Personal History

A Memoir

By: Katharine Graham

Narrated by: Katherine Graham

#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.

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

Raw and powerful

It should be listened to after reading the full book, a deeply moving account. Hearing a widow speak about her husbands suicide is the most heartbreaking and moving thing I can remember hearing in years.

Don't overlook this, as it's an amazing personal story

This is one of those books that if u are a man, you'll probably overlook. I certainly did until a good female friend recommended. I am so much in debt, as the lessons in hard decisions and how to recover from bad ones are countless. This book will resonate with you on many levels.

Great read

An inspiring story of love, courage, hope. Nobody has an easy life in this world, whether rich or poor when you embrace it fully. A story for everyone.

Very interesting author & Washington Post biograph

Easy to listen to biography of the author and her Washington Post odyssey while going through struggles of husband depression / suicide & workers strike. Lesson on grit and perseverance for men and women in business , specially in the press publishing roles

Extremely abridged

This version is probably 1/20th the length of the written memoir. I was expecting a full length book.