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    Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family
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    Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family
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    Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family
    Audiobook8 hours

    Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family

    Published by Penguin Random House Audio

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    This is the story of Condoleezza Rice that has never been told, not that of an ultra-accomplished world leader, but of a little girl--and a young woman--trying to find her place in a sometimes hostile world, of two exceptional parents, and an extended family and community that made all the difference.

    Condoleezza Rice has excelled as a diplomat, political scientist, and concert pianist. Her achievements run the gamut from helping to oversee the collapse of communism in Europe and the decline of the Soviet Union, to working to protect the country in the aftermath of 9-11, to becoming only the second woman--and the first black woman ever--to serve as Secretary of State.

    But until she was 25 she never learned to swim, because when she was a little girl in Birmingham, Alabama, Commissioner of Public Safety Bull Connor decided he'd rather shut down the city's pools than give black citizens access.

    Throughout the 1950's, Birmingham's black middle class largely succeeded in insulating their children from the most corrosive effects of racism, providing multiple support systems to ensure the next generation would live better than the last. But by 1963, Birmingham had become an environment where blacks were expected to keep their head down and do what they were told--or face violent consequences. That spring two bombs exploded in Rice's neighborhood amid a series of chilling Klu Klux Klan attacks.  Months later, four young girls lost their lives in a particularly vicious bombing.

    So how was Rice able to achieve what she ultimately did?

    Her father, John, a minister and educator, instilled a love of sports and politics. Her mother, a teacher, developed Condoleezza's passion for piano and exposed her to the fine arts. From both, Rice learned the value of faith in the face of hardship and the importance of giving back to the community. Her parents' fierce unwillingness to set limits propelled her to the venerable halls of Stanford University, where she quickly rose through the ranks to become the university's second-in-command. An expert in Soviet and Eastern European Affairs, she played a leading role in U.S. policy as the Iron Curtain fell and the Soviet Union disintegrated. Less than a decade later, at the apex of the hotly contested 2000 presidential election, she received the exciting news--just shortly before her father's death--that she would go on to the White House as the first female National Security Advisor.

    As comfortable describing lighthearted family moments as she is recalling the poignancy of her mother's cancer battle and the heady challenge of going toe-to-toe with Soviet leaders, Rice holds nothing back in this remarkably candid telling.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateOct 12, 2010
    ISBN9780307750648
    Unavailable
    Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family

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    Reviews for Extraordinary, Ordinary People

    4/5

    80 ratings21 reviews

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    • 4/5
      This is an autobiographical account of Condoleeza Rice's life before she became the National Security Advisor to George Bush in 1991.As the title suggests, she is the only child of parents who believed in the importance of education in the evolution of a child and a community. Her parents were both educators in Birmingham, Alabama and lived in Titusville, a suburb with a primarily middle class black population. Her father, a Presbyterian preacher and teacher, initiated several programs to mentor black children and youth to help them succeed. Her parents sacrificed so that she could take piano, skating lessons. They moved to Denver so John Rice could persue a higher education. She eventually ends up at Stanford University in Palo Alto in her launching her career as a scholar and Soviet expert. She is appointed the National Security Advisor to President Bush in 2001, where the book ends. She is a big believer in Affirmative Action and being a mentor to under privileged black children and youth. She believes that this was one of the ways of ensuring that racism would be overcome in the U.S. She is a no nonsense, plain speaking extremely competent manager and leader.I enjoyed the book and learned a great deal more about a strong woman and leader.
    • 5/5
      I listened to the audio book version, which is narrated by the author. Rice is an amazing woman who was parented by two amazing people. The story of her early youth in Birmingham, AL during the days of segregation seemed unbelievable to someone who never experienced segretation of that sort. Rice and her family moved to Denver during her teenage years, and she finished high school and attended college in that city. Graduate school followed at Stanford, where she finished her Ph.D. , and later became a professor. The book does not cover her years as Secretary of State because it focuses on her relationship with her parents, and both of them had died by the time of her service in the George W. Bush administration. I hope that will be another book to be read at a future time. It is a shame that Rice does not have the "fire in the belly" for a presidential campaign because she would surely have my vote. This is an outstanding book by an outstanding woman.
    • 5/5
      I have watched Condoleezza Rice from far and always see in her the strength of a strong woman who would not be held down from reaching her aspired height by gender or colour. Listening to Extraordinary Ordinary People (in her very own voice) has shown to me her strong foundation through the family: her parents' Godly and disciplined tutelage and the sacrifices made by them has turned out the woman that Condi has become today.
      I love the parents' resolve that "Condoleeza is our house..." by focusing on her rather than buying a physical house. And surely, that house - Condoleezza - is standing strong and mighty, providing shelter and succour to many today.
      I also love "You are not good enough to quit..........." hmmm, very thoughful of Condi's mum to drive that home for her.
      Extraordinary Ordinary People has shown what the positive impact of good and Godly parenting will have not just on the child(ren) but the present world and the generations to come.

