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Good, but I'm not sure how true it is. Some characterizations are negative, but it did inform of some interesting dynamics in a general way. I'm not sure I like the book, but it did keep me reading it.
