Hillary Clinton’s Living History

ICTV Director General Oleksandr Bohutsky conceived the idea of publishing a Ukrainian version of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s book Living History, which was recently published by Osnovy, the publishing house founded by the late Solomia Pavlychko. The original work appeared in print in 2003 and became an instant bestseller. Since then the book has been translated into dozens of languages. The former US president’s wife talks about life in the White House and sheds light on aspects of US history that are little known in Ukraine.

“I am convinced that this book has a future, as do the thousands of young Ukrainians who will want to improve both the world and their own lives. They will set themselves ambitious objectives, without fearing the hard work and struggles that these goals may entail,” noted Bohutsky. “I also want to believe that the book will inspire many women to step forth confidently rather than hide behind their husbands’ backs.”

The Ukrainian translation of Hillary Clinton’s book is the first in a series of publications launched by ICTV and Osnovy Publishing House, whose authors are seeking to better the world. “We live in a world where global changes can stem from the selfless, dedicated efforts and initiatives of millions of people. Today, probably more than ever before, the world needs leaders who can serve as symbols of progress and wise and just choices,” said the director general of ICTV.

Among the most influential women in Ukraine who were invited to the book launch were politicians, businesswomen, top media managers, guests from abroad, and members of the creative intelligentsia. The Day talked with some of the guests about Hillary Clinton’s book and the role it can play in Ukrainian society.

Olena FROLIAK,O editor in chief of ICTV’s Information Service and television host:

I would describe this book as a hymn to women. When Hillary Clinton recounts her life in the White House, she manages to emphasize on every page that she has always remained a woman. She writes that not everyone may like her because she has had to play many roles at the same time. Eleanor Roosevelt once wrote: “A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.” When a woman lands in extreme circumstances, that’s when she shows her strength the most. This book is meant for women, and women play a very important role in our society, as editors of newspapers, information services, and on television and radio. After all, our prime minister is a woman. Therefore, if a woman wants to achieve something - or after having achieved it - she should read this book. Hillary Clinton writes that if you want to achieve success, you have to start doing something that scares you the most.

OOleksandr BOHUTSKY,O director general of ICTV:

I believe that this book will inspire a lot of people, especially those who are ready to do something to change their lives. I’m sure they will find this book useful because Hillary spent eight years at the epicenter of spectacular events. Then she wrote an honest book. This book is a good sign of the times. When I saw Clinton’s book, I thought it would not be fair to people in Ukraine to have to read it in the Russian version, so I decided to have it translated into Ukrainian. I believe that everything that Osnovy Publishing House is doing is for the good of Ukraine. This is a very right-thinking publishing company that does not just put out any book. So we decided that Osnovy was the right choice for doing the translation and the publication. We have plans for a series of books whose authors want to better the world. A Ukrainian translation of Bill Clinton’s book may be the next to come off the presses.

OHanna BEZULYK,O TV host:

Apart from gender indices, Ukraine has long been in need of state-building thought rather than politics. In my opinion, the biggest problem is the lack of responsible people who are capable of thinking on a civic, social level. This book is about Hillary Clinton the Politician, written with a capital P. It is mainly about a stateswoman who is concerned about the destiny of her country. This woman has much to say to the people around her. Her story sets a standard that is worth emulating. This book is about a woman and politics, and these concepts cannot be separated.

OPetro TARASHCHUK,O Ukrainian translator of Living History:

When the book first appeared in print, I immediately realized it needed to be translated, but there were no funds for the translation. I was happy when the funds came through. I think that this book is a lesson for all people: it is the story of a woman who came from a poor family, who had serious problems with her eyesight, but who also possessed great willpower that allowed her to reach the summits. I enjoyed translating this book, and I am happy to know that the Ukrainian version is now available to the Ukrainian public.

OOksana ZABUZHKO,O writer:

I think that Ukraine drastically lacks quality biographies and an understanding of the life stories of truly outstanding personalities. Our history is not made up of people’s life stories but of dead facts. We fail to see all those people who once lived, worked, and created. The world we have today is the result of the specific endeavors of specific people who lived, fell in love, fell down and got up again, brushed off the dust, and went on their way, continued fighting, and finally created this world. They did all this exactly the way we are doing. In our society there is no such view of an individual, period. In its absence, one can only view living history all around us. In Ukraine there is no understanding of what an individual is. We have to learn how to assess the scope of an individual whom we would like to emulate.

OInna BOHOSLOVSKA,O Member of Parliament:

I believe that truthful stories about outstanding personalities are educational and offer a great deal of experience. When we read such books, perhaps some of us will avoid certain mistakes, and others will achieve more than during a previous phase of life. The translation is very good; the language is beautiful. We say that the Ukrainian language is the hallmark of our national identity; such books, such good translations mark our progress toward this national identity. Many people will find this book useful in its numerous translations. There are strong personalities like this in Ukrainian society, too - people whose lives have helped change their country’s destiny.

But we have a big problem that applies to the whole nation: we haven’t learned how to love and respect our heroes. Well, things have to be taught and learned. Regrettably, we are swamped by political, cultural, and educational ersatz, so much so that against this glittering fake backdrop we are simply unable to spot real diamonds - people who are worthy role models. But we are very young and at the stage of reaching maturity. We know that to help our children understand things, it is best to show them a colorful picture. Our nation is like a baby, who likes making a lot of noise, but it’s hard to reach the essence. However, I think that we’re growing up every day and we have a big future.

OHanna HERMAN,O Member of Parliament:

Such books play a certain role in Ukrainian society; they reflect experience and illustrate the status of women in the world today, women who are not burdened with post-Soviet stereotypes. This is very important, considering that the post-Soviet stereotype has heavily influenced the “pattern” of Ukrainian women’s lives: women who flirt with men, using their feminine charms rather than intellect or social standing. Such books teach lessons and show our society good things; they help cultivate good taste. In our country we attach more importance to external signs; we pay more attention to attributes.

Meanwhile, the books that are published in the West focus on the problems that women face in contemporary society and which highlight their value. I believe there are such personalities in Ukraine, too; people who will one day write honest memoirs. Their life experiences, whether good or bad, will come in handy for someone. In fact, I believe this is the reason for writing such books, so that some readers will write down the recipe for success, or simply make note of interesting life stories. The main thing is to write the truth; because truth is something you can play with and lose the game, but later win.

OBohdana PAVLYCHKO,O translator, daughter of Solomia Pavlychko:

Hillary Clinton is an interesting political figure, and she has written a very interesting story about herself. Everyone should read this book. The average person, after reading this book, can conclude that you can achieve anything if you are smart, devote yourself to something, and work hard.

OValentyna KYRYLOVA,O head of Osnovy Publishing House:

This book is a page-turner. Few books are as gripping as this one. We thought we knew the history of the US, but the way it is revealed in this book, it was a revelation for everyone. It has to do with the history of the war in Vietnam, something we knew nothing about because it took place a long time ago, during Soviet times, when the issue was not seriously discussed. Nor did we know about police brutality against American students who were protesting the war in Vietnam. We don’t know much about the frictions in US politics. In a way, this book is an eye-opener. At the same time it has an encouraging aspect: it shows that what is happening in Ukraine today is a true struggle for democracy, so we shouldn’t be frightened of these events.