Condoleezza Rice: Her Life and Career

This glowing biography looks at the many accomplishments of Condoleezza Rice, the first African-American woman to serve as Secretary of State. Born to a Presbyterian minister and a teacher in Birmingham, AL, in 1954, Rice experienced first-hand both the violence and the hope of the time. Always an outstanding student, she earned advanced degrees in political science after deciding against a career as a concert pianist. Rice went on to become a popular professor at Stanford University and eventually was the Soviet affairs specialist on the National Security Council during the George H. W. Bush presidency, a position in which she was involved in many important diplomatic decisions. After a stint on the boards of Chevron, Hewlett-Packard, and other corporations—as well as serving as the first female and first minority provost of Stanford—she returned to the political sphere during the administration of George W. Bush, ultimately being named to her Cabinet post. Other achievements highlighted here include the many books she has authored or co-authored, her 10 honorary doctorates, various humanitarian involvements, and her personal discipline and tenacity. While this is a well-produced portrait, it's not exactly balanced, neglecting to even mention the controversial nature of many decisions she made as part of the Bush administration, especially in relation to the war in Iraq and post-9/11 counterterrorism policies. Still, this is recommended, overall. Aud: H, C, P. (E. Gieschen)