This book combined historical facts and a personalized narration that only the author could provide using her family's history as a launching point. At times I found it difficult to stay focused, but inevitably I would be pulled back in and understanding the importance of the meticulous detail in the background of certain subjects and people. From chapter to chapter I found myself emotionally engaged with the narrative. I would find myself utterly disgusted one moment and laughing aloud the next. I had the pleasure of hearing the author speak of this work and her life experiences in person; I can hear her voice clearly throughout this book. In the introduction Albright states that the central theme of the book is "why we make the choices we do". In her quest to answer this question for herself she allows the reader to also follow her along on her journey to understand and piece together her family's history and make sense of the choices that were made by those closest to her. The only reason I gave four instead of five stars is because of my personal difficulty in staying focused during some of the more historical parts of the book; those with greater passion in history will not have the same difficulty. I attempted to read this book because it was a selection of my book club. I thought it might be interesting if the author recalled her experiences as Secretary of State. She did not and also did not share much information about her family. Other members of the book group expressed their disappointment and lack of interest in this selection. It read like a world history textbook, and I quote one member's description as the best review I could give it: "It was painfully boring!" I was unable to finish it.
Excellent writing. Interesting historical perspective mixed with personal story.
—theanderson6
Interesting and insightful historical perspective.
—Zakir
Interesting book, very long, well written.
—saintrojo
Marian Glasgow reco
—Theant
