The Hillary Effect [NOOK Book]

Intelligent. Insightful. And pretty remarkable.

So many fans of Hillary (myself included) dance the "what if..." dance, and it's not exactly a happy dance. I've been waiting for this book to be written and was skeptical that it could be executed in a manner that is both illuminating and satisfying. Thankfully the material is in more than capable hands with Ms. Marsh. She's a bold writer, she has the clout and the passion, and she's done her research. Marsh is tenacious and curious, and offers a rich palate for students of politics, history and Hillary.

17 out of 19 people found this review helpful.

Incredible. Insightful. Intriguing.

Wow. Taylor Marsh hit the nail on the head. Hillary is not as much a political figure as a historical figure who will be remembered for crossing many divides as a woman, leader and politician. This book kept me thinking page by page as Marsh provided a framework filled with facts and drew inescapable conclusions. A must rerad for political junkies and ANYONE who wants to understand how Hillary has changed the game. Well done!!!

15 out of 18 people found this review helpful.

A must have for any political reader!

Walking into the polling booth, February 5th was unlike any experience I had ever felt. There was a sense of urgency in the air and excitement.

And when Hillary Clinton gave her concession speech, in Washington D.C., my sister-in-law informed me she had to sit and watch with her daughter, because this was history in the making.

Taylor's book captures all this and more. It is a well researched book, pushing aside fan politics for the realm of reality, but it is also personal and poignant at times. No it is not a rehash of old rivalries or reliving the primary, but the story of Hillary Clinton's historic candidacy weaves its way throughout the book, because of the challenges it presented to our preconceived notions, not only about Hillary, a former first lady of Arkansas and the U.S.A., a senator from New York, and presidential hopeful, but to that of women as a whole.

The book takes to task, with Taylor's sharp tongue and trademark wit (which readers like myself find daily on her blog), the establishment media who frankly didn't know how to handle a female who was a viable candidate for President, especially a Clinton. While simultaneously name-dropping alleged progressive blogs, who were anything but. Unlike Game Change, the Hillary Effect makes no effort to blindly praise its presidential hopeful, Taylor is candid about the Clinton campaigns missteps and mismanagement; but dually blasts the notion the Obama campaign was running a clean campaign (quite the contrary).

The Hillary campaign runs through the book, but like I've said it's not the main focus, there is always a bigger picture at the end of every chapter. My favorite chapter, "Is Freedom just for Men?", tackles the rise of females after Hillary's loss, those who benefited most: Republican women. From Sarah Palin, Nikki Haley, to Michelle Bachmann; conservative women are re-defining what freedom means for a woman, and at the state level we are seeing a historic amount of challenges to women's freedoms.

Taylor, who describes herself as a "recovering partisan", spotlights what is wrong with both parties, the sexism entrenched in our culture, the rise of the Tea Party, the meaning behind the occupy wall street protests, the upcoming 2012 election, and women's progress globally, this is all built upon the Hillary Effect, which sets the stage for our modern political landscape. A prime example being the rise of women in politics, conservatives included but also major changes to our political spending during elections (Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission)

Hopefully, one day we will all be able to look back at that historic run, our current political atmosphere, and recognize the changes Hillary's presidential run made to our own politics, whether here at home or around the world. And I know, when I look at my four nieces that if any of them want to run for President one day, that challenge was made a little less steep, the climb a little less weary, the attacks a little softer, the media fairer, because someone paved the way first.

10 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

Very interesting and perceptive book

Even though I don't completely agree with Ms. Marsh's point of view, this is a well-thought out work that is definitely worth a read if you even having a passing interest in the role sexism plays in American politics. While the focus is on Clinton's presidential campaign and the smears against her, Ms. Marsh gives ample time to the issues Palin and Bachmann have both faced. My only issue is that the term "misogyny" is thrown around a bit. Many of the examples Ms. Marsh explores is definitely sexist, but others (like the Daily Kos) seem like a stretch. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who pays attention to current events and especially what the next election has in store.

6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

Great book!

Marsh's analysis of Hillary Clinton's tremendous impact on our political scene is thoughtful and clearly reasoned and really helps one see through the slanted propaganda pieces that dominate our news media today.

I really enjoyed reading this book.

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

I was very interested in this topic

...but I just couldn't stomach the writing. I expected an academic work that delved into the serious issue of sexism and the glass ceiling in politics and this was not it. Karl Rove having his head up his you-know-what? That might be true, but inappropriate in the context. Marsh's views are slanted at best. Not once does she critisize anything about Clinton and immediately anyone that does is labeled sexist. It felt like she wrote this off the top of her head and threw some quotes in to legitimize her work. This is not a serious effort.

4 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

highly recommended you must buy and read this book

The book is a sumptuous feast. Well written and exhaustively researched.

4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

Not good reading

Did not enjoy this book, too many charecters and at times lt seemed the book was about sarah palin, too unfocused on hillary, sorry i bought this book

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly Recommended!

Everyone should read this book.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A good read about the politics within America

Really enjoyed this broad based story regarding Hillary Clinton's run for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination and her 30 year career in politics. Effective writing and fact gathering on her effect as a leading female politician and leader in both the world and here in the US. I believe this book gave me a new insight to Hillary and a great appreciation of some of the unique challenges she has faced, overcome and been able to effectively change.

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