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Citizen: My Life After the White House
A powerful, candid, and richly detailed memoir from an American icon, revealing what life looks like after presidency: triumphs, tribulations, and all.
On January 20th, 2001, after nearly thirty years in politics—eight of them as President of the United States—Bill Clinton was suddenly a private citizen. Only fifty-four years old, full of energy and ideas, he wanted to make meaningful use of his skills, his relationships with world leaders, and all he’d learned in a lifetime of politics, but how? Just days after leaving the White House, the call came to aid victims of a devastating earthquake in India, and Clinton hit the ground running. Over the next two decades, he would create an enduring legacy of public service and advocacy work, from Indonesia to Louisiana, Northern Ireland to South Africa, and in the process reimagine philanthropy and redefine the impact a former president could have on the world.
Citizen is Clinton’s front-row, first-person chronicle of his post-presidential years and the most significant events of the twenty-first century, including 9/11 and the runup to the Iraq War, the Haiti earthquake, the Great Recession, COVID-19, the January 6th insurrection, and the enduring culture wars of our times. Yet Citizen is more than a presidential memoir. These pages capture Clinton in a rare and unforgettable light: not only as celebrated former president and foundation leader, but also as a father, grandfather, and husband. He shares his support for Hillary Clinton during her tenure as senator, secretary of state, and presidential candidate, and openly details the frustration and pain of the 2016 election.
With clarity and compassion, President Clinton also weighs in on the unprecedented challenges brought on by a global pandemic, ongoing inequality, a steadily warming planet, and authoritarian forces dedicated to weakening democracy. In this landmark publication, the highly anticipated follow-up to the best-selling My Life, Clinton pens a clear-sighted account of American democracy on a global stage, offering a frank reflection on the past and, with it, a fearless embrace of our future. Citizen is a testament to one man’s unwavering commitment to family and nation, a self-portrait of equal parts eloquence, insight, and candor.
On January 20th, 2001, after nearly thirty years in politics—eight of them as President of the United States—Bill Clinton was suddenly a private citizen. Only fifty-four years old, full of energy and ideas, he wanted to make meaningful use of his skills, his relationships with world leaders, and all he’d learned in a lifetime of politics, but how? Just days after leaving the White House, the call came to aid victims of a devastating earthquake in India, and Clinton hit the ground running. Over the next two decades, he would create an enduring legacy of public service and advocacy work, from Indonesia to Louisiana, Northern Ireland to South Africa, and in the process reimagine philanthropy and redefine the impact a former president could have on the world.
Citizen is Clinton’s front-row, first-person chronicle of his post-presidential years and the most significant events of the twenty-first century, including 9/11 and the runup to the Iraq War, the Haiti earthquake, the Great Recession, COVID-19, the January 6th insurrection, and the enduring culture wars of our times. Yet Citizen is more than a presidential memoir. These pages capture Clinton in a rare and unforgettable light: not only as celebrated former president and foundation leader, but also as a father, grandfather, and husband. He shares his support for Hillary Clinton during her tenure as senator, secretary of state, and presidential candidate, and openly details the frustration and pain of the 2016 election.
With clarity and compassion, President Clinton also weighs in on the unprecedented challenges brought on by a global pandemic, ongoing inequality, a steadily warming planet, and authoritarian forces dedicated to weakening democracy. In this landmark publication, the highly anticipated follow-up to the best-selling My Life, Clinton pens a clear-sighted account of American democracy on a global stage, offering a frank reflection on the past and, with it, a fearless embrace of our future. Citizen is a testament to one man’s unwavering commitment to family and nation, a self-portrait of equal parts eloquence, insight, and candor.
442 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2024
519 people are currently reading
4770 people want to read
About the author
Bill Clinton
225 books1,263 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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January 14, 2025
Full disclosure before I begin this review, I have been a follower and believer in this humble man from Hope, Arkansas. In our quest to visit all of the presidential libraries, our happiest times were in Little Rock, Arkansas visiting the Clinton Library patterned after Trinity Library in Dublin, beautiful. But one of the most poignant memories was one of the docents leaning over saying that you never know when the Clintons are in residence above the library and it is not uncommon for President Clinton to approach asking for your opinion about an exhibit. His library is on the Arkansas River, the Riverwalk, with a beautiful restaurant with a lovely deck over the water where we spent lovely times. There was a time that I ditched work to run down to Denver Civic Center Park to listen to his campaign speeches as he was entering the presidential campaign in 1992. And of course, I was an ardent supporter. I find him a very gracious man, one who can speak extemporaneously on just about any subject. It could be his exceptional intellect and his interest in this world as well as his background in music, one who can play a saxophone with the best in New Orleans.
