Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
On balance, it's balanced, June 14, 2007
If you're a Hillary devotees, you'll give this book 1 Star -- it doesn't fawn over her enough, and convincingly reveals some character flaws. If you're a Hillary hater, you'll give this book 1 Star -- it doesn't protray her as evil. In short--the writers don't appear to have an ax to grind. A seemingly unbiased biography. What a rare thing these days for a political figure! If you're just trying to understand the person, you'll give it 3-4 Stars cause it's a valiant effort in that direction that leaves the reader with more questions than insight to her character. They leave the reader to draw their own conclusions, without bias, it seems to me. Her husband (or, better, political-business partner), speaking of their relationship said, "The tapestry of our marriage is deep, colorful, and well-woven--and nobody will tear it asunder." Gerth and Van Natta weave a tapestry of a public persona here that is inegmatic, controversial, and well-publicized--and there's no decoder ring offered to figure it out. The question the reader is left with is this: Just what is the core driving ethos of this person? Is it too deep to fathom, or merely as shallow as raw ambition for power? The people who think they know the answer to that question are the ones with 1 Star.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hillary, 1970 to today, July 16, 2007
I normally do not read biographies of living people. However, I have been interested in Hillary Rodham Clinton since she came onto the national stage as the wife of a presidential candidate and then as First Lady and Senator. So, it was with great anticipation that I began reading. Unfortunately, I found the book to be less than I had hoped for. It reads like a college research paper or perhaps a textbook study. Nearly every paragraph is footnoted, some two or three times. This does lend credibility to an unauthorized biography that was written without actually interviewing the subject matter, but it also makes the writing feel choppy and disconnected. To me it seemed as if statements were cobbled together with little regard to the final flow. It is also quite clear that the authors are not fans of Hillary Clinton. The book basically begins in 1970 when Hillary Rodham was a student at Yale Law School. Approximate three pages summarize her life prior to that time--with a few other paragraphs focusing on her undergrad years at Wellesley College. What I found most disappointing in the early sections of the book was the lack of any new information. A great deal of space was spent rehashing the Whitewater investigation that was carried on while the Clintons were in the White House. There is also a further rehashing of Bill Clinton's sexual infidelities. I felt both of those issues have been covered many times over and that nothing new was added in this book. The final third of the book, as it moves into the areas of Hillary Clinton's Senate participation, and her preparation to run for President, are much more interesting than the first sections. While the biases of the authors are still evident, the material has a freshness that is lacking in the beginning. This book could be a starting point for research into Hillary Clinton's life. The over 30 pages of endnotes could certainly lead to other source material. I would not recommend it for casual reading though. Armchair Interviews says: Worth reading if you want to better understand Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Book Uncovers The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly! A Must-Read For Fan and Foe!, July 30, 2007
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this nonfiction novel. I believe Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta Jr. have put together a well-researched and unbiased book that accurately describes Hillary Clinton's life and possible future accomplishments. While others have criticized this novel as an attack on Hillary Clinton, I came away quite impressed with all of the struggles she has overcome and her steadfast determination to do what she believes is the right thing to do. Granted she does change her mind quite a bit concerning what is right and what is wrong. I learned a great deal about Hillary's personality and the people she surrounds herself with; I was fascinated by the loyalty of her friends and colleagues. I believe Mrs. Clinton to be a smart, confident, determined, and experienced leader. I don't agree with most of her political beliefs. This book proves she can be abrasive, overconfident, and overly defensive when she doesn't need to be. The events, opinions, and fact-finding work throughout this book were nothing short of brilliant. Anyone who wants to learn as much as they can about this possible next president of the United States must have "Her Way" on their reading list. From growing up in Illinois (right next to where my Mom worked), to her days in Arkansas, and her eight years in the White House as first lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton has led an amazing and complicated life. And she has indeed done things "her way." Again, I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from the first page to the last page. So be sure to check out this fantastic piece of literary work as soon as possible. You won't be sorry! Remember, this review is coming from a Conservative-Christian-Ronald-Reagan-Republican who thought he would never have much good to say about a woman on the LEFT. This book has indeed taught me that there is more to Hillary Clinton than I gave her credit for. See ya next review.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
