Fiona Hill Popular Books

Fiona Hill Biography & Facts

Fiona Hill (born October 1965) is a British-American foreign affairs specialist and author. She is a former official at the U.S. National Security Council, specializing in Russian and European affairs. She was a witness in the November 2019 House hearings regarding the impeachment inquiry during the first impeachment of Donald Trump. She earned a Ph.D. in history from Harvard University in 1998. She currently serves as a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington. She was installed as Chancellor of Durham University in June 2023. Early life and education Hill was born in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in North East England, in 1965, the daughter of a coal miner, Alfred Hill, and a midwife, June Murray. Her father died in 2012; her mother still lives in Bishop Auckland. In the 1960s, as many of the local coal mines were closing, her father wanted to emigrate to find work in the mines of Pennsylvania or West Virginia, but his mother's poor health required him to stay in England. He subsequently worked as a porter in a hospital.Her family struggled financially. June sewed clothes for her daughters and at the age of 13, Fiona began working at odd jobs, including washing cars and working as a waitress at a local hotel. She and her sister attended Bishop Barrington School, a local comprehensive school. In 2017, she recalled applying for the University of Oxford: "I applied to Oxford in the '80s and was invited to an interview. It was like a scene from Billy Elliot: people were making fun of me for my accent and the way I was dressed. It was the most embarrassing, awful experience I had ever had in my life." She then read history and studied Russian at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She has revealed that the manager of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club threatened to blacklist her when she reported being sexually assaulted while waitressing during her student days in St Andrews.In 1987, she was an exchange student in the Soviet Union, where, while interning for NBC News, she witnessed the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. An American professor encouraged Hill to apply for a graduate program in the United States. She later wrote about the experience in The Siberian Curse: "I noticed that many aspects of British (and, by relation, American) culture were surprisingly, even unexpectedly similar, and that the Russians and the West had a good deal in common. Before long, other aspects of the Soviet and Russian [...] mentalities and cultures reared their heads, and these gaps seemed larger and more consuming than any novel or textbook could transmit". Continuing in another passage, she writes: "Whether or not these gaps can be effectively bridged or, at least, mitigated will remain the guiding question for this field of study for decades to come."At Harvard University, she earned a master's degree in Russian and modern history in 1991, and a Ph.D. in history in 1998 under Richard Pipes, Akira Iriye, and Roman Szporluk. While at Harvard, Hill was a Frank Knox Fellow. Her doctoral thesis was In search of great Russia: elites, ideas, power, the state, and the pre-revolutionary past in the new Russia, 1991–1996. Career Early career From 1991 to 1999, Hill worked in the research department at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. In 1992, she served as coordinator for a Trilateral Study on Japanese-Russian-U.S. Relations" there and, from 1993 to 1994, she was director of the Ethnic Conflict Project.In 1999, Hill was associate director of Harvard University's Strengthening Democratic Institutions project. She served as director of Strategic Planning for the Eurasia Foundation from 1999 to 2000. Government service Hill was an intelligence analyst under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama from 2006 to 2009. At the National Intelligence Council as a national intelligence analyst of Russia and Eurasia from 2006 to 2009. Think tanks Hill is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the board of trustees of the Eurasia Foundation.At the Brookings Institution, Hill worked closely with Igor Danchenko. In 2010, Danchenko, Hill and Erica Downs co-authored a paper called "One Step Forward, Two Steps Back? The Realities of a Rising China and Implications for Russia's Energy Ambitions". Hill introduced Danchenko to Christopher Steele and to U.S.-based public-relations executive Charles Dolan Jr., who would later become one of Danchenko's sources for the Steele dossier. Trump administration (2017–2019) In 2017, she took a leave of absence from the Brookings Institution, where she was director for the Center on the United States and Europe, while also on the National Security Council. Hill was appointed, in the first quarter of 2017, by President Donald Trump as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on his National Security Council staff.Hill had been due to leave the White House to return to Brookings in April 2019. She developed a close working relationship with National Security Advisor John Bolton, and at Bolton's request, Hill agreed to stay on until mid-July, after which Tim Morrison would replace her. As planned, Hill left the White House on July 15, ten days before the Trump–Zelenskyy telephone call. Subsequently, Hill has spoken of the difficulty of maintaining a consistent U.S.-Russia policy under President Trump, a result of the clash of her "hawkish" view on Russia and Trump's intermittently warm and welcoming approach, and of the difficulty of ascertaining what Trump and Putin discussed in private meetings. Impeachment inquiry testimony On October 14, 2019, responding to a subpoena, Hill testified in a closed-door deposition for ten hours before a committee of the United States Congress as part of the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump during his first impeachment. Some Republicans questioned the credibility of her testimony, including Connie Mack IV, who described Hill as a "George Soros mole infiltrating the national-security apparatus".She testified in public before the same body on November 21, 2019. While being questioned by Steve Castor, the counsel for the House Intelligence Committee's Republican minority, Hill commented on Gordon Sondland's involvement in the Ukraine matter: "It struck me when (Wednesday), when you put up on the screen Ambassador Sondland's emails, and who was on these emails, and he said these are the people who need to know, that he was absolutely right," she said. "Because he was being involved in a domestic political errand, and we were being involved in national security foreign policy. And those two things had just diverged."In response to a question from that committee's chairman, Rep. Adam Schiff, Hill stated: "The Russians' interests are frankly to delegitimize our entire presidency... The goal of the Russians [in 2016] was really to put whoever became the pre.... Discover the Fiona Hill popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Fiona Hill books.

