What do you think?
Rate this book
Man of the World: The Further Endeavors of Bill Clinton
“A rich, believable portrait of a master politician out of needy, rivalrous, thin-skinned, proud, hot-tempered.” — The New York Review of Books
Veteran political journalist Joe Conason brings you along with Bill Clinton, as the forty-second president blazes new paths in his post-presidential career.
It is unlike the second career of any other “Bill Clinton” is a global brand, rising from the dark days of his White House departure to become one of the most popular names in the world. Conason describes how that happened, examining Clinton’s achievements, his failures, his motivations, and his civilian life. He explains why Clinton’s ambitions for the world continue to inspire (and infuriate).
Conason, who has covered Clinton for twenty years, interviewed him many times for this book—as well as Hillary and Chelsea and many of his friends, aides, rivals, and supporters. He has travelled with Clinton to Africa, Haiti, Israel, and across America.
Clinton has earned tens of millions of dollars and raised billions for philanthropy, much of it from foreign sources, provoking questions about transparency and probity even as Hillary Clinton runs again for the presidency.
Conason closely examines the financial support from other countries, corporations, and wealthy individuals, while assessing the Clinton Foundation’s very real, far reaching achievements. He observes Clinton campaigning for his wife and How would America’s very first First Gentleman fare in a Hillary Clinton White House?
Man of the World —starring the one and only Bill Clinton—tells the engrossing story of an extraordinary man who is still seeking to do good in the world.
Veteran political journalist Joe Conason brings you along with Bill Clinton, as the forty-second president blazes new paths in his post-presidential career.
It is unlike the second career of any other “Bill Clinton” is a global brand, rising from the dark days of his White House departure to become one of the most popular names in the world. Conason describes how that happened, examining Clinton’s achievements, his failures, his motivations, and his civilian life. He explains why Clinton’s ambitions for the world continue to inspire (and infuriate).
Conason, who has covered Clinton for twenty years, interviewed him many times for this book—as well as Hillary and Chelsea and many of his friends, aides, rivals, and supporters. He has travelled with Clinton to Africa, Haiti, Israel, and across America.
Clinton has earned tens of millions of dollars and raised billions for philanthropy, much of it from foreign sources, provoking questions about transparency and probity even as Hillary Clinton runs again for the presidency.
Conason closely examines the financial support from other countries, corporations, and wealthy individuals, while assessing the Clinton Foundation’s very real, far reaching achievements. He observes Clinton campaigning for his wife and How would America’s very first First Gentleman fare in a Hillary Clinton White House?
Man of the World —starring the one and only Bill Clinton—tells the engrossing story of an extraordinary man who is still seeking to do good in the world.
496 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2016
14 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Joe Conason
16 books55 followersJoe Conason is an award winning political journalist and author. His best-selling titles illuminate the mendacity and malice in American Politics.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 12, 2017
I'm fascinated with the widely different ways Presidents wield their power--especially after they are done. So I like learning what Clinton has done (some very laudable humanitarian work, especially with AIDS medications and disaster relief).
But the bias in this book was over the top. So if you want to get to the end as I did, be prepared for anyone who attacks Clinton or his family to be completely unqualified, totally depraved, and really stupid. Oh, and don't expect to hear about any mistakes made by Clinton. Even the one mention of his chronic lateness was immediately followed by how everyone finds it charming anyway. I wish I was exaggerating, but I'm not.
So, if you're up for wading through that bias, there are some interesting nuggets about using star power and personal relationships (not official political power) to move the nations of the world from vague values to real action.
But the bias in this book was over the top. So if you want to get to the end as I did, be prepared for anyone who attacks Clinton or his family to be completely unqualified, totally depraved, and really stupid. Oh, and don't expect to hear about any mistakes made by Clinton. Even the one mention of his chronic lateness was immediately followed by how everyone finds it charming anyway. I wish I was exaggerating, but I'm not.
