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Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds
In this beautifully written and propulsive memoir, Huma Abedin-Hillary Clinton's famously private top aide and longtime advisor-emerges from the wings of American political history to take command of her own story.
The daughter of Indian and Pakistani intellectuals and advocates, Abedin grew up in the United States and Saudi Arabia and traveled widely. Both/And grapples with family, legacy, identity, faith, marriage, motherhood-and work-with wisdom, sophistication, and clarity.
Abedin launched full steam into a college internship in the office of the First Lady in 1996, never imagining that her work at the White House would blossom into a career in public service, nor that her career would become an all-consuming way of life. She thrived in rooms with diplomats and sovereigns, entrepreneurs and artists, philanthropists and activists, and witnessed many crucial moments in 21st-century American history-Camp David for urgent efforts at Middle East peace in the waning months of the Clinton administration, Ground Zero in the days after the 9/11 attacks, the inauguration of the first African American president of the United States, the convention floor when America nominated its first female presidential candidate.
Abedin's relationship with Hillary Clinton has seen both women through extraordinary personal and professional highs, as well as unimaginable lows. Here, for the first time, is a deeply personal account of Clinton as mentor, confidante, and role model. Abedin cuts through caricature, rumor, and misinformation to reveal a crystal clear portrait of Clinton as a brilliant and caring leader, a steadfast friend, generous, funny, hardworking, and dedicated.
Both/And is a candid and heartbreaking chronicle of Abedin's marriage to Anthony Weiner, what drew her to him, how much she wanted to believe in him, the devastation wrought by his betrayals-and their shared love for their son. It is also a timeless story of a young woman with aspirations and ideals coming into her own in high-pressure jobs and a testament to the potential for women in leadership to blaze a path forward while supporting those who follow in their footsteps.
Abedin's journey through the opportunities and obstacles, the trials and triumphs, of a full and complex life is a testament to her profound belief that in an increasingly either/or world, she can be both/and. Abedin's compassion and courage, her resilience and grace, her work ethic and mission are an inspiration to people of all ages.
The daughter of Indian and Pakistani intellectuals and advocates, Abedin grew up in the United States and Saudi Arabia and traveled widely. Both/And grapples with family, legacy, identity, faith, marriage, motherhood-and work-with wisdom, sophistication, and clarity.
Abedin launched full steam into a college internship in the office of the First Lady in 1996, never imagining that her work at the White House would blossom into a career in public service, nor that her career would become an all-consuming way of life. She thrived in rooms with diplomats and sovereigns, entrepreneurs and artists, philanthropists and activists, and witnessed many crucial moments in 21st-century American history-Camp David for urgent efforts at Middle East peace in the waning months of the Clinton administration, Ground Zero in the days after the 9/11 attacks, the inauguration of the first African American president of the United States, the convention floor when America nominated its first female presidential candidate.
Abedin's relationship with Hillary Clinton has seen both women through extraordinary personal and professional highs, as well as unimaginable lows. Here, for the first time, is a deeply personal account of Clinton as mentor, confidante, and role model. Abedin cuts through caricature, rumor, and misinformation to reveal a crystal clear portrait of Clinton as a brilliant and caring leader, a steadfast friend, generous, funny, hardworking, and dedicated.
Both/And is a candid and heartbreaking chronicle of Abedin's marriage to Anthony Weiner, what drew her to him, how much she wanted to believe in him, the devastation wrought by his betrayals-and their shared love for their son. It is also a timeless story of a young woman with aspirations and ideals coming into her own in high-pressure jobs and a testament to the potential for women in leadership to blaze a path forward while supporting those who follow in their footsteps.
Abedin's journey through the opportunities and obstacles, the trials and triumphs, of a full and complex life is a testament to her profound belief that in an increasingly either/or world, she can be both/and. Abedin's compassion and courage, her resilience and grace, her work ethic and mission are an inspiration to people of all ages.
Editorial Reviews
"Abedin will have a next act. She is an extremely driven woman, even as she is still haunted by her husband's transgressions and the exceedingly public way they were revealed. Despite it all, this is a woman who wants to be part of America's future, even if it means putting herself out there in a painful way. And that is to be applauded."
-MSNBC
"Abedin is presenting her own narrative with her new memoir, Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds. The much-anticipated book chronicles her fascinating life ... Both/And is available now; below, find some of the most powerful-and heartbreaking-moments from its pages."
-Elle
"Abedin was a witness to and participant in all this tumult but never the narrator of it ... The memoir is a chance - after a lifetime as the trusted and silent helpmate - to assert herself."
-The Cut
"To a fascinated outside world, Huma Abedin was always the elegant woman standing at the back of the room, not speaking ... Until now. [Abedin] dissects and illustrates the three relationships that have framed her life ... There are other humorous moments in the book ... The shame Abedin experienced through Weiner's behavior is the most absorbing part of the book, and the hardest to read."
-Associated Press
"Here [Abedin] finally takes the chance to tell her own story in her own words, tracing her life through the lens of straddling cultures, identities, faiths, and more."
-Entertainment Weekly
"Huma Abedin shares her story for the first time in this memoir, detailing moments from growing up in Saudi Arabia and then the U.S. and from a college internship in the East Wing in 1996, as well as offering a candid examination of her marriage to Anthony Weiner."
-Fortune
"With her memoir, Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds, Abedin lays out her story - the good and the bad."
-NPR.org
"[Both/And] is the story of a person of substance - someone determined to tell her own story . . . unflinching."
-New York Times
"Candid. . . a propulsive narrative [with] crisp prose."
-Washington Post Review
"Huma Abedin's memoir took my breath away. This is a luminous, thoughtful, warm, and often humorous journey through the life of a woman who both witnessed recent history and helped make it. It's also a love letter to parents who showed her that, despite what society might say, she needn't choose one culture or another. It's not either/or.
Both/And is incisive, inclusive, engaging, beautifully written. You will love every moment you spend in the company of this...
-MSNBC
"Abedin is presenting her own narrative with her new memoir, Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds. The much-anticipated book chronicles her fascinating life ... Both/And is available now; below, find some of the most powerful-and heartbreaking-moments from its pages."
-Elle
"Abedin was a witness to and participant in all this tumult but never the narrator of it ... The memoir is a chance - after a lifetime as the trusted and silent helpmate - to assert herself."
-The Cut
"To a fascinated outside world, Huma Abedin was always the elegant woman standing at the back of the room, not speaking ... Until now. [Abedin] dissects and illustrates the three relationships that have framed her life ... There are other humorous moments in the book ... The shame Abedin experienced through Weiner's behavior is the most absorbing part of the book, and the hardest to read."
-Associated Press
"Here [Abedin] finally takes the chance to tell her own story in her own words, tracing her life through the lens of straddling cultures, identities, faiths, and more."
-Entertainment Weekly
"Huma Abedin shares her story for the first time in this memoir, detailing moments from growing up in Saudi Arabia and then the U.S. and from a college internship in the East Wing in 1996, as well as offering a candid examination of her marriage to Anthony Weiner."
-Fortune
"With her memoir, Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds, Abedin lays out her story - the good and the bad."
-NPR.org
"[Both/And] is the story of a person of substance - someone determined to tell her own story . . . unflinching."
-New York Times
"Candid. . . a propulsive narrative [with] crisp prose."
-Washington Post Review
"Huma Abedin's memoir took my breath away. This is a luminous, thoughtful, warm, and often humorous journey through the life of a woman who both witnessed recent history and helped make it. It's also a love letter to parents who showed her that, despite what society might say, she needn't choose one culture or another. It's not either/or.
Both/And is incisive, inclusive, engaging, beautifully written. You will love every moment you spend in the company of this...
Readers Top Reviews
Betsy Rosssevineayde
I disliked this book. The author has many privileges that many Americans do not have. She feels she is totally blameless for her husband’s behavior because they did not see each other often before marriage, thus she did not know his true character. The constant praising for Mrs. Clinton is annoying. I was waiting for Hillary Clinton to walk on water. Just a pity party for the innocent author!
Varsha
A riveting account of Huma’s extraordinary life and background, through highs and lows. Huge respect for her hard work, selfless devotion to country and family, and a role model for aspiring young women!
Janet Urban
Actually I just started this book last night. Ms. Abedin is a talented writer and Im really enjoying reading her story.
Ben sebutzSylviastel
I just received the book today and eagerly began reading it until I got to page 10 and only half of the page had printed. I noticed it again on page 19. One more page with misprints and the book will be returned.
Lisa Hernandez Gioia
So much for everyone in this book. Must read for anyone who followed her story.
