In Hard Choices, Clinton offers an unfiltered look at her four-year tenure as the nation’s top diplomat, following her hard-fought 2008 presidential campaign and unexpected appointment by President Barack Obama. The memoir unfolds as a series of pivotal moments, each marked by complex decisions on the world’s most pressing issues. From navigating the upheaval of the Arab Spring and the revolution in Egypt, to managing delicate relations with Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Russia, Clinton shares the inside story of high-stakes negotiations and the evolving doctrine of “smart power.” She reflects on the challenges of working within a dynamic administration, revealing both moments of tension and deep collaboration.

But Hard Choices is more than a chronicle of foreign policy. Clinton also opens up about her personal journey—her evolving partnership with President Obama after their fierce primary battle, the lessons she drew from her controversial Iraq War vote, and the impact of her demanding role on her family life. Through vivid storytelling and behind-the-scenes glimpses, she brings readers into the pressure-cooker environment of global diplomacy, addressing not only the triumphs but also the controversies, such as the 2012 Benghazi attack, that shaped her legacy.