SEASONS OF HER LIFE : A BIOGRAPHY OF MADELEINE KORBEL ALBRIGHT

Rating:
Summary: A long read
Review: "Seasons of Her Life" is an interesting biography about Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. The author of this book, Ann Blackman, did a wonderful job examining the finer details of Albright's life. Blackman interviewed numerous people, including President Clinton, and other close friends and colleagues of Albright, which helps the reader understand the importance of Albright in the worldwide community. Yet, all of these interviews and information are buried in the back of the book. Blackman spends too much time focusing on Albright's father, Josef Korbel, and how Madeleine Albright's family ended up in the United States. While this information is important in understanding why Albright believes in the politics that she believes in, it does not do the reader any good if they cannot get through the inital chapters. This is a well researched and through book on Albright's life, a decent book if you do not get lost in the history.

Rating:
Summary: A long read
Review: "Seasons of Her Life" is an interesting biography about Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. The author of this book, Ann Blackman, did a wonderful job examining the finer details of Albright's life. Blackman interviewed numerous people, including President Clinton, and other close friends and colleagues of Albright, which helps the reader understand the importance of Albright in the worldwide community. Yet, all of these interviews and information are buried in the back of the book. Blackman spends too much time focusing on Albright's father, Josef Korbel, and how Madeleine Albright's family ended up in the United States. While this information is important in understanding why Albright believes in the politics that she believes in, it does not do the reader any good if they cannot get through the inital chapters. This is a well researched and through book on Albright's life, a decent book if you do not get lost in the history.

Rating:
Summary: Bio of Information
Review: A biography of just 300 pages, pernicious to any politician who would like to be taken as serious, as a US diplomat definitely probably would, it leaves the reader a mudlark about Madeleine Albright's successes as Secretary of State or achievements as a politician. I already have it gift-wrapped for my mother, who will probaly enjoy it more than I did (as a graduate in political studies).

Neither sassy nor seeking learned patronage, Blackman does nothing more than bandy a load of facts in her first book. One becomes reticent to believe she could ever have risen to be a deputy chief editor for a famous magazine because the reporting style used throughout is so unembellished.

The story of Madeleine's childhood and then time spent in London during the Second World War is very long, the future ambassador to the UN is still a young girl half-way through the book. There are some Eastern details of politics, of which I know little, so that was a highlight. It's arbitrary the importance of the cabinet positions and all the jobs of Madeleine Albright's father. Several recurring lengthy accounts are here of the publicized discovery of the fate of her grandparents during the war, and the cousin's life, who remained in Czechoslovakia, is also underpinned.

An example of the repetition: 'From an early age, she had learned to adapt, whether in language, culture, academic mores, or national politics' p.197.

Mostly, it seems that Blackman and Albright did not cooperate much in the production of this biography, probably because of the disparities and oppositions in the way their individual careers evolved: Albright does appear to have been in the catbird seat for a long time after her arrival to America, before slipping into highly responsible, visible and plum political roles. She had, after all, married newspaper magnet man Joseph Albright, and she had all the right connections and was well set for the political perfection which followed, with some of her own hard work and contacts (note the Golden Girls' supper reunions).

This is, simply, not a biography illustrated by the political career for which the subject is more known for.

Rating:
Summary: Bio of Information
Review: I have always admired Albright and what she has achieved. My admiration grew deeper after I finished reading this book. While Albright may be privileged, it was her courage, determination, and hard works that shaped her into what she is today. Blackman unfortunately spent too many pages on Albright's ethnic/religious background. Overall, it is a good book to read for one with interests in US foreign policy with emphasis in East Europe.

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing book with great historical background
Review: It's hard to put this book down. The book is filled with such intriguing details, vivid historical background and fascinating personal information about Madeline Albright, her family and those around her throughout her life. Ann Blackman's style of writing makes the words fly off the page into the readers imagination. This coupled with the extensive variety of sources used for relaying insight into the individual, Madeline, make this book a must read. The remarkable road to Secretary of State, and the Seasons of her Life, Madeline Albright are a testimonial for American opportunities.

Rating:
Summary: Seasons of Her Life:A Biography of Madeleine Korbel Albright
Review: This book has many dimensions. The facinating life of Madeleine Korbel Albright portrayed by Ann Blackman and also the revelation of events close to anyone of her age. I find myself sharing this book in conversation with my husband, daughters, and others who show interest. It has helped me express some of the feelings I have being born in that generation just before WWII in Midwest, USA. Thank you, Ms. Blackman for providing an avenue to know and appreciate Madeleine Korbel Albright. It is important to connect with the "goodness" of her life that is having an influence in our world. I recommend this book especially with the upcoming elections at the state and federal levels. It is a way to have insight as to how a good leader develops and then matures to achieve the abililty to make powerful decisions with wisdom. Thank you, Madeleine Korber Albright for being such a leader. Jeanette Kroese Thomson

Rating:
Summary: Excellent history on a woman well qualified for the job!
Review: This is an excellent book full of history about where her family came from, the truly many hardships in growing up, and what brought them to this country. Her whole life and education has really set her up - to make her ideally the "best man" for Secretary of State. Also, rather interesting to see how her father handled being Jewish, in a not-so-loved Jewish country... I loved this book. Very well written....Very informative. A truly enjoyable read...