My Life

Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Look At The Most Controversial President
Review: A Fascinating Look At The Most Controversial President

This book will intrigue anyone who cares about America. You get an insider's view from the divisive man himslef. You'll also learn the struggles all presidents must face, and the role the media played in helping and hurting Clinton.

Rating:
Summary: Read and Learn
Review: I am a conservative economist who, like many of the reviewers here, never voted for Bill Clinton. However, unlike those same reviewers, I read this entire book. I must say that it is somewhat satisfying to understand the thought processes behind this president. He is a remarkably bright individual who overcame a somewhat deprived childhood to excel at some of the world's finest educational institutions. Given the ineptitude of the current administration which won on pedigree, it is refreshing to know that hard work, intellect, and perseverance can also lead to the White House.

The book has a few tedious moments. The Arkansas campaigns are littered with the names of individuals no one outside of the Ozarks will recognize. On the whole though, this book delivers for the aficionado of American politics. You will see the deep thought and debate surrounding policy decisions. You will appreciate the fact that this president actually led his administration with his own ideas and strategies for implementing them. Likewise, he wrote many of his own speeches and routinely held press conferences without knowing the questions in advance. I would have liked even more from these areas, but the book does provide as much depth as most political memoirs.

What I would like from Clinton's second book would be a discussion of the perception and reality of American politics. For example, the Bush administration, with annual budget and trade deficits of over $1 trillion, has the most liberal fiscal policy since the Johnson administration. At the same time, they have increased the size of the government more than any other administration in history, with the effects of the war and 9/11 accounting for only 45% of this enormous growth. Clinton, on the other hand, was extremely conservative during his second term, shrinking the government, slowing the growth in expenditures across the board, and balancing the budget. Yet, Clinton is reviled as being too liberal by conservatives who don't seem to do their homework. It's too bad they're unwilling to spend time reading a book like this instead of allowing radio talk show hosts to fill their heads with lies that matter.

Rating:
Summary: An Easy, Pleasant Read
Review: I approached the book as though it was written -- not by a former Democratic President -- but a man with amazing life experiences. The insight the author provided on the workings of the executive branch of our government, along with international events were just icing on the cake for me.

The writing is very easy to read; the story flows smoothly. All in all, I enjoy the voice that is projected from the author's composition.

I found it interesting that on page 811, when Clinton was introspective about his affair with Monica, his revelation is that he is vulnerable to making selfish and self-destructive personal mistakes when he is exhausted, angry, or feeling isolated. This mirrors the 12-step recovery motto of HALT (hungry, angry, lonely, tired), which recognize our vulnerabilities to succumb to our addictions.

I must say that Clinton's description of sleeping on a couch for two months following his admission to Hillary regarding Ms. Lewinsky was hard to believe. Perhaps he was placing himself in the doghouse, making use of the couch adjacent to their bedroom, but still -- there were so many other bedrooms in the White House. Aside from that, I'm glad Clinton disclosed that he and Hillary participated in weekly couples counseling for a year.

My favorite parts of the book cover Clinton's reflections on family, friends, and associates who passed away. This is where he shared personal thoughts on the affect these people had on him, and how he mourned their deaths.

Rating:
Summary: Less insightful than I had hoped
Review: I don't usually read political autobiography, but I bought the audio CD of 'My Life' because I'm fascinated by US history and I like Bill Clinton much more than any other recent presidential incumbent.

But the CD abridgement was a disappointment. It's at its best when covering Clinton's early life. It's at its worst when filling the book with many uninteresting details (to a Brit like me) such as the number of Democratic senators elected and the lists of people at various meetings, of people who supported him on various issues, and of all the advantages of various bits of legislation he had proposed. It's almost as if the explosion of political detail is being used to make up for what he doesn't say about his various affairs. For example, on the audio CD, there is no mention of Gennifer Flowers, who is alleged to have had a far longer relationship with Clinton than Lewinsky.

To me, there seemed too much obsessing about Kenneth Starr and Newt Gingrich. This bitter internally-focussed perspective diminished Clinton's standing in my eyes, when I really wanted him to say much more about world affairs and his relationship with John Major and Tony Blair.

As other reviewers have noted, much of this book seems to be a dump of his appointments diary, with excerpts from his favourite speeches added, in case posterity forgot them. I get the impression that much of this book was written for Hilary -- to show her that he really is a caring individual who does not intend to philander again. But Clinton admits only to what he has been caught doing. He seems shocked that Starr delves so deeply into his affairs. But given that he lied to the American people and Hilary and Chelsea about his affair with Lewinsky, he has to expect people not to trust him.

I was interested in the depiction of Clinton as the career politican (and occasional law lecturer and practitioner). This is a man who has cared deeply about the marketing of candidates and political ideas throughout his entire adult life. What the press write about him and his party matters a great deal to him.

In summary, I still believe Clinton is a great man, although not quite as great as before I listened to him reading from his book.