This is a powerful memoir by former president, William Jefferson Clinton, who relates his life after a two-term presidency making large strides for the country including the passage of NAFTA, the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the balancing of the budget and the elimination of the national debt as well as the resolution of the Kosovo conflict. This is an excellent account of Bill Clinton’s post-presidential years. Having heard him speak, I know how important the Clinton Global Initiative and the Clinton Health Access Initiative are to him but to read this book and see how it has evolved throughout the world with the support and hard work of both Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, I am awed. After an eight-year presidency, one has been on the world stage but it seems that he used those contacts to advance improvement throughout the world. A few examples being the outbreaks of AIDS and COVID-19, the Great Recession, the January 6th insurrection, and global starvation aided by Chef Andreas to end world hunger. Knowing how much the Clinton Global Initiative has done throughout the world, I was truly humbled to see the far reaches of its care.
But I think that what was most poignant was how he saw his role of husband, father, and grandfather. He shares his support for Hillary Clinton during her time as senator from New York, her presidential campaign in 2008 and her subsequent role as Secretary of State in the Obama administration. I admired his support of her in final bid for the presidency that was probably tanked by James Comey, Director of the FBI as he alluded to more emails that would need investigation, going against all protocol not to interfere with an election. And former President Bill Clinton was quite open in his chagrin at those actions. It seemed to turn the election upside down. Many thanks to such a statesman with a sharp sense of humor who has done so much for our world, not only in your time in office as Governor of Arkansas but as President of the United States. Enjoy your well-deserved time with your family.
This is a powerful memoir by former president, William Jefferson Clinton, who relates his life after a two-term presidency making large strides for the country including the passage of NAFTA, the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the balancing of the budget and the elimination of the national debt as well as the resolution of the Kosovo conflict. This is an excellent account of Bill Clinton’s post-presidential years. Having heard him speak, I know how important the Clinton Global Initiative and the Clinton Health Access Initiative are to him but to read this book and see how it has evolved throughout the world with the support and hard work of both Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, I am awed. After an eight-year presidency, one has been on the world stage but it seems that he used those contacts to advance improvement throughout the world. A few examples being the outbreaks of AIDS and COVID-19, the Great Recession, the January 6th insurrection, and global starvation aided by Chef Andreas to end world hunger. Knowing how much the Clinton Global Initiative has done throughout the world, I was truly humbled to see the far reaches of its care.
But I think that what was most poignant was how he saw his role of husband, father, and grandfather. He shares his support for Hillary Clinton during her time as senator from New York, her presidential campaign in 2008 and her subsequent role as Secretary of State in the Obama administration. I admired his support of her in final bid for the presidency that was probably tanked by James Comey, Director of the FBI as he alluded to more emails that would need investigation, going against all protocol not to interfere with an election. And former President Bill Clinton was quite open in his chagrin at those actions. It seemed to turn the election upside down. Many thanks to such a statesman with a sharp sense of humor who has done so much for our world, not only in your time in office as Governor of Arkansas but as President of the United States. Enjoy your well-deserved time with your family.
“A life in public service can be deeply rewarding if you accept that in the constant ebb and flow of history, there are no permanent victories or defeats, and never forget that every life is a story that, regardless of time and circumstance, deserves to be seen and heard.
As I entered this new chapter in my life, I knew that I’d keep score the way I always have: Are people better off when you quit than when you started? Do our children have a brighter future? Are we coming together instead of falling apart?
‘Citizen’ is the story of my twenty-three-plus years since leaving the White House, told largely through the stories of other people who changed my life as I tried to help change theirs, of those who supported me, including those I loved and lost, and of the mistakes I made along the way.”
—- from ‘Citizen’
November 24, 2024
When I saw that President Clinton had written a new memoir due to be published soon, I put my name on the library holds list, and got my hands on a copy immediately. Most of us should have more than fuzzy recollections of the first President during their teen years, and Clinton was it for me. Prior to his election, the previous presidents had been old and stodgy looking. Clinton is pretty much the same age as my parents, has a daughter the same as me who would get to live in the White House- how cool is that?-, and plays the saxophone. Of course, I had to stay up when he appeared on Arsenio Hall because how could I not. In his second term, he made an appearance on the ESPN broadcast of the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson Day. In a nutshell, Bill Clinton is/was cool; he has been to my generation what JFK was to my parents’: a young, hip president who had all these wide reaching ideas to change the country for the better. Oh, and he reads at least five newspapers a day and plays scrabble so he gets those nerd points from me, too. After leaving the White House after two terms as President, Clinton was only in his early fifties, with nearly half of a lifetime ahead of him. What does a former President do after leaving office? That is what I wanted to find out.
Upon leaving the White House, the Clintons relocated to Chappaqua, New York, which in itself is a much hipper address than northwest Arkansas. The president has not forgotten his roots and cites farming with his grandparents in these pages. He also established his presidential library in Little Rock and has maintained lifelong friends from growing up in Hope. His new office, however, is located in Harlem. As a young man, then Georgetown student Bill Clinton visited New York and saw Harlem for the first time. He fell in love with the vibrancy of culture there and kept a lifelong dream of playing the Cotton Club. Hence, Harlem, and he maintains an office there to this day. The Clintons moved to New York so that Hillary could run for Senator there, which she served for two terms prior to being appointed Secretary of State. I am leaving the current politics at that. Clinton talks about tribalism, and I agree on some points, but I am not ruffling feathers either. I did not choose this memoir to hear the president’s views on current politics and policies. I read it in order to see what he is doing with his life as a private citizen. While he stays abreast of the news and still has clearance in some areas, President Clinton has been more than a politician since leaving office. He has been a man out to heal the world.
