My Life

By Bill Clinton

Book Overview

#1 New York Times Bestseller President Bill Clinton's My Life is the strikingly candid portrait of the 42nd U.S. president, a global leader who decided early in life to devote his intellectual and political gifts, and his extraordinary capacity for hard work, to serving the public. It shows us the progress of a remarkable American, who, through his own enormous energies and efforts, made the unlikely journey from Hope, Arkansas, to the White House--a journey fueled by an impassioned interest in the political process which manifested itself at every stage of his life: in college, working as an intern for Senator William Fulbright; at Oxford, becoming part of the Vietnam War protest movement; at Yale Law School, campaigning on the grassroots level for Democratic candidates; back in Arkansas, running for Congress, attorney general, and governor. We see his career shaped by his resolute determination to improve the life of his fellow citizens, an unfaltering commitment to civil rights, and an exceptional understanding of the practicalities of political life. We come to understand the emotional pressures of his youth--born after his father's death; caught in the dysfunctional relationship between his feisty, nurturing mother and his abusive stepfather, whom he never ceased to love and whose name he took; drawn to the brilliant, compelling Hillary Rodham, whom he was determined to marry; passionately devoted, from her infancy, to their daughter, Chelsea, and to the entire experience of fatherhood; slowly and painfully beginning to comprehend how his early denial of pain led him at times into damaging patterns of behavior. President Clinton's book is also the fullest, most concretely detailed, most nuanced account of a presidency ever written--encompassing not only the high points and crises but the way the presidency actually works: the day-to-day bombardment of problems, personalities, conflicts, setbacks, achievements. It is a testament to the positive impact on America and on the world of his work and his ideals. It is the gripping account of a president under concerted and unrelenting assault orchestrated by his enemies on the Far Right, and how he survived and prevailed. It is a treasury of moments caught alive, among them: - The ten-year-old boy watching the national political conventions on his family's new (and first) television set. - The young candidate looking for votes in the Arkansas hills and the local seer who tells him, "Anybody who would campaign at a beer joint in Joiner at midnight on Saturday night deserves to carry one box. . . . You'll win here. But it'll be the only damn place you win in this county." (He was right on both counts.) - The roller-coaster ride of the 1992 campaign. - The extraordinarily frank exchanges with Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole. - The delicate manipulation needed to convince Rabin and Arafat to shake hands for the camera while keeping Arafat from kissing Rabin. - The cost, both public and private, of the scandal that threatened the presidency. Here is the life of a great national and international figure, revealed with all his talents and contradictions, told openly, directly, in his own completely recognizable voice. A unique book by a unique American.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 140003003X
• ISBN13: 9781400030033
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Vintage
• Length: 969 Pages
• Weight: 2.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

The first Black President!

I love Bill Clinton ... and I was really looking forward to learn about the behind the scenes of Bill as a person. This book talks about his growing up without a father and how that built his personality, it takes you through the young Governors rise to power and the political gambits that make DC. Many of the details are long (like his speeches :-)) and sometimes too much to endure - but overall it is a slice of history (a big slice) from Bill Clintons perspective. *SPOILER* What i did miss was the lack of details around the Monica Lewinsky scandal and what did he do to survive Hillary's wrath ;-) (my wife would have given me permanent black and blues). But hey it's his book, who am i to complain ;-) Overall : nice, informative, inspiring and enjoyable. Since I listened to the audio book read by him - the experience was enhanced.

My Life by Bill Clinton

When faced with impeachment after Monica rumor became The Story, President Clinton, to whom ambiguity was never part of his nature, took the worst situation to mean retreat from Office, which would not have relieved his soul. This autobiography is informative and tender in every corner. At times the ex-President aggravated his bitterness and despair; not a pleasing prospect for a vigorous man with an appetite for distinction. His excessive passions, one for his wife and the other for his daughter, at the end of the day had caused Miss Lewinski and partners to be removed from the White House. I believe the young lady was also a victim of irrational exuberance (Excuse me Mr. Greenspan) At times there is always some sort of melancholy demeanor than can grow daily more somber in high offices. President Clinton is telling us he could not possibly have been entirely impervious to the mounting evidence against him, such signs were motivated by political reasons from rival factions with nefarious ends - to hurt the Democrats from within. Clinton, once known for his vivacity, was now showing the strain of the shameful events. Clinton, the deep-rooted optimist who found it temperamentally difficult to resign from trouble, has had his face already sagging with worry as daily attacks compounded his sense of doom... At 55 he left office with a 65% approval rating. (One of the highest after WWII) However, the charismatic President looked a narrow-chest man with the face of a person much older in age. That did not at all resemble him nine years ago when he took that Office.

This book changed my perspective about Clintons...

Being a fatherless child, I can understand the depth of Clinton's feeling now. He has touched a lot in this limited room. I wish, I could get more where I wanted while reading. This is an excellent autobiography. He proved himself to be one of us rather than some elite class. It was a delight reading this book.

Todo un caballero

(I'll write this in English and Spanish because speakers of both languages read these reviews.) Aunque no soy demócrata, tengo un gran cariño para Bill, pues le conocí en la universidad de Georgetown en 1964 cuando era casi un chiquillo, y de veras se ve por su manera de escribir que todavía tiene la misma personalidad. I met Bill in '64 at Georgetown, and his writing style shows he's still the same open and essentially unassuming guy he was then (no, I'm not a democrat). Aunque su estilo va saltando de manera parentética, logra bastante claridad en lo que presenta. His style jumps around somewhat, but his conversational tone still gets his points across clearly. Aquí se presentan los pormenores y las estrategias políticas de su vida. He lays out the problems he encountered and the strategies he used to size up and win elections. Bastantes asuntos muy personales están presentados sin recriminaciones ni disimulaciones. Lots of very personal matters are here presented without excuses or blaming of others. Les recomiendo este libro a los lectores que quieran comprender el corazón de este líder tan talentoso. Readers who want to understand Clinton's spirit should read this autobiography..

Surprisingly kind to foes

I had read in reviews that the book was very dull, but I found it so interesting I could hardly put it down. I think that now, having read so many recent books about the last two administrations, I have a very good picture of the differences in both style and substance. There were few real surprises in the book except the fact that Clinton had something nice to say about nearly everyone, even Newt Gingrich. Bill Clinton is apparently a man who is fascinated by human nature and appreciates political deftness. I liked reading the book because it put most of the news stories of the 90's into context whereas my memory has them in patches. Don't read it if you are bored by politics or hate Arkansas.