As a final point, several of the six CDs in the set I bought (not from amazon) jumped atrociously in my car CD player.

Rating:
Summary: Heartfelt Willie!!
Review: In 2001, William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton exited the White House after becoming the first two-term Democratic president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Instead of praise for surmounting numerous and incredible life obstacles, his rags-to-riches personal life story actually had the right wing seriously enraged enough to attempt a sham impeachment and conviction on anything (and EVERYTHING) they thought up. The reception discrepancy between his personal history and presidential administration is painstakingly explored in the personal autobiography---with no detail spared. I am not fortunate enough to live near a city where Clinton undertook book promotion tours, but this title's price vs. length and quality is well worth those televised all-night camp outs.

Eschewing a ghost-writer, Clinton personally poured his heart and mind about personal and potentially difficult subjects which former presidents (of all ideologies) shielded themselves from. Choosing the less-utilized "open disclosure" route is a refreshing contribution to American public policymaking. It is also one which more public officials should follow.

Rather than seeing diversity as an election strategy, Clinton genuinely appreciates social justice movements which attempt to make the world radically different from his Arkansas boyhood. In the television era's early days, then-Governor Orval Fabus tried to maintain segregation 'standing in front of the schoolhouse door' to Little Rock's Central High School (pp. 38-39) Undoubtedly this incident's horror (and fears that all southerners were presumed to agree with Faubus) helped solidify determination to pursue a radically contrasting racial public policy legacy (pp. 559-560). In turn, Clinton's early decision explains why I and many other people love him today.

Repeatedly, Clinton draws upon his witness to the 1957 Little Rock action as one motivator for public service (the other of course is meeting President Kennedy at a D.C. Boys Town Summit). Because I am also growing up in a conservative southern town, I am comforted things do change; a young Republican who openly cheered during the announcement of President Kennedy's assassination later became a Democrat, social worker, and one of Clinton's biggest political supporters (p. 65). The bigger person recognizes when it is time to mend the oft-mentioned political fences. During his Arkansas Governorship Clinton demonstrated the nation only maximum potential when all demographics are empowered to participate in the American dream.

I also enjoyed reading personal family anecdotes---including those which are probably still painful to share with audiences. In fifth grade, he learned that people who rented out motels for long periods of time did abortions (p. 29) because the procedure was illegal in the state. He also describes the incidents where stepfather Roger beat the family---until young Bill grew big enough to fight back (pp. 45-51). The vivid descriptions provide both literary action and a solemn reminder the world is better because abortion is legalized, and domestic violence is no longer a 'family affair'. As a child of divorce, I am also reassured that an American President went through several of the same experiences me and many of my friends experienced. When he talks about families, Clinton is personally aware there are many different types of families and the rightwing has never spoken for everybody (pp. 633-636)

As the first president to be in the delivery room during his child's birth (p. 273), Clinton brought unprecedented sensitivity to the Oval Office. Because the lives of American voters are more egalitarian, this empathy is a definite asset in the post-cold war era From his own personal experiences, Clinton easily understands that good and strong families come in all compositions (pp. 426-427). I was also intrigued to learn that Clinton did not personally/politically have a problem with Hillary's last name (p. 296). Finally, "women's issues" like the Equal Rights Amendment (p. 257) stand on their own merit as something which is genuinely important to HIM.

Certainly people have to take self-initiative for their private life, but Clinton's centrist Democratic theory (dating from Robert F. Kennedy's 1968 presidential campaign) says that government is still obligated to ensure the people trying to help themselves and their communities can actually do so (p. 122). This approach explains why he signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 ---overhauling the depression-era welfare system, while also rejecting the complete dismantlement passionately championed by Republican opponents. Aware that welfare payments had varied by state and women were not getting rich anywhere, Clinton also knew the current system had intentionally built-in incentives for women to stay at home instead of work. Welfare was initially developed so low-income women would not 'deviate from 'traditional' homemaker roles and could also stay at home with their children like many other women of the time. Clinton purposefully attempted to allocate enough money and resources for childcare so low-income women would not find themselves in a horrid catch-22 situation of wanting to work but not being able to find affordable, safe, and reliable daycare for their children (pp. 720-721).

Before entering elected office, Clinton taught college classes at the University of Arkansas and the professorial enthusiasm (pp. 204-205) required for that task is especially obvious today as the lessons he taught to and learned from the students are recalled. I can easily imagine myself as a student in the class while he is racing up and down the auditorium steps exhorting us to become even more involved in the larger world (p. 203). Because they cannot realistically be confined to a classroom, such individuals were predestined to have a tremendous impact on the larger world.

