Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The book is candid and accurate. I researched Clinton during this election -- speaking fees, foundation, donations, emails, FBI report. I knew she was in a bubble when she campaigned in Arizona near the end; her loss was no big surprise. After the election I bought data and ran the stats. I’ve been anxious to find out how it all looked to her. Almost the first thing Clinton says when she begins her analysis of the election is “I felt that I had let everyone down. Because I had.” And the last thing she says is “None of the factors I’ve discussed here lessen the responsibility I feel or the aching sense that I let everyone down.” She admits her mistakes and feels deeply responsible, but refuses to be the scapegoat so many want. The press was shameful, the right deceitful, and quite a few on the left mistaken. So they all want to say “Hillary did it” and move on. But this book is far more than an analysis of her campaign’s mistakes and the attacks by Trump, Russia, right-wing fanatics and Republicans. Many people made mistakes and every one of them wants to blame Clinton and close the book. But mistakes happen, and we need to learn from them. That’s really what the book is about. For example, building on her experience campaigning in West Virginia’s coal country, she takes a deep look at the troubles and politics of working class Americans. Her first-hand analysis of Putin is useful, dives into how Trump, Assange and the Russians played off each other and provides a much needed warning for our Democracy. Except for the detailed chapter on her emails, which she “wishes you would read” (while admitting that you may have “heard more than your fill about my emails”), the book is chock full of anecdotes about the campaign, her personal struggles, and her supporters. It’s a good read. What Happened is realistically cautionary about Trump and his enablers. “Things are going to be hard for a long time. But we are going to be okay. All of us.” To do better, you need to know where you went wrong, and the book has much to say on this. But in the end it is forward looking and ends on a most optimistic note.