      God bless the memory of the late Rice, God bless Condoleezza Rice.
    • 3/5
      Amazing achievements detailed; little insight into the thoughts and feelings that make Condoleezza Rice tick.
    • 5/5
      Biography of Condi's life, starting before she was born.
    • 5/5
      I listened to the audio book version, which is narrated by the author. Rice is an amazing woman who was parented by two amazing people. The story of her early youth in Birmingham, AL during the days of segregation seemed unbelievable to someone who never experienced segretation of that sort. Rice and her family moved to Denver during her teenage years, and she finished high school and attended college in that city. Graduate school followed at Stanford, where she finished her Ph.D. , and later became a professor. The book does not cover her years as Secretary of State because it focuses on her relationship with her parents, and both of them had died by the time of her service in the George W. Bush administration. I hope that will be another book to be read at a future time. It is a shame that Rice does not have the "fire in the belly" for a presidential campaign because she would surely have my vote. This is an outstanding book by an outstanding woman.
    • 4/5
      Well written biography of a very interesting lady. Considering the sacrifices they made for her future, her parents truly were extraordinary.
    • 4/5
      Learned quite a bit about her life growing up in Birmingham, AL at the height of the CIvil RIghts movement.
    • 4/5
      This book is great!
    • 3/5
      I have admired Condoleezza Rice for years so when I heard about the release of her memoir I was ecstatic. I couldn’t wait to read what she had to say because there is no limit to the opinions of her critics. I felt in a library kind of mood so I decided to move this title up on my TBR list and went and picked it up! Rice opens up her life to us by taking us for a climb on the Rice and Ray (her mother’s maiden name) family trees going back to her great-grandparents. I viewed her beginnings as humble like most people with southern roots. John and Angelena Rice’s courtship and marriage was a true love story. Even though John and Angelena married later in life, Angelena was twenty-nine; one could tell they were soul mates. John Rice a Presbyterian preacher was civic minded and very involved in his community especially with the youth. Angelena was the epitome of a lady often cleaning in heels. The Rice’s had a close knit immediate and extended family which I think shaped Condoleezza into a confident woman. Angelena Rice was the reason for her daughter’s life- long love of the piano. Condoleeza began piano lessons with her grandmother at approximately three years old. Rice also took up figure skating for a period of time. Growing up in Birmingham, AL, during the reign of Bull Connor, Condoleezza Rice never fell victim to the stereotypes others placed on African-Americans of that era. John and Angelena always affirmed to Condoleezza that she could accomplish great things and to never be a victim. We learn that Rice never really made a decision without consulting with her parents first. Having a strong family unit and community shaped her ideals and values for years to come. When we see the stoic Rice on television or read about her in various articles you would never think she ever had those crippling moments of uncertainty of what she wanted to be or do in life. Rice reveals that she had many moments such as these. This work includes very little transparency. It was refreshing to read about Rice’s early life but as the book progressed I felt it was just a list of accomplishments and who’s who. There were also points when there were strong statements that revealed a classist attitude that bordered on arrogance. Reading that Madeleine Albright’s father was Rice’s professor and at one time she lived next door to Benjamin Netanyahu’s family, I thought yes this is a small world. I was most impressed with how well she articulated her choice in political party without being defensive or apologetic. There was a certain “stiffness” this memoir possessed that never gave way.
    • 5/5
      Love her or hate her, one can’t deny that Condoleezza Rice has led a fascinating and supremely accomplished life, from growing up in segregated Birmingham, Alabama to competitive figure skating in Denver, Colorado to being named the youngest Provost in Stanford University’s history. And that doesn’t even touch on her three tours of duty in Washington, DC, first as an intern at the Pentagon, then as a NSC staffer under the first President Bush, and finally as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State under the younger Bush.The majority of this memoir is dedicated to her childhood and adolescence and her relationship with her unerringly supportive parents. Rice’s story is full of interesting connections and coincidences – one of the four little girls killed in the bombing of a Birmingham church was a playmate; her parents lived at one point next to the parents of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and they shared a seder meal with them; her interest in the Soviet Union and international politics was first sparked by Professor Joseph Korbel , the father of President Clinton’s Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. All of which made for an interesting read, but I found the most fascinating parts to be her childhood memories of growing up in segregated Birmingham and her family’s and friends’ responses to inequality and racism. It is a unique perspective on an aspect of American history whose repercussions are still felt.Rice rarely touches on anything overtly political, though her brief discussion of her father’s politics and her own relationship with the Republican Party were both interesting. This book will not appeal to hard core detractors of Dr. Rice; anyone who admires her, is curious about her, or feels only indifference will find something of value in this book.
