Hard Choices

By: Hillary Rodham Clinton

Narrated by: Kathleen Chalfant, Hillary Rodham Clinton

Length: 26 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Hillary Rodham Clinton's inside account of the crises, choices, and challenges she faced during her four years as America's 67th Secretary of State, and how those experiences drive her view of the future.

In the aftermath of her 2008 presidential run, she expected to return to representing New York in the United States Senate. To her surprise, her former rival for the Democratic Party nomination, newly elected President Barack Obama, asked her to serve in his administration as Secretary of State. This memoir is the story of the four extraordinary and historic years that followed, and the hard choices that she and her colleagues confronted.

Secretary Clinton and President Obama had to decide how to repair fractured alliances, wind down two wars, and address a global financial crisis. They faced a rising competitor in China, growing threats from Iran and North Korea, and revolutions across the Middle East. Along the way, they grappled with some of the toughest dilemmas of US foreign policy, especially the decision to send Americans into harm's way, from Afghanistan to Libya to the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

Drawing on conversations with numerous leaders and experts, Secretary Clinton offers her views on what it will take for the United States to compete and thrive in an interdependent world. She makes a passionate case for human rights and the full participation in society of women, youth, and LGBT people. An astute eyewitness to decades of social change, she distinguishes the trendlines from the headlines and describes the progress occurring throughout the world, day after day.

Secretary Clinton's descriptions of diplomatic conversations at the highest levels offer listeners a master class in international relations, as does her analysis of how we can best use "smart power" to deliver security and prosperity in a rapidly changing world - one in which America remains the indispensable nation.

©2014 Hillary Rodham Clinton. All rights reserved. (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Love the book, can't stand the narrator...

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book to a friend who is not of the faint of heart. It's extremely long and complicated, with excellent nuggets of insight throughout.

Would you be willing to try another one of Kathleen Chalfant and Hillary Rodham Clinton ’s performances?

I would not be willing to try another book read by Kathleen Chalfant. The first chapter, which was read by Mrs. Clinton herself, was excellent. Ms. Chalfant's voice is thin and grating. I'm only a few chapters into the book and am having trouble forcing myself to listen because it's annoying to listen to it.

Astonishing.

His book far surpassed my expectations. I was concerned that it might be a bit dry, a bit tedious. I don't read political books as a general rule but if this book is any indication of why they're like- that's all about to change. I really cannot recommend it enough. Enjoy!!

Great book but poorly read

I can't get past the voice of the lady reading this. I forget her name, though. Hillary reads it well.

Good combination of education and campaign

I learned a lot of the world from a perspective of a Secretary of State. Although some of the chapters are tainted with intention to campaign, it is still a great good with clarity and information

Engaging, and thrilling

Learned a lot about modern world. Had my belief in humanity restored. Riveting, epic, incredible.

not what I expected

it wasn't exactly inspiring. it seemed that the content itself is being quite diplomatic with the reader. maybe there is no other option. but it made me question if I'm being told what need to conclude.

Interesting, enlightening, and engaging

What a fantastic insider scoop on what it’s like to be Secretary of State, how our diplomatic processes work (and how much hard work it is) and how one incredible woman did better than just about anyone else. Totally worth it! My only gripe is that Hillary didn’t narrate the whole thing. However, Kathleen Chalfant does a great job.

Eye Opening & Insightful. Such a good read.

This book was so helpful for understanding the intense complexities that go on behind the scenes. We often get misrepresentations or an inaccurate headlines, I was glad this book went into extensive detail. Its great to hear an expert explain why making progress in complicated religious, social, cultural and traditional minded governments is such a delicate process.

These situations covered in the book are extremely complicated and they take a good deal of time to understand and to lay the foundation for why a decision was made. Hard choices are not easy and it makes sense how things unfolded given the real circumstances.

The sheer amount of work, complex diplomacy and intense negotiations Hilary did is a testament to her skill. Just the fact she traveled constantly for years, helped show true American values to help not only America's standing around the globe but help improve the lives of others around the world.

It is a shame progress takes so long and cannot be sped up. Its a delicate balance to not force people to do the right thing; the population will resent it. I only wish she was able to have the opportunity to lead. Hilary knows how the world works, who our allies are, how to get nations to work together and I know she would make the world a better place. This was a great book that shows how America can have a positive impact in a complex modern world.

Interesting and Heartfelt

It was full of detail from a personal point of view of HRC. The narrator was excellent and even sounded similar to Mrs. Clinton.

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