In the last twenty years, the Clintons have established the Clinton Family Foundation, Clinton Global Initiative, Clinton Climate Initiative, and Clinton HIV AIDS Initiative. If I forgot any of his programs it is because he outlines so many projects and programs here and lists myriads of people who helped to make these happens. The Global Initiative has helped people in third world countries to make their lives livable. This has included providing clean water, better education opportunities for women and girls worldwide, helping farmers to increase their yields, and partnering with philanthropists both at home and abroad so that they can lend their name to helping humanity. Each year, the Global Initiative holds a summit in New York to discuss future projects. There has been overlap with the other initiatives such as harnessing wind and solar energy and providing AIDS medication to people worldwide so that the virus is no longer a death sentence. These passages remind me of the type of President he was- expanding head start, attempting to put a cap on Medicaid so that workers go back to work, brokering peace treaties in Ireland and Kosovo. One does not stop helping people after leaving office in the prime of life. In the case of President Clinton, he expanded on his ideas after leaving office, including new generations of people to become compassionate citizens.
I told my husband that presidents Clinton and Bush have become “besties” since leaving office. It makes sense because they are from the same generation and are more willing to listen to the other side than the average politician today. Clinton and both Bushes collaborated on many humanitarian aid missions, including raising funds for tsunami and Katrina victims and coordinating CHAI’s efforts with Bush’s PEPFAR program. Clinton has enjoyed golfing with both Bushes and visiting them at Kennebunkport. Because the president had outlived three consecutive generations of his family, he viewed Bush 41 as an extra parent and mentor. Bush 43 welcomed him as an extra sibling in addition to being members of the fraternity of former presidents. Clinton cites Bush 43 love of painting and the work he has done with wounded veterans since leaving office. One does not see the whole person from sound bites and the media. He notes Bush 43 as a multi talented person, who is sometimes overlooked when comparing him to his father in terms of legacy. I enjoyed the sections of camaraderie with the other presidents more so than the current state of politics sections - I try to escape that when I read. Clinton has also golfed with President Obama. They have not enjoyed as long of a relationship away from politics although they have also collaborated, and, of course, met on the golf course. Like many Americans, a president can hone his handicap once they retire from the pressures of work, only that the people and courses and a little more prestigious. They earned it.
Clinton humanizes himself by talking about his family and how he loves being a grandfather. During COVID his children and grandchildren stayed in place at his guest house so that he could see the children every day. In his late seventies he is still running his initiatives. He still walks and jogs. And he still reads extensively and plays scrabble. The President even collaborated with James Patterson on two books, ones that I am intrigued to try even if they are not my usual genre. He cites diverse work but saves his quotes of Ulysses and the Bible for last because they both hit home and speak to the shared humanity of all people. With Thanksgiving approaching this week, I appreciated Clinton’s description of his multi generation meals with forty people on hand. Everyone at the table has to say what they are grateful for. Clinton has much to be grateful for. I wanted to know what a president does after leaving office, and this former president has done much to stay busy and active, more so than the stodgy presidents from the first ten years of my life. Whether it’s playing the saxophone on Sesame Street, golfing, running his initiatives to help fix the world’s problems, or staying home with grandchildren, Bill Clinton has lead an enriching life as a former president. He appeared to be a cool guy when he got elected and has remained a cool guy ever since.
4 stars
Upon leaving the White House, the Clintons relocated to Chappaqua, New York, which in itself is a much hipper address than northwest Arkansas. The president has not forgotten his roots and cites farming with his grandparents in these pages. He also established his presidential library in Little Rock and has maintained lifelong friends from growing up in Hope. His new office, however, is located in Harlem. As a young man, then Georgetown student Bill Clinton visited New York and saw Harlem for the first time. He fell in love with the vibrancy of culture there and kept a lifelong dream of playing the Cotton Club. Hence, Harlem, and he maintains an office there to this day. The Clintons moved to New York so that Hillary could run for Senator there, which she served for two terms prior to being appointed Secretary of State. I am leaving the current politics at that. Clinton talks about tribalism, and I agree on some points, but I am not ruffling feathers either. I did not choose this memoir to hear the president’s views on current politics and policies. I read it in order to see what he is doing with his life as a private citizen. While he stays abreast of the news and still has clearance in some areas, President Clinton has been more than a politician since leaving office. He has been a man out to heal the world.
