13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A balanced look at what Clinton has done since he left the White House, May 31, 2008
This review is from: Clinton in Exile: A President Out of the White House (Hardcover)
Let me start by asking what you have thought about the various Hillary biographies that have come out? If you like Carl Bernstein's book or even found it too critical, you will view this book as an attack piece. If you have liked the books by Dick Morris, Bay Buchanan, and other critics, you will find this book not critical enough. However, this book is not anything like the disdainful books on Clinton by R. Emmett Tyrell, Jr. I believe that if you liked the book "Her Way" by Gerth and Van Natta and the way it reported her life with a balance of praise and criticism, I think you will find this book enjoyable and informative.
Carol Felsenthal simply reports what Bill Clinton has done from his last days in office through supporting the Hillary campaign for President to February 2008. The story begins with the chaotic last days of leaving the White House, how much Bill did not want to leave, and just touches on the corrupt pardons. However, the author says that the stories of the Clinton team trashing the White House and removing the "Ws" from the computer keyboards is mere myth. There is no question that if Bill could have run for a third term he would have. What is scarey is that if he had, he would have had a good shot of winning it.
The book deals with Clinton's restlessness. Felsenthal is unstinting in her praise of Clinton's charisma, his rock star like reputation on the world stage, and the good works he has done in helping raise funds for Africa and many other initiatives including his own Clinton Global Initiative. However, Felsenthal is also clear about Clinton's self-serving aspects to so many (if not all) of his good works. She exposes his lust for money and his grubbing approach to thousands even while he has tens of millions. The Clinton hunger for honors such as a Nobel prize is also highlighted. Since Carter and Gore both have one, Clinton's need to be so honored has become almost an obsession.
I enjoyed most her reporting of the people he hangs out with and who it is that provides him with private jets, his huge income, and what their lives are like. Clinton likes to hang out with movers and shakers and is closest to billionaires who have an appetite for luxury and a strong desire for lots of women. When talking about Clinton's attitude towards female companions other than Hillary, the author doesn't name names, but makes a few suggestions about some women he has been seen with. Of course, this aspect of his character means nothing to his supporters and his detractors have so many more specific reasons to dislike him.
We also get to see behind the scenes in what team Clinton did to derail the TV movie, "The Path to 9/11" and how obsessed the Clintonistas are in creating a positive reputation for Bill by highlighting his efforts against Terror, which shouting down all criticisms. Of course, there is the whole question of what it was Sandy Berger took from the archives and destroyed. Some say there are copies, but do the copies have the hand written notes and margin comments? I wish we could find out.
The information about his support of Hillary and her campaign is quite timely even though it appears right now as if the nomination will go to Obama. But you can never count the Clintons out. There is also a chapter on the implications of having a former President as "First Gent" and all he would likely be involved in despite laws and regulations barring him from many things he would certainly love to pursue. We also get to follow him making tens of millions as a hugely paid speaker and even see him do some pro bono work, but for the causes of people who have already paid millions to his Library and/or are big Hillary supporters. The whole Clinton Library thing is raised in this book and there are many odd aspects to this particular institution, but no hard scandal is identified. Still, you should read about it and think about what it says about Bill and Hillary.
And, of course, there is the whole effort to escape the Monica thing and the impeachment. So many of Clinton's supporters still feel that if not for Monica Gore would have won, 9/11 would not have happened, and we wouldn't be in Iraq. What an odd view of reality. You can't say if someone hadn't committed a foul at some point in the game that the game would have gone the other way. Everything else would have changed. Bush and Gore might not have even been the nominees. And does Al Qaeda really care who is in the White House? But this is what they say in the moments of recrimination and anguish.
I think you should read the book and learn about Bill because he isn't going away and neither is Hillary. They are going to push themselves into our lives for decades to come. It pays to know what they are really up to because the Public Relations work will never expose the reality behind the image they are trying to sell you. This book is a balanced look at the reality.
Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Does not seem objective, December 17, 2008
This review is from: Clinton in Exile: A President Out of the White House (Hardcover)
I'm not necessarily a huge fan of President Clinton but this book reads like an anti-Clinton essay. It does not seem objective at all. The author even attacks Clinton's autobiography and dedicated tiring paragraphs to attacking anyone associated with Clinton. I got this book thinking it would be more factually based and although it did cover some interesting subjects such as the tsunami disaster, AIDS, and Clinton's heart surgery its a very difficult read when every other sentence comes across as highly opinionated direct attacks on the President.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not sure what to make, August 5, 2009
This review is from: Clinton in Exile: A President Out of the White House (Hardcover)
I went into this big with an open mind and I came away not sure what to think. I am a big fan of Bill Clinton and the Clinton Presidency and this book really didn't seem to give me any new insight other than rumors. I did a lot of checking back and forth from the reading to the sources and I see that a lot of this book was taken from anonymous sources that didn't want to be named. I am sure that this could be an appeal for many people who are more interested in gossip than facts backed by credible sources.
Overall it is well written but some of the chapter titles make you believe that this female author is anti-Clinton which I am not sure if she is or isn't.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
