Synopses & Reviews
Since becoming secretary of state in 1997, Madeleine Albright has emerged as one of the most forceful voices in the Clinton administration and the chief architect of American foreign policy in the Balkans. As Michael Dobbs makes clear in this timely and important book, it's impossible to understand Albright without an appreciation of the tumultuous events that have shaped her life, and he traces Albright's progress from a European ghetto to the corridors of power in Washington. As the twentieth century comes to a close, the life of this remarkable woman provides much insight into past events and is an inspirational testimony to how willpower and persistence can triumph over every adversity.
Michael Dobbs was Washington Post bureau chief in Moscow from 1988 to 1993 and covered the State Department through 1997. He returns to the investigative staff of the Post in the fall of 1998. He is the author of Down with Big Brother: The Fall of the Soviet Empire.
After becoming secretary of state in 1997, Madeleine Albright emerged as one of the most forceful voices in the Clinton administration and the chief architect of American foreign policy in the Balkans. As Michael Dobbs makes clear, it is impossible to understand Albright without an appreciation of the tumultuous events that have shaped her life, including World War II, the Holocaust, the rise and fall of communism, and the women's movement in the United States. The full story of this remarkable woman's life provides illumination on past events and is an inspirational testimony to how willpower and persistence can triumph over adversity.
"Highly compelling . . . It is hard to find a more timely subject to chronicle or a better time to publish this work."David Beard, The Boston Globe
"In this superbly researched book, Michael Dobbs has performed a significant service in bringing together the threads of a life that reflects major themes of the twentieth century . . . It is a rigorous and important book."Roger Cohen, The New Republic
"The story of Madeleine Albright's life and ascent to power is a fascinating one in Michael Dobb's capable hands."Jean Dubail, The Plain Dealer (Cleveland Dealer)
"Illuminating and generally evenhanded."Aaron L. Friedberg, The New York Times Book Review
"An astonishing job of research . . . [Dobbs] has uncovered important facts of which Ms. Albright herself was apparently unaware."Robert A. Lincoln, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Review
"Illuminating and generally even handed." (Aaron L. Friedberg, The New York Times Book Review)
Review
"A richly nuanced picture of Albright, contradictions and all." (Ruth Walker, The Christian Science Monitor)
Review
"Highly compelling. It is hard to find a more timely subject to chronicle or a better time to publish this work." (David Beard, The Boston Globe)
"Illuminating and generally even handed." (Aaron L. Friedberg, The New York Times Book Review)
"A richly nuanced picture of Albright, contradictions and all."(Ruth Walker, The Christian Science Monitor)
"An astonishing job of research . . . [Dobbs] has uncovered important facts of which Ms. Albright herself was apparently unaware." (Robert A. Lincoln, Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Synopsis
Since becoming secretary of state in 1997, Madeleine Albright has emerged as one of the most forceful voices in the Clinton administration and the chief architect of American foreign policy in the Balkans. As Michael Dobbs makes clear in this timely and important book, it's impossible to understand Albright without an appreciation of the tumultuous events that have shaped her life, and he traces Albright's progress from a European ghetto to the corridors of power in Washington. As the twentieth century comes to a close, the life of this remarkable woman provides much insight into past events and is an inspirational testimony to how willpower and persistence can triumph over every adversity.
About the Author
Michael Dobbs was Washington Post bureau chief in Moscow from 1988 to 1993 and covered the State Department through 1997. He returned to the staff of the Post in 1998. He is the author of
Down with Big Brother: The Fall of the Soviet Empire.