Best Seller Fiona Hill Books of 2024

  • Particle Theory synopsis, comments

    Particle Theory

    Jonathan Gathorne-Hardy

    Two orphaned boys one Russian (Ivan), and one British (Michael) may or may not be brothers, Ivan is brought up brutally on the bleak rural steppes, while Michael is cosseted by hi...

  • The Staycation synopsis, comments

    The Staycation

    Michele Gorman

    'Perfect summer reading!' Bella OsborneTwo families. One cancelled flight. And a last minute house swap...Things get desperate for strangers Harriet and Sophie when they become st...

  • Come Rain Or Shine synopsis, comments

    Come Rain Or Shine

    Susan Sallis

    From the pen of multimillion copy seller and Sunday Times bestselling author Susan Sallis comes a magnificent and sweeping novel that asks whether friendships really can endure thr...

  • Not Quite a Fairytale synopsis, comments

    Not Quite a Fairytale

    Cee Liddy

    For years, Evelyn, the hopeful realist, and John, the hopeless romantic, entertained each other with tales of one disastrous love affair after another. Then they fell out.From her ...

  • The Lawson Legacy synopsis, comments

    The Lawson Legacy

    Janet Gover

    Beloved key characters from The Lawson Sisters return in a standalone rural romance about motherhood, family traditions and having the courage to chart a new future. A new novel fr...

  • Gainsborough synopsis, comments

    Gainsborough

    James Hamilton

    Selected as a Book of the Year in The Times, Sunday Times and Observer 'Compulsively readable the pages seem to turn themselves' John Carey, Sunday Times 'Brings one of the very ...

  • Fiona Hill Anthology synopsis, comments

    Fiona Hill Anthology

    Fiona Hill

    A sparkling collection of Regency romances from the popular author with “considerably more wit and pizazz than the legendary Georgette [Heyer] herself” (Kirkus Reviews). A true art...

  • Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe synopsis, comments

    Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe

    Annette Hannah

    'Brimming with friendship and romance, this lovely book will charm your heart' Milly JohnsonFall in love with this heartwarming and emotional romcom, perfect for fans of Rebecca Ra...

  • Taking Care of Business synopsis, comments

    Taking Care of Business

    Lauren Dane & Megan Hart

    One conference, two friends and two men who know how to take care of business...After leaving the wrong man, Leah Griffin's not ready to look for the right one. All she wants is to...

  • Insatiable Appetites synopsis, comments

    Insatiable Appetites

    Fiona Zedde

    Every woman has secrets. But Sage never thought the lover she’d shared her life with for years had one big enough to blow their entire world apart.   With one shocking revelation, ...

  • Pleasure and Spice synopsis, comments

    Pleasure and Spice

    Fiona Zedde

    Mayson and Renée are best friends. Two women who’ve known each other for a lifetime and are as different as they are close. Mayson is a freespirited and out lesbian, and very much...

  • Wildhorse Creek synopsis, comments

    Wildhorse Creek

    Kerry McGinnis

    Escaping the PastBilly Martin runs from home, burying his past in the quest for a future. He finds it in Queensland's spectacular Gulf Country, on the sprawling cattle runs. Embrac...

