Condi

By: Antonia Felix

Narrated by: Antonia Felix

Length: 4 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

We've heard the name "Condoleezza Rice" over and over again as the spokesperson for President George W. Bush in matters of national security and foreign affairs. She presented a balanced, firm, unafraid presence to the country after the terrible events of September 11, 2001, as she spoke to the media and the public on behalf of the President. And, when the President has something to say about our friends and foes overseas, "Condi," as she is known to her friends, is usually standing in the background.

Who is this woman who moves so easily through an international arena seen usually as a venue for men only? What prepared her for the intense pressure of the White House? Where did she learn the skills that have qualified her to have the ear of the President of the United States? How did she get where she is today? All these questions and more about this remarkable woman are answered in this audiobook.

©2002 Antonia Felix (P)2002 Oasis Audio LLC, under arrangement with New Market Press, publisher of the original unabridged book version

Critic Reviews

"[Antonia] Felix presents a well-written, highly readable portrait...those wanting to find out more about the most prominent woman in foreign policy today won't be disappointed with this thorough and engaging profile." (Publishers Weekly)

Readable biography

The biography covers the life of Condoleezza Rice from birth to her role as the first woman National Security Advisor. The story is well written and well researched and mostly covers the basic facts of her life.

Condi’s father, John Rice was a Presbyterian minister and academic, her mother was a pianist and teacher. She was born in segregated Birmingham Alabama in 1954. Felix explores Condi’s passions from football to music, weight training to Russia. The author covers Condi’s role as the first black woman and youngest person to become Provost of Stanford University. I found the fact that when Rice was a student of international affairs and Russian language at the University of Denver her mentor was professor Josef Korbell, the father of the first woman Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright most interesting.

The author in her research of the book included interviews with family, friends and colleagues of Rice but the major downside of the book in my opinion was that Felix did not interview Rice. What the book did was provided me with the desire to learn more about Condoleezza Rice. The author narrated her own book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Publicity stunt

When one reads "unauthorized biography" one expects at least minimal personal information. This is nothing but a prolonged press release. It is a long, long list of incredible accomplishments and successes and famous liaisons (not sexual ones - believe me she is completely virtuous). I'm hoping her own biography has at least a modicum of personal interest. The reader was fine. The content was interesting for about 5 minutes. Absolute perfection is absolutely boring.

A truely historic person

A very interesting biography of a true historic person. This book gives a lot of insight into the motivation and moral compass of Miss Rice, and how she brought herself out of the segregated south to a position of international prominence. I highly recomend this book.

An Inspiration for Everyone

Forget that Condi is a women - forget that she is black - this young woman's life should be an inspiration to everyone - it is the true fulfillment of all that is the "American Dream." The author tells the story of this remarkable world leader, and the family that made it possible in such an entertaining fashion that I didn't want it to stop. The story goes beyond the chronology of a life and dwells into the whys of the events that led from her humble but well loved beginnings in the segregated south to a respected leader in world politics, academics, and multinational corporate boardrooms with honorable mentions in football, ice skating, and classical music.

Side by side with the story of a true renaissance women is the story of her parents and grand parents that should be a required instruction manual for everyone who contemplates bringing new life into the world.

The only criticism I have is the sometimes mangled pronunciation by the author of a few world personalities and geographic locations.

3 of 6 people found this review helpful

Great Audio Book

I loved listening to the life and times of Condi. She is a remarkable woman and very intelligent. She is a strong proponent for education and her example to go beyond the normal should be an inspiration to all of us. Also, her upbringing from insightful parents and family proved to be a great source of strength in Condi's life. I recommend this audio book to all ages.

4 of 9 people found this review helpful

Needs More Balance

This is a great account of a truly remarkable woman. However this book lacks balance and sounds more like a biography produced by a publicist. It is all positive, with no negative comments, or even balanced critical appraisal of the world's most powerful woman. A more rounded view would only enhance what is a life of great achievement in overcoming obstacles along the way. Perhaps this abridged version left out the view from the other side.

1 of 3 people found this review helpful

Uplifting

A very good although sometimes, too nice, account of Ms Rice. Unfortunately this account does not touch on the ruthless, single minded win at all costs
Mentality that she has coursing through her veins.