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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Chasing Hillary summary
Amy Chozick
Ten Years, Two Presidential Campaigns and One Intact Glass Ceiling
27 mins
Brief summary
'Chasing Hillary' by Amy Chozick is a firsthand account of the 2016 presidential race, providing insight into her coverage of Hillary Clinton's campaign and reflecting on the challenges of reporting on one of the most controversial election races in recent history.
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Chasing Hillary
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Amy Chozick thought she’d landed the dream journalism job following Hillary Clinton.
In 2013, Amy Chozick took the momentous decision to have her eggs frozen. She knew she was in for a busy few years, and it was clear that children couldn’t be a consideration until 2016 at the earliest. In 2011, she’d been gifted her dream assignment at the New York Times: she was to focus on Hillary Clinton and the Clinton family and write stories about them for the paper.
By 2013 there were already rumors circulating that Clinton would once again attempt to run as a candidate in the US presidential election, and the author’s job took on a whole new level of intensity. It was then that she realized children would not come into the picture anytime soon.
The liberal press, including the Times, started putting together teams to follow what was sure to be a historic race for president.
After all, at that point, Hillary Clinton held a 70-percent approval rating in the polls – her route to victory in 2016 seemed all but certain. Maybe she’d have to show her face at a few charity balls, but that was about it.
Clinton was known on the liberal circuit for her numerous positive qualities. She fought to save the whales, combat malaria, increase literacy rates and support Jews against anti-Semitism. In particular, Clinton's strong Methodist faith was known to guide her.
The author was thrilled to take the position but, unbeknownst to her at the time, her employer and Clinton didn’t exactly have the best relationship. She found out about this when she first tried to wrangle interviews with Hillary Clinton and was given the cold shoulder by Clinton’s press aides. It turned out the bad blood between the Times and the Clintons went back several decades.
In fact, the Clintons had been distrustful of the Times since 1992. That year, reporter Jeff Gerth had written about the Clintons’ investing in property near the White River in Arkansas. The story sparked an investigation. It was rumored that the Clintons might have received financial help to buy the property, and it was even suggested that they had given out a few political favors in return.
It became known in the media as the Whitewater Scandal – but, in the end, there was nothing to the rumors. Even so, there had been nothing but bad blood since then between the Clintons and the Times.
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What is Chasing Hillary about?
Chasing Hillary (2018) details journalist Amy Chozick’s deeply personal experience at the New York Times reporting on Hillary Clinton. The book follows not just Clinton’s campaign during the 2016 US presidential election but also her battle with Senator Bernie Sanders in the Democratic Party primaries. It delves deep into the Clinton psyche, looking back to the times before she even considered running for high office.
Chasing Hillary Review
Chasing Hillary (2018) is a unique and insightful look into Amy Chozick's experience covering Hillary Clinton's presidential campaigns. Here are three reasons why this book is worth reading:
- Through intimate anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories, the book offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of political journalism and the challenges of covering a historic campaign.
- Chozick's honest and candid account highlights both the triumphs and failures of Clinton's campaigns, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of the complexities of American politics.
- The author's engaging writing style and keen observational skills keep readers captivated, ensuring that the book is far from boring.
Best quote from Chasing Hillary
Coincidentally, most of the reporters posted on the Clinton trail were women. For example, CNN had Brianna Keilar, Politico went with Maggie Haberman and NBC chose Monica Alba.
—Amy Chozick
Who should read Chasing Hillary?
- Journalists
- People fascinated by US politics
- Anyone wondering just how Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 election to Donald Trump
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Chasing Hillary FAQs
What is the main message of Chasing Hillary?
Chasing Hillary explores the turbulent 2016 presidential campaign, offering insights into journalism, ambition, and the pursuit of political power.
How long does it take to read Chasing Hillary?
The reading time for Chasing Hillary depends on your reading speed, but on average it takes several hours. If you prefer a shorter version, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Chasing Hillary a good book? Is it worth reading?
Chasing Hillary is worth reading as it provides an inside look at the high-stakes world of political journalism and offers a nuanced perspective on the 2016 presidential campaign.
Who is the author of Chasing Hillary?
Amy Chozick is the author of Chasing Hillary.
What to read after Chasing Hillary?
If you're wondering what to read next after Chasing Hillary, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz & Janet Mills
- The Whole Story by John Mackey
- The Stoic Mindset by Mark Tuitert
- Shattered by Jonathan Allen & Amie Parnes
- Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
- Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond
- The Man's Guide to Women by John Gottman
- Suicide of the West by Jonah Goldberg
- The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
- The Society of the Spectacle by Guy Debord