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My Life, Volume II: The Presidential Years
President Bill Clinton’s My Life is the strikingly candid portrait of a global leader who decided early in life to devote his intellectual and political gifts, and his extraordinary capacity for hard work, to serving the public.
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:
• The ten-year-old boy watching the national political conventions on his family’s new (and first) television set.
• The young candidate looking for votes in the Arkansas hills and the local seer who tells him, “Anybody who would campaign at a beer joint in Joiner at midnight on Saturday night deserves to carry one box. . . . You’ll win here. But it’ll be the only damn place you win in this county.” (He was right on both counts.)
• The roller-coaster ride of the 1992 campaign.
• The extraordinarily frank exchanges with Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole.
• The delicate manipulation needed to convince Rabin and Arafat to shake hands for the camera while keeping Arafat from kissing Rabin.
• The cost, both public and private, of the scandal that threatened the presidency.
Here is the life of a great national and international figure, revealed with all his talents and contradictions, told openly, directly, in his own completely recognizable voice. A unique book by a unique American.
From the Hardcover edition.
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:
• The ten-year-old boy watching the national political conventions on his family’s new (and first) television set.
• The young candidate looking for votes in the Arkansas hills and the local seer who tells him, “Anybody who would campaign at a beer joint in Joiner at midnight on Saturday night deserves to carry one box. . . . You’ll win here. But it’ll be the only damn place you win in this county.” (He was right on both counts.)
• The roller-coaster ride of the 1992 campaign.
• The extraordinarily frank exchanges with Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole.
• The delicate manipulation needed to convince Rabin and Arafat to shake hands for the camera while keeping Arafat from kissing Rabin.
• The cost, both public and private, of the scandal that threatened the presidency.
Here is the life of a great national and international figure, revealed with all his talents and contradictions, told openly, directly, in his own completely recognizable voice. A unique book by a unique American.
From the Hardcover edition.
704 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 10, 2004
11 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
About the author
Bill Clinton
228 books1,276 followersEconomic expansion and the first balanced federal budget in three decades marked presidency of William Jefferson Clinton, known as Bill, who served forty-second in the United States from 1993 to 2001; the House of Representatives in 1999 impeached him on perjury and obstruction of justice charges, but the Senate acquitted him on both counts.
Born William Jefferson Blythe III, he ranked as the third-youngest president, older only than Theodore Roosevelt and John Fitzgerald Kennedy. People know him the first baby-boomer president at the end of the Cold War. He is the husband of Hillary Rodham Clinton, the junior senator from New York and a Democratic candidate in the election of 2008 in the United States.
People described Clinton as a New Democrat and knew him largely for the Third Way philosophy of governance that came to epitomize his two terms as president. They described his "centrist" policies on issues, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement. Clinton presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history, which included a balanced budget and a reported federal surplus. Clinton reported a surplus of $559 billion at the end of his presidency, based on Congressional accounting rules. His presidency was also quickly challenged. On the heels of a failed attempt at health care reform with a Democratic Congress, Republicans won control of the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years. In his second term he was impeached by the U.S. House for perjury and obstruction of justice, but was subsequently acquitted by the United States Senate and completed his term. Polls of the American electorate taken at this time showed that up to 70% were against pursuing the allegations. (New York Times December 21, 1998).
Clinton left office with a 65% approval rating, the highest end-of-presidency rating of any President who came into office after World War II. Since leaving office, Clinton has been involved in public speaking and humanitarian work. He created the William J. Clinton Foundation to promote and address international causes, such as treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS and global warming. In 2004, he released a personal autobiography, My Life.
Born William Jefferson Blythe III, he ranked as the third-youngest president, older only than Theodore Roosevelt and John Fitzgerald Kennedy. People know him the first baby-boomer president at the end of the Cold War. He is the husband of Hillary Rodham Clinton, the junior senator from New York and a Democratic candidate in the election of 2008 in the United States.
People described Clinton as a New Democrat and knew him largely for the Third Way philosophy of governance that came to epitomize his two terms as president. They described his "centrist" policies on issues, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement. Clinton presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history, which included a balanced budget and a reported federal surplus. Clinton reported a surplus of $559 billion at the end of his presidency, based on Congressional accounting rules. His presidency was also quickly challenged. On the heels of a failed attempt at health care reform with a Democratic Congress, Republicans won control of the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years. In his second term he was impeached by the U.S. House for perjury and obstruction of justice, but was subsequently acquitted by the United States Senate and completed his term. Polls of the American electorate taken at this time showed that up to 70% were against pursuing the allegations. (New York Times December 21, 1998).
Clinton left office with a 65% approval rating, the highest end-of-presidency rating of any President who came into office after World War II. Since leaving office, Clinton has been involved in public speaking and humanitarian work. He created the William J. Clinton Foundation to promote and address international causes, such as treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS and global warming. In 2004, he released a personal autobiography, My Life.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 26, 2013
This book was a great book, as it showed me the life of Bill Clinton and what he accomplished during his years as President. I began to understand politics more, and I really like this book so far.
November 15, 2009
Even Clinton himself acknowledges that his two volume book was long, which was one of my only complaints with it along with trying to keep track of all the people involved. I ended up making a list of some of the people mentioned so I could look more into them and their lives.
