Customer Reviews

Condi: The Condoleezza Rice Story

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This biography provides an overview of the life, education, and career of Condoleezza Rice. While not an in-depth psychological profile or scholarly critique, it is a more than adequate comprehensive gathering of facts from articles and interviews. There is a plethora of quotes from both Rice and her acquaintances and family members. Further analysis and deeper treatment will come after her tenure in the White House, but - for now - this is a good brief introduction to this impressive American.

I picked up this book to learn more about the woman who is our new Secretary of State and I'm glad I did. It seems she's been on the track to get where she is almost from the time she was born.

Although born in segregated Birmingham, her parents tried to shield her from those realities and instead focused her upbringing on scholastic achievement and church. Her parents, very accomplished and community involved people, made sure Dr. Rice had every opportunity growing up.

The fact that Dr. Rice initially studied to become a concert pianist, until she realized she didn't have what it takes to be a success didn't surprise me. Neither did the fact that she was bright enough to skip two grades and was very young when she graduated college. I was suprised to learn that Dr. Rice initially registered as a Democrat and voted for Jimmy Carter. It was that administrations Soviet polices (and her belief in small government) that turned her into a Republican.

This book details the public face/life of Dr. Rice (the schooling, jobs, etc). Her private life is barely mentioned (no gossip here). For example, the fact that she's dated several football players is mentioned (briefly) but not discussed in any depth (the gentlemen's names aren't even included). What finally emerges is a portrait of an extremely bright, accomplished woman who loves her job, her friends and family and football.

Condoleezza Rice, in what amounts to a relatively short amount of time spent in public service, has seen her political stock literally catapult of late. From being a child piano prodigy to entering the University of Denver at age 15, to becoming the youngest Provost ever at Stanford, to becoming the first female National Security Advisor ever, Condi has not only met, but conquered all incoming challenges. Through the adversity of war and liberal critics, she has maintained her customary charm, intelligence, mental fortitude, and the ability to hold her own with anyone.

This book provides a brief, yet somewhat lacking, look into the maturation of Condoleezza Rice from a piano prodigy to that of a Russian virtuoso and superb foreign relations advisor. From a young age, her parents instilled in her values that she not only talks about, but lives by, in her life today; such values as self responsibility, equality and freedom for all, unwavering adherence to one's moral principles of right and wrong, a strong faith in God, and of course, a tireless work ethic that is to be lauded, if not emulated, by all. Dr. Rice is, without question, the most powerful woman in America. She has been intrumental in the unification of Germany under Bush 41, has been indispensable in her meetings with Vladimir Putin, has been resolute and positive during times of adversity, and has maintained her belief in the ideals and principles on which America was founded.

With her background and abilities, she no doubt has a bright future - possibly as Secretary of State, VP, Senator, or maybe even President. This book, despite its quasi-adequate background of Dr. Rice, provides little of her exploits as NSA. Overall, a good and insightful read about a fascinating individual - albeit without much substance.

I have to say that I was somewhat disappointed in this book. Being an admirer of Condoleeza Rice, I was really looking forward to reading her life story. However the book reads more like a very very long and protracted resume rather than a story about someone's life. I think I expected to learn more about Dr Rice the person, rather than all the political accomplishments. For me, (and perhaps many others who like biographies/ autobiographies) reading stories about people, how they think, how they approach life, their dreams, their joys and sorrows and of course their accomplishments has always been inspirational. One gets the sense however, that the author of this book does not really know Dr Rice and writes about her "from a distance" per say. I guess I'll just have to wait for the autobiography.

I bought this book out of curiosity. I don't share much of Dr. Rice's political philosophy. However, she and I are the same age and I was interested in her background.

This book will serve as an adequate source of information for those, like me, mildly interested in Dr. Rice and her background. In no way does this book cover the more private aspects of her personality or motivations in life. Perhaps there's no way it could, being so contemporary.

Certainly the book documents Dr. Rice's life from her early days in a segregated society all the way to her appointment at the NSA. After reading this book I can understand much better why she is so comfortable with the Bush and Cheney families. She came from the elite black society of segregation, then moved into wealthy white society.

It is clear that Dr. Rice has been a person of discipline and achievement her whole life. This book doesn't delve into her personal life; it's not one of those 'intimate' biographies at all. In fact, the lack of insight into her personal life is rather noticeable, providing less information than the average biography.

This book could certainly serve as one of those quick-and-easy documents meant to fuel political campaigns. It's a light and quick read, which is all I wanted on the subject.

While I have long admired Condoleezza Rice and wanted to learn more about her diverse and accomplished background, I had never read any work of writer and some-time biographer, Antonia Felix. Felix has chronicled other people in previous work such as her biographies of Laura Bush, Christie Todd Whitman and Andrea Bocelli. Her experience as a biographer shows through in CONDI: THE CONDOLEEZZA RICE STORY, in that it contains all the elements of a good biography.

Felix covers all the basics giving the reader an introduction to the life of the subject from childhood in black middle class Birmingham, to academic life at Denver and Notre Dame, her transition from a musical career to one of shaping world politics, her accomplishments at Stanford University and the superb performance Dr. Rice has accomplished in the administrations of both Bush presidents.

As far as content goes, there isn't much here that couldn't be found through diligent research, however Felix has pieced together that research in a readable and enjoyable way. While the author portrays the subject as a person of unwavering dedication to the pursuit of excellence, this is not a story of how Condoleezza Rice overcame the societal obstacles she faced, or to put it another way, this is not a rags to riches story, and though it may not have been intended, for me, this book does contain an issue of utmost importance, the value of a supportive family unit.

The underlying lesson in the life of Condoleezza Rice is not what she has overcome or what she has accomplished, but rather the dedication of her parents. Parents that were relentless in insuring their daughters' future would reach its highest potential. Yes, it is exceptional what this black girl from segregated Birmingham has accomplished and the barriers she has broken down, but had she not been blessed with two loving parents who placed her future above all else and pushed her constantly and consistently towards an ultimate goal, in all probability, none of us would have ever heard the name of Condoleezza Rice.

In summary, I enjoyed this book. It is well constructed, interesting and easy to read. And though this book is categorized as a biography, in truth, I believe this book could serve well as a guidebook for effective parenting.

Monty Rainey
www.juntosociety.com

Can Condoleeza Rice really be just one person? National Security Advisor, Former Stanford Provost, Tenured Stanford Professor, Hoover Fellow, accomplished classical pianist, figure skater, football fanatic, and the list goes on...

Felix does a good job chronicling Rice's ascension from Birmingham to Denver to Palo Alto and eventually Washington D.C. The book is chock full of insights from family, fellow professors, and Washington colleagues. One the more interesting vignettes described a Old West style "staredown" between Rice and Boris Yeltsin at the White House steps.

A fascinating read about a potential Presidential candidate.

Condi Rice is a highly impressive person and perhaps the most powerful woman in the world currently. She is a very worthy subject of a good biography. Unfortunately, this book by Antonia Felix is not it.

This is little more than a 240 page resume for Dr. Rice that could have been compiled by almost anyone. It is a "biography" that lacks even an interview with the subject herself as a source. It is frankly a substandard effort.

Ms. Felix did an adequate job of outlining several major parts of Dr. Rice's history including the following: Her formative years in segregated Birmingham, her college years, her years working in academia, and her governmental service. Although those elements are interesting and show what a highly accomplished person Dr. Rice is, the book does not really show us the person. The author addressed the significant impact that Dr. Rice's parents had in her life, but she barely mentions any other person who has been influential with the exception of one college professor at the University of Denver.

This work also does little to address the ideas, philosophy, and policy views of the Secretary of State. This seems like a very odd ommission given that she is often mentioned as a possible presidential candidate. The only policy position that was given more than a passing reference is her opposition to gun control (developed during troubling years in the South where racist local politicians ran roughshod over Black Americans).

One hopes that some author will do a proper biography on this highly accomplished and very impressive woman.

I collected this book from a Newmarket Press sales rep at the ALA convention in Philadelphia, and she billed it as "the first adult biography on Condoleeza Rice." I was of course intrigued since all the other Newmarket books in the display catered to younger audiences. After reading this book on the train home, I have this observation: This is a book which easily bridges the gap between public school easy reader books and grit-you-teeth boring "adult" biographies.

While not totally child's play (there are great insights into Dr. Rice's personality and upbringing), author Felix's style is so accessible, I felt talked down to a number of times in the book. I look forward to more a more mature biography of this truly fascinating woman.

For the general reader, this is a good general introduction to the life and career of Condoleezza Rice. But it is more a summary of facts than anything else--I would have liked to see a more thoughtful account that included some additional context about her life and ideas.

Regardless of one's politics, everyone who reads this short biography will be inspired by looking at what Secretary Rice has accomplished in her life, and by seeing the excellence of her character.