Plot/Summary:
If you look closely at pictures of Madeleine Albright, you will probably see she is wearing a pin. Very often when U.S Ambassador to the U.N. and Secretary of State, she used pins as a means of diplomatic communication. This started after Albright criticized Saddam Hussein and one of his supporters called her "an unparalled serpent." The next time she met with Iraqi officials, she chose to wear a snake pin. From then on political leaders would look at the pin she was wearing to get a sense of her mood or attitude. Albright's extensive pin collection includes animals, patriotic symbols, flowers, abstracts and more. Some are inexpensive; others are designer brooches. Albright tells how she began collecting pins and the interesting and sometimes humorous stories behind her choice of pins for specific diplomatic situations. In doing so, the reader gets a very personal look at Albright's humor and grace.  

Comments:
This book, featuring photographs of more than 250 of Albright's pins, is a visual delight for anyone interested in jewelry and pins in particular. The text is informative and presents a subtle side of Albright's diplomatic negotiations and appearances not covered in newspapers. Those wanting to learn more about Albright can read her autobiography Madame Secretary.

---

Reviewed by ch, 2/10. Other reviews by ch. Have you read this book? Tell us what you think!