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Book Reviews of Personal History

Personal History
Personal History
Author: Katharine Graham
ISBN-13: 9780375701047
ISBN-10: 0375701044
Publication Date: 2/24/1998
Pages: 642
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 94

3.8 stars, based on 94 ratings
Publisher: Vintage
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

22 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Alohna avatar reviewed Personal History on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I'm not usually a biography reader, but this was great. If you're old enough to remember Watergate, that part is fascinating, but the best bit is her progression from housewife to chairman of the Washington Post. She is humble, uncommon enough from someone with her background and eventual responsibilities. I found it inspiring and a good piece of contemporary history.
reviewed Personal History on
Helpful Score: 3
This is a wonderful, engaging and interesting book. Katharine Graham tells her personal story with humor, insight and a very personal look at the important political changes and developments of the 1960's and 1970's. It is a fascinating read on some of the people at the center of the Watergate scandal.
reviewed Personal History on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I really liked this book as a description of grown ups in the 70's; she accurately describes herself and every other mother in the 70's. Also, it is a very good description of how a woman was treated before and after "feminists." Her story is good, Watergate is only a teeny tiny part of the book, but it is a very good commentary on her generation.
reviewed Personal History on + 75 more book reviews
Graham has participated in many of the current events of the last centery--her journey as a woman helps understand the great changes in our culture.
reviewed Personal History on + 2 more book reviews
writing inside front cover,corner is bend
knut avatar reviewed Personal History on + 59 more book reviews
There have been many books written about the women who have taken on and made made changes in our society. Katherine Graham piolted the WASHINGTON POST thrugh the crises of Watergate and the Pentagon Papers. This personal history of her life and times reflect the culture of those years. Read this to know some of the challenges women have faced in journalism and the politcal arena.
glomper avatar reviewed Personal History on + 5 more book reviews
Although I have a lot of respect for Katharine Graham and her story, I found the book too long and cumbersome to read.
reviewed Personal History on + 77 more book reviews
This is a big read, but I loved it. We used to live in Northern Virginia, and the Washington Post was my favorite paper. No, I'm not liberal, but I loved it anyway. Fascinating look at a woman born into wealth, but didn't really get to choose her path in life. Fascinating look at behind the scenes at big newspapers, what really goes on. The stresses of running a large paper, management issues, strikes, guilds and unions, Watergate, Pentagon papers, an inside look at Warren Buffett and many famous leaders: it's all here. An awesome look at women's issues through the century. Katharine Graham's mother was perhaps most liberated of all for the times...very outspoken. I enjoyed the family history.
reviewed Personal History on + 2 more book reviews
A refreshingly candid look at Mrs. Graham's lifestyle and influence on many things Washington. An entertaining read.
reviewed Personal History on + 16 more book reviews
fascinating look at a crossroads in american history, and the life of an amazing woman who found herself in the thick of it all. Can be a bit long winded at times, but a great read.
reviewed Personal History on
A life of privilege disguised as a blueblood working girl - a bit glib, I suppose, but an interesting read about one of the most powerful women in DC in her day - there's a lot more about her for the first two-thirds of the book before she takes over the Washington Post after her husband (and WP publisher)'s suicide in the early '60s. The last third is almost entirely about the Post, through the Pentagon Papers, Watergate and labor disputes.
reviewed Personal History on + 10 more book reviews
This book has a lot of interesting detail of history and famous people that the author shared her life around in the political & business realms. She was a role model for future women in business as she paved the road.
valeriemaha avatar reviewed Personal History on + 14 more book reviews
This is really an amazing book in so many ways, not the least of which is the politico-historical perspective. Though it's long, I found it entertaining and enlightening...a glimpse at a woman in her time.
reviewed Personal History on + 5 more book reviews
This is a very interesting autobiography. Lots of information about backstage of publishing a newspaper and the inside story of the breaking of Watergate scandal.
starrynight avatar reviewed Personal History on
My favorite book, ever!
sues avatar reviewed Personal History on + 94 more book reviews
A sometimes dry, but thorough, autobiography of an amazing woman.
reviewed Personal History on + 8 more book reviews
memoir of Katherine graham
reviewed Personal History on + 70 more book reviews
I was so impressed by this book! Understanding of the way Washington works as well as the working of a newspaper. From a woman's perspective and insider, as well as the family dynamics and problems. Great personal story. I learned alot.(and enjoyed every moment) I would have loved to meet Katharine Graham. She must have been some kind of woman!
reviewed Personal History on + 115 more book reviews
Best selling memoir of Katharine Graham, the woman who piloted the Washington Post through the crises of the Pentagon Papers and Watergate.
reviewed Personal History on + 16 more book reviews
For those of you that like memoirs, this is an excellent read. What life is like for a woman who has grown up in a very powerful family and lives to tell the tale.
reviewed Personal History on + 117 more book reviews
The story of a truly remarkable woman. The book reads quickly and the reader gains tremendous insight into what a groundbreaker Graham was and how the Washington Post operated. The section on Watergate is fascinating.
madamlibrarian avatar reviewed Personal History on + 38 more book reviews
In this best selling and widely acclaimed memoir, Katharine Graham, the woman who piloted the Washington Post through the crises of the Pentagon Papers and Watergate, tells her story- one that is extraordinary both for the events its encompasses and for the courage, candor, and dignity of its telling.