Bill Clinton

The American Presidents

By: Michael Tomasky, Sean Wilentz - editor, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. - editor

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Bill Clinton: a president of contradictions. He was a Rhodes Scholar and a Yale Law School graduate, but he was also a fatherless child from rural Arkansas. He was one of the most talented politicians of his age, but he inspired enmity of such intensity that his opponents would stop at nothing to destroy him. He was the first Democrat since Franklin Roosevelt to win two successive presidential elections, but he was also the first president since Andrew Johnson to be impeached.

In this incisive biography of America's 42nd president, Michael Tomasky examines Clinton's eight years in office, a time often described as one of peace and prosperity, but in reality a time of social and political upheaval, as the culture wars grew ever more intense amid the rise of the Internet (and with it, online journalism and blogging); military actions in Somalia, Iraq, Bosnia, and Kosovo; standoffs at Waco and Ruby Ridge; domestic terrorism in Oklahoma City; and the rise of al-Qaeda. It was a time when Republicans took control of Congress and a land deal gone bad turned into a constitutional crisis, as lurid details of a sitting president's sexual activities became the focus of public debate.

Tomasky's clear-eyed assessment of Clinton's presidency offers a new perspective on what happened, what it all meant, and what aspects continue to define American politics to this day. In many ways, we are still living in the age of Clinton.

©2017 Michael Tomasky (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

interesting if some what bias look

not a bad story or look into president Clinton life and time on office. slightly biased author on his take on bill

The good, the bad, the ugly

I was in High School when Bill Clinton was elected and spent the majority of his time in the Oval Office, so I didn't know much about his election, or about the trials and tribulations of the man. I know the tech business was growing and there was job growth in that sector and he always seemed like he was an "average joe" type of guy. I mean, he appeared on Arsenio Hall and played a mean sax, how could you not like him?

What I didn't know was all the ugliness that started between republicans and democrats especially as news skewered to airing scandal after scandal and scrutinizing people more and more in the name of ratings and wall to wall coverage.

This isn't just a rah rah go Bill type of book, it unabashedly tough on him, his foundation, and actions.

Paul Heitsch brings a very conversational aspect to the book. It's easy to sit there and listen to him spin this tale of Clinton as if listening to a lecture from a History professor. He sounds interested in the topic which helps you stay close by the radio, or mp3 player or whatever.

While this isn't a complete overview of the man, there is a lot of information in this 5 hour book, and it's worth your time.

An OK read, Could have been better.

While Tomasky does a good job of outlining Clinton's accomplishments, he consistently follows his descriptions of Clinton's struggles, mistakes and immorality with absurd excuses and insinuations that the Republicans were somehow always at fault. An otherwise decent book is tainted by an author that, like the Clintons, cannot admit that they are responsible for any wrongdoing.