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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 Russia Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Witty Inspiring Memoir Socialism First Lady Biography

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
This is so inspiring and hearing Hillary read it was like she was talking to me herself

Loved it! What a remarkable woman.

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It is as much a reflection as it is an explanation on what happened. Insightful and balanced.

highly recommended

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Emotional, powerful, full of insight, honesty and even hope. I am Hillary’s newest passionate fan.

Profoundly moving

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Hilary was honest..accepts responsibility .. and also makes you think..
She would have been an amazing President. if the actual number of votes were taken she would be in the whitehouse

loved it

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A must read (listening experience) for all people from all countries. a very humble woman whom I now think would have been an even better President than the world had hoped.

absolutely sensational book

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