“We’re going to work you to death,” Hillary Clinton promised me with a laugh. She was taking me—and PARADE’s readers—along on a typical day in the life of the U.S. Secretary of State. Our 24 hours together would prove both grueling and inspirational, full of diplomatic pageantry, big meetings with policy brainiacs, small sessions with trusted aides, a stream of time-consuming formal duties, and, of course, phone calls and more phone calls. The Secretary allowed me to be a fly on the wall for almost every minute, under the constantly watchful eyes of the Diplomatic Security Service. Having known her since her husband began his first run for the White House in 1991, I couldn’t stop myself from calling her Hillary. To everyone else, however, she was always Madame Secretary.

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September 15
6:45 p.m. Iftar Dinner
Two hundred prominent Muslim-American leaders gather at the State Department for iftar, the evening meal when Muslims break their daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan. All enter the glittering Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room for an evening of low-key politicking. Muslims have been seeking a position in American politics commensurate with their roughly 6 million in numbers. Clinton is looking for support in upcoming talks between deadlocked Palestinians and Israelis. The evening’s big surprise: After Clinton’s brief talk, a rabbi strolls about introducing the Arab kingdom of Bahrain’s ambassador to the U.S.—w ho is both a woman and a Jew.

September 16
8:30 a.m. Daily Small Staff Meeting

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The Secretary and six of her closest aides, including Chief of Staff Cheryl Mills and Deputy Chief Huma Abedin, both of whom worked on her Presidential campaign, review the day’s schedule, looking for trouble and opportunities. They meet in Clinton’s small, personal office just behind her larger, formal quarters. Practically every day begins this way. They touch on various explosive international hot spots: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, North Korea. Though they don’t talk about it, they seem ever aware of President Barack Obama’s iron-handed control of decisions. One worry today: the President’s decision to cancel the U.S. missile shield in Eastern Europe—a move bound to displease Poles, Czechs, and Republicans.

8:45 a.m. Daily Senior Staff Meeting
The State Department’s top 15 officials gather in Clinton’s formal conference room to expand on matters discussed at the preceding meeting. Deputy Secretary Jack Lew talks about helping Pakistan with its severe energy shortages. Clinton says she wants to find “a signature project” that catches Pakistani attention and demonstrates American assistance. Then she comes back to stalemated Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, telling key aides to “get the Jordanians and Egyptians to talk to the Palestinians.” Whatever subject comes up, Clinton calls on her practical instinct: “ We’ve got to do a better job explaining to people around the world what we’re doing.”

9 a.m. Breakfast With Rep. Nita Lowey
Down from the seventh floor to the first for a session with Representative Lowey (D., N.Y.), Clinton’s friend and a key House leader on Afghanistan and Pakistan. They have a frank discussion of growing opposition on Capitol Hill to the war in Afghanistan—and what to do about it.

9:30 a.m. Energy-Security Briefing
State Department energy czar David Goldwyn briefs Clinton on two key Obama priorities: finding alternatives to importing foreign oil and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Clinton listens carefully, then urges Goldwyn to “identify people we need to hire” and press forward.

10:50 a.m. Recording Videos
Clinton records four thank-you videos to various people and groups.

11:05 a.m. Visit to the White House
Clinton’s new bomb-proof limo slips through the side entrance of the White House so she can meet with President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. They discuss trade issues and Canada’s shift away from a combat role in the war in Afghanistan. I’m not allowed into this meeting.

12:10 p.m. Ceremony for Senegalese Diplomats
For any who doubt the continuing majesty and importance of America in the world, this event is a stunning curative. The U.S. is giving $540 million in aid to Senegal. While that’s no big deal to the few Americans in attendance, the 250 Senegalese and African leaders present brim with pride. Clinton sticks to no-nonsense themes: “We want to be partners, not a patron.” And: “Senegal’s government and people have to make sure we deliver to your country what we both promise.” In diplomacy, this counts as blunt talk, but her audience likes it anyway. [snip]