    • 5/5
      Condoleezza Rice's family memoir covers the period of time from her childhood to her father's death, which occurred shortly after the 2000 presidential election as Rice prepared to join the President's staff as National Security Advisor. I listened to the audio version read by the author and I felt like she was in the room having a conversation with me. I liked what I knew of her before I listened to the book, and I like her even more now. She's still relatively young, and she has already participated in so many historic events during her childhood in segregated Birmingham, in her academic career at Stanford, and in her service in Washington under both Bushes.Some parts of the book were difficult for me to listen to. I have a lot in common with Dr. Rice. Our mothers were musicians, our fathers were preachers who left full-time ministry for careers in college and university administration, we both began piano lessons at an early age, we both work in academia, we both love football, we both lost our mothers to cancer, and we both lost our fathers several years later. The episodes surrounding her parents' final illnesses and deaths brought back painful memories, particularly since my father's illness and death was so recent.I wish more government officials were like Dr. Rice. She is able to disagree with others' ideas and opinions without being disagreeable. This book should appeal to readers across the political spectrum. Readers will find a lot to admire, and not much, if anything, to cause offense.
    • 3/5
      I should have known better, I suppose, since memoirs of celebrities or prominent people are not usually my cup of tea. This one looked different, and maybe it was, a little. But in the end I found myself skim-reading over large chunks of text dealing with civil unrest in the 60s and 70s - stuff I'd read about before, and Rice's version didn't add much of interest. And then, when she got into her adult years and her educational and political connections, I glazed over even more.Proably the most interesting parts of EXTRAORDINARY, ORDINARY PEOPLE are the sections about her parents, and how they strived continually for excellence and to advance up the social and educational ladders. Because John and Angelena Price believed in that American dream of a better life, despite the obvious disadvantage they faced of being black in a racially divided South. They were fiercely protective of their only child and made countless sacrifices to see that she had every advantage available. Educators themselves, they pushed Condoleeza to always do her best and aim for the heights, all the way to her Ph.D.Rice herself seemed somehow less admirable, coddled and spoiled as only children often are. She muddled about for, it seemed, years, trying to figure out what it was she wanted to do with her life. And while it's true she did achieve remarkable heights in her various careers (and I don't count her years working for G Dubya Bush as a high point), her life simply didn't come across as all that interesting as she wrote about it. It seemed, well, "ordinary." And while her writing is workmanlike and good enough, she just doesn't manage to make her life story come to life.I skim-read this book in less than a day, so I may have missed its point, but I don't think so. Maybe the title should have tipped me off - "ordinary."
    • 4/5
      Excellent book about Rice's family and her years growing up in the south and in Denver. Interesting to see how her career began and morphed into being such an influential person. Not a fan of her politics, but she doesn't dwell on them -- she keeps the narrative to her experiences. Very interesting!
    • 5/5
      This should be recommended reading for all junior, high school students who aspire to careers in music, sports, politics, government service, the military or leadership in anyway. What better way to read of history of segregation and Civil Rights than through this autobiography of remarkable Condoleezza Rice that is niquely personal yet global in scope. Living in Alabama, Colorado, California and Washington DC and traveling the world, Rice discusses her relationship with her parents as she grows up and moves into an extraordinary carreer. Although this is very revealing of her and her interests, education and accomplishments, the focus of this book is on the lives her parents led, the relationship that they had that determined her course of life. Excellent! Very readable. Inspiring for the seriously minded student and those who wish to influence them..
    • 4/5
      Supported by ambitious and immensely dedicated parents from Birmigham, Alabama, Condi Rice capitalizes on natural abilities and goes on to serve two presidents and become a Stanford professor and provost. She experienced the divided South and learned about overcoming adversity and excelling from a network of tutors, the examples of her parents, and connections with powerful individuals. She remained extremely close with her parents to the end of their lives and the book highlights the good that can come from a nurturing family relationship.