In the last twenty years, the Clintons have established the Clinton Family Foundation, Clinton Global Initiative, Clinton Climate Initiative, and Clinton HIV AIDS Initiative. If I forgot any of his programs it is because he outlines so many projects and programs here and lists myriads of people who helped to make these happens. The Global Initiative has helped people in third world countries to make their lives livable. This has included providing clean water, better education opportunities for women and girls worldwide, helping farmers to increase their yields, and partnering with philanthropists both at home and abroad so that they can lend their name to helping humanity. Each year, the Global Initiative holds a summit in New York to discuss future projects. There has been overlap with the other initiatives such as harnessing wind and solar energy and providing AIDS medication to people worldwide so that the virus is no longer a death sentence. These passages remind me of the type of President he was- expanding head start, attempting to put a cap on Medicaid so that workers go back to work, brokering peace treaties in Ireland and Kosovo. One does not stop helping people after leaving office in the prime of life. In the case of President Clinton, he expanded on his ideas after leaving office, including new generations of people to become compassionate citizens.
I told my husband that presidents Clinton and Bush have become “besties” since leaving office. It makes sense because they are from the same generation and are more willing to listen to the other side than the average politician today. Clinton and both Bushes collaborated on many humanitarian aid missions, including raising funds for tsunami and Katrina victims and coordinating CHAI’s efforts with Bush’s PEPFAR program. Clinton has enjoyed golfing with both Bushes and visiting them at Kennebunkport. Because the president had outlived three consecutive generations of his family, he viewed Bush 41 as an extra parent and mentor. Bush 43 welcomed him as an extra sibling in addition to being members of the fraternity of former presidents. Clinton cites Bush 43 love of painting and the work he has done with wounded veterans since leaving office. One does not see the whole person from sound bites and the media. He notes Bush 43 as a multi talented person, who is sometimes overlooked when comparing him to his father in terms of legacy. I enjoyed the sections of camaraderie with the other presidents more so than the current state of politics sections - I try to escape that when I read. Clinton has also golfed with President Obama. They have not enjoyed as long of a relationship away from politics although they have also collaborated, and, of course, met on the golf course. Like many Americans, a president can hone his handicap once they retire from the pressures of work, only that the people and courses and a little more prestigious. They earned it.
Clinton humanizes himself by talking about his family and how he loves being a grandfather. During COVID his children and grandchildren stayed in place at his guest house so that he could see the children every day. In his late seventies he is still running his initiatives. He still walks and jogs. And he still reads extensively and plays scrabble. The President even collaborated with James Patterson on two books, ones that I am intrigued to try even if they are not my usual genre. He cites diverse work but saves his quotes of Ulysses and the Bible for last because they both hit home and speak to the shared humanity of all people. With Thanksgiving approaching this week, I appreciated Clinton’s description of his multi generation meals with forty people on hand. Everyone at the table has to say what they are grateful for. Clinton has much to be grateful for. I wanted to know what a president does after leaving office, and this former president has done much to stay busy and active, more so than the stodgy presidents from the first ten years of my life. Whether it’s playing the saxophone on Sesame Street, golfing, running his initiatives to help fix the world’s problems, or staying home with grandchildren, Bill Clinton has lead an enriching life as a former president. He appeared to be a cool guy when he got elected and has remained a cool guy ever since.
4 stars
November 10, 2024
Haven't read yet but just so I can be those annoying people who rate books before they've actually read them.
December 15, 2024
3 1/2 stars if I’m being generous, I was underwhelmed…not with the accomplishments of the former president, they are both impressive and many, but that this memoir was little more than cataloging them. Only periodically did you get a glimpse of the human side of the man behind the accomplishments. The author talk I attended was much more engaging and insightful and wasn’t 16 hours long. So so audio narration, not by the author.
November 20, 2024
Very interesting book. Looks at President Clinton’s life in the years since he finished his 8 years as president. I enjoyed learning about what Clinton has been up to, and his view on various major American events in the past 24 years
December 9, 2024
Bill Clinton remains one of the most polarizing figures in modern American politics. While his personal controversies once dominated headlines, they now seem almost tame compared to the scandals of more recent administrations. Regardless of one’s personal opinion of Clinton as a man, his influence on the political landscape is undeniable. Perhaps even more intriguing than his presidency, however, is what he has accomplished in the years since leaving office. In his latest memoir, Citizen, Clinton offers an illuminating glimpse into his post-presidency life, revealing the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way.
In January 2001, at just 54 years old, Bill Clinton was at a pivotal crossroads. His second term as President of the United States—arguably the zenith of any political career—had concluded, bringing an end to more than three decades in public service. For the first time in decades, Clinton faced a future without the structure and purpose of political office. Having achieved every career milestone he’d set for himself, he was now confronted with an unfamiliar reality: life as a private citizen.
Clinton's initial post-presidency priorities were dictated by necessity. While his administration had brought economic prosperity to the nation, including a rare budget surplus, his personal indiscretions had created significant political and financial turmoil. Years of costly legal battles left his personal finances in disarray. Clinton turned to the lucrative private speaking circuit, using these engagements to pay off debts and secure his financial future. While the speeches solved his immediate financial woes, they did little to fulfill his desire to make a meaningful impact on the world. Fortunately, opportunities to continue his life of service began presenting themselves just weeks after he left office.
