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)

Great Book

Though I think she'd be great, this book confirms my belief that Condoleezza is too smart to run for president.

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.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED LISTEN A MISS RICE EXPERIENCE

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

A Disarming Memoir

I have been a fan of Dr. Condoleezza Rice for some time and have read the Antonia Felix and Mary Dodson Wade books. No Higher Honor is the story of her work as chief advisor to the President and Secretary of State. The book is filled with tidbits and stories that readers will find entertaining and informative. I read Extraordinary, Ordinary People Rice’s story of her formative years immediately before tackling this volume. This was a good idea because it helped me to better understand how she made decisions in the course of her official duties. Now that said, readers must approach this book as a memoir. As such, this is Dr. Rice’s opportunity to tell her story from her point of view. True evaluation of her work will only come much later after many of the players are dead for that matter. Further, Dr. Rice is an academic with wide government experience and not a literary figure, per se. The prose reads similarly. It is clear, concise, and to the point. It is not great literature and that is not its intent. This volume is long as well and chronologically organized. Therefore, it reads like a day-by-day account of what she faced and how she dealt with the circumstances presented. Nonetheless, there is much here to stimulate the thinking of those in her corner and those who are not sympathetic. Those approaching this books for what it is will be well rewarded for the time spent. The reading of Dr. Rice is a plus!

Illuminating and Insightful!

George W. Bush, Don Rumsfeld, and Dick Cheney have already published very good books about their service in the Bush Administration. Yet this book is in my opinion the best of the group. Why is that? I think there are three reasons. First, Condi???s book focuses almost exclusively on her service during the. Bush 43 Presidency. That allows her to provide more detail than did the others, who include considerable material about their prior government service. Second, Condi is a former college professor in the field of foreign relations and a very good one. She appears to have wanted to include clear teaching points for her readers. In any case, her account provides richer background and context to particular episodes and issues. The book (or excerpts from it) should become an invaluable resource for college and post-graduate courses on international relations and political science. Third, Condi shares more openly her own joys, mistakes, concerns, and fears as she went about her work. This is perhaps because she was newer to high-level government service, making it a fresher experience for her. It may also reflect the fact she is not a professional politician and is perhaps less concerned about image and her popular persona.

There are a number of vignettes in the book that reflect Condi???s unique background as a native of Birmingham, Alabama and the first black woman to serve as Secretary of State. For example, who else would have described to the President the deteriorating scene in Iraq in 2006 as the ???Iraqis having a Bull Connor problem??????i.e., comparing the reports of Iraqi police forces joining with outlaw Shiite militias to the disgraceful record in 1963 of the Birmingham Police Commissioner directing brutal police actions against peaceful demonstrators seeking an end to racial segregation?

All in all, an excellent book that will provide many insights and useful information for anyone interested in the major international and security issues of our day.

Facinating stories from inside Bush's White House

The stories are ones that I did not hear before and some shocked me, like the poison scare. Other stories you get to see from another point of view. While I don't always agree about decisions that were made, this book helps to understand a little of the dynamics of 'how' they were made, especially in times of stress.

The best auto-biographies are also read by the author. You can hear her tone of voice when she recollects these moments and that is an additional insight into her thoughts.

Excellent and detailed

Where does No Higher Honor rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is one of my favorite books so far.

What was one of the most memorable moments of No Higher Honor?

More of a memorable tug of war between Don Rumsfeld/Dick Cheney and Condoleezza Rice.Though "thousand of tactical mistakes..." was pretty humorous.

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

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

Read Secretary Rice's book, General McChrystal's book, and Chris Kyle's book to get a perspective on the Iraq War from very different viewpoints.

excellent book.

iI found her story very interedting. i have really enjoyef it.. i highly recommend this book

an interesting read

Similar to Barack Obama's political journey. Interesting and very detailed. A different take from what we hear in the news.

Fascinating Account

I really enjoyed this accounting of Secretary Rices experience during the Bush years. It was great history, however at times a bit repetitive. I loved how she narrated herself. She comes across as balanced and fair, but definitely defends her and Bushe's decisions.