Personal History

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: One of the most moving and impressive books I have read in recent years. Utterly readable.

Rating:
Summary: Epic In Scope
Review: What can I say? I loved this bio! Particularly the end when we see Graham at the center of the political storms (surrounding the Pentagon Papers and the Watergate break-in) of the 1970s. Graham is honest and generous with details into her personal life as well. Most tragic, of course, is her relationship with her husband, who we see slip into severe depression and eventually into a nervous breakdown. Very saddening. Overall, as bios go, this is a good one. Buy it!

Rating:
Summary: interesting background, but poor writing
Review: The author had an interesting life and had the chances to meet interesting people and experienced important events, therefore, the book is worth reading. However, the way the author looked back her life was very superficial and not reflective. For all her possible mistakes, she gave the only excuse "I didn't understand then..", instead of thinking reflectively. I am amazed that there is no forgiving in her words towoard her mother, although her mother is dead for many years. Besides, the book is far too detailed and lengthy. Too more telling, too few narrating.

Rating:
Summary: If you love biographies, buy this book
Review: I knew of Katherine Graham and felt that her story would be an interesting read. Then I heard her interviewed by Imus, and I rushed to buy the hardcover. It is one of the best biographies I have ever read; I could barely put it down. Brutally honest, a fascinating life. I liked this book so much, I went and bought Ben Bradlee's bio as well (it was not as fulfilling, to say the least.)

Rating:
Summary: Long before Albright and Oprah there was....Katherine Graham
Review: I didnt know or had ever heard of Mrs Graham prior to picking up this book by chance in the university bookshop. A brave and modest person if ever there was one.I was impressed with her ability to take hold of her life in such a desperate time following the death of her husband,despite her innate misgivings.It reminded me of the many women out there having lost their partners for one reason or another were in situations not much different from her own.The only difference being she was the wife of a millionaire publisher with resposibility for the livelihoods of thousands of workers.I admired her ability to face down adversity,particularly during the Nixon administration when she was vilified by John Mitchell.And for a long time as owner of the Wsshington Post it was rumoured that she was 'Deep Throat".A claim she always denied as did Woodward & Bernstein.What a delicious little postscript had it been true...! We must all wish her well in this her twilight years,but oh what an anti-climax it must be after such an interesting journey.

Rating:
Summary: I hope I have a story like this I can tell at age 80
Review: I read this book's first chapter on the internet, and knew I had to buy it. I was captivated by the analysis and detail in the early chapters, specifically targeted at her parents, their relationship, and the impact they had on her and her siblings. Details are gradually drawn away from family and, after Phil Graham's death, is focused almost entirely on her career at the Post. But the new focus her life takes is nothing short of inspirational, and her recollection (and application)of detail provides us with an absorbing panorama of faces and places. Having known little about the newspaper industry prior to this book, I am eager to know more, and put Ms. Graham's tremendous accomplishments in a more informed perspective. Despite her insecurities, fears and worries (which were difficult to read--even to believe--at times) they are obviously a part of her personality, and by revealing them she made her story more compelling. I felt that, if her point was to write a manual for success, she could have done so. But how much she would have deprived us of! The only serious deficiency I found was that I thought, with the great deal of commentary at the beginning of the book concerning how she and her siblings were raised--with particular emphasis on her mother's influence--that she would have included more on what the effects of her own role as a mother were. But, this omission seems to have been a conscious one on her part. This was my nightly reading for quite some time, and I feel a little sad that I no longer have it to look forward to! Though I was certainly glad when the interminably long segment on the pressmen's strike was over, as important as the incident was...

Rating:
Summary: This won the Pulitzer?
Review: Don't get me wrong, it's a good book and a good read, and Graham has an interesting take on some of the most important events & trends of 20th century history. But writing quality should be a key component of the Pulitzer, and the writing here is so uneven (and long--about 100/150 pages too long). Too much telling without showing, such as three dozen mentions of "This stems from my insecurity" and only four or five incidents demonstrating her insecurity; and far too many questions posed in the text, like "Was I being unreasonable? I suppose that perhaps I was." A good writer would ask the question implicitly, and answer it more gracefully. Pulitzer was awarded more for who she is than what she wrote. Still, it's worth a week or two of reading time.

Rating:
Summary: Wow, what a woman!
Review: You will want to clap out loud and shout "you go girl!" after you read this amazing autobiography by this amazing woman. She started her career in her late forties, propelled her company to new heights, helped shape American political history and stood witness to major global events. She did more than survive - she thrived - after her family tragedy. This book is an inspiration.

Rating:
Summary: Stunning portrayal of the life of Katherine Graham
Review: It took a few chapters for me to get into this book, but once I did I couldn't put it down. I was especially intrigued with the historical context in which the Washington Post came to power, and with Mrs. Graham capacity to persevere through a variety of overwhelming odds. I am truly impressed with this woman.

Rating:
Summary: Lengthy, but the best autobiography I have read.
Review: Personal History was a two-month reading choice (December-January) for our local book club. All of that time was needed, but (most of) our group was never tempted to abandon the story . . . history buffs, or those especially interested in the evolution of women in the past 50+ years, will find this an excellent read. Although initially intrigued by the desire to learn more about the background of this well-known woman publisher, we were delighted to discover a a (painless) US history lesson wandering throughout Graham's life story. Only negative is that the line leading (white space between lines) seemed tight . . . Terrific book and one well worth reading, sharing.