Senior Stateswoman in need of Editor

I have often wondered what former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was thinking on May 1, 2011 when that famous photo of her, with her hand over her mouth, was taken in the White House Situation Room as she waited for the results of Operation Neptune Spear. I read/listen to just about everything I can get my hands on about the hunt for and killing of Osama bin Laden, like Mark Owens and Kevin Maurer's "No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Osama bin Laden" (2012) and former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates "Memoirs of a Secretary at War" (2014). I would have listened to HRC's "Hard Choices" (2014) just for her perspective on that mission, but this book has so much more.

HRC sets forth comprehensive US foreign policy, starting with her husband, Bill (William Jefferson) Clinton, president from 1993 to 2001; George H. Bush, 2001 to 2009; to Barack Obama, 2009 to the present. HRC has been a first hand observer or participant in international politics for more than 20 years, as First Lady; then as a Senator from New York; and then as Secretary of State.

The book is so current, it talks about Russia's 2014 annexation of the Crimea. HRC's position on Russia is hawkish, and Vladimir Putin should count himself fortunate she isn't president right now. I'm not an up-and-coming or current world leader, or rebel general working on being a dictator, but if I were - and wanted to know where I, or my country stood with the current most-likely-next-president of the United States, I'd find out in "Hard Choices".

If I wanted to know about her husband's infamous dalliance more than 20 years ago, I guess I could read "The National Enquirer" - but I wouldn't waste my I time reading about it and HRC doesn't waste my time writing about it. I would rather know her position on Iran's nuclear enrichment program, Syria's use of chemical weapons, or what might work in patching up international relationships badly damaged by leaks of candid assessments of world leaders in State Department cables. "Hard Choices" talks about those issues, not about whether staying with her husband was a difficult decision.

HRC has a unique view of countries and their leaders. Some nations - for example, China and India - have national feelings and attributes (inferiority and insecurity) that she does not confuse with the beliefs or actions of their leaders. Other very small nations - such as Qatar, with a population about 20% of that of Los Angeles County - are so closely aligned with their leaders, they can't be distinguished. HRC's ability to separate the nutcase in charge from the population as a whole has been key in the Obama administration's arguable successes in various Arab countries.

Which brings me to the editor part: "Hard Choices" is 657 pages in print and 27 hours on Audible. Even with 'a long commute' it took me a while to finish the listen, because, well, I got a mired in the details, and sometimes, I got bored. I had the same problem with Doris Kearns Goodwin's "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln" (2005). I could have used a Playbill, a world map, and a timeline for both books.

HRC has a great voice, and I would have been happier with her doing the entire narration. She did the introduction, and there's an Easter egg: there's a 15 minute epilogue in her own voice. Kathleen Chalfant is fine, but it's not the same.

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129 people found this helpful

Will she run?

In the book Hillary Clinton tells about her time as Secretary of State. I had read “The Secretary” by Kim Ghattas and “HRC” by Jonathan Allan and Amie Parnes which covered the same topic. The interesting part of the book for me was her side comments such as her discussion about William Seward; I read his biography last year. He also was a senator from New York who lost his Presidential nomination and the faithfully served Lincoln, the man who beat him, as Secretary of State. She frequently quotes Eleanor Roosevelt which I found delightfully as I am a big fan of Eleanor Roosevelt. The meeting to discuss increasing troops to Afghanistan was also described in detail in the book “Duty” by Robert Gates. Hillary covers in great depth her philosophy of “Smart Power.” She opens her tour as Secretary of State by travelling to Asia. She tells why she thought it was important to emphasize Asia, the problems facing the area, in fact, she goes area by area throughout the book describing each areas problems, what has been done, needs to be done to overcome the problems. She covers Burma, China and Pakistan in depth. A picture of Hillary does come through as a person who is an optimist and very persistent. It appears she keeps going, by building on the small victories so they outweigh the defeats. She goes about breaking things down. She is a disaggregator, who can’t see problems without trying to make it smaller, more manageable, and then she tries to fit the pieces back together again. Between the stories of diplomacy are scattered personal stories about her mother, her life as a college student, meeting and marrying Bill Clinton, her daughter and how much she is looking forward to being a grandmother. The book is cautiously written and free of politically charged rhetoric and appears to be factually correct. The only comments she made about two politically charged issues was on Iraq, she apologized. She said “I got it wrong” and she learned from the mistake. On the deaths of State Department people killed in Benghazi Libya she said she is responsible because she was Secretary of State. Hillary mostly has good thing to say about people including George W. Bush. She quotes a maxim from China’s Deng Xiaoping: “Coolly observe, calmly deal with things, hold your position, hide your capacities, bide your time, accomplish things where possible.” The book was narrated by Kathleen Chalfont and Hillary Clinton.

28 people found this helpful

An Excellent book on Modern History

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book! It is amazing how much diplomacy goes on that you never hear about. As you read this book you'll learn about world history happening right now, which helps shed light on and add context to current events. Reading this book has given me a much great appreciation for the role of Secretary of State and the critical role that diplomacy plays in our international strategy.

