Customer Reviews

State of A Union: Inside the Complex Marriage of Bill and Hillary Clinton

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

At a time when political correctness rules the coverage of the Clintons, and their many flaws are handled with the utmost caution, I found this book to be a refreshing breath of fresh air. It is true that the author probably does not like the Clintons very much, but this may be because -- as his book reveals -- they are not really very likable people. A book well worth taking a look at!

I liked this book. In fact, I really liked this book. Rather than being gossip column drivel, I found it objective, intelligent and refreshing in both its content and approach. If this (prolific) author is to be discredited on the basis of his link to The National Enquirer, let's not forget that Clinton's own counsel, David Kendall, is also The National Enquirer's lawyer. This detail did not stop Kendall from being chosen as the president's top attorney and in fact, may have worked in his favor, since much of the Clinton presidency has turned out to be a tabloid sideshow. Well done Mr. Oppenheimer, and two thumbs up.

Because the author goes into so much detail about both Bill and Hillary Clinton's childhood and personal families, I was able to get a fuller, more human picture of them. It was very helpful to me, as I have been honestly unable to comprehend why anybody would trust or like either one of the Clintons. Reading this gossipy book with all its quotes from childhood friends, stories from Hillary's mother, brothers, cousins; the friends of Bill's mother, etc. honestly helped me to flesh out these people and realize that they are not, after all, monsters. They have become something much different from what they envisioned in their youth because of their willingness to sacrifice personal principle for political power, but they are not monsters.

I appreciated learning that many people liked Hillary at Wellesley and Yale Law School because she was genuinely friendly and did many kind things for others. I could imagine why Bill fell for Hillary and vice-versa, and how their relationship began as a genuinely passionate one.

Likewise, I found it very believable that Hillary said something to the effect that she would never be able to go through all the rigors of politics if she didn't know that "they were saving the world." From the beginning of their relationship, Hillary believed that Bill was a semi-messianic figure who would attain the presidency, that he and she would be able to get into the government and create lots of positive (to her mind) changes that would help lots of people. Just like any messianic figure, people would oppose him. Unfortunately, that's a delusion. If she had been less idealistic and more realistic, she might have demanded faithfulness and either forced him to change or divorced him. Either of those outcomes would have spared us from the Clinton presidency. At any rate, I liked this book very much.

I have just finished reading this book and think it is terrific -- in fact, I am buying several copies and passing them on to my friends.

I have often wondered what drives Mrs. (and Mr., for that matter) Clinton, what is her background (beyond the much lauded Wellesley Commencement speech), and where did she come from? Oppenheimer's book answered all my questions handily. Although I am a lifelong Democrat and inveterate newshound, I find I do not know all that much about Mrs. Clinton or her past. And if she is going to attempt to be the next Senator from New York, I think we owe it to ourselves to find out what she believes in and what she hopes to accomplish.

Although some of the incidents have been covered ad nauseum (hello -- Monica!) in the past, Oppenheimer does a more than skillful (and, I think, fair handed) job in revealing Mrs. Clinton's family, her relationship with her husband (boy, there's an interesting relationship)and what she hopes to "do" for us, the public. Now, why Mrs. Clinton feels compelled to do anything for us at all, or even if we want her to, is another matter -- and one which Oppenheimer fully explores.

Don't listen to all the spin doctors on the television set. Whether you admire or dislike Mrs. Clinton, you owe it to yourself to check out this bio and find out the truth about her, then make up your own mind.

However one feels about the Clintons, or The National Enquirer, or all the hoopla, this book is a must read, and must be read with an open mind. Like many, I too was skeptical, but once I got started, found I could not put it down. The writing is fast-paced, detailed and brilliant. I am surprised to learn that this author has written other (albeit unauthorized) biographies, all highly reviewed, and I look forward to reading more of his work.

I thought I knew everything there was to know about the Clinton's...until now. Interviews with family, colleagues, and associates who had never spoken out before put a fresh light on the Clinton's and their life together. This was an eye opening and well balanced look into the Clinton's marriage. I learned much more then the negative press would have lead me to believe.

I imagine some of the First Lady's New York senatorial campaign boosters will find this book offensive and perhaps invasive, however Mr. Oppenheimer's candid discussion on a topic that has fascinated the nation for the last eight years is a good read filled with pertinent information that is obviously the fruit of zealous investigation. Perhaps, we as Americans, should not be so concerned with the private lives of public figures, but right or wrong, we are. In the blow-dryed, speech-written, sound-byte-ridden realm of contemporary politics, perhaps these illicit windows into the bedrooms and Oval Offices of our elected provide the only real glimpse of a candidate or official. It seems that news articles are written by spin doctors who feed reporters press releases that reflect only the p.c. portion of a candidate's background, record, intentions, etc. Maybe only independent research such as Mr. Oppenheimer's can deliver the truth. Those who chasitse Oppenheimer's bold portrayal of the First Marriage either missed the passage in the Bill of Rights about free and unfettered speech, harken for the days of Kennedy's Camelot and public ignorance into the lives of those who rule/govern our country or simply want a Chicago Cubs fan to sit in a New York Senate seat.

Jerry Oppenheimer's book is the best biography of Hillary and offers new perspectives about her based on research. This is the first author to study both her mother's and father's families using records and interviews in Chicago and Scranton. It's good on Bill too because Jerry acknowledges the superiority of Maraniss' book on Bill although he has some original data on Bill's girlfriend, "the college girl" from the 1974 congressional race. Jerry's interviews about Hillary's father Hugh break new ground. I'm a Hillary and Bill biographer so I know what's out there. Paul Lowinger, paulow99@yahoo. com

I disagree with the negative reviews. I read this book and was totally fascinated with the level of insight this book reveals for both the Clintons. My advice -- forget about the slur controversy, read this book, you won't believe what you find out.

Bill and Hillary Clinton are perhaps the most scrutinized presidential couple in United States history. Bill's sexual dalliances, Hillary's aloofness and the numerous scandals will be remembered far more than any of his policies. With so much turmoil going on why does this couple stay together? Although this book attempts to get inside the complex marriage of the couple, it fails to offer any meaningful insights about their relationship. Most of what we're told has already been made public. That which we don't know (Hillary's Jewish aunt, her anti-semitic remarks, etc.) makes its way to the surface only because of Hillary's quest for the senate. Both Bill and Hillary come from dysfunctional homes with relatives and parents that failed to be the greatest examples of marital bliss. Naturally Bill and Hillary brought with them both the strengths and weaknesses from their families. In the political arena they could afford to put on masks and delude their public but when things got hot they had to retreat and write another script. Men and women marry for different reasons. In many cases it is not for love but for security, power, consolidation of land and political alliances. Such is true of the Clintons, Kennedys and Roosevelts and many other leaders. The complexity in their marriage we will never know. We as a people most hold them accountable for what they do as servants of the people who hold the public trust in their hands. The Clintons are coming to the end of their term. They broke their trust in their marriage will they do the same again in serving the people? Or will they move beyond their state of delusion and work on their marriage? The book doesn't give us any insight on this question and others.