  • Seducing the Stripper synopsis, comments

    Seducing the Stripper

    Lindsay Evans

    <br> You’re supposed to tip the stripper at your friend’s bachelorette party, not take them home. But that’s exactly what Tess does. Her life feels like it’s on pause. She’s ...

  • Up on Horseshoe Hill synopsis, comments

    Up on Horseshoe Hill

    Penelope Janu

    'Penelope Janu's fresh, bright, funny new twist on rural romance is an absolute delight. Her wit is as sharp as a knife. She is one of my absolute mustread authors.' Victoria Purma...

  • The Library at Wagtail Ridge synopsis, comments

    The Library at Wagtail Ridge

    Janet Gover

    An unexpected and unusual inheritance sets a young woman on the road to discover her mother's deepest secret. A charming and heartfelt rural romance perfect for readers of Rachael ...

  • My Mamma Mia Summer synopsis, comments

    My Mamma Mia Summer

    Annie Robertson

    Escape to Greece for sunshine, music, laughter and a sprinkling of romance.... The feelgood novel you need in 2021!One summer... One dream... One chance to make it happen.Laurel ha...

  • Jacaranda synopsis, comments

    Jacaranda

    Mandy Magro

    From bestselling Australian author Mandy Magro comes a passionate rural romance about realising what you need has been with you all along.Molly's life is almost perfect. She's the ...

  • A Home Among the Snow Gums synopsis, comments

    A Home Among the Snow Gums

    Stella Quinn

    The road to love is a rutted dirt track for the other vet from Snowy River ... An unmissable, funny, feelgood romance from the author of The Vet From Snowy River, Stella Quinn.Hann...

  • Last Bridge Before Home synopsis, comments

    Last Bridge Before Home

    Lily Malone

    With her trademark fresh and funny tone, Lily Malone returns with a captivating new romance set in the heart of the Australian outback.For Jaydah Tully, the country town of Chalk H...

  • Flame Tree Hill synopsis, comments

    Flame Tree Hill

    Mandy Magro

    A heartfelt rural romance about courage in the face of adversity from bestselling Australian author Mandy Magro. Kirsty Mitchell fled Flame Tree Hill after a tragic accident three ...

  • Second Chance Love in Point Perry synopsis, comments

    Second Chance Love in Point Perry

    Joanne Speirs

    Two broken hearts learning how to live and love again.After a devastating tragedy shakes Erin's world, she returns to her hometown of Point Perry seeking solace and a fresh start...

  • Mystic Ridge synopsis, comments

    Mystic Ridge

    Lucy Lever

    Sparkling rural romance meets quirky romcom in this delightful debut story of love, magic and fighting for home. Perfect for readers who love Rachael Johns and Alissa Callen.Is lov...

  • When She Says Yes synopsis, comments

    When She Says Yes

    Fiona Zedde

    The provocative women from Fiona Zedde’s imagination are at it again. From the sultry beaches of Jamaica to the palace of a Tanzanian queen then all the way to the exclusive playro...

  • Wayward Heart synopsis, comments

    Wayward Heart

    Cathryn Hein

    Can you ever really leave the past behind? Australian author, Cathryn Hein returns with a heartfelt romance about loss and new beginnings.A compelling rural romance, with a he...

  • The Little Village Library synopsis, comments

    The Little Village Library

    Helen Rolfe

    The Little Village Library is a heartwarming story about kindness, community, and new beginnings, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley and Rachael LucasOne of Woman & Home's top 5...

  • Just Like Her synopsis, comments

    Just Like Her

    Fiona Zedde

    Delphine’s life is made up of secrets. About her job, her sexual identity, and even her past. She coasts along on a tide of halftruths until a familiar “straight” woman splashes ...

  • Something in the Wine synopsis, comments

    Something in the Wine

    Tricia Stringer

    A warmhearted rural romance set among the scenic vineyards of the Margaret River from bestselling author Tricia Stringer, the authentic voice of Australian storytelling.Reserved hi...

  • Hungry for It synopsis, comments

    Hungry for It

    Fiona Zedde

    Rémi’s had a crush on her best friend's mother since she knew what lust was. Claudia is everything she wants in a lover but doesn't think she deserves sophisticated, brill...

  • Axed synopsis, comments

    Axed

    Phil Barker

    Axed charts the dramatic decline of the magazine industry in Australia from the millionselling highs of the 1990s to the recent round of mergers, closures and massredundancies...

