For the first time, Hillary Rodham Clinton reveals what she was thinking and feeling during one of the most controversial and unpredictable presidential elections in history. Now free from the constraints of running, Hillary takes you inside the intense personal experience of becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major party in an election marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating … highs and infuriating lows, stranger-than-fiction twists, Russian interference, and an opponent who broke all the rules. This is her most personal memoir yet.
In these pages, she describes what it was like to run against Donald Trump, the mistakes she made, how she has coped with a shocking and devastating loss, and how she found the strength to pick herself back up afterward. With humor and candor, she tells readers what it took to get back on her feet–the rituals, relationships, and reading that got her through, and what the experience has taught her about life. She speaks about the challenges of being a strong woman in the public eye, the criticism over her voice, age, and appearance, and the double standard confronting women in politics.
She lays out how the 2016 election was marked by an unprecedented assault on our democracy by a foreign adversary. By analyzing the evidence and connecting the dots, Hillary shows just how dangerous the forces are that shaped the outcome, and why Americans need to understand them to protect our values and our democracy in the future.
The election of 2016 was unprecedented and historic. What Happened is the story of that campaign and its aftermath–both a deeply intimate account and a cautionary tale for the nation.
“What Happened is not one book, but many. It is a candid and blackly funny account of her mood in the direct aftermath of losing to Donald J. Trump. It is a post-mortem, in which she is both coroner and corpse. It is a feminist manifesto. It is a score-settling jubilee…. It is worth reading.”
—The New York Times
“What Happened is a raw and bracing book, a guide to our political arena.”
—The Washington Post
“The writing in What Happened is engaging — Clinton is charming and even funny at times, without trying to paint herself in too flattering of a light…. Ultimately, the book might be a historical artifact most of all — the chronicling of what, exactly, it was like to run for president as the first woman major-party candidate (and, yes, a Clinton as well). Plenty may disagree with Clinton’s opinions on what went wrong for her, but her story will still be an important part of that history when America looks back on the melee that was the 2016 election.”
—NPR
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This book was difficult for me to get through, as there were parts that just made me furious or so depressed, that I had to set it aside and focus on something else for a spell. I am clearly not over what happened in 2016, and I have no idea how she was able to stay focused enough to write this book. The politics aside, as those have to be taken with a grain of salt because they are obviously biased, What struck me the most about this book was Clinton’s humanity. I listened to the audio book of this one, which I highly recommend as it is read by Clinton herself, and I feel like that added a lot to the experience. The number of times that she accepts fault for mistakes and expresses regret that she let her constituents down is staggering. That combined with the obvious care and love that she shows her staff, friends, and family is heartwarming. There were a number of times that I was listening to this book while dealing with a dilemma in my own life, and I found myself wishing that I could call her up and ask for her advice. That is the genuine warmth and compassion that I felt coming through the personal aspects of this book. I wish the public could have seen more of that side of her.
Whining rationalization of a poor candidate with absolutely no charisma.
If you want to know what happened to the Clinton campaign..at least how Hillary saw it, read this book.
Hillary Clinton has been in and around politics most of her life…she has worked for the people from the time she was a young woman..so how could she lose against a man like Trump? Who was at fault? was it the media that could only say that Hillary was not likable..when I liked her and millions of others did also..was it Comey? Was it Hillary herself?….was it Russia? This is an honest book by the woman who was in the center of the storm.
I loved the writing style..it was sad, thoughtful, witty and a window into what happened.
The audio book added a beneficial quality. It really meant more to hear her speak her own words. I was hesitant to get this book, but a friend said I should get it – in the audio form. I loved it. It is a story of resilience and a life well lived.
Was anxious to read this book! It was a great read about Hillary’s running for President!
I waited until there was a new president to read (listen to) this piece of history. The fact that an inexperienced reality television host was elected over a highly intelligent and completely experienced woman was devastating to someone who grew up as women were getting more rights. I needed to be able to deal with what my fellow Americans thought was a good choice.
I won’t go into what I think are his faults, Secretary Clinton covered those pretty well and I would just repeat what everyone already knows.
I hope everyone will read this book with an open mind, especially those members of the lock her up crew. She is an amazing public servant, we should all work that hard for our country.
This book was heartbreaking. Hillary Rodham Clinton rehashes so many of the difficult choices she’s had to make and unfair ways she’s been treated (my words not hers) over the years – from her husband losing his race to become governor in 1980 because she didn’t take his last name to being criticized for being “to prepared” for a debate (never mind the whole email debacle…). The entire book is her acknowledging and taking responsibility for her mistakes and shortcomings, as if her losing the election had all that much to do with her, and wasn’t a reflection of the simmering hateful, sexist, white supremacy permeating the country. Her writing is careful, but confident. The kind of careful that comes from being told over and over again that people “just don’t like you” but being unable to articulate why. And the kind of confident that comes from getting out there and being true to yourself again and again anyways. This woman should have been president and this book provides a glimpse into how she may have done that – with a lot of thoughtful consideration for Americans, realistic policy planning, strength where and when necessary and love.
This book was an overly long explanation of Hillary Clinton’s historic loss to Donald Trump in 2016, written from her own perspective. There will likely be more objective accounts written by political historians who are afforded insights from the greater sweep of time encompassing Trump’s full impact after leaving office. Perhaps Hillary herself will write one.
…..Deep breath. Feel the air fill my lungs. This is the right thing to do. The country needs to see that our democracy still works, no matter how painful this is. Breathe out. Scream later…..’
Throughout history, it is the women that are brave enough to stand out, lead the way, dare to dream of being the first in our society that receive the most criticism frequently routed in misogyny. Our history is littered with examples, Mary Magdalene, Joan of Arc, Emily Pankhurst, Margaret Thatcher, Hilary Clinton – all are women that made a difference and secured a path for future generations.
Hilary Clinton has had her public and personal live scrutinised and criticised for decades. Her every move and decision inside and outside of Public Office has been a national or international topic.
I read What Happened as I was curious to see how someone like Clinton is able to dust herself down and get back up continually. It was clear from reading the book that What Happened was an exercise in catharsis for Clinton; an honest and brave account and an example that we are all vulnerable.
In her own words, ‘wounds heal, emotions cool and history marches on’. She has paved the way, and I thank her for leading the march.
Stupid! What a waste of money!
A frank and honest appraisal of people and events that led up to her defeat by Donald Trump. She didn’t gloss over important details, admitted that she could have done certain things better, pointed out people who could have been more helpful but did not play a blame-game. A really good read!
This book was awful. Very simple language and Ms. Clinton didn’t really understand and appreciate her mistakes in 2016.
Waste of time.
Sorry I paid anything for this book of complaining and excuses!!
Hard to read after she lost the election.
Pathetically awful read.
Total Crap
Excellent book. Honest recap of how things went wrong in Hillary’s campaign.
I thought that Hilary Clinton’s own analysis of the 2016 election was very thoughtful and balanced. I also feel more educated about the politics happening right now!
Excellent detail of what could-have-been. And should have happened.
Get to know Hillary Rodham Clinton. In What Happened, Clinton becomes real and likable. She was the best prepared candidate to date to become President of the United States, yet she lost the Electoral College. If those who didn’t vote for her read her book, I believe your opinion of her would be favorable. She may have come across as cold and unapproachable before, but this book shows her human side.