Just days after leaving office, an earthquake devastated India, and Bill Clinton immediately sprang into action. Recognizing his unique position—armed with a vast Rolodex of influential contacts and a deep understanding of organizational and policy execution—Clinton saw an opportunity to channel his energy into philanthropy. This moment marked a turning point as he shifted his focus to charitable endeavors that leveraged his skills and connections for the greater good. Over the next two decades, Clinton built an enduring legacy of advocacy and service, redefining his role as a public figure and expanding his impact far beyond the political sphere.
While Citizen chronicles a man grappling with life after the sudden end of a career he dedicated decades to building, it transcends the standard political memoir. Bill Clinton writes with surprising candor about his post-presidency life, offering insights into his partnership with his equally influential wife and her historic presidential campaign, reflections on the enduring conflict between Israel and Palestine, and a direct acknowledgment of the conspiracies and controversies that have trailed him throughout his public life.
Clinton is acutely aware of the shifting political landscape, noting how citizens' priorities and societal norms have evolved since his time in office. Now, with the Clinton Foundation’s daily operations primarily managed by his daughter, Chelsea, Clinton seems poised for yet another chapter. He envisions spending his remaining years focused on family, particularly his grandchildren, indulging his love of reading, and savoring the legacy of his service. With this memoir, Clinton projects a man at peace with his place in history and hopeful for what lies ahead.
In January 2001, at just 54 years old, Bill Clinton was at a pivotal crossroads. His second term as President of the United States—arguably the zenith of any political career—had concluded, bringing an end to more than three decades in public service. For the first time in decades, Clinton faced a future without the structure and purpose of political office. Having achieved every career milestone he’d set for himself, he was now confronted with an unfamiliar reality: life as a private citizen.
Clinton's initial post-presidency priorities were dictated by necessity. While his administration had brought economic prosperity to the nation, including a rare budget surplus, his personal indiscretions had created significant political and financial turmoil. Years of costly legal battles left his personal finances in disarray. Clinton turned to the lucrative private speaking circuit, using these engagements to pay off debts and secure his financial future. While the speeches solved his immediate financial woes, they did little to fulfill his desire to make a meaningful impact on the world. Fortunately, opportunities to continue his life of service began presenting themselves just weeks after he left office.
Just days after leaving office, an earthquake devastated India, and Bill Clinton immediately sprang into action. Recognizing his unique position—armed with a vast Rolodex of influential contacts and a deep understanding of organizational and policy execution—Clinton saw an opportunity to channel his energy into philanthropy. This moment marked a turning point as he shifted his focus to charitable endeavors that leveraged his skills and connections for the greater good. Over the next two decades, Clinton built an enduring legacy of advocacy and service, redefining his role as a public figure and expanding his impact far beyond the political sphere.
While Citizen chronicles a man grappling with life after the sudden end of a career he dedicated decades to building, it transcends the standard political memoir. Bill Clinton writes with surprising candor about his post-presidency life, offering insights into his partnership with his equally influential wife and her historic presidential campaign, reflections on the enduring conflict between Israel and Palestine, and a direct acknowledgment of the conspiracies and controversies that have trailed him throughout his public life.
Clinton is acutely aware of the shifting political landscape, noting how citizens' priorities and societal norms have evolved since his time in office. Now, with the Clinton Foundation’s daily operations primarily managed by his daughter, Chelsea, Clinton seems poised for yet another chapter. He envisions spending his remaining years focused on family, particularly his grandchildren, indulging his love of reading, and savoring the legacy of his service. With this memoir, Clinton projects a man at peace with his place in history and hopeful for what lies ahead.
November 20, 2024
I found it interesting to hear about the relationships between Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush as well as George W. Bush. That he had a good relationship and worked closely with the man he replaced reflects well on both of them. I also appreciate that he acknowledges that he made mistakes and takes ownership.
December 20, 2024
It was ok. I feel like he just wanted people to know he is still helping the world. I was hoping for something more personal.
November 26, 2024
Self Promotional
I enjoyed his book “My Life” and his co-written novels. But this pulp was just too much. I met and shook hands with Clinton once and voted for him. This book was constant name dropping and self importance.
I enjoyed his book “My Life” and his co-written novels. But this pulp was just too much. I met and shook hands with Clinton once and voted for him. This book was constant name dropping and self importance.
January 1, 2025
Incidentally, Bill Clinton was the first president I was eligible to vote for (as I had just turned 18) and spoiler alert, I voted for him. My political views have definitely changed since the 18 year-old person I once was but I still think highly of the president that received my first vote.
While Clinton mostly glosses over his time in the White House, Citizen covers the years after Clinton”s presidency and the positive work, both on himself and politically, he’s done since his presidency. His philanthropic work, International diplomacy and personal growth is highlighted throughout. He covers literally every political issue over the last 20 plus years: the recession, Covid 19, 9/11, Iraq war, Afghanistan troop withdrawal, women’s income equality & healthcare, global warming, subsequent elections, etc. etc. etc.