  • Nightshade synopsis, comments

    Nightshade

    Fiona Zedde

    Assassin Bronwynne St. Just has a knack for finding trouble, usually in the form of a beautiful woman. After fulfilling a haunting contract on her sister's childhood friend and...

  • The Magical Femme synopsis, comments

    The Magical Femme

    Fiona Zedde

    I don’t do femmes. Ever.  I mean, what can two girlygirls in high heels do for each other anyway? But one night at a crowded bar with one particular femme just might change my mi...

  • The Country Girl synopsis, comments

    The Country Girl

    Cathryn Hein

    Bestselling Australian author Cathryn Hein returns with a moving and uplifting rural romance about facing hard truths and moving on in pursuit of life.Can this love story find a ne...

  • The Social Distance Between Us synopsis, comments

    The Social Distance Between Us

    Darren McGarvey

    A RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEKSHORTLISTED FOR THE RATHBONES FOLIO PRIZE FOR NONFICTIONLONGLISTED FOR THE RSL ONDAATJE PRIZE'An Orwell for today's poor' The Times'The standout, authent...

  • The Nightingales in Mersey Square synopsis, comments

    The Nightingales in Mersey Square

    Lilly Robbins

    Can friendship save them in their time of need?1940: When trainee nurses Clare and Gaye, alongside their new friend Diana discover that the war is forcing the mothers and children ...

  • Close to Home synopsis, comments

    Close to Home

    Janet Gover

    A delightful small town story of community and family with shades of Romeo and Juliet and The Dressmaker.Two households, both alike in dignity...Aunt Alice Dwyer loves her small Au...

  • The Year of Surprising Acts of Kindness synopsis, comments

    The Year of Surprising Acts of Kindness

    Laura Kemp

    'Witty, Warm, and Wonderful. I loved it!' Milly JohnsonSometimes all it takes to make the world a better place is a small act of kindness...'A truly wonderful and heartwarming read...

  • Snowy Mountains Promise synopsis, comments

    Snowy Mountains Promise

    Alissa Callen

    A town scandal. A kelpie chaperone. A winter ball. The bush telegraph has never had so much to talk about... A delightfully charming rural story about love and healing from bestsel...

  • A Taste of Sin synopsis, comments

    A Taste of Sin

    Fiona Zedde

    Desiree Nichols has never been afraid of doing things the hard way. In high school, she was an out lesbian who faced down any bullies who dared challenge her. She jumped in with bo...

  • Return to Me synopsis, comments

    Return to Me

    Fiona Zedde

    Rémi and Claudia have been together for over two years. During that time, their families have grown to accept what the twentynine year old reformed player and her fifty year old lo...

  • Loch Down Abbey synopsis, comments

    Loch Down Abbey

    Beth Cowan-Erskine

    'Perfect if you loved THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB' reader review'An entertaining romp and a fascinating insight into the weird and wonderful ways of the British aristocracy' S.J. Ben...

  • Red Dirt Home synopsis, comments

    Red Dirt Home

    Renae Black

    To move forward, she'll have to face the past.Paige Bennett is fulfilling her childhood dream of working and living on the land as a station hand on Whitetail Ridge. Getting her ha...

  • Snowy Mountains Dawn synopsis, comments

    Snowy Mountains Dawn

    Alissa Callen

    A diehard country girl. A cityboy newcomer. Some rules were meant to be broken... Opposites attract in this delightful rural romance, set in charming smalltown Bundilla, from bests...

  • Stud Like Her synopsis, comments

    Stud Like Her

    Fiona Zedde

    Chance has been in love only once, but it wasn’t with the girlfriend she stayed with for far too long. The same girlfriend who dropped Chance when she became too inconvenient. Or m...

  • Day of the Accident synopsis, comments

    Day of the Accident

    Nuala Ellwood

    WHAT DID YOU SEE? WHAT DID YOU DO? 'Gripping, poignant...I read it in one sitting' ROSAMUND LUPTON'Brilliantly compulsive and with one hell of a twist!' CLAIRE DOUGLASSixty seconds...

  • Femme Like Her synopsis, comments

    Femme Like Her

    Fiona Zedde

    Nailah Grant only dates studs, races her Camaro for therapy, and believes in leaving her exes in the past where they belong.<br> <br> But with a layoff looming and her ...