Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
What Happened  By  cover art

What Happened

By: Hillary Rodham Clinton
Narrated by: Hillary Rodham Clinton
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.74

Buy for $18.74

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

2018 Audie Award Finalist for Autobiography/Memoir and Excellence in Marketing

"In the past, for reasons I try to explain, I've often felt I had to be careful in public, like I was up on a wire without a net. Now I'm letting my guard down." (Hillary Rodham Clinton, from the introduction of What Happened)

For the first time, Hillary Rodham Clinton reveals what she was thinking and feeling during one of the most controversial and unpredictable presidential elections in history. Now free from the constraints of running, Hillary takes you inside the intense personal experience of becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major party in an election marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating highs and infuriating lows, stranger-than-fiction twists, Russian interference, and an opponent who broke all the rules. This is her most personal memoir yet.

In this audiobook she describes what it was like to run against Donald Trump, the mistakes she made, how she has coped with a shocking and devastating loss, and how she found the strength to pick herself back up afterward. With humor and candor, she tells listeners what it took to get back on her feet - the rituals, relationships, and reading that got her through and what the experience has taught her about life. She speaks about the challenges of being a strong woman in the public eye, the criticism over her voice, age, and appearance, and the double standard confronting women in politics.

She lays out how the 2016 election was marked by an unprecedented assault on our democracy by a foreign adversary. By analyzing the evidence and connecting the dots, Hillary shows just how dangerous the forces are that shaped the outcome and why Americans need to understand them to protect our values and our democracy in the future.

The election of 2016 was unprecedented and historic. What Happened is the story of that campaign and its aftermath - both a deeply intimate account and a cautionary tale for the nation.

©2017 Hillary Rodham Clinton (P)2017 Simon & Schuster

Featured Article: 50+ Outstanding Feminist Quotes to Inspire and Empower


From the suffragettes of the 18th and 19th centuries to the #MeToo activists and glass-ceiling breakers still fighting for equality today, the feminist movement has evolved around the world for hundreds of years. Feminism that is intersectional and inclusive is more important than ever, with activists amplifying the voices of women whose struggles are compounded further by their race, identity, and class. Learn about gender equality with these quotes.

What listeners say about What Happened

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    8,933
  • 4 Stars
    2,420
  • 3 Stars
    758
  • 2 Stars
    249
  • 1 Stars
    311
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    8,358
  • 4 Stars
    1,873
  • 3 Stars
    715
  • 2 Stars
    201
  • 1 Stars
    247
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    7,998
  • 4 Stars
    2,085
  • 3 Stars
    717
  • 2 Stars
    234
  • 1 Stars
    297

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Typical Hillary

I really hoped I would learn a lot about what she thought went south for her in this election. What I got was finger pointing, name shaming, and blaming. Nothing more than a continuance of embarrassment occurring on both sides of the aisle.

Could you imagine a sports team reviewing why they lost a game by blame not the other team for their performance. How would they get better in order to obtain victory in their next competition. In order to win, we must recognize and accept our mistakes, learn from them, and perform better in the next match. We must also understand our advisory and know the rules of the game. She continually gripes about the rules of the game. Hillary, you don't get to make the rules of engagement, you must understand the rules that exist, then strategize for victory.

I felt the book was a lot of "I'm taking my ball and going home". Really disappointed in what I thought would be a fascinating read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

420 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Should this be changed to Fiction? Yes, please!

What would have made What Happened better?

I just couldn't continue listening to this woman's jabs and lack of responsibility! You would think her husband was a saint and not someone accused of rape for her to be so disgusted by our current president. I'm not going to defend Trump, but this woman needs to come back to reality and get in touch with the average American. Never have I heard someone so out of touch with reality. As a Latina, I did not support her one bit. She doesn't not take accountability for her mistakes and is very untrustworthy. For her to blame "white men" is just adding insult to injury. I know plenty of Mexican Americans who understood what Trump was trying to say and did not support Hillary's campaign.

She speaks about his sexist views yet accepted money from countries that kill homosexuals, don't allow women to drive, and are truly sexist. She's a talking contradiction.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Anything that will help me erase what I just heard from my mind.

Would you be willing to try another one of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s performances?

Maybe hearing someone else's voice would have helped this book, but this woman isn't likeable even through audio.

What character would you cut from What Happened?

Hillary Clinton.

Any additional comments?

If you purchase this book, be aware it is fiction and she does not take responsibility for her actions. She blames Comey's letter for her failure. This is like a murderer accusing the police for getting incarcerated and not allowing them to continue to kill! This woman doesn't' realize she committed a crime that others would have gone to jail for. Rather than blaming Comey, she should be thanking her husband for meeting with the AG prior to her investigation closing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

306 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Boorrinnnnggggggg

I really was excited to get this book on Audible. I don't understand many of her choices so I thought this would be a revealing look at her without the bias of other writers. Wow, it was a shock to me that all she has done is whine and blame others. My take awaybis she believed this was her right to be President and how dare anyone have any thought except what she tells us to. The arrogance is truly shocking. I never believed people who talked about her that way until reading this book. She is bitter and entitled much like Dick Cheney. She seems very much the male version of him. The book is void of answers,full of hate and blame towards others. Sorry but this is my honest review. I'm glad I didn't pay for this.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

296 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Bad Reviews Deleted, Book is a Blame Game

What would have made What Happened better?

If Clinton acknowledged her actions and why she lost to the least popular candidate in political history. If Clinton had any nuance about what had actually happened leading up to her losing the election.

What could Hillary Rodham Clinton have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Actually been upfront about what happened during the primaries or told us about what she actually believed in. She could have actually cared about working people and fought for universal healthcare.

