The Education of an Idealist

A Memoir

De: Samantha Power

Narrado por: Samantha Power

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best seller

One of Audible’s Best Audiobooks of 2019
A New York Times Notable Book of 2019
An NPR Best Book of 2019
One of Time’s Must-Read Books of 2019
An Economist Book of the Year
A Washington Post Notable Book of 2019
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019

“Her highly personal and reflective memoir...is a must-read for anyone who cares about our role in a changing world." (President Barack Obama)

An intimate, powerful, and galvanizing memoir by Pulitzer Prize winner, human rights advocate, and former UN Ambassador Samantha Power.

In her memoir, Power offers an urgent response to the question "What can one person do?" and a call for a clearer eye, a kinder heart, and a more open and civil hand in our politics and daily lives. The Education of an Idealist traces Power’s distinctly American journey from immigrant to war correspondent to presidential Cabinet official. In 2005, her critiques of US foreign policy caught the eye of newly elected senator Barack Obama, who invited her to work with him on Capitol Hill and then on his presidential campaign. After Obama was elected president, Power went from being an activist outsider to a government insider, navigating the halls of power while trying to put her ideals into practice. She served for four years as Obama’s human rights adviser, and in 2013, he named her US Ambassador to the United Nations, the youngest American to assume the role.

Power transports us from her childhood in Dublin to the streets of war-torn Bosnia to the White House Situation Room and the world of high-stakes diplomacy. Humorous and deeply honest, The Education of an Idealist lays bare the searing battles and defining moments of her life and shows how she juggled the demands of a 24/7 national security job with the challenge of raising two young children. Along the way, she illuminates the intricacies of politics and geopolitics, reminding us how the United States can lead in the world, and why we each have the opportunity to advance the cause of human dignity. Power’s memoir is an unforgettable account of the power of idealism and of one person’s fierce determination to make a difference.

"This is a wonderful book.... The interweaving of Power’s personal story, family story, diplomatic history and moral arguments is executed seamlessly and with unblinking honesty." (Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times Book Review)

"Honest, personal, revealing...about the development of a young woman’s inner strength and self-knowledge." (Colm Tóibín, author of Brooklyn and Nora Webster)

©2019 Samantha Power (P)2019 HarperAudio

So worth the time to listen

This story is brimming with intelligence, honesty and passion. More than that though, is the humanity that undergirds every word. Thank you Samantha Power!

So inspiring!

I liked how detailed this memoir was. I enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes in her multiple positions throughout the years. She has a huge heart, is insanely smart and so inspiring. She makes me want to be a little like her, a good, compassionate, empathetic, honest, caring leader. A leader that lets her passion guide her.

Whether you love this story depends on you

If you think the eight years of the Obama administration are America's finest hour, you will love this view inside Ambassador Power's life and career. If you think Trump is MAGA, you will hate it. It all depends on you.

Idealist

Throughly enjoyed this very informative and for me, educational book. A true “eye opener”! Must read!

A Truly Genuine Human Being

This is a must-read or listen to book that is an extension of Samantha's previous book, A Problem From Hell. I highly recommend this material to any one with the intestinal fortitude to research and study how genocide has plagued Americans prior to the establishment of the enactment of the U.S. Constitution!

Inspiring, amazing, beautiful, calming

Thank you, Samantha Power, for sharing your life’s story. I learned so much by your life’s experiences. Thank you for giving me more hope. This is the longest book I’ve ever listened too and it couldn’t have come at a better time. You are truly a beautiful being. I hope many others will listen to your powerful voice and sincere desire to make the world around you better.

Great audiobook.

Very much enjoyed the reading, the story and learning more about this time in our countries history.

Enjoyable and informative

Samantha reads her own writing well, some authors do not so I think it's worth saying. I enjoyed hearing her first hand account of what it has been like for her working closely with Obama and foreign diplomats. I feel like my money and time was well spent on this book.

An inside look into the presidency of Obama

The book started in a gripping way, but then lost speed or fascination. It was still good, but at times a bit flat. The end was philosophical which I loved.

Wow. This caught me by surprise

I really really enjoyed this book. I loved it as a matter of fact. And I learned a ton. I had just finished President Obama’s book and this popped up in my “you might like list”. I have to be honest, I did not know who Samantha Power was. However, the title grabbed me because I feel like I have been a bit of an idealist that has gotten a bit of a slap in the face during the Trump years. I went with the “well, if I don’t like, I can return it” attitude. I was hooked right away! Hearing the story of her mother, the sadness of her father, her own immigration really just pulled me in. I was hooked on every chapter after that. Learning what is like to go from a young naive war correspondent and activist to an actual government person who gets things done and shapes policy. Her passion was so palpable, as were the challenges she faced as a working mother with young children. Wow! What an experience those kids of had! Ok, I will stop. Just try the book, you can always return it, but you won’t.