    • 4/5
      Extraordinary Ordinary People By Condoleeza Rice Easily should be called, extraordinary woman who was raised by incredible loving intelligent parents. This memoir is a moving and interesting story of Condoleeza's life from early years in Birmingham Alabama to the classes at University of Denver and later tenure at Stanford. Condoleeza grew up to the "you need to be twice as good" anthem and later followed in her fathers footsteps of educational advocacy. She is a smart, kind, well spoken, well written and genuinely caring person that has used her gifts to help others throughout her life. Condoleeza has worked with and for some of the most interesting leaders of our time. In this book she takes the reader on a pleasurable and easy to follow journey that one would not want to miss. We are not talking republican or democrat here, we are talking about an extraordinary role model and person.
    • 5/5
      Most office holders write memoirs of near stupefying dullness mixed with pious vapor. This is an amazingly wonderful account of growing up black in Birmingham and rising above the mess of Jim Crow by a combination of a quite amazing and resourceful extended family and extreme personal effort. Does not solve the nature / nurture debate as in this case the answer is both and something more besides. A most interesting glimpse of a most interesting women. In an administration of glad handing dunces she was one of the stars.
    • 4/5
      Brilliant person. The world is a lot better off because of her. Modest but also straight-forward. Her background is so heavily impacted by her parents yet she is her own person. At 50, she has many productive years remaining and I hope that our nation can avail herself of her services in the future.
    • 4/5
      While we get no closer to glimpse behind the facade of the enigma that is Condoleezza Rice, this sympathetic autobiography is a great and warm portrait of her family and background. Management guru Peter Drucker titled his autobiography "Adventures of a bystander". Rice actually fulfills Drucker's claim. This book ends with the start of the Bush administration, thus Rice's political decisions are not yet touched upon. I look forward to the second volume (although I fear she will not come clean in it).Life is complicated and puzzling. Within the racist mess that was (is?) Alabama, the Rice family, as a preachers, had risen to the upper crust of black society. Thus, young Condi grew up discriminated and privileged at the same time. An only child, she had both a playroom and a bedroom to herself, which she didn't make use of, sleeping in her parents' bedroom until she was eight years old. Her parents thus both pampered and pushed her to strive, which she did, sort of. It just happened that she was not very good at most of what she did, curiously all typically white activities: classical music, figure skating. The race riots of the 1960s affected little Condi only in messing with her Christmas shopping.While the Rices profited the most from the end of segregation and surfed to success by the way of affirmative action like no other, they were, but to their skin color, a rather "white" family themselves who shunned their poorer and less educated brethren. As children of privilege, the Rices voted Republican, who with Nixon's Southern strategy actively worked against the undoing of segregation. The book unfortunately never discusses this paradox and only lightly touches upon both her father's and her speedy advancement.As a Republican academic, as a woman and an African-American, Condoleezza Rice was affirmative action gold: Ticking off three boxes with one hire. Nobody questioned her lack of proper credentials. Nobody worried that she wrote a dissertation about the Czech Communist army without having any knowledge about the country, its language or the military and thus completed an error-riddled text. Rice surfed from job to job, without acquiring any deeper knowledge and without having to make a stand against her superiors. Following orders and keeping her head down appear to be her chief virtues. Nothing in her career prepared her to draw a line and set priorities, which led to the tragedies not covered in this book.Rice is both the poster child for and against affirmative action. Without affirmative action, even somebody from a position of relative privilege would not have achieved her stellar career. Affirmative action, on the other hand, promoted somebody way beyond her level of competence and expertise with disastrous consequences for the nation and the world. Who but Rice could speak of the "birth pangs of democracy" when the Israelis bombed the hell out of Lebanese civilians? While her family comes alive in this book, Rice herself remains a sort of Manchurian candidate, a blank slate. Only when she enjoys the photo opportunities on Air Force One or meets with Gorbi do we glimpse a bit of joy behind that imperturbable mask, which is sad. Sadness is the feeling that overcomes me when I think about Condoleezza Rice. At least, now I have these wonderful images of her family to partially offset this. Recommended.
    • 4/5
      I found this book fascinating. I never really followed Miss Rice one way or the other -for or against but I think it shows how a close relationship with her parents and there expectations for her influenced her and helped her become who she is. As a parent I'm so glad to have listened to this book.