HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

Like Cynthia Levinson’s Hillary Rodham Clinton: Do All the Good You Can (2016), Blumenthal’s biography covers Clinton’s childhood to her current campaign to become the Democratic candidate for president in 2016 but, written for an older audience, goes into greater depth and detail.

Particularly notable is Blumenthal’s consistent focus on how, throughout her public life, Clinton has been held to sexist double standards. No man would ever be subjected to the scrutiny and criticism she has endured for things as mundane as hairstyles and fashion choices or for her decisions to pursue a professional career in Arkansas and policy roles in her husband’s administration. Blumenthal also offers a sympathetic and especially poignant discussion of Clinton’s emotional struggle during the Monica Lewinsky scandal and her determination to make her love for her husband and commitment to her marriage prevail over his betrayal and her anger. As astounding as Clinton’s many accomplishments are, readers receive a balanced, wholly human portrait with all the flaws it entails.

A richly detailed study that is as perceptive as it is engaging.