By showing a less serious side of the Clintons which is not always discernable from the media, the enclosed photos reinforce this aforementioned environment. Conceding that his personal actions damaged the family (p. 800, p. 811), he avoids a holier-than-thou attitude which ruined many other political careers. Clinton succeeds at the American Dream because he already knows and easily accepts his imperfection. He is so personable that even when I disagreed with Clinton's policies, myself and others always knew that he would not attack dissenters on trumped up charges. Instead, Clinton's enduring personal patience (he appears far more patient than he has given himself credit for) and boundless optimism for the nation consistently shine throughout this book. By nature, genuine sentiment cannot be slick.

This book is a mandatory purchase for the Clinton fan---or anybody preferring a time when the United States president was respected for unflagging civility in the face of adversarial circumstances that had grounding lesser politicians from all levels of government. Unfortunately, like Hillary's autobiography (2002), the author's relative chronological youth in relation to his numerous public accomplishments means that another edition or volume will eventually be required for adequately chronicling all of the national/international contributions. Even at 957 pages, fitting all important information into one volume is impossible. I look forward to purchasing future editions of this biography.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect, imperfect!
Review: New York Times in a front page review Sunday, panned Clinton's 957 page book as 'sloppy, self indulgent and often eye crossingly dull'. Newsweek called in 'hardly an edge of you seat experience' and AP said it was badly conceived, flatly written poorly edited book. However, the reviews have absolutely not affected the sales as people are buying this book because they want to know what he says not how he says it. Clinton's book runs from his Arkansas childhood through his Presidency and this appears to justify and make an interesting read. When I grabbed this copy while travelling, the book read became a very interesting read on a vacation. Wonderful pics with Bill's childhood emotions and failures of his life revealed in a vivid manner. His extraordinary spirits and hard work serving the people is seen through the pages as he narrates various incidents of his life. A very determined global leader, I think the Book is a total revealing biography and for International readers, definitely make an interesting read. It is more a sort of Marketing Gimmicks that has clicked 'My Life' to fame as well as critics shoot up their comments negative too. However,As Fans of Bill Clinton read his Autobiography 'My Life' - there releases the Autobiography of the Life of an Indian Prime Minister. 'Manmohanomics: Journey to South Block, Life of an Indian Prime Minister' By Vivek Garg and Ravish Mishra. The book is published by Manas Publication priced at Rs.495/-(256 pages). This also is a good read but maybe people aren't aware of! Well, a good Read 'My Life' for those who really want to dig into Bill Clinton's most unique confidential personal and political career. A truly American Bill Clinton - A great read.

Rating:
Summary: And Who Among Us Has Never Told A Lie
Review: Since some Clinton bashers, seem to be forming an opinion about a book they NEVER read, I feel obligated to form an opinion on a book I will eventually read as one of the billions of Clinton Supporters.

No one outside of Washington D.C. & the Media core CARED about the President's affair with Monica. The economy was at stellar growth, the U.S. had good relations with almost all decent nations on the planet Earth and there was no reason for the U.S. to play World Police. It's the Economy Stupid. When 9/11 happened all those trash talking hotheads, you know the ones who hate the POPULAR Clinton, blamed the previous Administration for the lax attitude of the current one. Their stupid rants were similar to those of an incarcerated felon blaming the entire world for his problems and never facing the reality, that change begins within. I was going to vote Republican then I found about jerks like Newt Gingrich and the ultra-ugly Ken Starr. I registered Independent but voted for the charismatic Clinton. Clinton was so popular that many Americans given the chance to vote him into a 3rd term would gladly do so.

I have come to believe it is the far right wing of the Republican Party that is growing perilously close to dictatorship. The current Administration limits your freedom of speech; you may not criticize the government, you have no right to privacy, i.e. Patriot Act, is above the law (no one is claiming responsiblity for the prison scandal), refuses to share information with the American public for the reason(s) of going to war and Ashcroft looks really silly when his public terror alerts amount to nothing. After 12 years of Republican rule, they seem bent on OWNING the White House and will do anything to get back what they NEVER won in 2000. The surplus that Clinton Administration created has all but vanished in just the first year, GWB has been in office fighting a seemingly unneccessary war for a country whose citizens have probably borne a growing hatred for the U.S. (Why not get rid of Castro in Cuba, cause they have no OIL to give in return, hey, Cheney?) And if I excercise my fist amendment right to voice loudly my opinion of being against the war, I am unpatriotic?. Doesn't the Bill of Rights, give me the freedom of non-hateful / harmful speech? Or did the U.S. change its name to Iran?

When it goes down in the history books, Clinton's impeachment for lying (I'd rather have a president lie about an affair then have a president lie about war and have many people die violently), will read as laughable and tarnish the far right wing of the Republican party. As a colleague once told me during the Impeachment of Clinton, It is a SAD DAY in history when a President is Impeached for a stained dress. Mr. Clinton was exonarated and he will be remembered as an intelligent communicator, witty, charming, great with people and with faults that are nobody's business but his own. That GOAT Ken NO Starr will be forgotten as a dumbass which never accomplished its goal.