First published 2017
Rice opens with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, moments she witnessed as a policymaker. She draws on her childhood in Birmingham, Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement to frame her understanding of democratic struggle. The book traces her experiences across decades of global transitions, from the Middle East's ongoing human rights battles to various nations attempting democratic reform. Rice argues that no two countries follow identical paths to democracy and that perfect conditions rarely exist for such transitions. She examines how societies can advance democratic principles even when facing significant obstacles. The work addresses current concerns about democracy's retreat worldwide by offering perspective from someone who shaped policy during crucial historical moments. Rice combines her roles as scholar, government official, and citizen to analyze what these transformative events reveal about democratic governance. The book provides insights for understanding how democracy can survive and adapt during challenging periods.
Genres: history, political-science, non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century, current-affairs, academic, american-history
Vibes: informative, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-analysis, personal-journey, policy-insights
Setting: Alabama, Birmingham, Middle East
Period: Cold War, Soviet Union
496 pages · Hardcover · Twelve