Customer Reviews

Seasons of Her Life: A Biography of Madeleine Korbel Albright

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Does no one edit books anymore? This biography needed serious tightening and focus that a demanding editor could have provided -- someone to read it through and ask, "Why? How? Give me more!" A good editor would have cut down the section on Albright's father and demanded more about her formative experiences on Capitol Hill and on the National Security Council. The book also needed copy editing -- for instance, it gives the date of Albright becoming Secretary of State as 1997, not 1996, and has several other misuses such as "waiver" for "waver" and "bare" for "bear." This biography neither contributes enough to our understanding of Secretary Albright nor represents well the author's abilities as a journalist.

Even if you have only the slightest interest in foreign policy, you will find this substantial book about the first woman Secretary of State absorbing. This may not be a book for a foreign policy wonk, but then few of us are. It is a book for anyone curious about who Madeleine Albright is and where she comes from. A great holiday gift

"Seasons of Her Life" is an interesting biography about Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. The author of this book, Ann Blackman, did a wonderful job examining the finer details of Albright's life. Blackman interviewed numerous people, including President Clinton, and other close friends and colleagues of Albright, which helps the reader understand the importance of Albright in the worldwide community. Yet, all of these interviews and information are buried in the back of the book. Blackman spends too much time focusing on Albright's father, Josef Korbel, and how Madeleine Albright's family ended up in the United States. While this information is important in understanding why Albright believes in the politics that she believes in, it does not do the reader any good if they cannot get through the inital chapters. This is a well researched and through book on Albright's life, a decent book if you do not get lost in the history.

I have always admired Albright and what she has achieved. My admiration grew deeper after I finished reading this book. While Albright may be privileged, it was her courage, determination, and hard works that shaped her into what she is today. Blackman unfortunately spent too many pages on Albright's ethnic/religious background. Overall, it is a good book to read for one with interests in US foreign policy with emphasis in East Europe.

What this book is, is a biography. What this book is not, is a statement about Albright's political interests or viewpoints. If you want to know who she is and what events in her life have shaped her character, this is the book to read. Those who are interested in learning about our recently appointed Secretary of State, will find great pleasure in this well written biography. One way or another, Albright will be in our history books. Get the book; keep it.

This book has many dimensions. The facinating life of Madeleine Korbel Albright portrayed by Ann Blackman and also the revelation of events close to anyone of her age. I find myself sharing this book in conversation with my husband, daughters, and others who show interest. It has helped me express some of the feelings I have being born in that generation just before WWII in Midwest, USA. Thank you, Ms. Blackman for providing an avenue to know and appreciate Madeleine Korbel Albright. It is important to connect with the "goodness" of her life that is having an influence in our world. I recommend this book especially with the upcoming elections at the state and federal levels. It is a way to have insight as to how a good leader develops and then matures to achieve the abililty to make powerful decisions with wisdom. Thank you, Madeleine Korber Albright for being such a leader. Jeanette Kroese Thomson

Ann Blackman skillfully writes about the complicated and totally fascinating life of Madeleine Korbel Albright; her style is charming and gracious, vividly woven into a well researched and documented historical tapestry; tremendous insights into the life and career of a powerful leader; of the roads traveled, the hurdles jumped and hardships overcome to become America's first Secretary of State; you will not be able to put it down! We look forward to more books by Ann Blackman!

As a military man, I am always interested in the people who make up what we call the "National Command Authority." And that is why Blackman's book is so valuable. Before reading it, I saw Albright as a cardboard cartoon. But Blackman acts like a life-saving doctor, placing an oxygen mask over the secretary of state, putting the rose into her cheeks, a twinkle into her eyes and showing the real heart of American foreign policy today. A wonderful book!

It's hard to put this book down. The book is filled with such intriguing details, vivid historical background and fascinating personal information about Madeline Albright, her family and those around her throughout her life. Ann Blackman's style of writing makes the words fly off the page into the readers imagination. This coupled with the extensive variety of sources used for relaying insight into the individual, Madeline, make this book a must read. The remarkable road to Secretary of State, and the Seasons of her Life, Madeline Albright are a testimonial for American opportunities.

I learned more than I ever imagined about Eastern Europe between the wars, the communist coup in Czechoslovakia and the women who struggled through changing roles during the women's movement of the 60s and 70s in the United States. Great insights into the shaping of a remarkable, if uncertain and over-sensitive public figure.