So, if you're up for wading through that bias, there are some interesting nuggets about using star power and personal relationships (not official political power) to move the nations of the world from vague values to real action.
December 31, 2016
Though lacking a certain degree of objectivity when it comes to the rightness of Clinton's views and success as a president, Man of The World is a thoughtful, thorough, and enjoyably readable biography that's central thesis is delightfully rare: an engagement with a president's post-White House life that explains his enduring significance on the world stage and the philosophy of his legacy he wished to leave behind.
October 24, 2016
This is an interesting book tracing Bill Clinton from exit from White House through current and explains a lot of the work the Clinton Foundation has done. Worth a read for anyone who wants to better understand the work of CF.
November 10, 2016
Extremely interesting books for those who is interested in Bill Clinton or US politics in general. Especially I enjoyed reading it because the author covered Clinton for twenty years, interviewed him many times for this book, so there is a feeling that you are meeting Bill Clinton in person)
December 10, 2022
Not interesting as Bill Clinton, who is quite a powerful/colorful/rich persona (only 3 star interesting)
February 18, 2018
In reading Joe Conason's book about Bill Clinton and his foundation, I had the uneasy feeling that the author was attempting to refute many of the negative political stories that have been written about both the former president and his philanthropic activities.
To his credit the author doesn't shy away from all the negative political aspects of Bill Clinton's actions. Toward the end of the book he discusses the visit Clinton made to the plane carrying then Attorney General Loretta Lynch during the FBI's on-going investigation of Hillary's Clinton's e-mails. Conason notes "In late June, Bill Clinton made the kind of mistake that a former law professor - not to mention a former president - ought to have avoided instinctively." However, Conason never follows with an explanation from Bill Clinton why he made such a stupid move that certainly hurt his wife's presidential campaign. This absence is troubling because he spends so much time taking apart some of the stories that were written about Clinton and admits in the acknowledgments he had many interviews with Clinton.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book because it gave me my first exposure to exactly how much good the foundation has achieved in so many countries especially in Africa. Yes many influential companies and some foreign countries contributed handsomely to the Clinton Global Initiative. Where they doing this for access or out of the goodness of their hearts. We won't ever know for sure but the bottom line is the donations helped hundreds of thousands of very unfortunate people.
Conason has illustrated that despite his missteps, Clinton has done a lot of good things since his presidential term ended.
To his credit the author doesn't shy away from all the negative political aspects of Bill Clinton's actions. Toward the end of the book he discusses the visit Clinton made to the plane carrying then Attorney General Loretta Lynch during the FBI's on-going investigation of Hillary's Clinton's e-mails. Conason notes "In late June, Bill Clinton made the kind of mistake that a former law professor - not to mention a former president - ought to have avoided instinctively." However, Conason never follows with an explanation from Bill Clinton why he made such a stupid move that certainly hurt his wife's presidential campaign. This absence is troubling because he spends so much time taking apart some of the stories that were written about Clinton and admits in the acknowledgments he had many interviews with Clinton.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book because it gave me my first exposure to exactly how much good the foundation has achieved in so many countries especially in Africa. Yes many influential companies and some foreign countries contributed handsomely to the Clinton Global Initiative. Where they doing this for access or out of the goodness of their hearts. We won't ever know for sure but the bottom line is the donations helped hundreds of thousands of very unfortunate people.
Conason has illustrated that despite his missteps, Clinton has done a lot of good things since his presidential term ended.
July 29, 2018
I really wanted to like this book. It was engaging, thorough, interesting, and completely unbiased in its portrayal of all of former President Clinton's virtues. Unfortunately, there was not a single mention of his vices, shortcomings, or mistakes. The Clinton Foundation achievements are undoubtedly inspiring and Bill's "brand" has done a lot of good in the world, but the one-sidedness in "Man of the World" became downright comical toward the end. According to the author, Bill Clinton has never done anything wrong in his life, he's always well dressed, and his only weakness is that he talks too much.