What Clinton did well in this book for me was discuss the issues and the resolutions and/or errors in an impactful way. I enjoyed reliving history, hearing the inside scoop and getting his perspective on a number of hot topics. His relationships with other politicians, reporters, and actors give such an eye-opening account of many political issues and the people that made (and continue to make) a difference. I especially enjoyed reading about the friendships across party lines and the work he’s done as to his health. Despite our differences we all want the same thing. And as Bill Clinton said about his health, it’s never too late.
This memoir gives me hope for the future.
While Clinton mostly glosses over his time in the White House, Citizen covers the years after Clinton”s presidency and the positive work, both on himself and politically, he’s done since his presidency. His philanthropic work, International diplomacy and personal growth is highlighted throughout. He covers literally every political issue over the last 20 plus years: the recession, Covid 19, 9/11, Iraq war, Afghanistan troop withdrawal, women’s income equality & healthcare, global warming, subsequent elections, etc. etc. etc.
What Clinton did well in this book for me was discuss the issues and the resolutions and/or errors in an impactful way. I enjoyed reliving history, hearing the inside scoop and getting his perspective on a number of hot topics. His relationships with other politicians, reporters, and actors give such an eye-opening account of many political issues and the people that made (and continue to make) a difference. I especially enjoyed reading about the friendships across party lines and the work he’s done as to his health. Despite our differences we all want the same thing. And as Bill Clinton said about his health, it’s never too late.
This memoir gives me hope for the future.
May 18, 2025
I always enjoy reading political figure memoirs because they provide nuance and details that you don’t get no matter how many articles you read or how long you scroll on twitter. Hearing him say so many sweet things about Hillary made me emo but also respect him more. Some of his insights felt a smidge revisionist history but I largely felt myself being incredibly impressed with his accomplishments both within the White House and at times even more so afterwards.
December 14, 2024
never before have I read a book so chaotically organized. truly had no idea where he was going from chapter to chapter. that being said i did appreciate hearing his insights. pretty good overall
December 8, 2024
When you have held the most powerful job in the world, President of the United States, what do you do when you no longer have that weight on your shoulders but still want to do good in the world? Former President Clinton takes us along on this journey in his new book "Citizen: My Life After the White House." After two terms in office, President Clinton was only in his 50s and had a vision of what he still felt called to do. Between his numerous charitable foundations, his support of Hillary as she continued to serve in government and run for President herself, and his partnerships with other former presidents, President Clinton has rarely slowed down, even with his health scares. He speaks openly and honestly about his challenges, world issues, and American politics (the good and the bad). Chronicling the 23 years since he left office, readers will understand how former Presidents' roles continue to evolve and make an impact, not just here but around the world.
June 1, 2025
While his stories in the first two thirds were interesting and reading about the US foreign aid efforts was inspiring, I didn’t find this book as engaging as most autobiographies of former presidents. To be fair, most that I’ve read have been writing on their time in the White House and this focuses on his work after the White House. However, this book felt like a report of what he’d been doing, but it didn’t feel very personal. His writing on Hillary’s campaign seemed like he was mostly sharing widely known facts/primary results/headlines with few new stories thrown in here and there. His criticisms of the Bernie Bros are pretty well-known but I appreciated him including the Jill Stein and Russia connection since that still feels relevant too.
April 15, 2025
I have just finished reading a powerful and very detailed book by a former president of the United States who had some things to say about the state of affairs in the country today. He talks about how he founded the Clinton Foundation and how he and his foundation have been able to create change in the world. He talks also about how his wife Hillary and her run for president in 2016 and how the aftermath affected him and the country . He also talks about his own family and how he and Hillary are enjoying being grandparents to 2 children by Chelsea.
September 10, 2025
geniunely one of the most boring books i've ever read. here is a summary:
There was a hurricane. Then the Clinton Foundation fixed it. Then there was a political situation. Then I stepped in. The Democrats just want to reach across the aisle and govern well. The Republicans don't want to solve problems. They just want to complain. Then there was a natural disaster. Then the Clinton Foundation fixed it. I never went to Epstein's island. Newt Gingrich is the root of all evil. I was a really great president, and now I'm a really great guy. Hillary is great. Chelsea is very smart. I apologized to Monica Lewinsky. If people had done what I said, there would be peace in the Middle East. Mitch McConnell is old. I love to forgive Republicans. I'm so normal! I watched a TV show with my wife on Valentine's Day! Trump had a smaller crowd size than I did. Then people were struggling, and the Clinton Foundation fixed it. I love George H. W. Bush.
Epilogue: God is real.
there you go. that's the entire book.
There was a hurricane. Then the Clinton Foundation fixed it. Then there was a political situation. Then I stepped in. The Democrats just want to reach across the aisle and govern well. The Republicans don't want to solve problems. They just want to complain. Then there was a natural disaster. Then the Clinton Foundation fixed it. I never went to Epstein's island. Newt Gingrich is the root of all evil. I was a really great president, and now I'm a really great guy. Hillary is great. Chelsea is very smart. I apologized to Monica Lewinsky. If people had done what I said, there would be peace in the Middle East. Mitch McConnell is old. I love to forgive Republicans. I'm so normal! I watched a TV show with my wife on Valentine's Day! Trump had a smaller crowd size than I did. Then people were struggling, and the Clinton Foundation fixed it. I love George H. W. Bush.
