You see the picture of Hillary Clinton on the cover alongside the names of two female authors and chances are, you're going to make assumptions about where this book is headed, what its biases are, and what it wants to say -- no doubt in some preachy, ultra-feminist way. That's because we do judge books by their cover -- just like we judge humans based on gender, which is why this book is so important and so timely. Through painstaking research that covers large swaths of American foreign policy as well as compelling case studies, the authors chronicle the effect of the 'Hillary Doctrine' -- an approach to foreign policy that sees female empowerment as a keystone of peace and national security. The argument that you can't have a true democracy without female involvement seems obvious, but as Hudson and Leidl prove -- repeatedly -- the point often gets lost in conflict zones, where the rhetoric revolves around 'national security' and takes on a manly tone. The Hillary Doctrine dissects the soft tissue of intricate policy documents (you will be a DC wonk by the final pages) and exposes the bone of the current political order, where the majority of players are men -- and sadly, men who generally fail to make the connection between women's rights and national security. Because this book is so well-researched, and so stone-cold sober in tone, it's not the easiest read. It forces you to read every sentence, absorb every acronym and do a little extra-reading -- especially if UN Security Council resolutions aren't your breakfast table reading material. The challenge came with substantial rewards, however, because I felt affirmed by this book. It reminded me that other people are questioning the status quo. More importantly, it proves beyond any doubt -- through dry facts, detailed chronologies and bloody narrative -- that women's rights are an essential component to world peace.