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It shows us the progress of a remarkable American, who, through his own
enormous energies and efforts, made the unlikely journey from Hope,
Arkansas, to the White House-a journey fueled by an impassioned interest
in the political process which manifested itself at every stage of his life:
in college, working as an intern for Senator William Fulbright; at Oxford,
becoming part of the Vietnam War protest movement; at Yale Law School,
campaigning on the grassroots level for Democratic candidates; back in
Arkansas, running for Congress, attorney general, and governor.
We see his career shaped by his resolute determination to improve the life
of his fellow citizens, an unfaltering commitment to civil rights, and an
exceptional understanding of the practicalities of political life.
We come to understand the emotional pressures of his youth-born after his
father's death; caught in the dysfunctional relationship between his
feisty, nurturing mother and his abusive stepfather, whom he never ceased
to love and whose name he took; drawn to the brilliant, compelling Hillary
Rodham, whom he was determined to marry; passionately devoted, from her
infancy, to their daughter, Chelsea, and to the entire experience of
fatherhood; slowly and painfully beginning to comprehend how his early
denial of pain led him at times into damaging patterns of behavior.
President Clinton's book is also the fullest, most concretely detailed,
most nuanced account of a presidency ever written-encompassing not only
the high points and crises but the way the presidency actually works: the
day-to-day bombardment of problems, personalities, conflicts, setbacks,
achievements.
It is a testament to the positive impact on America and on the world of
his work and his ideals.
It is the gripping account of a president under concerted and unrelenting
assault orchestrated by his enemies on the Far Right, and how he survived
and prevailed.
It is a treasury of moments caught alive, among them: |
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