Jonathan Allen - HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton

This book began as a pitch from Bridget Wagner Matzie of Zachary Shuster Harmsworth, who had her sights set on Hillary Clinton even when the rest of the political world was focused on the 2012 presidential race. Pointed to us by a mutual friend, author Karin Tanabe, Bridget asked if we would be game to write a proposal for a book about Hillarys years at the State Department and her political future. It seemed like such a good idea, we marveled that no one else had thought of it. And thus, Bridget became our agent and friend. We cant thank her enough for the original idea, her advocacy, her guidance, and her edits. Nor could we be any more grateful to Karin for suggesting us to Bridget.

Our editor, Kevin Doughten, who had to pick up the book halfway through the process, brought his considerable talents to bear on weaving a set of stories into a narrative and pushing us for more inside-the-room details. We are forever indebted to him. We knew from the minute we met Kevins boss, publisher Molly Stern, that she was an ass-kicker who would get the most out of not just us but her own team. We couldnt be more impressed with the work they have done.

In particular, we are grateful to Crowns Jacob Lewis, Maya Mavjee, Linnea Knollmueller, Barbara Sturman, Christine Tanigawa, Christopher Brand, Rachel Meier, Linda Kaplan, Christine Edwards, Candice Chaplin, Jay Sones, Annsley Rosner, Dyana Messina, and Carisa Hayes, each of whom owns a piece of this book. Claire Potter deserves special recognition for helping manage the project, from reading drafts to making herself available at all hours, on weekends and holidays, to ensure that each step moved the process forward.

Benjamin Kamisar was still an undergrad at Northwestern University when we asked him if he would work as our lead research assistant. An excellent young journalist, he thoughtfully improved upon every project we gave him, transcribed countless hours of interviews, and maintained a give-me-more attitude throughout. We were blessed to have found the right man for the job. We are also grateful to Amelia Wedemeyer and Ellis Weintraub, who provided additional research assistance with professionalism and precision.

Chris Donovan, a producer for Meet the Press, freely gave advice and counsel, and Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post provided moral support. We thank them for their friendship and insights.

Hugo Gurdon, Bob Cusack, and Ian Swanson of The Hill saw the value in letting Amie split her time between the White House and the book for much of 2013. John Harris, Jim VandeHei, Kim Kingsley, and Danielle Jones of Politico allowed Jon to pursue the book with the confidence that his job would be awaiting him when he returned. We are eternally grateful to all of you.

We would be remiss if we didnt mention the many businesses that unwittingly provided us with shelter and sustenance for our work: Starbucks in Georgetown, Shellys Back Room, the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton, Ebenezers, and Stoneys.

Finally, we would like to thank most of our sources, some of whom sat with us multiple times, fetched physical documents from undisclosed locations, and were generally a fabulous bunch to work with. We are grateful, as well, to Hillarys post-State staff for their insights and assistance. To sources who pointed us in the wrong direction, we keep lists, too.

J.A. and A.P.

My heart swells when I think about the sacrifices that my family made to allow me to take on this project. My wife, Stephanie Claire Allen, shares with me her love, her wisdom, her counsel, her laughter, and our two children. Asher Henry Allen couldnt yet walk when this book was first pitched and now he screams home run as he runs around the house, unwilling to drop his toy bat. Emma Pearson Allen wasnt even a thought in the summer of 2012, and now I cant remember what life was like before her. Though they cannot yet read this book, it is in so many ways for themthat they might assess a leader by her decisions, her character, and her judgment, and never pause at her.

My contribution to this book begins where all human stories do, with a motherin this case my mom, Marin Allen, who earned a Ph.D. while raising two small children, worked all day at the office and all night at home, taught me how to listen to what politicians say, and to this day demonstrates that strength and compassion are reinforcing traits. Similarly, neither I, nor this book, would be here without my father, Ira R. Allen, the most talented writer I know, who taught me his fathers curveor dropand who talks baseball, politics, and journalism with me in the best running conversation of my life. It would be hard to imagine having published this book without my sister, Amanda Allen, whose love, support, and mockery have always spurred me to do betterand yes, Amanda, you are the good one.

The following people who inspired me personally and professionally have my deepest gratitude and affection: Joan Pearson, Kathy Rizzo, Martha Angle, Greg Giroux, Christopher Pearson, the Pearson family, the Bergman and Cohen families, Thom Rafferty, Jed Weiss, Dan McBride, Will Hessler, Robert Tomkin, Laura McGann, Martin Kady II, and Bill and Ronnie Weintraub.

And finally, to Amie, thank you for pouring your talent, your energy, and your soul into this projectand, of course, for putting up with me.

J.A.

This book would not be possible without the love, friendship, and encouragement of my mom, Esther Parnes, who has always been the ultimate role model to me. I will never admire anyone more for their strength, wisdom, and moxie.

Sherry Parnes, you are everything: my sister, my best friend, my greatest fan, my biggest advocate, and my favorite comedian. No one gets my creative juices flowing more than you. To my dad, Henry Parneswho almost lost his voice reading edits back to me when I was ill during this book-writing processyou instilled in me a love of reading and writing, and for that I am so grateful. Thanks also to Garri Hendell, the closest thing I have to a brother, for his continued love and guidance. And to my favorite little readers, J.W. and Cal, for being the cutest little guys ever and for providing an endless supply of hugs and kisses.

I will be forever indebted to Mickey Lipton, my sixth-grade English teacher who saw a glimpse of writing potential in a shy twelve-year-old girl and signed her up for her first journalism class. I would be absolutely nowhere without my mentor and friend Rick Bragg, the most elegant writer Ive ever read, for opening the door to a world of journalism the aforementioned twelve-year-old would only dream about.

Im also thankful for the help and friendship of journalists M. E. Sprengelmeyer, Niall Stanage, and my very first professional editor, Jon ONeill, for inspiring me, offering words of wisdom, and cheering me on in the grandstands on this journey. And I owe thanks to Justin Sink for filling in on the White House beat when I went missing to work on this project. Thanks also to Steve Vasil and Peter Feldman for their advice and counsel.

I send enormous gratitude to my best friend in the world, Craig Bode, for listening to me ramble about this book and the characters in its pages for months and months and for reassuring me in the darkest hours that everything would be fine.

Thank you, as ever, to my dear friends for ensuring I didnt live a hermits life while drowning in work on this project: Jamie Radice, (my perma-workwife) Karin Tanabe, Jennifer Martinez, Lesley Clark, Erika Bolstad, Julie Mason, Bethany Lesser, Michael Collins, Megan Chan, Vanessa Parra, Kendra Marr Chaikind, and Bridget Petruczok.

To my lifelong friends, Jarah Greenfield, Abby Tegnelia, and Dolly Hernandez, even though youre all spread out around the country and I rarely get to see you, I am so lucky to know you.