What about Hillary Rodham Clinton’s performance did you like?

She was able to be very winded. She can push blame onto anyone but herself very well.

What character would you cut from What Happened?

Hillary Rodham Clinton and her family

Any additional comments?

I VOTED FOR YOU.
I SHOULD HAVE WROTE IN SANDERS SO ID FEEL LESS LIKE I WAS CHEATED.
GO AHEAD DELETE THIS BAD REVIEW ILL LEAVE ANOTHER.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

276 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Dissapointed supporter

Lifelong democrat and voted for Hillary.

She wants to be the most powerful person in the world yet cries sexism, misogamy, racism when others fight for it and she doesn't get it.

Just can't take chapter after chapter of complaints, excuses, and I don't buy her victimhood.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

274 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Uh

Started listening with an open mind... then it turned into a bunch of blameless nonsense

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

263 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Bitterness and Blame for 16 Hours

That was awful. Hillary Clinton was a political rockstar in the 1990s. Now only bitterness.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

256 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Expected more than just a blame game

What disappointed you about What Happened?

It was disappointing to hear someone blame the entire world for everything in her life. There was blame placed on Trump, Bernie Sanders, Republicans, the media (definitely living in denial on that one), NYT, Comey, Russia, vast right wing conspiracies, misogyny, email "conspiracy", Fox News, Roger Ailes, and on and on it goes.

I was eventually expecting to hear she could walk on water, or had parted the Red Sea. There was a strong sense of paranoia in her words. There seemed to be no true introspection.

It did not ring true when she attempted to paint herself as a normal person then states she and Bill Clinton havent had to go to a store for a milk and bread run in DECADES! How can she even pretend she knows what life is like for the common man when she has lived her adult life surrounded by secret service and her life has only existed in a privileged protective bubble for decades?

The scandals that have surrounded the Clintons were addressed and, as expected, others were always to blame and none of them had a grain of truth to them, according to her. That's a hard pill to swallow considering that there exists some indisputable facts. If memory serves me right, there is no disputing Bill Clinton's affair with a WH intern or that they paid out money in at least one other sex scandal.

Having listened to the book "Shattered", I'd hoped there would be some honest reflection in this book on the mistakes made in her campaign. It was only mentioned as a way to cast blame on others.


Would you ever listen to anything by Hillary Rodham Clinton again?

Probably not

Which character – as performed by Hillary Rodham Clinton – was your favorite?

Author narrated her own book and I thought it was well done.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I did believe the parts when she talked about her relationships with her daughter and her mother. To me, it was a part of the book that had an honest ring of truth to it and seemed very sincere.

Any additional comments?

I'm glad I listened to this book but really wished it contained some introspection that could be believable and wasn't so full of blame and finger pointing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

250 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

WOW, Hillary just does not get it, what a waste

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I was honestly thinking she learned some humility from her loss. NO WAY. She is stuck on thinking everyone else is wrong, she's right.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Great, her anger shows thru, makes one know for sure she is in a spot long away from middle America. She hates anyone that just might think she was too left, that is why she lost but she'll never understand.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Just proves an old dog can not learn new tricks

Any additional comments?

a waste of time, I had hoped for more. It's ll about how bad Trump is not much about what she did wrong or should have done.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

247 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

So, what realy happened?

I'll start by saying that HRC (Hillary Rodham Clinton) does a great job of narration. What Happened is well written and it appears to accurately reflect her theories and beliefs. The content, with one relatively minor exception, is totally consistent with HRC's overall philosophy as it has been expressed since 1992 when I first became aware of her.

I listened to every word of What Happened and then I went back and listened to several key chapters a second time. My political philosophy is that of a classical liberal much as Hayek described himself. Since the Democratic Party has moved and continues to move so far left, I have not had a home there for many years. I tend to vote Republican. I believe in limited federal government, our three branches of government, personal freedom and absolutely free speech. My age is 74 and I have voted in every presidential election beginning in 1964.

From my perspective both major political parties nominated presidential candidates who should have been disqualified form any political office (by their parties) based on temperament and unjustified self aggrandizement. But there was a decision I had as a citizen to vote for a potential winner, so Trump and Clinton were my choices, I decided while waiting in line to vote that the future of the US Supreme Court required my to hold my nose and vote for Trump. President Obama filled the lower courts with judges who do not believe in the US Constitution and will not follow it, and the highest court already has four justices of similar mind so ultimately my obligation to vote against HRC was clear.

What Happened was clearly written for and addressed directly to left wing Democrats, her natural supporters. It is her attempt to minimize in their minds any tendency to blame her for the election loss. I am not in her target audience in this book. On several occasions in the book she appears to take part of the blame, but she then immediately starts blaming the press/media, James Comey, voter suppression, the Electoral College system, Bernie Sanders, uninformed voters, working class voters, white women voters, Trump's lies about her, stolen emails of John Podesta, public misunderstanding of the goodness of the Clinton Foundation, and any number of other factors and people. In the end I am persuaded she has learned nothing except how to heap blame on others.

In the final chapters of What Happened HRC delves deeply into how her personal religious beliefs inform her political beliefs.

In summary, What Happened is a well written and well narrated book. It is also a book of excuses and of unwillingness to face the fact that she was a bad candidate. It is a book that expresses fully her hatred of Donald J Trump and people who had the audacity to vote for him. Despite the fact that stories from mainstream media actually became a major part of her campaign, she complains that they did not do enough to support her. I cannot recommend against What Happened because her target audience of leftist Democrats likely will feel better after her 17 hour pep talk that finds her and them blameless.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

245 people found this helpful