Regardless of your political views, this book is a great read! After reading this book though, I have to say that am very glad to have had Hillary Clinton serve as our Secretary of State and I know that our country has benefited greatly from her contributions.

21 people found this helpful

dry as sandpaper

Would surely have been better if she weren't running. The book MUST be playing it safe. I can't believe the actual foreign policy events were as dull as the recounting here. Any question the narrator might have salvaged it is moot: I've never heard a more killingly monotone performance. Still, I love Hillary - she's smart and pragmatic and will make a superb president - she will most certainly have my vote. But I wish I hadn't offered up my credit.

18 people found this helpful

As a Republican turned disillusioned libertarian

I appreciated the narrative quality of the book. It would have been difficult to complete had it simply been intended to posture for political purposes. The narrator was well-composed. The material flows well.

16 people found this helpful

A wealth of information

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes.Hillary Clinton expertly runs through an incredible amount of information regarding her actions as Secretary of State and the circumstances surrounding them. In this, the short choppy bylines of our impotent domestic media are elaborated upon and fleshed out, casting light on on both the role of US Diplomacy and the countries that received her in her travels.

What did you like best about this story?

If you want some insight into a likely Presidential contender, this is a good spot. This is not Wolf Blitzer, Bill O'Reilly, or even Dan Rather's take on who Hillary Clinton is or what she's done. It is incredible how humdrum, though not boring, some of these issues can seem in her retelling. It is truly the result of one of the most seasoned political figures in the world being completely and totally in the briar patch, bouncing and happy, where most of us would be petrified by the sheer weight of responsibility.

What about Kathleen Chalfant and Hillary Rodham Clinton ’s performance did you like?

I preferred Hillary Clinton's voice, but Kathleen Chalfant did an admirable job of retaining as much continuity as possible.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Clinton can show up in China, go on their television, and speak truth to their power-that women's rights are human rights, Tibet deserves freedom, and poverty is out of control. In response the giant of a country can only hope to keep as many people from hearing it as possible. Only words and nukes can be this powerful.

14 people found this helpful

Illuminating

Pros: Secretary Clinton is clearly fiercely intelligent and dominates the international landscape. While this IS a campaign book, the breadth and depth is impressive.

She is candid about her ideological position, even though she is more hawkish than the average democrat.

Throughout there are weak points were there is no substance, just platitudes that sound like they've gone through focus groups.

Glad I listened to this book in its entirety, but I did consider quitting a few times.

The reading and production are excellent.

12 people found this helpful

A tone deaf politician

Prior to listening to this book I had been a fan of Hillary and voted for her. I could not understand why she was so despised by people I respected. After listening to this book I understand why she is disliked and would never vote for her again, even if she ran again the despised Donald Trump. Why the change?
Her attitude is that she is president of the world,that she wears a cape and can save any situation. There is no event that can be spared her casuistry. A ridiculous incident in which she rescues a blind Chinese dissident who is manipulating both sides for personal gain, is treated as though Hillary saved the world, rather than for the black humor and ridiculous theater she has created.
Which brings up another problem, her complete lack of humor. She takes herself so seriously. And then there is her unabashed arrogance. Her position is always the only right decision. She does not recognize grays or nuances, And finally the fantasy world she lives in. That the United Sates is the bastion of Human rights and civil rights, when in fact we are a failure in both areas and treat our dissidents much more harshly than most other countries. And finally, the fact she and her husband were responsible for the incarceration of over 50% of black males between 15 and 25 while he was president. She should not be lecturing any one on human rights and civil rights. She is what we used to call a limousine liberal. Using others peoples suffering to make herself look goo. Contrast this piece of trash with the excellent biographies of Leon Panetta and Robert Gates, both written with a sense of humility and humor, and alack of arrogance.

11 people found this helpful

A MUST READ FOR ALL AMERICANS

What did you love best about Hard Choices?

What I like best about Hard Choices was insight into the issues of today. The explanation of the background behind the issues in the world press. Americans should be proud to have a statesman like Hillary Rodham Clinton.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hard Choices?

When Ms. Clinton explained the diplomacy behind the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas at the end of 2012.

Have you listened to any of Kathleen Chalfant and Hillary Rodham Clinton ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

10 people found this helpful

Magnificent

For me, this is a truly beautiful book. It is a surprising blend of being well-researched, historic, and heart-warming. I am in awe of her accomplishments, intelligence, and patriotic service to our country.

The length of the book was a concern only at first. When I began listening to the equally talented narration, I was transfixed and didn't want the book to end! I plan on buying a copy of the book to enjoy again.

As I listened, I was reminded of others who face these kinds of incredible responsibilities and whose outstanding and inspirational books I would also recommend to add to your library*.

"Madame Secretary: A Memoir" by Madeline Albright
"A Fighting Chance" by Elizabeth Warren
"Back to Work" by Bill Clinton
"My Beloved World" by Sonia Sotomayor
"Conservatives Without Conscience" by John W. Dean
"Swim Against the Current" by Jim Hightower

*They are all available from Audible and your favorite bookstore.

9 people found this helpful