October 18, 2016
Excellent book. It's not a puff piece. It takes Clinton to task on many issues, but also studies the positive global impact he has had since leaving the Presidency. Focuses mostly on Clinton's work starting the Clinton Foundation and the genesis of its extraordinary work providing AIDS/HIV treatment to millions of people in developing countries.
October 28, 2020
Perfectly fine book. Though I felt the author was too positive on the subject. Similarly, the discussion of Hillary's life and career completely changes the entire book. Better served to be more targeted to focus on Bill.
August 14, 2017
This text is a general overview of Clinton's life showcasing his highs, lows, and everywhere else in between. Bill started as the Governor of Arkansas from 1983-1992. This biography didn't really include the childhood section of Clinton's life or his Georgetown education. It instead focused on his political career, his scandal, and his actions after his presidency. Clinton impacted American society in a good way by being involved in pop culture, balancing budgets, and helping third world countries with disease, natural disasters, etc. Although, he influenced society in a poor way after cheating on his wife in office and lying about it and handling terrorist affairs in some not very popular ways. The theme of this book is strength of character. In the text, all eyes were on Clinton after scandal and controversy and how he would handle himself. I would not recommend this book because it takes what you could learn in a paragraph online into 496 pages and nobody needs that.
May 14, 2017
A fascinating tale of the activities of an ex-president who may have been one of our best presidents, and is undoubtedly a great philanthropist in his post-presidential.
Other reviewers may express their prejudices against Clinton and allow then to color their opinion of this book. I see that, I expect that. Joe Conason is unquestionably a fan of Clinton (as am I), but I remember the years he describes, and I cannot say that any of his descriptions are dishonest or inaccurate. However you feel about Clinton and want to apply your moral opinions to him, I don't think it's possible to honestly deny the wonderful philanthropic work he and others have done in his post-presidential years. That's what Joe Conason tells us about, and in a very readable fashion.
Other reviewers may express their prejudices against Clinton and allow then to color their opinion of this book. I see that, I expect that. Joe Conason is unquestionably a fan of Clinton (as am I), but I remember the years he describes, and I cannot say that any of his descriptions are dishonest or inaccurate. However you feel about Clinton and want to apply your moral opinions to him, I don't think it's possible to honestly deny the wonderful philanthropic work he and others have done in his post-presidential years. That's what Joe Conason tells us about, and in a very readable fashion.
March 13, 2020
I think it is fair to say that the Clintons have been unfairly accused and criticized over the years, but I think it is also fair to say that some of their documented wrong doings are accurate. Unfortunately the author, who is clearly a cheerleader for the Clintons glosses over any of that and cheers on the Clintons.
This is unfortunate as this is a good book, although alittle long and tedious at times, it is a well documented description of the tremendous good Bill Clinton has done since he was president. It is unfortunate the author refuses to a knowledge any shortcomings in Bill Clinton as to detracts from the story.
This is unfortunate as this is a good book, although alittle long and tedious at times, it is a well documented description of the tremendous good Bill Clinton has done since he was president. It is unfortunate the author refuses to a knowledge any shortcomings in Bill Clinton as to detracts from the story.
April 11, 2018
Great book about what Bill Clinton is doing to help solve world problems and those who desperately need his help. He's not just giving his money but he's actively engaging others with skills and/or money to work on the world's problems.
July 16, 2022
Very well written covering significant ground at depth shedding light on the complexities associated with life after a very public role.
December 5, 2016
Joe Conason's very recent biography Man of the World: The Further Endeavors of Bill Clinton has been, for the most part, a very interesting, informative read. I wish Trump supporters could've read it instead of listening to righwing misinformation and attacks against the Clintons. While veteran political journalist Conason has covered the former president for twenty years and interviewed him many times for this book, Clinton did not officially approve it.
