First In His Class : A Biography Of Bill Clinton

Rating:
Summary: An Eminently Readably Biography of a Fascinating Man
Review: I'll just start this by saying that I recommend this book wholeheartedly. Maraniss does a fantastic job of creating an incredibly readable work and his research here shines through. Interviews with former friends, old letters, yearbook signatures...! If you want to gain a better understanding of Bill Clinton, both his strengths and weaknesses, I strongly urge you to read this book.

Rating:
Summary: An Eminently Readably Biography of a Fascinating Man
Review: I'll just start this by saying that I recommend this book wholeheartedly. Maraniss does a fantastic job of creating an incredibly readable work and his research here shines through. Interviews with former friends, old letters, yearbook signatures...! If you want to gain a better understanding of Bill Clinton, both his strengths and weaknesses, I strongly urge you to read this book.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Biography of A Great President!
Review: If you are a Clinton fan or simply one who enjoys politics, this book is definitely for you. First In His Class explores Bill Clinton's entire life, from his high school days, through his journeys to Georgetown, Oxford and Yale, and then on to his political career. It gives in depth detail about his work on various campaigns and his lifestyle, and tracks his voyage right up to his announcement that he would run for President of the United States. You will learn a lot from the charm and political ability of this great president.

Rating:
Summary: Can't wait till the autobiography, but this will do for now!
Review: If you are a right wing nut, stay away from this book, you might actually appreciate and respect Bill Clinton. Maraniss really sheds light on the former President's childhood, initial interest in politics, Arkansas' governorship and his announcement for the presidency. Unbiased and definitely a page-turner. I have read a bunch of Bill Clinton books and this is definitely one of my favorites. You do not need to be a policy wonk or even a political hack to enjoy learning about our 42nd president. Even some of my Republican friends find his ascent interesting and even revealing as to some of his decision making during his time in the White House. A great book, a greater president, two thumbs up!!

Rating:
Summary: Can't wait till the autobiography, but this will do for now!
Review: If you are a right wing nut, stay away from this book, you might actually appreciate and respect Bill Clinton. Maraniss really sheds light on the former President's childhood, initial interest in politics, Arkansas' governorship and his announcement for the presidency. Unbiased and definitely a page-turner. I have read a bunch of Bill Clinton books and this is definitely one of my favorites. You do not need to be a policy wonk or even a political hack to enjoy learning about our 42nd president. Even some of my Republican friends find his ascent interesting and even revealing as to some of his decision making during his time in the White House. A great book, a greater president, two thumbs up!!

Rating:
Summary: Compelling look at Clinton's young and middle aged life
Review: Interesting look at Clinton and his youth, his motivations, family life, and inner aspirations. We learn again how intelligent he is, and how ambitious he was from such an early age. Whether you like Slick Willy or not, after reading this book, don't ever count him out. He has nine lives. Best biography I've read in quite some time.

Rating:
Summary: Thorough, evenhanded
Review: Like all of the other reviewers of 'First in His Class', I think that the author's treatment of Clinton is thorough, impartial, and largely nonjudgemental. The thoroughness, however, tailed off at the end of the book- the '80s get skimpy treatment. There is almost nothing in this biography about Whitewater, the McDougals, Gennifer Flowers, Madison Savings & Loan, etc- all of the alleged scandals from the '80s that have dogged the Clintons during his presidency.It seemed as if the author was in a hurry to finish the book once he described Clinton's first few political campaigns. One is struck from reading this biography how lucky Clinton has been, if his objective was to reach high political office (which it was, of course)- innately intellectual and gregarious, a natural 'schmoozer', avoiding the draft in 1969-70 (although, as the author makes clear, this involved a fair amount of creativity on Clinton's part), having a relatively small state as his political 'home base' (could he have been elected governor of New York with such ease?), , running for president against a weak and incoherent candidate in 1992, etc. Clinton's good fortune in reaching his life-long goal does not detract, however, from his political cunning ('the world's largest rolodex' is my favorite expression from the book) and overweaning ambition. Herein lies the recipe to being elected to high political office. Followers of the foibles of the Clintons the last seven years will be amused to see some of the contemporary weird characters that populate (or have populated) the Clinton administration first surface during Clinton's days in college, Oxford, and law school. Strobe Talbott, Robert Reich, Bernard Nussbaum- now we know where these chuckleheads came from!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent biography
Review: Maraniss digs deep in the life of Bill Clinton giving his reader a rare insight on the President. A must read for all who want to discover more about a complicated man.

Rating:
Summary: Well researched but no surprises here.
Review: Maraniss does a creditible job of researching his subject. I found the account to be well- balanced and fair. The book carefully and methodically lays down incident after incident in Bill Clinton's life which point to a pattern of behavior that goes back to at least his late teens and which would lead one to believe that the recent troubles he is experiencing, the result of hubris, were all but unavoidable. I enjoyed the book although it was written prior to the recent scandals.

Rating:
Summary: Maraniss' book suggests possible Bill Clinton disorder
Review: Maraniss presents evidence which, along with media coverage and personal observations, suggests President Clinton's possible personality disorder. A disorder which, if true, would prevent Clinton from truly being repentant, feeling responsible, and sincerely making amends. Maraniss has created a very important and historical book on President Clinton which will serve to illuminate and define a problem which some politicians have, a personality disorder which fuels their reach for power, prestige, and control. This personality disorder, using its mask of sanity, abuses the trust given them by the people. Particularly when the politicians use the real issues of the underprivileged to grab power. In the extreme, deadly and tragic example of this personalty disorder, we had Ted Bundy, whom I personally knew, who also had a charismatic appeal for women, and who devastated the safety and lives of these same women. And now we have President William Jefferson Clinton, who out of so-called adversity, perhaps created a disordered personality which is easily defined by two major mental disorder classification systems, by ICD-10 as Dissocial Personality Disorder and by DSM-IV as Narcissistic Personaity Disorder. Despite his being a Southern Baptist believer, as I was, President Clinton seems to have a major problem, his possible and very likely personality disorder. Thank you, David Maraniss, for making a major contribution to our understanding of President Clinton and of his administration, and of the Liberal Democrats in general. Your book will survive the test of time and will be a permanent and significant resource for the ages.