Rating: 
Summary: Great Insider
Review: The account of Mr. Woodward (this time authorized!) regarding the quest for, and conquest of the White House by William Jefferson Clinton, made me realize very much about the man, and the politics that surround US Government. Though not usually my cup of tea (the book was a gift, I felt obligated!) it did reveal the machinations of the Federal Machine, and how you've got to do a little back rubbing for everyone to get anything done. That fact that Clinton and his team did so almost masterfully made the book worth reading right there. As with any President, or politician for that matter, Clinton did fall on his face a sufficient number of times, whether they were personal or political. His intelligence and charisma was artfully brought through by the author in a most skillful way. A must read for anyone trying to understand Clinton or his White House.
Rating: 
Summary: The Agenda captures the essence
Review: The Agenda written by Bob Woodward, pertains to Bill Clinton's first year in office. It's mostly about the battle and struggle for the new (at the time) president to get his budget and economic recovery package passed through Congress. It's amazing, but I never realized how much of a tough job it is to be president.Shortly after winning the presidency in November of 1992 over incumbent President George Bush Clinton soon had to both come to grips and realize that his work was cut out a lot more for him, than he, or his campaign staff could've ever realized. Ultimately, he had to accept the fact that he would have to do some drastic compromising from his campaign promises. Clinton of course campaigned to be a "New Democrat" who would restore the economy to the forgotten middle-class and overturn the Reagan-Era greed of the 1980s, by investing in jobs, education, and health insurance reform. After meeting with Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, he soon realized that it wouldn't be so easy. As it would turn out, taking bold action to reduce the overwhelming national deficit would become the top-notch priority of his economic recovery plan, and would hog up most of his budget. Therefore his beloved domestic investment agenda would have to be sacrificed. Including his promised tax-cut for the middle-class. So even before, let alone after Clinton took the oath of office, Clinton had his work cut out for him. He had to realize
early that his approval ratings would sink miserably and there would be disenchantment among his strongest supporters, let alone the American people. In many ways, two camps developed in his White House. There were the fiscal conservatives such as Robert Rubin, Leon Panetta, David Gergan. Then there were those from his campaign staff who wanted him to continue with his campaign pledges of investment such as Paul Begala, George Stephanapolis, and James Carville. Greenspan's influence over the new president was amazing. Although it was from a neutral point of view, Greenspan
made Clinton understand how it was crucial that Clinton tackle the deficit. Or else long-term interest rates would never come down and the economy would never take off. Without the economy taking off, no way would Clinton ever be able to get back to doing the things that he was elected to do, let alone re-elected in 1996. Clinton had to come to accept that he would have to sacrifice many things, among them, his political popularity, but know that the long term effects would pay off dividends for both him politically, and for the US economy. Fortunately for him, it did apparently work out for the best, and he did (with the extreme help of a Republican Congress
balance the federal budget in 1997) reduce the deficit and gave us a budget surplus. What should also be strongly considered is that he did this, at the behest of cutting the DOD and the intelligence community, which contributes to events such as September 11th, 2001.
What is also amazing about this book, is that Woodward gives you a fly-on-the-wall view of the battle to pass this
budget through both the House and the Senate. It also gives you the word for word account of a bitter phone conversation between Clinton and Nebraska Democratic Senator Bob Kerry, in which Clinton tells Kerry to go f--- himself, when Kerry refuses to vote for his budget, which turned out to be the crucial vote. As it would turn out, Kerry would vote for it, making it a tie. Gore then gave the over the top vote and the budget was
passed. This book was very, very good, and that is why I was able to go through it so quickly. -Nicholas J. Vertucci
Rating: 
Summary: Inside Look At Clinton's Early Days!
Review: This book showed the struggles that Clinton had to endear to get his administration off the ground floor. It shows some of the defeats of his key legislation and also shows some of his triumphs. Also shown in upclose detail are some of the key players who would play pivotal parts in his days in the WhiteHouse. A very interesting read.
Rating:
Summary: Good review of Clinton's early years as President
Review: This is a very good synopsis of Clinton's first few years. Much insight is given and issues are discussed. Also, many interesting pictures. Good source of history.
Rating:
Summary: Dry but balanced
Review: This was indeed a book of "inside information" as only a professional of Woodward's ilk could procure. This is a great window into the rough-and-tumble of Beltway politics. But I'd warn the potential reader that esoteric economic theories and discussions of various markets (bonds, T bills, etc) dominate much of this work. Not particularly my cup of tea, but it seemed to be an honest look at a president wasting no time trying to define himself and his administration.
Rating: 
Summary: Sigh
Review: When is Bob Woodward gonna give it up? I wish he'd go sit on his Watergate laurels and not try to "investigate" every politician who comes down the pike. We're all sick of Clinton, let's just let it be and hope some good gets done.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting to read, but seems to lack focus.
Review: You will like this book, if you're interested to learn
something about the struggles of a president and his
administration to give focus to his presidency. For somebody
unfamiliar with the way Politics is "made" in the US, this
is even a little fascinating. Bob Woodward does not report opinions, but lots of facts (it seems). It's
a very close-up look into the details of decision making, but
written with a lot of distance. i was under the impression
that the book itself is lacking focus, in that it is just
reporting on lots of meetings inside the white house, without
a clear goal. Lots of things get repeated over and over again,
which makes reading a little annoying. i don't regret having spent a few hours reading this book - but its certainly not
Woodward's Best.
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