No Higher Honor

A Memoir of My Years in Washington

By: Condoleezza Rice

Narrated by: Condoleezza Rice

Length: 28 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the former national security advisor and secretary of state comes a “sharp and penetrating . . . reminder that foreign-policy choices facing the United States are complex and difficult, with no easy solutions” (The Washington Post).

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, who overcame the racism of the civil rights era to become a brilliant academic and expert on foreign affairs, Condoleezza Rice first distinguished herself as an advisor to George W. Bush during the 2000 presidential campaign, and eventually became one of his closest confidantes. Once he was elected, she served first as his chief advisor on national security issues and later as America’s chief diplomat. From the aftermath of September 11, 2001, when she stood at the center of the administration’s efforts to protect the nation, to her efforts as secretary of state to manage the world’s volatile relationships with North Korea, Iran, and Libya, her service to America led her to confront some of the worst crises the country has ever faced.

This is her unflinchingly honest story of that remarkable time, from what really went on behind closed doors when the fates of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Lebanon often hung in the balance and how frighteningly close all-out war loomed in clashes involving Pakistan-India and Russia-Georgia, to her candid appraisal of her colleagues and contemporaries. In No Higher Honor, Condoleezza Rice delivers a master class in statecraft—but always in a way that reveals her essential warmth and humility and her deep reverence for the ideals on which America was founded.

©2011 Condoleezza Rice (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“In her memoir, NO HIGHER HONOR, Rice looks back, offering unexpected candor about her tenure as national security adviser in Bush’s first term and as secretary of state…the [book’s] moments of self-doubt and regrets are a revelation…Rice offers sharp and penetrating portraits of foreign leaders…Her memoir is a reminder that foreign-policy choices facing the United States are complex and difficult, with no easy solutions…Rice has acquitted herself well in telling her side of the story; now she awaits the judgment of history.” (The Washington Post)

“Rice provides a vivid account of the tumultuous years after Sept. 11, 2001…the latest in a string of memoirs emerging from Bush administration figures trying to define the history of their tenure [this book is] the most expansive record of those eight years by any of the leading participants.” (The New York Times)

“The fascination of Rice’s memoir, and it is fascinating, is less in the broad vision put forth for a more democratic world than in the gritty description of the way decisions were made in the White House and in the State Department as the Bush Administration sought to adapt to a universe radically changed by Al Qaeda’s attacks on the United States in 2001. Rice’s account of the immediate aftermath, as seen from inside the halls of the White House, is both vivid and disturbing.” (Newsweek)

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED LISTEN A MISS RICE EXPERIENCE

SIDE BY SIDE WITH MISS RICE,
A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT !
I CAN'T RECOMMEND IT MORE !

Peaceful tone and frank rational

I’m not familiar enough with her time in office to have criticisms of her leadership, as a woman I admire her negotiation skills, frankly reasoning and relating. Excellent example of humility and dignity in the face of triumphs and setbacks.

Great for foreign policy lovers

What did you love best about No Higher Honor?

This is definitely a different focus from her first book, which was more about her personal experiences growing up. I came in not knowing much about America's foreign policy and managed to learn a lot about it from this book. You still get to glimpse a few snippets of her personal life/habit, though not as much as in the first book (not that it had a lot of it either).

Have you listened to any of Condoleezza Rice’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

About the same, but in this one she is even more controlled of her intonations than in the last one (in which she seemed to get quite emotional when calling an ex-date

Worth the credit no reservations

She lets you into her world like you are standing right beside her as she witnesses and takes part in critical decisions. She takes you from the extreme highs to the gutter scraping lows. She makes you want to shout for joy and then take shelter from friendly fire. Amazing.

Brilliant!

If you could sum up No Higher Honor in three words, what would they be?

Awesome woman leader.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Condoleezza Rice, because she is so knowledgeable and wise.

Which character – as performed by Condoleezza Rice – was your favorite?

Secretary of State - the demands on her schedule were unbelievable!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, there is too much history to take in and so many names to try to get a grip on.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book- truly a learning experience.

Lesson

Great lesson about workings of government and the nuances and difficulty and responsibilities of being the world’s leader.

A justification?

It seemed more like a justification of the Bush administration than a memoir. It had lots of facts but not enough of her personally.

What a Life!

Fascinating details and insights well presented by a remarkable lady. Condoleezza Rice has had such an interesting and record setting career, this is a must read.

Ms. Rice’s story demonstrates how much race relations have changed since our childhood, and what someone can accomplish if they apply themselves.

Her insight into the Bush administration which you likely won’t hear from the media is heartening.

Definitely worth your time to read/listen. Now to see what else she has written

This reading is an eye opening experience.

I was always impress with Condoleezza Rice by the fact that she is the first African American woman to be named Secretary of State. However, in this reading I have become to admire her for her passion and direct approach to human rights and the ideals of peace throughout the world. It was a real eye opening reading for me and I can most definitively see her impact around the world. There should be more people like her. She makes her family proud, her gender proud and America proud. Thanks for sharing this great detail account of your time in office during the George Bush administration and God bless you.

Interesting and informative

The stories were great. The behind the scenes dialogue was helpful in understanding the world situation.