Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat's Jewel Box [Hardcover]

Madeleine Albright (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 29, 2009

New from New York Times bestselling author and former secretary of state Madeleine Albright, Read My Pins is a story and celebration of how one woman’s jewelry collection was used to make diplomatic history. Exploring the use of the pin or brooch as a means of personal and diplomatic expression and featuring a gallery of fascinating photographs, this unique, intimate, and revealing biography offers a whole new side of Secretary Albright, one of our most beloved public servants.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Before long, and without intending it, I found that jewelry had become part of my personal diplomatic arsenal. Former president George H. W. Bush had been known for saying "Read my lips." I began urging colleagues and reporters to "Read my pins."

It would never have happened if not for Saddam Hussein. When U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Madeleine Albright criticized the dictator, his poet in residence responded by calling her "an unparalleled serpent." Shortly thereafter, while preparing to meet with Iraqi officials, Albright pondered: What to wear? She decided to make a diplomatic statement by choosing a snake pin. Although her method of communication was new, her message was as old as the American Revolution—Don't Tread on Me.

From that day forward, pins became part of Albright's diplomatic signature. International leaders were pleased to see her with a shimmering sun on her jacket or a cheerful ladybug; less so with a crab or a menacing wasp. Albright used pins to emphasize the importance of a negotiation, signify high hopes, protest the absence of progress, and show pride in representing America, among other purposes.

Part illustrated memoir, part social history, Read My Pins provides an intimate look at Albright's life through the brooches she wore. Her collection is both international and democratic—dime-store pins share pride of place with designer creations and family heirlooms. Included are the antique eagle purchased to celebrate Albright's appointment as secretary of state, the zebra pin she wore when meeting Nelson Mandela, and the Valentine's Day heart forged by Albright's five-year-old daughter. Read My Pins features more than 200 photographs, along with compelling and often humorous stories about jewelry, global politics, and the life of one of America's most accomplished and fascinating diplomats.

About the Author

Madeleine Albright served as America's sixty-fourth Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001. Her distinguished career also includes positions on Capitol Hill, the National Security Council, and as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. She is a resident of Washington, D.C., and Virginia.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Melcher Media; 1st edition (September 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060899182
• ISBN-13: 978-0060899189
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Madeleine Albright is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Madam Secretary, The Mighty and the Almighty, Memo to the President, and Read My Pins. She was U.S. Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001. Her distinguished career of public service includes positions in the National Security Council, as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and on Capitol Hill.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Diplomacy pinned down October 17, 2009

By Jon Hunt

Format:Hardcover

Madeleine Albright, always savvy with her word, turns out to be equally savvy with her "wear"...in this case her collection of dozens of pins. It never occurred to me while watching her on tv that those pins actually meant something and in "Read My Pins" she tells us why. Whether needing a diplomatic push or simply creating a mood, Albright's pins convey power, warmth and style. She connects certain pins with historical significance and this really enhances the book. What's even more fun is finding one's favorite in her collection. Albright certainly has her own, and it's very personal for her.

The photography by John Bigelow Taylor allows the reader to see each pin up close...something impossible to do even if one were standing near the former Secretary of State. We've been through ping pong diplomacy and shuttle diplomacy but pin diplomacy is certainly the most colorful of all and this enchanting book is not to be missed.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For jewelery lovers and political junkies! October 13, 2009

By Kathryn Y. Smith

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a jewelry maven and poltical junkie, I adored this book! The pictures are beautiful and the stories that go with them are fascinating. Madam Secretary Albright's plain-spoken manner and self-deprecating sense of humor shine through, and I enjoyed seeing pictures of her wearing the pins in the company of various world leaders, as well as the close-up stand alone pictures of the pins. A great gift for Christmas for any jewelry-loving lady.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A great coffee table book... October 7, 2009

By C. Abrams

Format:Hardcover

Having always admired Mme. Albright, I was intrigued and eager to read her latest book. This was not a disappointment - it is loaded with fabulous photos, not just of the pins, but of Madeleine with world leaders, as well as well-told stories from her time served, peppered with snippets on the history of the brooch and other jewelry.

Not a novel, nor a biography, but still a great collectible worthy of anyone's coffee table or library.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating! November 3, 2009

By Carol Petty

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

A beautifully illustrated book, Read My Pins contains Miss Albright's many stories through her years in public service, and the innovative ways she found to use her vast pin collection to set the tone for meetings and events. As a female in often all-male situations, she discovered that her wardrobe of pins enabled her to creatively support and enhance her messages and positions. She often includes the stories of how she came to own specific pins, fascinating stories in themselves. I gave this book as a gift, and could barely part with it!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good coffee table book November 13, 2009

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

Over the years I always admired her pins. I have a pin collection and I found her a kindred sprirt. It was interesting and amusing to read how she used her pins to make a statement.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Christmas gift this year January 7, 2010

By Kristine Thomas

Format:Hardcover

I received this book for Christmas after reading an article about it. As I work in politics, I assumed I would enjoy the book but had no idea just how much. This is a fabulous book! It's far from just about jewelry - there are plenty of anecdotes about her travels as a diplomat during her time in the UN and her time as Secretary of State. She writes in such a manner that the reader feels as if she has gone to lunch with a friend and is hearing tales from the office. I was thoroughly surprised at the Secretary's wonderful sense of humor!

Even having received lavish gifts such as jewelry from Tiffany and Co. for Christmas, I can honestly say that this has been my most enjoyed gift of the year. I cannot wait to see the exhibit that is to follow.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars purrrfect tease November 2, 2009

By pateiwah whitefeather hawk

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

this is a wonderful book.
a mix of history and one woman's passion for unique jewelry.she was gifted most, bought some, but all have a story to them.
in her own words 'A LITTLE BIT OF POLITICS WITH A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR'
bees,butterflys,my favorite a dragon,all unique pieces. most were from heads of state, who learned of her passion for these.it fast became a custom to gift her one, when she went to another country doing her job.
definitely a conversation starter. will look good on your coffee table or anywhere you want to lose yourself in it.
great gift - we got this for a ladies birthday gift and liked it so much we got another for us.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars copy great, photos not so much in b/w April 14, 2012

By Martha J. Alderson

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a charming book. Unfortunately I chose to read it on my Kindle in black and white. Now I really must get the real book to see the pins and the photographs.