Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Clinton in Exile: A President Out of the White House

By Cathie Beck, Special to the Rocky

Published May 22, 2008 at 5:50 p.m.

Text size  

More Books

More stories »

* Nonfiction. By Carol Felsenthal. William Morrow, $25.95. Grade: B+

Book in a nutshell: In this look at President Bill Clinton's life post-presidency, Felsenthal examines what drove - and continues to drive - the very public and media-savvy man. Through interviews with 300 Clinton colleagues, friends and detractors, she sheds light on the motivations and misgivings of the former president, pulling back the curtain on a leader who has been simultaneously labeled brilliant and reckless.

Felsenthal notes that once out of office, Clinton floundered in his new world, now devoid of limos and swarming Secret Service agents. Uncertain how to spend his time, he conferred with colleagues, friends and family, voicing his anxiety about how his post-presidency would shake out and whether any new efforts could ever negate the Lewinsky legacy. Friends reveal that he deeply regretted he hadn't been president on Sept. 11, 2001, for the opportunity to rise to the level of other great leaders as well as overshadow the Lewinsky scandal.

The author details the many job offers Clinton considered - some completely out of left field (was he really qualified to head a Hollywood studio?). She also covers Cinton's various relationships, including his strained friendship with Al Gore, smoothed over on 9/11 when the two were thrown together and spent the wee hours mending fences.

Best tidbit: The book doesn't overlook the complexity of Clinton's family life, but includes a tender moment observed by a friend at party: "When Elton (John) started to play, (Bill) came over and sat next to Hillary and . . . underneath the table they're holding hands, not for public view, just the two of them and Chelsea came over and sat on her father's lap. . . . Forget about the psychology of horsing around that went on in his life; they have an enormously close connection and it's really a very tender one."

Pros: The author has a gentle, engaging style, alternating between dishy People-magazine anecdotes and deeply introspective comments from those who spent years with Clinton and seem to finally understand why certain events took place.

Cons: She sometimes drives her points home with too many repetitive quotes.

Final word: These insights about a man who is, by all accounts, a superb political machine are all the more interesting as we watch Clinton in action, stumping for his wife.