wingless13's review against another edition
3.0
This book is specific to the mid-1990s with a focus on video games and TV influence on children as well as statistics from the 70's, 80's, and early 90's. Overall the book addresses problems that are occurring now with child-rearing, development, and resources. I enjoyed reading Mrs. Clinton's early views on political events and issues, but there is a difference between her voice in this book and the book she has most recently released ("Hard Choices"). I would recommend it to anyone interested in studying Mrs. Clinton's political development and/or an interest in policies/politics focused on children's interests.
cathy1969's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.0
This book has been on my shelf for years and I finally pulled it off to read. It may be because times are so different now or it may be because I'm not as religious person as Hillary or it could be that it seemed like a book by a politician which it indeed was, but I just wasn't a big fan.
The beginning of the book was more interesting until it became about talking about policies she or Bill put into place, how people should have religion in their lives and not applicable to today's society in some aspects.
I still appreciate Hillary Clinton, but this book was not my favorite.
The beginning of the book was more interesting until it became about talking about policies she or Bill put into place, how people should have religion in their lives and not applicable to today's society in some aspects.
I still appreciate Hillary Clinton, but this book was not my favorite.
ikuo1000's review against another edition
4.0
When this book was first published in 1996, I was in college and not at all interested in parenting or politics. Now, 20 years later, I'm all about parenting and politics!
In the introduction, Hillary Clinton makes clear that "parents are the most important influences on the lives of their children." (p. XII) However, since "no family exists in a vacuum" (p. XII), the well-being of all children also depends on the society in which they live. The "village", of course, is a metaphor for not just the neighbors and teachers and police officers in a community, but also the institutions like government, churches, schools, and medical facilities that all play a crucial role in every child's development. In matters of public policy, the bottom line should always be, "Is it good for our children?" (p. XVI)
Like her public persona, Clinton's writing style is not especially engaging, however, this book is dotted with personal anecdotes that I found relatable. It was especially fun to read about Hillary as a young mother, and Chelsea as a child.
While certainly not a "parenting book", I would readily recommend this book to first-time pregnant women and new parents. In discussions that reference studies and experts (many of which are further explained in the "Notes" section), Clinton explores what's best for children. Along the way, she provides not just information, but insights and suggestions that I think any new parent would find helpful.
Ultimately, the book is about public policy. For each issue discussed in this book, Clinton talks about her own experiences, lays out the conclusions of what studies show, and then describes existing programs that successfully address the issue at hand. A couple programs might be implemented at the national level, but for the most part, a lot of them are state-funded or church-run or even founded by community coalitions. The point is, people are already finding ways to fix problems, and we need those fixes to be prevalent in all areas where they are needed.
The book covers a wide range of issues including support for new mothers, vaccinations, nutrition, public safety, gun control, adolescent drug use, race, education, child care, and public service - and that's not even an exhaustive list! It even talks about faith and building good character. Clinton looks at every issue from the perspective of, "What is best for children, and how can we make that happen for all children?"
Even as a staunch supporter of Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, I do not agree with every position she took in this book. But her intentions are clear, and I have to respect that her motivation comes from a good place. Every issue from the environment to the global economy can be boiled down to whether or not a particular policy benefits children and/or the world in which children live.
In the introduction, Hillary Clinton makes clear that "parents are the most important influences on the lives of their children." (p. XII) However, since "no family exists in a vacuum" (p. XII), the well-being of all children also depends on the society in which they live. The "village", of course, is a metaphor for not just the neighbors and teachers and police officers in a community, but also the institutions like government, churches, schools, and medical facilities that all play a crucial role in every child's development. In matters of public policy, the bottom line should always be, "Is it good for our children?" (p. XVI)
Like her public persona, Clinton's writing style is not especially engaging, however, this book is dotted with personal anecdotes that I found relatable. It was especially fun to read about Hillary as a young mother, and Chelsea as a child.
While certainly not a "parenting book", I would readily recommend this book to first-time pregnant women and new parents. In discussions that reference studies and experts (many of which are further explained in the "Notes" section), Clinton explores what's best for children. Along the way, she provides not just information, but insights and suggestions that I think any new parent would find helpful.
Ultimately, the book is about public policy. For each issue discussed in this book, Clinton talks about her own experiences, lays out the conclusions of what studies show, and then describes existing programs that successfully address the issue at hand. A couple programs might be implemented at the national level, but for the most part, a lot of them are state-funded or church-run or even founded by community coalitions. The point is, people are already finding ways to fix problems, and we need those fixes to be prevalent in all areas where they are needed.
The book covers a wide range of issues including support for new mothers, vaccinations, nutrition, public safety, gun control, adolescent drug use, race, education, child care, and public service - and that's not even an exhaustive list! It even talks about faith and building good character. Clinton looks at every issue from the perspective of, "What is best for children, and how can we make that happen for all children?"
Even as a staunch supporter of Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, I do not agree with every position she took in this book. But her intentions are clear, and I have to respect that her motivation comes from a good place. Every issue from the environment to the global economy can be boiled down to whether or not a particular policy benefits children and/or the world in which children live.
gundechelsea's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed it and agreed with most of the sentiments, but it is VERY outdated.
dara_the_druid's review against another edition
3.0
Il libro parte da presupposti validi, purtroppo l'ho trovato invecchiato un po' male, con statistiche non aggiornate e ragionamenti superati, per quanto all'avanguardia al tempo di uscita del libro.
bibliophage's review against another edition
Learned a lot about Hillary Clinton, which was one of the reasons I read the book. I appreciate the idea that many people influence, shape, and help create children (and ourselves). Many come in to our lives who help us learn and grow, but I believe Clinton's strong emphasis away from the home is problematic.
mrogows's review against another edition
3.0
Overall I genuinely enjoyed this book.
As for drawbacks, there were a few points I don't agree with Hillary on. Although I do agree that the media is too flooded with violence and sex, I don't think there should be regulations against it. This is especially true with her stance on Video Games. We are indeed seeing the fallout of the violence our media has given us young kids growing up, but I believe a bigger onus is on the media at large, a topic Hillary did touch upon and I applaud her for doing so.
Other than that one area, the book was extremely well written, well researched, and well executed. It does suffer just a bit from the time it was published, and is dated. But reading it at the end of 2018 was a very strange combination of nostalgia from the 1990s, prophetic warnings (some good, some bad, and many seeing fruition), and a celebration of where we have come from and where we were going.
As I started 2018 with Hillary's last book, it only seemed fitting to end it with her first book. A great way to wrap up 2018 and begin 2019.
As for drawbacks, there were a few points I don't agree with Hillary on. Although I do agree that the media is too flooded with violence and sex, I don't think there should be regulations against it. This is especially true with her stance on Video Games. We are indeed seeing the fallout of the violence our media has given us young kids growing up, but I believe a bigger onus is on the media at large, a topic Hillary did touch upon and I applaud her for doing so.
Other than that one area, the book was extremely well written, well researched, and well executed. It does suffer just a bit from the time it was published, and is dated. But reading it at the end of 2018 was a very strange combination of nostalgia from the 1990s, prophetic warnings (some good, some bad, and many seeing fruition), and a celebration of where we have come from and where we were going.
As I started 2018 with Hillary's last book, it only seemed fitting to end it with her first book. A great way to wrap up 2018 and begin 2019.
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