Hell and Other Destinations

A 21st-Century Memoir

By: Madeleine Albright

Narrated by: Madeleine Albright

Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

Six-time New York Times best-selling author and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright - one of the world’s most admired and tireless public servants - reflects on the final stages of one’s career, and working productively into your later decades in this revealing, funny, and inspiring memoir.

In 2001, when Madeleine Albright was leaving office as America’s first female secretary of state, interviewers asked her how she wished to be remembered. “I don’t want to be remembered”, she answered. “I am still here and have much more I intend to do. As difficult as it might seem, I want every stage of my life to be more exciting than the last.” 

In that time of transition, the former Secretary considered the possibilities: she could write, teach, travel, give speeches, start a business, fight for democracy, help to empower women, campaign for favored political candidates, spend more time with her grandchildren. Instead of choosing one or two, she decided to do it all. For nearly 20 years, Albright has been in constant motion, navigating half a dozen professions, clashing with presidents and prime ministers, learning every day. Since leaving the State Department, she has blazed her own trail - and given voice to millions who yearn for respect, regardless of gender, background, or age. 

Hell and Other Destinations reveals this remarkable figure at her bluntest, funniest, most intimate, and most serious. It is the tale of our times anchored in lessons for all time, narrated by an extraordinary woman with a matchless zest for life. 

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2020 Madeleine Albright (P)2020 HarperAudio

Madeleine Albright is a giant

She is an American patriot, a world caliber stateswoman, politician, diplomat and an admirably strong woman. Madeline Albright will remain in American pantheon of giants.

Excellent

I have read a number of Madeleine Albright’s books in 2012 I read “Prague Winter: Personal Story of Remembrance and War 1937-1948”, and in 2018 I read “Fascism: A Warning”. I realize I somehow missed reading her 2003 memoir “Madam Secretary” about her time as Secretary of State (1997-2001) and before that the United States Ambassador to the United Nations (1995-1997). I will quickly remedy that oversight. The book I just read “Hell and Other Destinations: A 21st Century Memoir” covers her life after being Secretary of State to the present time.

The book is well written and researched. I am amazed at Albright’s energy. She has managed to do so many different things in her later life from writing books, lecturing and book tours, Professor at Georgetown University, chair of the Albright-Stonebridge Group, serving on many boards in the United States and for the United Nations. She states she enjoys most the postgame diplomatic analysis. The book contains humor, and I found that Albright was as hard on her own performance as she was on critiquing others. In 2012 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

The book is thirteen hours and twenty-four minutes. Madeleine Albright does a good job narrating her own book. Listening to her tell about her life was like I was having tea and a chat with her.

Outstanding!!!

I found this book, read by the author, to be a refreshing blend of biography, history with a sprinkling of humor. While Ms. Albright freely expresses her insight, she does so with reason, grace and civility. She is forthright in admitting her own mistakes and is just as forthright in pointing out the errors of others including the outcome.

Lacking in personal depth

I feel the book lacked her real insight into her personal experiences. She analyzed other”s job performances but left out her own difficult experiences and insight which is what I expected. If you want to know her assessment of other people’s performance on the job then you’ll get that from this book but I wanted to know more about her and her life experiences which I did not get.

no time for retirement!

inspiring. clearly and well read by the author. a remarkable woman. thought provoking ideas well analyzed.

Informative and Enjoyable

This book is a memoir of Albright's work after her time as Secretary of State. It is informative, funny, and a helpful reflection on the situation in which we now find ourselves. Albright reads the book herself, which makes the whole experience even more enjoyable.

Revealing and funny

I enjoyed her writing style and found it to be an excellent and inspiring memoir worth reading!

Must read...

She has been an inspiration throughout her life. This book sums up her pragmatic yet optimistic outlook. She challenges us all to be better. A true icon.

Makes you want to make a difference

Loved it. Glad I got a chance to meet her in this book. simply amazing

Fantastic book. A must read/listen!

Thoroughly enjoyable. Madam Secretary is a phenomenal woman. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for international diplomacy. What’s next?

Insightful

What an incredible human being Madame Secretary is. There is so much incredible insight into so many aspects of her amazing life. We (apparently) share a love of golden retrievers, her assessment of the accuracy of the Bible was quite brilliant and one of many examples of her incredibly quick wit. A first class read, when are you writing the next one Madame secretary?