Personal History Audiobook By Katharine Graham cover art

Personal History

A Memoir

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Personal History

By: Katharine Graham
Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie
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#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • PULTIZER PRIZE WINNER • The captivating inside story of the woman who helmed the Washington Post during one of the most turbulent periods in the history of American media: the scandals of the Pentagon Papers and Watergate

In this widely acclaimed memoir ("Riveting, moving...a wonderful book" The New York Times Book Review), Katharine Graham tells her story—one that is extraordinary both for the events it encompasses and for the courage, candor, and dignity of its telling.

Here is the awkward child who grew up amid material wealth and emotional isolation; the young bride who watched her brilliant, charismatic husband—a confidant to John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson—plunge into the mental illness that would culminate in his suicide. And here is the widow who shook off her grief and insecurity to take on a president and a pressman’s union as she entered the profane boys’ club of the newspaper business.

As timely now as ever, Personal History is an exemplary record of our history and of the woman who played such a shaping role within them, discovering her own strength and sense of self as she confronted—and mastered—the personal and professional crises of her fascinating life.

©2017 Katharine Graham (P)2017 Random House Audio Americas Art & Literature Business Gender Studies Journalists, Editors & Publishers Media Studies Professionals & Academics Social Sciences United States Women Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Inspiring Russia

Critic reviews

"Riveting, moving . . . a wonderful book." --Nora Ephron, The New York Times Book Review

"Disarmingly candid and immensely readable." --Time

"Captivating . . . distinguished by a level of introspection that ought to be, but rarely is, the touchstone of autobiography." --Newsday
Inspiring Life Story • Historical Perspective • Wonderful Narration • Candid Autobiography • Engaging Memoir
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Book Review: Personal History by Katharine Graham

I first heard about Personal History after a friend recommended it to me. When I started listening to the audiobook, I quickly realized I was going to love it. By the time I finished, I knew this was a truly wonderful book, one that deeply inspired me in many ways.

Katharine Graham’s story is one of persistence, responsibility, self-improvement, and love. Her journey in leading The Washington Post after her husband’s death was not just about running a newspaper, it was about stepping into her own power, proving her capabilities, and growing into an exceptional leader. What stood out to me most was her combination of strength and humility. She never positioned herself as someone seeking sympathy or validation, but instead, she showed resilience, intelligence, and grace in the face of immense challenges.

Although she had certain privileges, such as a father who guided her into the business and an established organization to step into, her story was still incredibly motivating. Many of us may not have the same starting point, but her willingness to embrace challenges and explore her potential is something that transcends background and circumstance. Her openness to learning and becoming better reminded me that strength is not about having all the answers from the start; it’s about growing into the person who can face the unknown with courage.

This book has given me a clearer vision for my own future. I’ve learned so much about resilience, leadership, and embracing possibilities. Personal History is more than just a memoir, it’s a guide to perseverance and self-belief. I am deeply grateful for what I’ve learned from Katharine Graham’s journey, and I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for inspiration in their own path.

Katharine Graham, One Great Woman Inspiring the World

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I can think of a dozen reasons why this book won the Pulitzer Prize in 1998 for Biography. Not only is it exquisitely well written but Graham is uncommonly candid about what it was like to grow up in the shadow of wealth and fame, only to assume much of the responsibility later in life. While I'm sure there are letters that have been saved as a resource, her memory of incidents--both large and small--is remarkable. I purchased the audio version after watching the film in which Meryl Streep plays the role of Graham, wanting to know more. So glad I did. The narrator does a wonderful job, in my opinion--though others have found her boring. To each his (or her) own. Kay Graham paved the way for many of us in the corporate world. I'm grateful.

Ignore the naysayers!

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I strongly recommend the reading of this book, it has many lessons to learn from.

Fantastic book! An inspiration for others

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It still is the best biography I have ever read…
Warren Buffet and Ben Bradley bios complement this one…

21 years after reading it for the first time…

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I appreciate the in-depth story Kay Graham tells about her personal and professional life. Interesting details because of interesting subjects. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the book from Mrs. Graham herself. A delightful book for lovers of history, journalism and biographies.

Candidly engaging

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A beautifully written and well spoken book. The detail was neither overwhelming or underselling and there a great sense of self throughout. You can feel her underlying anxiety and insecurities yet also see how she chooses to rise above those characteristics- leaning on those around her in daily life and by demonstrating powerful moves of integral will when desive actions had to be made

Great book!

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Before purchasing this book I noticed that occasional reviews stated that they prefer the abridged edition. That was not the case for me. Everything that Katherine Graham was and aspired to be was born out of her past. Without knowing her background prior to where the abridged edition starts would have made the book far less interesting for me. I highly recommend the unabridged edition for that reason.

Excellent from Start to Finish

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It was an interesting story. I particularly enjoyed the first half where she talks about her own personal story. The latter half is mostly about running the newspaper and endless details. It did help me understand the workings and complexity of running a newspaper, so in a way it was enlightening.

Seeing what she overcame and how she had to adjust to her life after her husband died was inspiring. She was an amazing person and hats off to her.

The narrator was a bit stiff and rigid, but I did get used to her after a while and so she was all right.

Overall, I liked the story and found it enjoyable.

Interesting Life

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One of my all-time favorite biographies. Engrossing from start to finish. What a life Kate Graham experienced!

Beautifully written & read

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It’s a fascinating biography about one of the pioneering and most iconic women in the world of business.

An exceptionally compelling autobiography

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