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on October 23, 2001
I started out enjoying this book. While not denying a modest democratic slant (an opinion that is at least borne out by the facts), it's still a very well-balanced account of all the various Clinton "scandals" and the legal wrangling that surrounded them. The characters involved in the whole episode are well-presented and the story well-told. There certainly is a comic element, as most of the characters - up to and including the President - are utterly hopeless in one way or another and Toobin rather mercilessly runs them down for it.
That said, I just simply lost steam around page 200. The problem is just that the entire story is so utterly banal and sordid. Most of Clinton's adversaries are utterly beyond social redemption. There are relatively few meaningful conclusions that take more than a few incidents and a couple pages to state (one interesting episode is a forshadowing of the Supreme Court's involvement in the 2000 elections, the appellate court that ruled on whether or not a sitting President could be sued split along party lines - with the Republicans voting for and Democrats against, in direct opposition to their traditional positions). After reading some 25 pages of descriptions of Linda Tripp and her taping of the remarkably hopeless Monica Lewinsky, one starts to lose their stomach for that sort of thing.
At any rate, this is an important episode which deserves an honest, straightforward treatment. The only real flaw in this book is that it really is about twice as long as it should be. Still, if you can deal with that, it is recommended.
That said, I just simply lost steam around page 200. The problem is just that the entire story is so utterly banal and sordid. Most of Clinton's adversaries are utterly beyond social redemption. There are relatively few meaningful conclusions that take more than a few incidents and a couple pages to state (one interesting episode is a forshadowing of the Supreme Court's involvement in the 2000 elections, the appellate court that ruled on whether or not a sitting President could be sued split along party lines - with the Republicans voting for and Democrats against, in direct opposition to their traditional positions). After reading some 25 pages of descriptions of Linda Tripp and her taping of the remarkably hopeless Monica Lewinsky, one starts to lose their stomach for that sort of thing.
At any rate, this is an important episode which deserves an honest, straightforward treatment. The only real flaw in this book is that it really is about twice as long as it should be. Still, if you can deal with that, it is recommended.
on January 9, 2017
I lived through these events (albeit as a teenager), but I was surprised to find out how much I didn't know about them. It's also helpful to revisit it as a straightforward narrative rather than try to piece it together through years of back-and-forth leaks, bombshell scoops, and accusations. Toobin does here what he does best -- takes a sprawling cast and complicated events and does a methodical job putting it together in a readable form. Like some of his other books, this almost reads like a novel. Like the stories of O.J. Simpson or Patty Heast (which Toobin has also covered), a lot of the meaning here hinges on when we think someone is lying and when we think they are telling the truth.
Highly recommended for anyone wanting to understand the events surrounding Clinton's impeachment.
Highly recommended for anyone wanting to understand the events surrounding Clinton's impeachment.
on September 10, 2016
Terrific research and level of investigative detail. Tobin is a highly credible writer.
on February 19, 2000
If you didn't follow the case closely, this is the book. If you did, you will find little new material here. The source notes and bibliography at the back show he did little in the way of original research or interviews.
Even so, Toobin is a talented and insightful writer. He is neutral in tone toward the President and in my opinion rightfully critical of the method used by his accusers.
He clinically exposes the greed of those ruled by a hatred of Clinton and an eagerness to profit from the hysterical rumors about Clinton. It tells how that greed caused some individuals to set aside their concern for the country, its laws and the judgment of the citizens at large.
If so many people didn't lust after a "book deal" the whole failed impeachment would never have happened. This book will stay on my shelf, but my favorite on the subject of the Clinton scandals is "Fools for Scandal."
Even so, Toobin is a talented and insightful writer. He is neutral in tone toward the President and in my opinion rightfully critical of the method used by his accusers.
He clinically exposes the greed of those ruled by a hatred of Clinton and an eagerness to profit from the hysterical rumors about Clinton. It tells how that greed caused some individuals to set aside their concern for the country, its laws and the judgment of the citizens at large.
If so many people didn't lust after a "book deal" the whole failed impeachment would never have happened. This book will stay on my shelf, but my favorite on the subject of the Clinton scandals is "Fools for Scandal."
on June 25, 2013
What struck me about this book, was how inept, shameful and pitiful nearly all of the participants came across. One judge in Arkansas is the exception.
on December 10, 2012
The account of the events which I remember extremely well is most accurate in every (unnecessarily salacious) detail; but while the book clearly states that Clinton's offenses were unquestionably NOT of the impeachable kind, the author did not make clear that all these "holier-than-thou," "born-again" conservatives who launched into this fierce, ruthless pursuit of the president forgot the biblical injunction that only he who is free of sin may cast the first stone." Interestingly, as events evolved it became clear that very few, if indeed any, stones would have been hurled, had this injunction been obeyed.
Also, what was not emphasized was the fact that this pursuit out of personal pique and dislike against the president, considerably damaged the image that all of America projected onto the world stage. I can imagine how these ugly revelations and the uncharitable way in which they were dealt with, reverberated within the Islamic part of the world where sexual transgressions are viewed very harshly indeed.
Also, what was not emphasized was the fact that this pursuit out of personal pique and dislike against the president, considerably damaged the image that all of America projected onto the world stage. I can imagine how these ugly revelations and the uncharitable way in which they were dealt with, reverberated within the Islamic part of the world where sexual transgressions are viewed very harshly indeed.
on December 25, 2013
Excellently written. Tons of great vocabulary. Articulate, thorough, and informative. Balanced and insightful. The writing style is gripping style. The story unfolds like a novel.
on December 21, 2016
Excellent. Just enough detail.
