I think this book made me admire Condoleezza Rice more. I gained a much better appreciation for how qualified she really was for her position (even if you don't support her and I don't, you can't argue now that she wasn't experienced). Her life really was amazing and she accomplished so much. She knew so many amazing people. After reading the book, in some ways, I wish her mother or father could have written it based on how interesting their lives must have been. I don't think Rice showed a whole lot of emotion, you get the history but not her deepest feelings or reflections (which is fine if that is what she wanted). I guess the best way to describe the book is extremely interesting but not deeply compelling. ( )

Amazing achievements detailed; little insight into the thoughts and feelings that make Condoleezza Rice tick. ( )

This was a memoir of Condoleezza's life from childhood through most of her adulthood. She was an only child raised by middle-class parents in Birmingham Alabama. Although there was racism and segregation through her childhood, her parents taught her to not be a victim and gave her many opportunities to learn and experience things in many areas. As an adult, she worked hard, accomplished a lot and took on many responsibilities even when she wasn't sure she was ready. I listened to this on audio read by the author and I felt like I got to know her. I enjoyed hearing her story. ( )

Biography of Condi's life, starting before she was born. ( )

This is an autobiographical account of Condoleeza Rice's life before she became the National Security Advisor to George Bush in 1991.
As the title suggests, she is the only child of parents who believed in the importance of education in the evolution of a child and a community. Her parents were both educators in Birmingham, Alabama and lived in Titusville, a suburb with a primarily middle class black population. Her father, a Presbyterian preacher and teacher, initiated several programs to mentor black children and youth to help them succeed.
Her parents sacrificed so that she could take piano, skating lessons. They moved to Denver so John Rice could persue a higher education. She eventually ends up at Stanford University in Palo Alto in her launching her career as a scholar and Soviet expert. She is appointed the National Security Advisor to President Bush in 2001, where the book ends. She is a big believer in Affirmative Action and being a mentor to under privileged black children and youth. She believes that this was one of the ways of ensuring that racism would be overcome in the U.S. She is a no nonsense, plain speaking extremely competent manager and leader.
I enjoyed the book and learned a great deal more about a strong woman and leader. ( )