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Condoleezza Rice: An American Life: A Biography Audiobook
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(3.03) - 119 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Condoleezza Rice has until now remained a mystery behind an elegant, cool veneer. In this stunning new biography, New York Times reporter Elisabeth Bumiller peels back the layers and presents a revelatory portrait of the first black female secretary of state and President George W. Bush’s national security adviser on September 11, 2001. The audiobook relates the personal voyage of a young black woman out of the segregated American South and also tells the sweeping story of a tumultuous half-century in the nation’s history. In CONDOLEEZZA RICE: AN AMERICAN LIFE, we see Rice’s Alabama childhood in Birmingham when it was the central battleground of the civil rights movement; her education in foreign policy; and her confrontations with minorities and women while she was provost at Stanford University in the 1990s. Examining the current administration, Bumiller explores in depth Rice’s extraordinarily close relationship with George W. Bush, her battles with Vice President Dick Cheney, and her indirect but crucial role in the ousting of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Bumiller shows us Rice missing clues to the September 11 attacks and waging war against Saddam Hussein. In addition, we watch Rice’s recent attempts to salvage the ruins of the Iraq policy she helped create and to avoid war with Iran. Drawing on extensive interviews with Rice and more than 150 others, Bumiller explores Rice’s effectiveness as national security adviser and secretary of state, her longtime political ambitions, and her future on the world stage.
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"Wasn't a huge Condi fan when I started this book and am even less of one after reading it. Regardless of which side of the political aisle you're on, this book is thoroughly researched and well-written, making for an interesting read."
— Liene (4 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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One of the 2008 New York Times Book Review 100 Notable Books for Nonfiction
Condoleezza Rice: An American Life Listener Reviews
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" A 50-50 split of info about her and developments in US history. A very topical view. "
— LS, 1/8/2014 -
" A comprehensive and somewhat unbiased chronicling of Condi's life and career, but in the end I felt myself asking, "To what end was this book written?" "
— Cortino, 10/2/2013 -
" Very interesting, though biased (I thought) at times. I enjoyed learning about what Rice did before she became NSA and Secretary of State. I wasn't aware of how close she was to the bombing victims in Birmingham, AL. "
— Michelle, 4/2/2013 -
" Didn't think I was going to like it but it was truly interesting and quite impressive how she grew up to become one of the most powerful and respected women in politics today ! "
— Diana, 12/24/2012 -
" This is probably the best biography on her to date. She actually conducted some interviews with her and her colleagues. If you want to learn more about her and the Bush administration, it is worth a look. "
— Bryan, 1/20/2012 -
" Great book about a great woman. "
— Rhonda, 12/18/2011 -
" I enjoyed learning about Condoleezza but I didn't think the book was very well written. "
— Kamae, 10/6/2011 -
" Not completely a tell-all, but I found it an interesting look at a very accomplished woman. Her family's history is fascinating. "
— Stacey, 5/28/2011 -
" This month's ward book group read. Still waiting for it to get to the library. "
— Nadine, 1/29/2011 -
" I love to read auto biographies - what a brilliant woman - there is alot to know and appreciate about her. Good read. "
— Stacey, 12/9/2010 -
" I found it boring and she went on and on bragging about how her life was. It definitely put me to sleep at night. I never found an exciting part in this book that made me want to keep reading. This is the first book that I didn't finish reading, it was that bad. "
— Traci, 12/4/2010 -
" Now to read a book written by someone who respected Ms. Rice. "
— Karen, 8/31/2010 -
" Not completely a tell-all, but I found it an interesting look at a very accomplished woman. Her family's history is fascinating. "
— Stacey, 7/29/2010 -
" This is probably the best biography on her to date. She actually conducted some interviews with her and her colleagues. If you want to learn more about her and the Bush administration, it is worth a look. "
— Bryan, 7/12/2010 -
" Very interesting, though biased (I thought) at times. I enjoyed learning about what Rice did before she became NSA and Secretary of State. I wasn't aware of how close she was to the bombing victims in Birmingham, AL. "
— Michelle, 2/21/2008 -
" I enjoyed learning about Condoleezza but I didn't think the book was very well written. "
— Kamae, 2/5/2008 -
" This month's ward book group read. Still waiting for it to get to the library. "
— Nadine, 2/4/2008
About Kimberly Farr
Kimberly Farr is an actress and winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration. She has appeared on Broadway and at the New York Shakespeare Festival, the Roundabout Theatre, Playwright’s Horizons, and the American Place. She created the role of “Eve” in Arthur Miller’s first and only musical, Up from Paradise, which was directed by the author. She appeared with Vanessa Redgrave in the Broadway production of The Lady from the Sea and has acted in regional theaters across the country, including a performance in the original production of The 1940’s Radio Hour at Washington, DC’s Arena Stage.