Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds

Written by Huma Abedin

Narrated by Huma Abedin

A New York Times bestseller, this extraordinary memoir from Huma Abedin—Hillary Clinton’s famously private top aide and longtime advisor—offers “a gripping testament to the power of a woman finding her voice, owning her ambition, and sharing her truth” (Glennon Doyle).

Abedin’s stunning memoir garnered an extraordinary amount of media coverage, with appearances on CBS Sunday Morning, the Today show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The View, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Christiane Amanpour, and coverage in many other outlets, including The Washington Post, The New York Times, and NPR.

The daughter of Indian and Pakistani intellectuals and advocates, Abedin grew up in the United States and Saudi Arabia and traveled widely. Both/And grapples with family, legacy, identity, faith, marriage, motherhood—and work—with wisdom, sophistication, grace, and clarity.

Abedin launched full steam into a college internship in the office of the First Lady in 1996, never imagining that her work at the White House would blossom into a career in public service, nor that her career would become an all-consuming way of life. She thrived in rooms with diplomats and sovereigns, entrepreneurs and artists, philanthropists and activists, and witnessed many crucial moments in 21st-century American history—Camp David for urgent efforts at Middle East peace in the waning months of the Clinton administration, Ground Zero in the days after the September 11 attacks, the inauguration of the first African American president of the United States, and the convention floor when America nominated its first female presidential candidate.

Abedin’s relationship with Hillary Clinton has seen both women through extraordinary personal and professional highs, as well as unimaginable lows. Here, for the first time, is a deeply personal account of Clinton as mentor, confidante, and role model. Abedin cuts through caricature, rumor, and misinformation to reveal a crystal-clear portrait of Clinton as a brilliant and caring leader, a steadfast friend, generous, funny, hardworking, and dedicated.

Both/And is “the story of a person of substance—someone determined to tell her own story” (The New York Times) including the heartbreaking chronicle of her marriage to Anthony Weiner, what drew her to him, how much she wanted to believe in him, the devastation wrought by his betrayals—and their shared love for their son.

Abedin’s journey through the opportunities and obstacles, the trials and triumphs, of a full and complex life is a testament to her profound belief that in an increasingly either/or world, she can be both/and. Abedin’s compassion and courage, her resilience and grace, her work ethic and mission are an inspiration to women of all ages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Nov 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797136561

Huma Abedin

Huma Abedin has spent her entire career in public service and national politics, beginning as an intern in First Lady Hillary Clinton’s office in 1996. After four years in the White House, she worked in the US Senate as Senior Advisor to Senator Clinton and was traveling Chief of Staff for Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign. In 2009, she was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff at the US Department of State. Huma served as Vice Chair of Hillary for America in 2016, resulting in the first woman elected nominee of a major political party. She currently serves as Hillary Clinton’s Chief of Staff. Born in the United States and raised in Saudi Arabia, Huma moved back to the US in 1993. She lives in New York City with her son, Jordan. Both/And is her first book. 

Reviews for Both/And

[Ewa Konczal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Phenomenal story of amazing commitment and dedication in the public service. I am interested in foreign policy from different angle (living and working jn Central Europe and Russia), have also an experience of few years living in Cairo, Egypt and also working in India, I relate to Huma’s family relations, history and faith. Hence, I enjoyed her perspective on professional life and also, as mother of two, complex relationships, I have a lot of empathy for her personal life. The story is written with attention to detail, but also with a focus on break-through political events, and it conjunction with her personal moments.
Good reading by Huma herself. Initially a bit stiff but it was worth to be patient as the more listening the better she become as lector. Thank you so much! I regretted it was over.

[Candace McFarland · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The slow start tale by this non-author is more than replaced by an outstanding glimpse of the dedication, commitment and Intelligence of our immigrant civil servants. Touchingly told.... I will never again think of Huma as the unfortunate victim. Bright star, my lady!

[susan schuster · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Over 500 pages of the author telling us how hard she worked and how innocent she was throughout the first half of her adult life.

[Kim Goodwin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thank you for sharing your life. It is interestingly inspiring.