Epilogue: God is real.
there you go. that's the entire book.
December 31, 2024
I enjoyed the in-depth description of the work and personal accomplishments of Bill since leaving office, including support of global health and AIDS destigmatation, climate change, his personal health and going vegan, and women empowerment. He writes with detail, humor, and compassion for humanity.
January 28, 2025
Life after presidency. This focuses largely on humanitarian efforts. Clinton also has many complimentary things to say about Hilary; as he should. Dude better spend the rest of his days making up for the humiliation of the cigar and blue dress (but I digress). He weighs in on the divisiveness of our current so-called democracy. Over all, a decent read, but some of the more minute details could’ve been edited down for readability’s sake.
December 3, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s focus is on the life and activities of Bill Clinton after he leaves the White House. Although he touches on aspects of our troubled political system, the book is not about politics. Instead the focus is on the need to work together, even with those who don’t agree with each other in order to achieve outcomes for the betterment of mankind. I found this book to be very uplifting and I needed it badly after the ugliness of this last election.
January 30, 2025
Sucked! He is pure scum. I got this book from the library because you have to know your enemy. Ugh!
January 3, 2025
Self-promotion, no hint of any workings of his mind or second guessing, no critical examination on political losses, and basically reads long a long post-presidential resume.
February 2, 2025
This was a no for me. I like autobiographies and memoirs, but this one didn't fit that bill for me.
He mentioned several times about how the differences of the parties get in the way, and then he'd say how he tried to get everyone to rise above it. This is fine, well and good.....but then he'd do more finger pointing and nay saying...just to repeat himself yet again.....um no. That just perpetuates the divide. And I was only 20 minutes in before I got tired of it. I started skimming after that and finally moved on to Cher's autobiography.
He mentioned several times about how the differences of the parties get in the way, and then he'd say how he tried to get everyone to rise above it. This is fine, well and good.....but then he'd do more finger pointing and nay saying...just to repeat himself yet again.....um no. That just perpetuates the divide. And I was only 20 minutes in before I got tired of it. I started skimming after that and finally moved on to Cher's autobiography.
December 22, 2024
I really wanted to like this book, as I like the author. But ultimately it was just a long list of things he’s done since leaving the WH, how brilliant his work was, and then huge chunks about HRC. I get she’s his wife and an integral part of his life, but the book is supposed to be about his work and achievements and he instead uses a large chapter to solely talk about the last presidential race HRC was in.
Whilst the work he’s doing is good, I just found the writing style very stale and aggrandising.
Whilst the work he’s doing is good, I just found the writing style very stale and aggrandising.
March 20, 2025
/Audiobook/
I start off this by saying that I think Bill and Hillary Clinton have done a lot of amazing work through their foundation and that should be celebrated.
What I am evaluating here is this book. It started off that it will be Bill's memoir of his life after being president. It was a bit of that, but it was more description of events and activities from the side and not a lot of personal touch. Some parts were just put in there to answer critics that he hadn't been able to do before and get his say in, and some to explain his own story from the public one to be seen as the good guy.
The whole book also felt very uneven in depth and quality. It felt like parts that should have been separate books put together. There's a lot about the foundation work, then a very long part about the US politics and all the elections after Bill's office time. I just lost the joint narrative.
I start off this by saying that I think Bill and Hillary Clinton have done a lot of amazing work through their foundation and that should be celebrated.
What I am evaluating here is this book. It started off that it will be Bill's memoir of his life after being president. It was a bit of that, but it was more description of events and activities from the side and not a lot of personal touch. Some parts were just put in there to answer critics that he hadn't been able to do before and get his say in, and some to explain his own story from the public one to be seen as the good guy.
The whole book also felt very uneven in depth and quality. It felt like parts that should have been separate books put together. There's a lot about the foundation work, then a very long part about the US politics and all the elections after Bill's office time. I just lost the joint narrative.
March 22, 2025
Parts of this book were really fascinating and parts were a slog. The discussion of the work the Clinton Global Initiative has done since Bill left office and the insights into the role a former president still plays on the world stage were really interesting. At other times, this book is just a catalogue of things Clinton has done, almost like he is just checking off a list of what filled his time in a given year.
Mostly, however, this book is just depressing to read given our current political climate. First, Clinton discusses the organizations he and CGI have worked with and the good they’ve done in the world, and many of those organizations have been gutted in the past few months. He also spends time talking about initiatives and social programs from his presidency which are also now on the chopping block. Finally, reading this book is a reminder of the fact that politicians used to work for the people in this country, not themselves.
Mostly, however, this book is just depressing to read given our current political climate. First, Clinton discusses the organizations he and CGI have worked with and the good they’ve done in the world, and many of those organizations have been gutted in the past few months. He also spends time talking about initiatives and social programs from his presidency which are also now on the chopping block. Finally, reading this book is a reminder of the fact that politicians used to work for the people in this country, not themselves.
