The Education of an Idealist

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The Education of an Idealist

By: Samantha Power

Narrated by: Samantha Power

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£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

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The international best seller.

A New York Times notable book of the year.

An Economist book of the year.

A Times Literary Supplement book of the year.

What can one person do?

In this vibrant, galvanising memoir, Human Rights Advocate and Pulitzer-Prize winning Writer Samantha Power offers an urgent response to this question.

As she traces her path from Irish immigrant to war correspondent and activist to eventually becoming the youngest-ever US Ambassador to the United Nations, Power writes with a unique blend of suspenseful storytelling, vivid character portraits and disarming honesty. Her account illuminates the challenges of navigating the halls of power while trying to put one’s ideals into practice (and raise two young children along the way), and it shows how – even in the face of daunting challenges – each of us can make a difference.

Samantha PowerSamantha PowerWilliam Collins

Freedom & Security

Politics & Government

Women in Politics

Human Rights

Heartfelt

Thought-Provoking

Inspiring

Imperialism

War

Iran

Middle East

Africa

American Foreign Policy

Freedom & Security Politics & Government Women in Politics Human Rights Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Inspiring Imperialism War Iran Middle East Africa American Foreign Policy

Critic reviews

"Her highly personal and reflective memoir...is a must-read for anyone who cares about our role in a changing world." (Barack Obama)

"Samantha Power's book is honest, personal, revealing. It is about the development of a young woman's inner strength and self-knowledge. But it is also a political book, alert to both the power of political will and its limitations." (Colm Tóibín)

"It’s a profound, heart wrenching, uplifting, and emotional journey through her life and what she’s seen; starting in her youth in Ireland, and taking us through places like Bosnia, Kosovo, Rwanda, Sudan, and eventually the White House...All while navigating war zones and political culture as a woman and eventually a mother." (Sophia Bush)

Most relevant

I could not put the book down and was listening at all possible and also not so possible occasions. it is an amazing story about how an individual can in fact make a difference in the world. It was inspirational to hear about all the pitfalls Samantha went through showing mistakes can happen at the highest races and how to deal with it. I loved that she included her struggles as a parent and working woman.