From Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state and New York Times bestselling author of Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom, comes a captivating memoir of her remarkable childhood.
Condoleezza Rice’s life began in Birmingham, Alabama in the 1950s, a place and time where black people lived in a segregated parallel universe away from their white neighbors. She grew up during the violent and shocking 1960s, when bloodshed became a part of daily life in the South. Rice’s portrait of her parents, John and Angelena, highlights their ambitions and frustrations and shows how much they sacrificed to give their beloved only child the best chance for success. Rice also discusses the challenges of being a precocious child who was passionate about music, ice skating, history, and current affairs. Her memoir reveals with vivid clarity how her early experiences sowed the seeds of her political beliefs and helped her become a vibrant, successful woman.
Condoleezza Rice: A Memoir of My Extraordinary, Ordinary Parents and Me is a fascinating and inspirational story for young people, adapted from Condoleeza Rice’s adult sensation Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family. Includes a 16-page photo insert.
Praise for Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family:
“An origins story . . . memoir is teeming with fascinating detail.” —The New York Times
“A thrilling, inspiring life of achievement.” —Publishers Weekly
“Surprisingly engrossing . . .” —Daily Beast
“Vivid and heartfelt writing . . . Highly recommended.”—Library Journal
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VOYA - Ursula Adams
In this autobiography, Condoleezza Rice speaks frankly of her life from childhood through her successful adult career. Rice is an only child and, as this book indicates, her parents played an instrumental role in shaping the person she is today. The reader begins Rice's life journey with her birth in 1950s racially segregated Birmingham, Alabama. Born the child of two educators, education was of paramount importance in her family. Not only did Rice prove herself to be gifted academically, at a young age she demonstrated the discipline to train in competitive figure skating and as an accomplished pianist. Beginning college at the University of Denver at the age of fifteen, Rice originally intended to become a professional pianist. That changed following a course instructed by Dr. Josef Korbel, a Soviet specialist. Rice majored in political science with a focus on Russian studies. She continued her studies, earning her Ph.D., and eventually became the youngest ever provost at Stanford University. Her experience led her to Washington, D. C., where under the Bush administration, she served on the National Security Council and was appointed Secretary of State. This autobiography is a fascinating tale of how, under early segregated and depressed conditions, Rice rose to an outstanding political career. It highlights how her experiences and family created the political beliefs that she holds and professes currently. Rice is, without a doubt, an amazing woman. This book will serve as an inspiration for young female readers who are beginning their paths in life. Reviewer: Ursula Adams
Children's Literature - Tiffany Torbeck
The title provides a wonderful introduction to this accomplished female statesman. The book is split evenly between Rice's early life in school and her career beginning at Stanford and ending at the White House. Rice describes her family and upbringing in Birmingham, Alabama in a clear and thoughtful way. Many children will relate to her love of television and her tendency to procrastinate. Teachers will appreciate how the story of the first African-American woman Secretary of State will fit into a curriculum on the Civil Rights movement. Rice's political career is presented in a straightforward and engaging way that will help students make sense of American foreign policy. Rice describes the painful loss of both of her parents, adding a humanizing dimension to the story of her meteoric rise in politics. The first chapters are likely to appeal to grade school and junior high students, but the details of Rice's political career are more geared to the high school level. Public and school libraries will want to purchase this well written and captivating book. Reviewer: Tiffany Torbeck
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up—The former Secretary of State recounts her life, beginning with her family history and childhood in Birmingham, AL, during the 1950s and '60s. From extremely supportive parents she learned that she could become anything she put her mind to, despite the rampant racism that existed in the South. A 16-page insert of black-and-white and color photos adds detail, and the glossary has more information on the many political leaders whom Rice refers to in the book. This valuable memoir about breaking glass ceilings may inspire readers to test their own potential.—Stephanie Malosh, Donoghue Elementary School, Chicago, IL
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