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What Happened

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What Happened

By: Hillary Rodham Clinton
Narrated by: Hillary Rodham Clinton
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About this listen

 “An engaging, beautifully synthesized page-turner” (Slate). The #1 New York Times bestseller and Time #1 Nonfiction Book of the Year: Hillary Rodham Clinton’s most personal memoir yet, about the 2016 presidential election.

In this “candid and blackly funny” (The New York Times) memoir, Hillary Rodham Clinton reveals what she was thinking and feeling during one of the most controversial and unpredictable presidential elections in history. She takes us inside the intense personal experience of becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major party in an election marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating highs and infuriating lows, stranger-than-fiction twists, Russian interference, and an opponent who broke all the rules.

“At her most emotionally raw” (People), Hillary describes what it was like to run against Donald Trump, the mistakes she made, how she has coped with a shocking and devastating loss, and how she found the strength to pick herself back up afterward. She tells readers what it took to get back on her feet—the rituals, relationships, and reading that got her through, and what the experience has taught her about life. In this “feminist manifesto” (The New York Times), she speaks to the challenges of being a strong woman in the public eye, the criticism over her voice, age, and appearance, and the double standard confronting women in politics.

Offering a “bracing... guide to our political arena” (The Washington Post), What Happened lays out how the 2016 election was marked by an unprecedented assault on our democracy by a foreign adversary. By analyzing the evidence and connecting the dots, Hillary shows just how dangerous the forces are that shaped the outcome, and why Americans need to understand them to protect our values and our democracy in the future.

The election of 2016 was unprecedented and historic. What Happened is the story of that campaign, now with a new epilogue showing how Hillary grappled with many of her worst fears coming true in the Trump Era, while finding new hope in a surge of civic activism, women running for office, and young people marching in the streets. Civics & Citizenship Elections & Political Process Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Women Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Witty Biography Inspiring Russia Memoir Socialism First Lady

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Critic reviews

“What Happened is not one book, but many. It is a candid and blackly funny account of her mood in the direct aftermath of losing to Donald J. Trump. It is a post-mortem, in which she is both coroner and corpse. It is a feminist manifesto. It is a score-settling jubilee…. It is worth reading.”
—The New York Times
“What Happened is a raw and bracing book, a guide to our political arena.”
—The Washington Post
“The writing in What Happened is engaging — Clinton is charming and even funny at times, without trying to paint herself in too flattering of a light…. Ultimately, the book might be a historical artifact most of all — the chronicling of what, exactly, it was like to run for president as the first woman major-party candidate (and, yes, a Clinton as well). Plenty may disagree with Clinton’s opinions on what went wrong for her, but her story will still be an important part of that history when America looks back on the melee that was the 2016 election.”
—NPR
“An engaging, beautifully synthesized page-turner.”
—Slate
“Here is Clinton at her most emotionally raw.... While What Happened records the perspective of a pioneer who beat an unprecedented path that stopped just shy of the White House, it also covers territory that many women will recognize.... She demonstrates that she can mine her situation for humor.”
—People
“What Happened is not a standard work of this genre. It’s interesting; it’s worth reading; and it sets out questions that the press, in particular, has not done enough to face.”
—The Atlantic
“Engaging... witty, and useful.”
—The New York Review of Books
“A disturbing autopsy on the state of America today. What Happened is an urgent plea directed not only to those concerned about America’s capacity to survive, but also to all who are anxious about protecting America’s international contributions to human health.”
—The Lancet
“This is an important book, and anyone who’s worried by what happened last November 8 should pick it up.”
—Entertainment Weekly
“Contains... insights into Ms. Clinton’s personality, character, and values, and the challenges confronting women in politics.”
—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“The most useful way to read What Happened is as one last instance of Clinton doing what she calls her civic duty.”
—Los Angeles Times
All stars
Most relevant
"It made me sad,laugh & angry throughout its 97 chapters! Very interesting to hear about the things the public weren't privy to throughout the election.I literary couldn't stop listening to it-certainly worth a read!

Very enjoyable & fascinating

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Despite the hoping that H would not blame Trump for the short comings in her election it was evidently going to happen but surprisingly not as frequent as expected. A fair and balanced range of opinions and quotes summarised the race of the decade. I now feel I know why she did not win. She lacks a sense of force which is a shame when trying to focus attention. This saying I did not want H to act in accordance with Trump but give an authority to show she could control how a story developed, such as the stupid email scandal. The best candidate did not win in my opinion. Narrated well and enjoyable. Showing a broad and in depth journey of the election. Very much appreciated the more intricate details that could not have been worked out, i.e. Not quotes, could have been seen on tv. Such as what she ate, her recollections with meeting people and her inner voice, making it all the more honest and personal!

Insightful

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I love author read books and there are moments when Hillary lets down her guard and is a joy to listen to. However most of the time it feels like she's delivering a speech and this made the book feel overly long. I found it interesting to hear from her viewpoint and there are snippets of personal details but overall I didn't come away feeling I knew more about her as a person. Given some of the criticism levelled at her was about a disconnection with people, I feel she missed an opportunity to speak to these people. I've no idea if she will run again but this book hasn't really helped if she plans to do so. It's just her view of the campaign and sadly very little new material.

Lacks the personal touch

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She pulls no punches and contrary to what you may have read, this isn’t about shifting blame. Clinton reviews the 2016 Presidential campaign with a bruised heart but clear head.

Clinton admits her own failings and mistakes even as she lays out some of the other reasons she lost. The reader is left with the impression of a (wilfully?) misunderstood and therefore mistrustful woman.

There’s humour and inspiration alongside political insights. A good read for anyone who wants to understand what the heck happened.

Honest and Revealing

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although Clinton comes across as self pitying and unable to accept the fact that a large number of Americans simply do not trust or like her, the story is an important one and one that people need to here if they truly care about democrat American values

an important story that needs to be told

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