I really enjoy the book. It makes me like Hilary more. I don't normally read political or even contemporary books, but I'm wondering if I should change that because this book explains recent events in just the right amount of detail without assuming I'm stupid or that I knew exactly what was going on. She never talks ill of anyone except the Bush administration. I'm concerned that she talks about "American interests" as a reason for various decisions about various events but I'm still not sure exactly what those interests are. She also ends each story with the good news about all she and her team were able to accomplish which I thought was brilliant and I shall take that tactic up in my personal journaling. I learned about the difficult predicament diplomacy has when working with a country (and most are this way) that has some similar interests but many opposing interests - like China and Russia. Do you halt progress in one area (like trade or cooperation on a military operation) because you disagree on important things (like aggression to other nations or human rights). I think this can be a micro problem too, with interpersonal relationships - do I give someone up and stop working together because we have some areas, even important areas, where we disagree? I also learned how diplomacy and even some domestic affairs are arranged: it seems to be a much more personal process with a few very powerful people - lots of "we met at a mutual friend's home" or "in his private study." I didn't know very much about anything political at all so this was a very interesting read for me. It made current affairs approachable. I'm back and forth about how many stars to award Hard Choices, so I am going with 3.5, and generously rounding up to 4.0. Hard Choices is written in segments about Hillary Clinton's time as Secretary of State. (It is not chronological, which confused me at first, but I eventually came to understand and like) It is broken up in six sections about large issues, conflicts, and regions. The first section, A Fresh Start, is a tad dry and boring, and I almost stopped reading. This section addresses her 2008 run for President and how she ended up backing Obama, and becoming his Secretary of State. The other sections became much more interesting and I learned a great deal about the many conflicts we don't get to read much about on the front page of CNN. I am a CNN girl, but they tend to put these type of stories in the background. The 2nd section, Across the Pacific, discusses her main focus as SofS on China and other Pacific Asian countries. The 3rd section, War and Peace, mainly discusses Afghanistan and Pakistan. There is not much on Iraq if you are looking for Iraq intel. The 4th section, Between Hope and History, discusses relations and diplomacy with Russia (not much Putin discussion either), Latin America, Africa, and Europe. The 5th section, Upheaval, is the most interesting section and is why I gave a generous 4 stars. Upheaval discusses the recent conflicts in the middle east, such as The Arab Spring, Libya and Benghazi, Iran, Syria, and the continuous conflict between Israel and Palestine (Hamas). This section was fascinating and I actually read it twice. There is nothing on ISIS. The final section, The Future We Want, discusses Climate Change (which I skipped a few pages...zzzz....), Jobs and Energy, Haiti, the roles of the Internet and Technology in diplomacy, and Human Rights. If you are looking for dirt on the Bush or Obama administration, you are not going to find it here. There are very few references to George Bush, and she actually praises him on his Africa health initiatives. There are a few references to the Iraq War decision, but who can really blame her? Its true. In fact, she does not condemn anybody in this book. There are occasional references to an unruly Congress, but nobody in particular. I think its a classy way to write a memoir, but I do know people thrive on reading about the relationships in Congress. Finally, the question that's on everybody's mind... will Hillary run for President? She says she doesn't know in this book. However, this book reads like campaign material. She never insults or questions any other authority, and everything is kick-ass and great once she steps in for her country to get conflicts under control. Its a little embarrassing at times that she inflates her ego quite a bit in Hard Choices, but that is how Politics go. Stick with Hard Choices if you start it and dislike it. Hillary could possible be our next President and Hard Choices gives you a look into her thought process. If she does get elected, I don't think we'll be entering into any unnecessary conflicts, but that is my opinion. Good stuff!
What do You think about Hard Choices (2014)?
I enjoyed this book. If Hillary runs for president in 2016 she has my vote.
—HJG
Can't finish this book... too much dislike on every page.
—shagni2
This gave me a good insight into the Clinton empire
—Allanah
Great insight to foreign policy is made
—belinda31014
