What Happened

For the first time, Hillary Rodham Clinton shares her thoughts and feelings during one of the most controversial presidential elections in history. Now free from the constraints of running, she offers an inside look at her experience as the first woman nominated for president by a major party in an election filled with rage, sexism, unexpected twists, Russian interference, and an unconventional opponent. This memoir is her most personal yet, detailing her campaign against Donald Trump, the mistakes she made, and her journey through a shocking loss. With humor and candor, she recounts the rituals, relationships, and reading that helped her regain her strength and what the experience taught her about life. Clinton addresses the challenges of being a strong woman in the public eye, the criticism regarding her voice, age, and appearance, and the double standards women face in politics. She highlights the unprecedented assault on democracy by a foreign adversary during the 2016 election, connecting the dots to illustrate the dangers that shaped the outcome. This account serves as both a deeply intimate narrative and a cautionary tale for the nation, emphasizing the importance of understanding these forces to protect American values and democracy in the future.