She says she wants to be better understood, yet she remains a mystery to the public. She’s definitely aggressive, yet still vulnerable. She’s been described as ruthless and intimidating by some former White House staff members, yet compassionate and gracious when fighting for something she believes in. A woman who has endured eight tumultuous years as First Lady and is now a New York senator, is Hillary Rodham Clinton a success or failure?

She provides her own assessment in her latest publication “Living History,” made available to the public Monday. Barbara Walters provided a glimpse of the contents and plowed through the tough questions to a poised, articulate and elegantly dressed Clinton Sunday evening. Clinton portrayed herself as an average American woman who has had to deal with some of the same personal and professional pressures and struggles that a lot of other women deal with as well.

Three points she made to Barbara regarding her professional and personal life struck me as significant. Clinton said she tends to follow her heart when battling life’s most challenging moments. That is how she justified following her husband to Arkansas rather than pursuing a promising solo career in Washington. That is how she justified staying in a troubled, difficult marriage once the sun set on the Clinton administration. And regrets? Clinton said she believes she could have explained herself more clearly to the people in Arkansas and shoulders partial blame for the health care reform failure.

Clinton describes herself as a woman of faith and prayer. She claims that’s what got her through those dark months following the Lewinsky scandal. While the nation expected her to cut her ties with a lying, cheating spouse when their ties to the White House were cut, she told Walters that she came to a point where she was able to forgive her husband’s transgressions, and the couple has undergone marriage counseling. Hillary and Bill in therapy — that’s difficult to picture.

I wasn’t expecting regret, a profession of faith and a desire to follow her heart to come from Clinton. She seems to have mellowed since leaving the White House, or at least that’s what she wants the public to think.

Why the book? How does she expect the public to react? By spending their money? New Yorkers have been arriving in droves to the Manhattan Barnes and Noble bookstore chain, spending a record $40,000 Monday, according to a CNN news report. She’s preparing us. Just as the dust from the Clinton administration has finally settled, Hillary Rodham Clinton wants to play peek-a-boo. She’s laying the groundwork for more fireworks. Is she trying to steal the spotlight? What a clever way to do it. Clinton is ready to speak out about personal growth, and she’s not easily silenced. Like other public figures present and past, she has a story to tell borne out of deep pain and suffering.

Clinton’s efforts on behalf of children’s issues and national health care reform deserve applause, despite what appeared to be failure the first time around. Once the Democrats resume their rightful place in the Oval Office, those issues can be pursued and maybe even resolved. But the most glorious landmark accomplishment of all — and Clinton did proudly mention this herself—was the incredible economic boost. The Clintons were willing to create good jobs for the middle class. They actually demonstrated a concern for the common, average middle class families.

What Susan B. Anthony did for women’s rights, Clinton did for the role as First Lady during her husband’s term of office. She didn’t just carry the title of “First Lady” like a beauty pageant winner carrying her crown and bouquet. She was no second fiddle to Bill—she was the conductor of the orchestra. She set the example of what a woman in that position could be capable of achieving. And she made a lot of enemies in the process (mostly Republicans).

What will her next move be? Clinton has already denied plans for a presidential run. But if she should choose to do so, recent Gallup polls have indicated that 87 percent of the American population would be willing to vote for a female president, compared to just 33 percent in 1937. America is not yet ready to vote for a female president, but hopefully in my lifetime, it will become a reality. If not Hillary, than another equally qualified female candidate should consider the possibility.

Although the ratio of men to women making or influencing public policy in Washington is gradually becoming more equal, this nation still needs much more women in powerful positions.

We have not seen the last of Hillary Rodham Clinton. This nation needs her now more than ever.