It Takes a Village

I read this book when it first came out in the 90s. I loved the way Sen. Clinton, who was then First Lady, related to the struggles that face American families. She showed compassion as well as incredible intelligence. I am a Mormon, and one thing that impressed me about this book is that Hillary praised the Mormon practice of holding Family Home Evenings once a week. (My family did this growing up). Hillary's point with this book is that we need to look at what's working for American families. We need to emulate good practices in the private sector, and put government back on the side of families. I think Hillary Clinton is a true hero, and feminine role model. I supported her bid for presidency, not because I agreed with her on every issue, but because I respected her, and felt excited to support a female candidate. Regardless of party affiliation (I'm a Republican), this book is intelligent, well-researched and written and beneficial to the public policy discourse. I recommend it!

My leanings are more right than left but I would take issue with anyone who actually read this book (not just decided to berate the title because you don't like the author) and didn't conclude that Hillary Clinton is every bit a proponent of "family values" as the most right-wing republican. Mrs. Clinton gives the reader a compelling portrait of her vision for America's Children. To all the rocket scientists who'se reviews made the bold statement "It takes a Mother and Father to raise a Child" you are completely missing the point and obviously didn't read paragraph one of the book. In no way does Clinton devalue parental roles she simply acknowledges that at other people have effects on a child's well being. Children rely on safe neighborhoods, good teachers, readily available health-care and many other facets of "The Village" to be raised properly. Within the book Ms. Clinton introduces a whole litany of social programs some of which I agree with (better health education and diets in school's to combat obesity, required marital counseling, ) and some of which I don't (socialist medicine and Charter Schools--the former will never fly in this country and the latter are proving to be a flop). Reasonable people can disagree, and while I don't see eye to eye with Clinton on some issues her objective is noble and her writing is enjoyable. FOr the record if Chelsea is any indication--Hillary Clinton is an excellent Mom. There's little middle ground in this country when it comes to Hillary---I've heard the most vile and disgusting things uttered about her and I've seen her almost worshipped. I like to think I can be part of that middle ground--a right-winger who appreciates the intelligent passionate argument that she brings to the table.

What a thought-provoking book! Mrs. Clinton shares her in-depth knowledge of child development, along with her ideas about how our society can better support families. Sprinkled throughout are vivid tales of her own parenting experiences. Anyone who thinks Mrs. Clinton is a left-wing extremist hasn't read this book. She offers more than rhetoric to support family values; she offers time-tested ideas from communities across the nation. Every parent, every citizen of our national community, should read this book.

Hillary Rodham Clinton has written a wonderful, thought provoking book. Obviously written from her heart and substantial knowledge of children's issues, it explores how each of us impact children's lives and ultimately our own. Mrs. Clinton has the ability and intelligence to see that and to verbalize it very well in an engrossing book that everyone of us should read. It is too bad that under the dissimulation of a review, some people have chosen to bash it based on their political stand instead of their literary one.