In this “candid and blackly funny” (The New York Times) memoir, Hillary Rodham Clinton reveals what she was thinking and feeling during one of the most controversial and unpredictable presidential elections in history. She takes us 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.
“At her most emotionally raw” (People), Hillary 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. 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. In this “feminist manifesto” (The New York Times), she speaks to 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.
Offering a “bracing… guide to our political arena” (The Washington Post), What Happened 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.
My Thoughts: What Happened offered a glimpse into the campaign and her life leading up to it; a look at HRC’s reaction afterwards; and some solutions about how to move forward despite the negative ramifications for the election.
HRC showed us that forces at work have played on people’s fears and anger, and how a candidate who provokes the darkest thoughts and feelings can appeal to those who are searching for ways to release those emotions.
Clinton also discussed in depth how the timing of the email controversy, which had turned out not to compromise security in any way, had gained so much importance in the media and critically affected how people viewed her actions. Comey’s announcement of continuing the investigation after he had initially closed it made the whole thing worse. And then, when he backtracked, that fact had little effect. By the same token, Comey’s failure to bring out the Russian interference in a timely matter allowed the election to proceed without giving the voters information that might have made a difference.
I came away from the book with an enhanced frustration about how we access information, and how we decide what and whom to believe when there are so many conflicting voices out there. Especially when there appears to be a concerted effort by some to make it harder for citizens to distinguish between truth and lies.
An excellent book that took me a few weeks to read, since I perused just a few chapters at a time. 5 stars.
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This sounds like a fascinating book. Great review!
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Thanks, Yvonne, it was definitely a book to ponder…and think about. Enjoy your reading.
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Sounds like a great read. But one that would frustrate me so much too! Sigh.
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Thanks, Laurie, if only events had unfolded differently…sigh.
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Bracing is the best description I’ve heard.
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Thanks, Mystica, I agree that “bracing” is a good description.
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You’ve made me want to read this one – might see if its at the library, could be on CD actually, I think I might have passed it. Will look. There’s no doubt she is a resilient woman.
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Thanks, Kathryn, and considering what our current administration looks like, reading her words were inspiring…and a light in the darkness.
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I hear there is a little rumble of Joe Biden standing in the next election.
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Nice review! I’ve been interested in this for a while—the excerpts seem sharp. I’ll have to pair it with Michelle Obama’s memoir soon.
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Thanks, Michael, I am eager to start on Michelle Obama’s book soon. Enjoy!
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Great review! I really need to pick up my copy of this one.
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Thanks, Deanna, I hope you enjoy it.
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Sadly the way that politics is going all over the world, more and more people are asking who – if anyone- they can now believe
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Thanks for stopping by, Karen; so true!
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I’m still so frustrated by the election. The whole Comey thing was just infuriating / how he could do that so close to the election was totally wrong. I’m filled with fury about all the illegal things Trump did leading up to the election such as paying hush money to women and all the indictments of people around him. Once Mueller gives his report there will be a lot more. I feel the time is now to Impeach! I think reading the HRC book would be too much for me to handle. I just can’t live thru it again — how half the country blew it voting for this egomaniac immoral unethical compulsive liar is beyond me. Comey too grates on my nerves. I don’t see how HRC can be calm or go on in the face of it all….
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Thanks for stopping by, Susan, and you have validated all of my feelings about the election and the bad actions of Trump and his associates. In comparison, Watergate seemed like a smaller thing, probably because, in the end, Nixon had the sense to resign. I don’t see Trump ever doing that. In fact, I am visualizing him being carried out while kicking and screaming.
Instead of accepting his wrongs, he keeps Tweeting the same things: “witch hunt, no collusion,” as if repeating it enough will make it true.
Unfortunately, those who supported him (or at least many of them) still seem to believe in him! Sigh.
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Great review. I really want to read this one! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Thanks, Leslie, it took me a while to get through it, as it was hard to digest everything all at once. Small pieces, like a chapter or two a night. I think it was definitely worth the read.
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That’s a great tip. I think with a book like that… small doses does help you get through it.
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