Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating perception of a woman intertwined with history
Review: The beginning is slow, but the growth of the woman described in this memoir is worth the wading. The first part of the book gives the reader a point of reference necessary to appreciate the book. She reveals insights into American history, both political and gender-related, that remain with the reader for a long time.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor little rich girl write a tumultuous, but drawn out-bio.
Review: I will always be a fan of Ms. Graham. She led a larger life than most of us could ever hope for, with high highs and low lows. It would seem to make for a fascinating story of upper class life through most of this century.But somehow, the story drags out just, oh about 200 pages too many. I'm glad I read it, but it was a chore more often than some books.
Rating:
Summary: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Review: Seems to me this book won the Pulitzer because it deals with content of interest to the Pulitzer Committee. The book itself is fairly tedious, unreflective and superficial. A good doorstop, though.
Rating:
Summary: A sincere memoir by a Washington insider
Review: Katharine Graham recounts her family origins, her marriage to a brilliant but emotionally disturbed man, the growth of the Washington Post, and her personal growth as she assumes command of the family business. Mrs. Graham weaves the story masterfully, using wonderful letters (from a time when people really wrote letters) to provide a clear understanding of those around her. Her perspective on the Pentagon Papers, Watergate, and the pressman's strike share not only the facts of these important situations, but also her feelings and vulnerabilities. Although she is wordy at times, her voice is consistent and sincere. The Pulitzer serves as a crowning accomplishment for this fascinating woman.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting childhood, an ostrich-like adulthood
Review: The raves this book received in the press prove that journalists must hold low opinions of their bosses' abilities--any halfway decent narrative they produce is treated as a triumph. Graham's high-profile press life and connections are the only conceivable reasons this adequately written, but frequently irritating, book was so overpraised. Worse, its too-often coy copy comes up short on the basic reporting Graham's Post editors would demand--who, what, when, where, and why? Her misapprehension of her husband, Phil Graham's, motives and attitudes is particularly saddening. But like her actions' impact on her children, these are never explored beyond "I was wrong," or "I did not understand." If this is what book reviewers think passes for self-analysis and exploration, send them back to Psych 101. Even her hintdropping about sexual encounters and affairs seems borrowed from a romance novel: phrases that pique interest while telling the reader nothing! really should have been left out all together. The first half of the book is interesting thanks to those she writes about. But Graham's obsession with justifying her 1970s strike-breaking actions while Post publisher dulls the last quarter of the book completely--anyone who followed that episode in the city's and paper's history, even if sympathetic to her cause, will be very aware of the self-serving spin put on her role. Her dependence on and friendship for Warren Buffett is one of the lengthier threads in this narrative--but like most others close to Graham, Buffett never emerges as more than a wooden prop to her story line. Too bad--with all the fascinating people Graham grew up with, knew, and loved, this could have been a winner in the hands of a truly reflective writer.
Rating: 
Summary: Puts newspapering into perspective flawlessly
Review: I'm a little mystified by the semi-backlash against this engrossing, heartfelt look at one of the most influential lives of our day. Most books on the newspaper biz--including "A Good Life," by Graham's equally estimable editor, Ben Bradlee--deal with the (admittedly sexier) day-to-day concerns of the news desk that any larger perspective suffers. "Personal History" shows us how a firm--far firmer than the self-effacing Graham would have us believe, I suspect--yet right-thinking presence can turn a talented group of newshounds into a journalistic titan like the Washington Post. I, for one, enjoyed almost all of her name-dropping, and despite all her apologies for not furthering women's causes early enough, I'm sure her very existence sent a clear message to the movers and shakers around her: Phil Graham may have made presidents, but I'm busy giving you the best damn paper I can. Journalism is the richer for it. Yes, she skims over some of the larger ! events of the day; I would have liked even more Pentagon Papers info. And I found some of the Warren Buffett hagiography near the end a tad odd. But Graham deserves to be honored for her candor, her warmth and her undying strength, and "Personal History" is a fitting testament.
Rating:
Summary: It's like chatting in her living room--only better!
Review: Katherine Graham makes her life come alive, and you are there listening to her story. It's as if she is speaking only with you. Her language is beautifully lyrical, but yet you know that's the way she really talks! What a wonderful chance to know someone---who isn't afraid to share the dark parts of her life, but who has worked through all of them and holds no one hostage.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but lacking in self confidence
Review: I enjoyed this book, but it almost seemed that Katharine was never happy with what she had in the beginning and lacked in self confidence. I think that towards the end though, her confidence did as well as her style. My teacher purchased this book for me because he thought I might enjoy it and that it presented a good lesson to learn. It did. I recommend this book to teenagers like myself to show that women can do anything! Melody
Rating:
Summary: Not quite Pulitzer material
Review: Not worthy of the award she won, but good. Graham has a tendency to drone on with details of whom she had dinner with. She's also a bit overbearing with a few things, like her idolatry of Warren Buffet. Still, she has a fascinating perspective on Watergate, labor-management relations, the role of women, and other issues. It's worth the read.
Rating:
Summary: Graham LIVED modern, American, political history
Review: Because she was who she was and what she was, Katharine Graham knew everybody. Although she did not always see eye to eye with presidents, publishers, and others she described, she is most politic in describing their differences. Any one of them could pick up this book and enjoy reading her insights (with the possible exception of Nixon--not a problem). She is always quick to suggest that differences might be due to her own misconceptions. She KNOWs she was often ignorred and misunderstood because of her sex but she mentions this so we can rejoice in her liberation and success as a woman. A very classy lady!
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