What a life!

Katharine Graham's autobiography won a Pulitzer! If we all had lives like hers, the world would be a different place. This book is not just for women wanting to be successful, but for men who could use some hints on living "larger" than they currently are.

Ms. Graham was not a motivated student in her early years, and college seemed like the socially correct thing to do. Even choosing a major was a huge event! Her parents provided many opportunities in the Washington world, and as a result of those, she could cope in every situation she encountered. Watching her husband and her father work together, and her husband's ultimate self-destruction truly made Ms. Graham stronger. The ability to realize later that her tremendous and powerful contacts in the world and her perfect timing in being a part of those lives (JFK, LBJ, Kissinger)did, of course, contribute to her success. But, her willingness to learn, absorb, and participate - at risk of making an idiot of herself - paid off big!

Because all of this happened to her in the Days of Wine and Roses, her children were affected by her lack of time with them. This regret of not spending enough time with them is the saddest part of the book.

Why should you read about a rich woman who became even richer? Because she did it herself. She found the mentors, the contacts, and the lifestyle to be a fulltime working heroine at an older age than most! It is never too late. Ms. Graham is also self-deprecating and humble in tone about her life. That makes it even better.

This book is written in a conversational tone, and with thoughtful and detailed memories. The fun part is reading about all her relationships with national leaders and celebrities. It also provides a good analysis of what really happened in Watergate.

I recommend this book in total!