A national bestseller on its original publication in 2003, Madam Secretary is a riveting account of the life of America’s first woman Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright. For eight years, during Bill Clinton’s two presidential terms, Albright was a high-level participant in some of the most dramatic events of our time—from the pursuit of peace in the Middle East to NATO’s intervention in the … intervention in the Balkans to America’s troubled relations with Iran and Iraq. In this thoughtful memoir, one of the most admired women in U.S. history reflects on her remarkable personal story, including her upbringing in war-torn Europe and the balancing of career and family responsibilities, and on America’s leading role in a changing world.
With a new epilogue by the author, Madam Secretary offers an inimitable blend of Albright’s warm humor, probing insights, and distinctive ideas.
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An astonishing, engaging story, told in first person from her birth in Czechoslovakia through resigning her post as Secretary of State under Clinton. I was lucky enough to see Albright when she came to Phoenix as part of the Speakers’ Series, and I found her insightful, knowledgeable, and adept with the one-liner. (“I was required to wear a bulletproof raincoat … so big, the material stuck out above my shoulders. I eyed the photographers warily, fearing the caption, ‘Madeleine Albright, the Hunchbacked Dame.'”) This book was written in collaboration with Bill Woodward (speechwriter), but I heard her voice loud and clear in these pages. I also learned a lot about the policies and our relationships with countries all over the globe and was in awe of her ability to understand the delicate political nuances, how aspects such as the need to “save face” with people back home or backstories going back fifty years shape negotiations. She’s also acutely attuned to language. At times there would be a phrase spoken or reported in the newspapers, and I’d think nothing of it, whereas she or one of her advisors would say, “Aha! That changes things.” I’d have to read the next paragraph or two to understand why. I appreciate her efforts at building coalitions, including among women at the U.N. and elsewhere. I have to confess I got a bit bogged down by the long section about the middle east, but the situation is so complicated, that was probably inevitable. I love that she includes cartoons that poke fun at herself and photographs that suggest her ability to connect with a wide variety of people. Her husband, who left her for a younger woman doesn’t come off so well; and she expresses her disappointment with Clinton over the Lewinsky affair (“I was angry with the President for risking so much for less than nothing”). But she took the advice of Gabriel Garcia Marquez: “When you write your memoirs, remember: do not be angry.” It’s a long book, but definitely worth the 500 pages. This was a bookclub pick, and though it is my first book by Albright, I will read more. This book was published in 2003, and I will be interested to see how/if two additional decades alter her views or focus.
Madeleine Albright is an excellent teacher! So informed about the world and how it works and explains it so well. I learned a lot and enjoyed the experience as well. I am reading other books that she has written – an inspiration for women of all ages and places.
Madeline Albright is an incredibly interesting person and she tells about herself and the challenges she has faced with engaging storytelling. Highly recommend.
An autobiography that should be read by every person looking for a strong female role model.
Fascinating view of the complex world of diplomacy
The book reads like a script for the TV show Madam Secretary. An interesting look at the strength of one of our country’s better known government officials.
An amazing woman brought to life in such a real way. What a role model for all woman–no matter what their politics are.
I thought the book would offer insights into the political era at the time of Madeline Albright’s years in office. But after about 150 pages of a 700+ page book, all I’ve been told is how smart she is and how she had to overcome many disappointments [haven’t we all?]. I guess the word “autobiography” should have been a hint I very seldom stop reading a book in the middle, but this one’s going to the archives.
For those who are interested in the lives of the “movers” and “shakers” of our world stage.
If you have any interest in learning about how up close and personal the job of Secretary of State of the United States is, this is the correect book to go to. It is not only about Secretary Albright’s time in her role as the US’ chief diplomat but also her life before then. It gives a first hand account of many of the most important foreign policy choices made in the past 30 years.