Reading about our leaders isn't just about learning about the ones you are a supporter of. Depending on the author of course, you can end up getting insight you may not have had before, learn something you didn't know, and maybe even gain an appreciation for the person even if you aren't won over. It isn't about being won over it is about having a clearer picture about a moment in time and an influential person from that time. As a matter of fact one of the books I am going to be reading this year in the new book by Jon Meecham about George H.W. Bush or as Rachel Maddow calls him, Poppy Bush. It's a good example of how I choose what to read about people I am not necessarily a fan of, I pick an author I trust to be honest and objective. If you are going to have an opinion it is a good idea to arm yourself with as many facts as possible to support your ideas.
So as for Hard Choices. I have had this book for some time, started it awhile ago and then got distracted and pulled away but not because I wasn't enjoying the book, it was just kind of heavy and it made it hard to take anywhere with me. So read this but get it in paperback or e-book.
It doesn't matter if you like Hillary Clinton or not. It is an interesting glimpse into life as Secretary of State, an insider view of what was happening at the time, and really well written (her writing style is very readable). And like her as a politician or not, there can be know denying she is an advocate for women's rights and LGBTQ rights around the world and her passion for these issues is evident every time they come up.
If you don't like her at all you probably won't get the warm fuzzies from this read, but you will get a really interesting and informative inside view on what she was doing around the world. If you do like her then you will find yourself seeing more reasons to support those feelings. This is not a tell all about her personal life, this is a book about her role during her 4 years serving as Secretary of State so if you are looking for her to spill her guts about her marriage or other intimate issues you won't find them here. The only exceptions are her mother's passing which brought tears to my eyes because you could, like her or not, feel her pain at the loss, and the excitement she shares about finding out she is going to be a grandmother. In those moments there is a bit of letting her guard down and a glimpse at the woman underneath the pants suit.
And after all, all politicians are at the end of the day, only human. I think we forget that sometimes.
(finished January 16, 2016)
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