July 11, 2025
I would rate this book 2 stars for one half of it, and 4 for the other half - so I give it 3 stars. While I applaud the philanthropic and charitable work the Clintons have done in the years since his presidency, the way it was written about here just came across as so dry to me. I would have loved a deeper dive into any one of the many examples shared, but in many places these passages seemed like a scorecard and a place to thank or name drop dozens and dozens of famous people.
On the other hand, I was fascinated by the political half of the book and some of the anecdotes shared are why I read these type of memoirs. One in particular about how a conversation of Clinton with then President George W. Bush led to Bush's PEPFAR initiative allowing African countries to buy generic drugs at lower cost thus saving thousands of lives - that is fascinating how things like that can make such great change in the world.
On the other hand, I was fascinated by the political half of the book and some of the anecdotes shared are why I read these type of memoirs. One in particular about how a conversation of Clinton with then President George W. Bush led to Bush's PEPFAR initiative allowing African countries to buy generic drugs at lower cost thus saving thousands of lives - that is fascinating how things like that can make such great change in the world.
November 29, 2024
I put a hold at my library on this as soon as I saw it was coming out bc I wanted to learn more about him. I grew up in Arkansas with him as my governor and remember the White House days well. The first two-thirds of the book was very interesting (and rightfully so… very self-aggrandizing). The last third was a lot of personal pot shots at the Republican Party. I understand his point on many of the things but some of the verbiage he used seemed more like sour grapes, rather than true political statements. Overall, I liked the book. I really enjoyed the stories about his collaborations with past presidents, the start of his global initiatives and all of the good he tried so hard to bring about.
February 12, 2025
In the current state of the world, this felt like a different era, people actually wanting to do good! As a UK citizen I was suprised by two things, one Clinton's close friendship with his predecessor, George W Bush (from the opposing party, the Republicans), and the fact that Clinton spent so many years doing charitable foundation stuff after his presidency. No-one makes you do that.
If you are interested in things like Haiti, Kosovo, Rwanda, Northern Ireland, it is all covered here. The saddest thing is the Middle East conflict. I still have a startling newspaper headine from about 1993 (September?), reporting on Clinton, as President, getting Arafat and Rabin around the table in Washington and The Guardian headline was "Shalom, Salaam, Peace". If only ....
The very end of this book, Clinton manages to get in a few paragraphs about the Hamas 7 October attacks, so it is quite an up-to-date work and even covers the Biden-Trump battle for the White House.
If you are interested in things like Haiti, Kosovo, Rwanda, Northern Ireland, it is all covered here. The saddest thing is the Middle East conflict. I still have a startling newspaper headine from about 1993 (September?), reporting on Clinton, as President, getting Arafat and Rabin around the table in Washington and The Guardian headline was "Shalom, Salaam, Peace". If only ....
The very end of this book, Clinton manages to get in a few paragraphs about the Hamas 7 October attacks, so it is quite an up-to-date work and even covers the Biden-Trump battle for the White House.
April 1, 2025
Hmmm…
I listen to this book. Clinton narrated the prologue and the epilogue, which I loved. I wish he had narrated the whole book. This book basically covers what he has done with his life since the end of his presidency. I loved Bill Clinton when he ran for and was president so I thought it would really enjoy the book. It was OK. As I feel the makeup of both parties has changed since his time in office, I too have shifted. Of course he is who he is politically and I certainly don’t fault him for that. But just as I don’t love Fox News continuously bashing, and always looking for the wrong with the Democrats, this book often felt that way on the other side. The negativity and one side of it left me wanting for more.
I listen to this book. Clinton narrated the prologue and the epilogue, which I loved. I wish he had narrated the whole book. This book basically covers what he has done with his life since the end of his presidency. I loved Bill Clinton when he ran for and was president so I thought it would really enjoy the book. It was OK. As I feel the makeup of both parties has changed since his time in office, I too have shifted. Of course he is who he is politically and I certainly don’t fault him for that. But just as I don’t love Fox News continuously bashing, and always looking for the wrong with the Democrats, this book often felt that way on the other side. The negativity and one side of it left me wanting for more.
December 28, 2024
If I had one complaint about this book, I'd say it covered /too/ much. It's not a huge surprise that there's enough content in Clinton's post-presidential life to probably cover multiple books.
Still intriguing, useful, and very interesting. Covering a wide range of topics, some surprising. I will admit I did not expect him to comment on Epstein or Lewinsky.
In this family, we pledge allegiance to the Clintons, and regardless of what you think of him personally, he's a very smart man who has led a very full life, and been at some of the most monumental tables to be set in my lifetime. I expected to enjoy it more, however, and toward the end it was starting to feel like a slog.
Still intriguing, useful, and very interesting. Covering a wide range of topics, some surprising. I will admit I did not expect him to comment on Epstein or Lewinsky.
In this family, we pledge allegiance to the Clintons, and regardless of what you think of him personally, he's a very smart man who has led a very full life, and been at some of the most monumental tables to be set in my lifetime. I expected to enjoy it more, however, and toward the end it was starting to feel like a slog.
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