What do you think?
Rate this book
Dereliction of Duty
In Dereliction of Duty , Lieutenant Colonel Patterson reveals the amazing and cavalier disregard with which Bill Clinton treated our nation's most sensitive military secrets, the lives of our men and women in uniform, and the integrity of the office of president.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
72 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 23, 2008
When I say "really liked it", I mean that it kept me interested even though I was burning inside with rage at Clinton and his administration. The author was one of Clinton's military aides - as such, he had daily interactions with the President over several years and really got to see the things that most folks never get to see or understand. A definite must-read, especially the timeline appendix - I never understood how much China directly benefited from the Clinton years until I read this timeline and then confirmed the data on the internet. Also, for those Democrats out there thinking of voting for Hillary, read this first... Our great country suffered tremendously at the hands of the Clinton administration - let's all pray we never see another Clinton administration (or Bush administration for that matter). Just think about it - since 1981, there has been either a Bush or a Clinton in the White House (81-89 as a Vice Pres)...
January 27, 2019
Robert Paterson, an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, now retired, wrote this book. He was a military aide to Bill Clinton. In "Dereliction of Duty," