📖 Overview
Unlikeable explores Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign preparations and political trajectory during the Obama administration years. The book focuses on her time as Secretary of State and the lead-up to her 2016 presidential bid.
Author Edward Klein conducted interviews with sources close to Clinton and gathered accounts from political insiders to construct this behind-the-scenes narrative. The book examines Clinton's relationships with key political figures, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and various Democratic Party leaders.
The work covers several major events and controversies from Clinton's political career, including Benghazi, her private email server, and the Clinton Foundation's activities. Klein presents details about internal campaign discussions, strategic planning sessions, and private conversations that shaped Clinton's public image.
This biographical work raises questions about authenticity in modern American politics and the complex dynamics between personal ambition and public service. The narrative examines the tension between calculated political positioning and genuine connection with voters.
👀 Reviews
Readers view Unlikeable as a partisan hit piece against Hillary Clinton, with most questioning Klein's heavy reliance on anonymous sources and unverified claims.
Positive reviews praise:
- Behind-the-scenes details about Clinton's relationship with Obama
- Fast-paced, engaging writing style
- Insights into Clinton's 2016 campaign strategy
Common criticisms:
- Too many unsourced assertions
- Repetitive content from Klein's previous books
- Sensationalized stories that seem implausible
- Clear political bias in the reporting
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.1/5 (1,482 reviews)
Goodreads: 3.4/5 (789 ratings)
Sample reader comments:
"Reads more like gossip than journalism" - Goodreads reviewer
"No way to verify most of these claims" - Amazon reviewer
"Even as someone critical of Clinton, this seems over-the-top" - Barnes & Noble reviewer
The book's reception splits strongly along political lines, with conservative readers more likely to rate it favorably than liberal readers.
📚 Similar books
Game Change by John Heilemann, Mark Halperin.
A behind-the-scenes account of the 2008 presidential campaign reveals private conversations and political strategies between candidates and their teams.
Crisis of Character by Gary J. Byrne. A former Secret Service officer presents observations from his time protecting the Clinton White House during the 1990s.
Blood Feud by Edward Klein. This examination of the relationship between the Clintons and the Obamas details the political rivalries and power struggles between the two families.
The First Family Detail by Ronald Kessler. Secret Service agents share their experiences protecting various presidents and their families, including untold stories about the personal lives of commanders-in-chief.
The Amateur by Edward Klein. This investigation into President Obama's first term presents accounts from political insiders about White House operations and decision-making processes.
Crisis of Character by Gary J. Byrne. A former Secret Service officer presents observations from his time protecting the Clinton White House during the 1990s.
Blood Feud by Edward Klein. This examination of the relationship between the Clintons and the Obamas details the political rivalries and power struggles between the two families.
The First Family Detail by Ronald Kessler. Secret Service agents share their experiences protecting various presidents and their families, including untold stories about the personal lives of commanders-in-chief.
The Amateur by Edward Klein. This investigation into President Obama's first term presents accounts from political insiders about White House operations and decision-making processes.
🤔 Interesting facts
📚 Throughout the book, Klein claims that President Obama and Michelle Obama had a long-running feud with Hillary Clinton, including frequent heated arguments during her time as Secretary of State.
🗣️ The book alleges that Hillary Clinton employed a voice coach to help her sound more authentic and relatable during speeches, practicing for hours to moderate her tone.
📊 "Unlikeable" sold over 100,000 copies within its first month of release, despite being heavily criticized by the Clinton campaign as containing unsubstantiated claims.
🔍 Author Edward Klein previously served as editor-in-chief of The New York Times Magazine and has written several controversial biographies about the Kennedys and the Clintons.
💭 The book suggests that Bill Clinton advised Hillary to apologize for the email server controversy, but she initially refused, believing it would make her appear weak - a decision she would later reverse.