What Happened

The 2016 Democratic presidential contender indicts everyone responsible for her stunning defeat in this rancorous memoir. Clinton names many culprits: FBI director James Comey, whose late-October resurrection of the investigation of Clinton's emails sent her poll numbers tumbling; Russia's computer hackers and anti-Clinton fake news and social media operators; Green Party candidate Jill Stein for skimming off left-leaning voters in key states; the press for harping on her minor transgressions while downplaying her opponent's scandals; and American voters for choosing tweeted anger over sensible platforms. Clinton's retelling of the race often reads like campaign literature, with glossy montages of policy proposals, inspirational portraits of herself as an icon of women's empowerment, and cameos from supporters like "Kristin in Dearborn" and "Katy from Bellevue." Clinton's campaign narrative is often riveting%E2%80%94her portrayal of Trump's sinister physical demeanor in debates is a gem ("Now we were on a small stage, and no matter where I walked, he followed me closely, staring at me, making faces")%E2%80%94but her sense of entitlement clouds her analysis, and she doesn't grapple with the appeal of his message on issues of immigration and trade. The lack of serious reflection on how her own campaign and proposals might have fallen short makes the book a telling epitaph for Clinton's campaign. (Sept.)