Good writing here makes for good reading. Moreover, good thinking manages to organize all the bits and pieces and themes and personalities that were polluting the political environment back then and make a relatively straightforward, if not exactly simple, story of what really was a conspiracy, while leaving no doubt that it was prompted and sustained in part by Clinton's own narcissism. I was there, and I paid attention, and yet this book is a great relief, allowing me finally to understand what was happening. It is also surprisingly amusing, occasionally downright risible, bringing my constant subliminal chuckle to a full belly laugh. In part, I suppose, this was because at the time I found Starr et al so despicable and the process so perverted that I couldn't see the humor. More importantly, the humor lies in the detail and enlightenment Toobin adds. Without disregarding what we all saw in/on the news, he gives it short shrift in favor of inside information, effectively using his ability to flesh out players' characters, histories, motives and interrelationships. I am eager to forget enough of it that I can read it again! In fact, I may not even wait.