This second volume resinated more to me than the first as it was set during the time of my youth, so it brought back some memories and added depth to my mind as an adult today.
As a liberal, learning about what was going through Clinton's mind through the ups and downs of his administration was quite fascinating. Even with his more conservative actions as President, it is clear to me that his legacy will have done more for the average working person's livelihood than many of the other presidents before and especially right after him.
After reading this, I hope now is the time we can get health care for all. I also hope people like Ken Starr never have a role in impacting other people's lives in our government ever again.
This second volume resinated more to me than the first as it was set during the time of my youth, so it brought back some memories and added depth to my mind as an adult today.
As a liberal, learning about what was going through Clinton's mind through the ups and downs of his administration was quite fascinating. Even with his more conservative actions as President, it is clear to me that his legacy will have done more for the average working person's livelihood than many of the other presidents before and especially right after him.
After reading this, I hope now is the time we can get health care for all. I also hope people like Ken Starr never have a role in impacting other people's lives in our government ever again.
November 17, 2010
Both sets, forty-two discs. A marathon of a listen on my commute to and from campus.
This second set was a bit more tedious than the first, perhaps because it was light on narrative and heavy on factual dictation, lists of names and events. I was an adolescent during this time, and my bubble was mostly concerned with hormones, overloading on English classes, and, at the end of Clinton's term, the dimensions of my untidy closet (boo, don't ask don't tell).
One frustration I have glimpsing at a few reviews, or hearing people's reactions to my listening materials, is the immediate, "Biased!" -Ofcourse!- it's biased. It's not meant to be a historical record as much as a memoir (hence that subtle title), and I certainly have strong opinions about the choices I've made in my own life thus far. Memoir, as a genre, will always be riddled with untruths, false recollection; not that I am accusing any portion of the book of being a lie. I was in a bubble--I wouldn't know.
This second set was a bit more tedious than the first, perhaps because it was light on narrative and heavy on factual dictation, lists of names and events. I was an adolescent during this time, and my bubble was mostly concerned with hormones, overloading on English classes, and, at the end of Clinton's term, the dimensions of my untidy closet (boo, don't ask don't tell).
One frustration I have glimpsing at a few reviews, or hearing people's reactions to my listening materials, is the immediate, "Biased!" -Ofcourse!- it's biased. It's not meant to be a historical record as much as a memoir (hence that subtle title), and I certainly have strong opinions about the choices I've made in my own life thus far. Memoir, as a genre, will always be riddled with untruths, false recollection; not that I am accusing any portion of the book of being a lie. I was in a bubble--I wouldn't know.
March 4, 2009
I have listened to the unabridged versions of both part one and part two. It was a long book which would have taken me even longer to read. Overall, the book was quite interesting and gave insight into what he was thinking at certain times in both public and political moments in his life. It shows how it is who you know and sometimes what you know to get top jobs. That is, much of his administration is comprised of individuals he has had contact with throughout his long political career, from DA to Gov. to President.
Read
November 21, 2012Very good. I don't think he is obligated to go into too much depth about his personal life. However, I think he missed an opportunity to help others. He could have discussed some of his struggles with sexual addictions and how it has caused him and his family pain. He could have talked more about how he felt when he realized he had a problem and how it affected his family.
January 18, 2013
Part two of Bill Clinton's life in politics. This book gives you a behind the scenes look at Clinton's 8 years in the White House. As a matter of security, he was unable to reveal too many details, but the descriptions of White House living, deals made between Heads of State and conversations with many other dignitaries is riveting. Thank you President Clinton for your service.
November 20, 2013
So whether you're a fan of Bill Clinton or not, this gives you a good look into how Washington politics work. Personally, outside of the scandals and the media persecution, I think Clinton will go down in history as one of our best presidents. He fixed a lot more than he messed up and could have fixed more if politics weren't in the shape they are in.
April 20, 2013
It was a very interesting book. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It changed my opinion about him and Hilary. No matter what side you take in politics read about the person and find out who they really are.
February 9, 2018
Fantastic inside look on Bill Clinton's presidency from 1993 to 2001 in his own words! This book is a fantastic historical account from inside the genius Political mind of President Clinton and his quest for creating a more perfect United States. As someone who leans conservative, it was interesting seeing his politics and all of the good he was able to do for the World and his mistakes as well. He even accounts for all of the controversies I heard from his presidency and gives his perspective on them. It felt like he set the table for America in the turn of the century and a lot of the same forces and people are still prevalent today. I found his epilogue to be especially well written and it provides a persuasive summary of his world views and political values and philosophy. Great book and would recommend.
February 2, 2025
He writes this book with passion and demonstrates his hard work, dedication and commitment to serve the public.
Currently reading
December 13, 2007I didn't realize there was another volume! The first one was 21 audio discs! The first one was worth it though. In this one, he is now president. The first part were his earlier years and his "rise to power."
October 10, 2007
I got this book as a birthday gift. So far I like it.
September 11, 2011
A must read. Of course it's a good book, it tells a great story.
July 6, 2013
Enjoyed this a great deal!
August 30, 2019
Great book although a bit long from President Clinton’s perspective.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews