Incisive and balanced account of the Clinton years, 14 Jan 2003

I strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in either Bill Clinton or the operation of the White House.

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A Picture of the Big Man, 1 Jul 2004

By	"scribeoflight" - See all my reviews

Although Clinton's presidency was less than magisterial in its achievements, domestic as well as foreign, Clinton himself, in Klein's view, was unique, both in his approach to decision making and in his formulation of unglamorous but important social and economic policy. Klein is critical of his mistakes: the misguided health care bill headed by Hillary; the lack of direction in the early years of the administration; and, perhaps most heavily, of the Lewinsky affair and the handling of it. But he is happy to acknowledge the positive aspects of the man: the intelligence; the human factor; the enthusiasm and passion for a range of issues; and Clinton's ability to retain and apply a huge amount of information about whatever subject he happened to be discussing.

This is a quick and absorbing, personal and continually fascinating account of a flawed, but very important, presidency. It does not contain every last detail of each and every moment Clinton spent in Office; but it does provide us with a look at the nature and character of Bill Clinton. Very much recommended if you want to know more, but don't want to wade through a 900-page memoir.

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