It took me more than a few days of focused attention to absorb the nineteen chapters that examined the highly stressful days after leaving the White House in 2001 to Clinton's desire to do something with his life much more rewarding and challenging than giving speeches.
After the horrible first year of being accused of corruption and theft by the scandal-seeking press and the Bush Administration, which exonerated the Clintons in an expensive court battle and the Clintons voluntarily returning many gifts given to them over the years, the former president realizes that foreign leaders and their citizens still really look to him as a leader to trust and believe in. He had many great relationships in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as Canada, Mexico, Britain, Ireland, and Australia. Conason explains how the Clinton Foundation slowly created its initiative to actually help stop the HIV/AIDS crisis through systemic change brought to scale, as Clinton put it.
Learning how the former president became a brilliant humanitarian for the developing world was, undoubtedly, the most thrilling part of the book. It didn't end with the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative, but after several years the Clinton Climate Initiative, to organize efforts towards sustainable energy, and the Clinton Global Initiative, to commit United Nations members to humanitarian projects, were very successfully launched and developed.
I also read about Clinton partnering with medical groups to ban sugary drinks and snacks from school vending machineS, his teaming up with former presidents Bush Sr. and Jr. in the wake of natural disasters, his becoming Special Envoy to Haiti, his near heart attack and surgeries, his three books and campaigning for Pres. Obama twice and also his wife twice.
Conason had a great deal of help in writing the book to make it as accurate and engaging as possible. I know Clinton has made mistakes that he regrets, but also that he's very much a people person who loves helping those in need.
Bill Clinton has often been treated with the great respect he deserves by all countries outside his own, but he's also lived up to his nickname “the comeback kid,” which Conason strangely doesn't mention,as the Obama Administration came around to trusting him, as did the two Bushes. The book ends after Hillary became the Democratic nominee. I only skimmed this part a lot. Conason wonders what Clinton may do as the first First Gentleman and I think Clinton well deserves the chance to show us. Electoral College, please vote for the people's choice, Hillary!
January 3, 2017
Why does rural America have such unnatural disdain and distrust for Hillary as to view Trump as the lesser of two evils? This book goes a long way to answering that question because understanding Bill's legacy is a baseline for understanding the public's contempt for Hillary. Very enlightening book.
February 13, 2017
President Clinton is a formidable man. His work after his presidency is an inspiration. Biased? Yes. Having said this, his work with the Clinton Foundation has transformed the lives of millions of people around the globe.
It's a shame that the current U.S. climate doesn't allow the Clinton's the recognition they deserve, facts are obscured for ratings and unfortunately people seem to have made up their minds.
The last chapter utterly gutted me. I actually cried for what could've been.
It's a shame that the current U.S. climate doesn't allow the Clinton's the recognition they deserve, facts are obscured for ratings and unfortunately people seem to have made up their minds.
The last chapter utterly gutted me. I actually cried for what could've been.
Read
September 1, 2016"Choosing the dignified word 'endeavors'–when even Bill's honkin' saxophone would agree 'adventures' is more apt–is a candid enough advertisement that dirt isn't Conason's meat."
-Tom Carson on Joe Conason's Man of the World: The Further Endeavors of Bill Clinton in the Fall 2016 issue of Bookforum
To read the rest of this review, go to Bookforum:
http://bookforum.com/inprint/
-Tom Carson on Joe Conason's Man of the World: The Further Endeavors of Bill Clinton in the Fall 2016 issue of Bookforum
To read the rest of this review, go to Bookforum:
http://bookforum.com/inprint/
December 4, 2016
A sad book to read in the aftermath of 2016's presidential election, this book is obviously partisan, but gives clear information about the valuable work the Clinton Foundation with regard to HIV/AIDS as well as other global issues. There's less information about Hillary than about Bill, but a good overview of his post-presidential life.
August 30, 2019
I really enjoyed this book and admire his continued good work and attempts to atone for the past.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews