Who is Hillary Clinton? Two Decades of Answers from the Left

by Richard Kreitner (Editor), Katha Pollitt (Introduction)

Who is Hillary Clinton? is a fascinating time-lapse depiction of the leading Democratic presidential candidate as seen from the left. But it is also much more than that. A carefully-edited anthology of The Nation’s coverage of Clinton’s career, it’s a rigorous and painstaking study of one our most enigmatic public figures. It is a history of our time, and a must-read for the 2016 election season.
Contributors include David Corn, Erica Jong, Christopher Hitchens, Michael Tomasky, William Greider, Ari Berman, Barbara Ehrenreich, Chris Hayes, Jessica Valenti, Richard Kim, Joan Walsh, Jamelle Bouie, Doug Henwood, Heather Digby Parton, Michelle Goldberg, and many more.
“Hillary Clinton is a Rorschach test of our attitudes—including our unconscious ones—about women, feminism, sex and marriage, to say nothing of the Democratic Party, progressive politics, the United States and capitalism,” writes Nation columnist Katha Pollitt in the book’s introduction. “This collection of Nation articles won’t answer all the readers’ questions, but at the very least in brings the Rorschach blot into clearer focus.”

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Essays

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2016

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a pro-Hillary book...but not exactly an anti-Hillary book either. Recommended for those willing to look beyond the smear articles and Facebook memes who truly want an answer to the title question.

[Randal White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing new.

[Itala Rutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if read beyond its period, it explains the strong anti woman feeling of US society. It always surprised me, with all the freedoms the society claims, how antiquated are the feelings about women´s place still. In relationship to rest of advanced societies, in particular. Perhaps only Italy, in 21st century, is more peculiar and ¨backwards¨ in its treatment of women. And it is not only because of Catholicism, as even Ireland seems to have made great strides in this century.

So, I learned a lot, in particular about the very regressive period which the USA is now facing. That the early part of the century seems to have had more liberal attitudes towards society and the composition of the future.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

collection of articles about Hillary Clinton from The Nation 1993-2015. Lots of dissatisfaction with her "triangulation", her botching of health care reform, her hawkishness as secretary of state, some of her comments during '08 campaign against Obama that could be construed as racist, her ties to Wall Street, and most especially vote to give Bush authority to pursue Iraq war, balanced against admiration for her emphasis on women's rights internationally, getting more funding for kids' health care, pragmatic competence, being likely better from liberal viewpoint than any Republican would be, and so on.

Not necessarily a new point of view if you've been following this year's election campaign, and somewhat repetitive across the collection, but it is interesting to be reminded that pretty much the same kinds of + and - about her have been articulated long before anyone was aware of or concerned about her use of a private server for emails.

[Ilana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the opinions of many authors are too biased to be considered opinionated, there are some relevant information about Hillary Clinton's career and opinions, as well as failures or unsolved issues. Clearly, she is part of the establishment and she knows in detail how the system is working or how to change the system in her favour. A recommended lecture to anyone who wants to have a full picture of the political profiles part of the current American democratic game.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the published in exchange of an honest review

[Tomas Selin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brilliant idea on how to put together a book about Hillary Clinton. I would love to read one alike this but from another publisher; from Time or the Economist.

Unfortunally the criticisms about Hillary Clinton are very much the vague ones concerning her character, but never with any evidence to support them.

If one is interested in leftist criticism rather than Hillary Clinton - this might be a book better suited for you.

[Megan Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly researched essays that show political bias rather than a desire to inform.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of articles from "The Nation" going back 25 years or so, overall this book is pretty critical of Hillary, primarily because she is not as progressive as the writers want her to be. Well written, but lacking in variety.

[Prof. Alice Bach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hillary Progressive or Pragmatic?

Only recommend this book for people who do not keep up with US politics. A few strong Articles, but mostly background.

[Ashley]

I am, apparently, a glutton for punishment.