Condoleeza Rice

This entry from the A&E series Biography presents a classic collection development dilemma: do you purchase a dated item that has some information on a hot topic, or do you wait for a more current production? This biography of the newly-appointed Secretary of State was filmed before Dr. Rice was nominated to that position, moving her from being “one of the most powerful women” in the world to being arguably the most powerful. While the details about her early life and career remain the same--and therefore useful for both students working on papers and casual viewers--this documentary talks about her future plans after her role as National Security Advisor in froufrou terms, speculating that the diehard football fan might become an NFL Commissioner one day. This failure of imagination on the producers' part seems to have colored the whole production, discounting the brains and ambition of their subject, who might eventually become a vice-presidential or even a presidential candidate. Portraying her as just “one of the girls” who really loves to go shoe shopping is a bit of an insult both to Rice and viewers. Optional. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Reagan)