Madam Secretary Paperback – January 4, 2013

This is written with insights into how power-hungry but dynamic leaders become authoritarian destroyers of Democracy. She reviews how Hitler, Mussolini, Chavez (Venezuela), Peron(Argentina) and others promise good works, but then persecute those who disagree. Some of todays political leaders are recognizable, but not named.

Good read but a lot of information to take in. It could have been condensed. Would have liked to learn more about her private life.

I bought "Madam Secretary" almost five years ago, and only read it recently, during my holidays. I now regret not having done so before, but then, it is always best to do something late than never at all.Madeleine Albright, the first woman to become Secretary of State in the United States, shares with us the story of her life, and a look behind closed doors regarding events that we can already find in the pages of history books. In this book you will find the kind of details regarding her professional life that will allow you to understand things like the dynamics of high stakes negotiations, or the important role that humor plays when trying to avoid direct confrontation.In her collaboration with Bill Woodward, Albright manages to engage the reader, and even make him laugh. Can you help but smile when you read that "The mood was good - deceptively so. The summit would rapidly deteriorate into an exercise similar to the herding of cats"? Or fail to appreciate Albright's self-deprecating humor when she said to the Security Council that action on an issue had to be delayed until she received orders from Washington, because "The issue will not be decided until the fat lady sings"?On the whole, "Madam Secretary" is a book that I loved. In my opinion, it is a very good choice for people who like to read witty and well-written autobiographies, but a particularly special treat for those that are also interested or working in the field of International Relations. Highly recommended...Belén Alcat

I notice some lengthy vitriolic reviews mixed in with enthusiastic raves. People who hate Clinton are going to hate Madeline Albright. She was his choice for Secretary of State and I think she did him and our country proud. She was the right woman at the right time. With the Balkans one of the hottest spots in the world, her personal experience with its problems and her ability to speak its languages helped the United States to exercise leadership in finding solutions.She was Clinton's right hand as they struggled to help the Israelis and the Palestinians reach an accord. Since they left office, the effort seems to have been abandoned.Her book is down to earth and detailed. She was and is a straight shooter. It is much easier for women who take a male path to success. Not Madeline, she was first a wife and mother and only later a diplomat.She had, and still has a life outside of her job and shares that with us. She has shown that she is capable of being very tough, but never callous. She suffered the pain of divorce and discovered, only after she was in office, that her family had hidden their Jewish roots. She deftly communicates both her experiences and her feelings. No wonder the rave reviews are so often from women. Count me as one.

She was an amazing person. My wife got this for one of her book clubs. She enjoyed it very much.

I always admired Madeliene Albright as SOS, but it was across news reports and/or TV interviews. I'm late to the game just reading this now, however i felt like a friend listening to another friend tell her life's story. I found the personal stories so touching and made her human. I believe it also helped shape her thinking and decision making. I was a young professional during her time in politics and more focused on my career and family than DC or the world around us. This book was history, non-fiction novel and romance story all rolled into one. It was a fabulous read, which I could barely put down. Can't wait to read some of her other works.

I opened a new office in downtown Washington where I could work on this book and other projects. It was lovely but not quite the same. From my old office I had been able to see the Lincoln Memorial. From my new one I could see Loeb’s Delicatessen. Travel was different too. After eight years, I was on my own. I went to California for a speech, flying commercial, and decided to take the red-eye back.

I liked the book very much. Madeleine Albright was a remarkable woman and her life story may never be duplicated. The world is better off because of her.

I purchased these memoirs because I so much loved her book "Prague Winter". I found this one enjoyable and I really appreciated her openness and the insights she gave into her personal and professional life, even including events that reflected poorly on her personally. I found the narrative to be slightly partisan, but I suppose that's to be expected from such a senior political figure. I think this book would have benefited from stronger editing, reducing the volume of trivial details and bringing out more themes and underlying values (as she did in Prague Winter). As it stood, I made it through about 2/3 of this book before looking ahead to more policy narrative in the remaining third and finally reverting to my unfinished biography of Hamilton. Still, I'm glad I read the first 2/3 of the book.

I don't often read memoirs, but this is a fascinating insight into global events, written in a clear, coherent and flowing style, including a good dollop of self-deprecating humour. The author clearly knows herself and the world in which she served very well.

Haven't read the whole book yet but am certainly enjoying it.

This is a Christmas present for my husband so unable to review but I know that he will like it.

Really pleased with my book and the service.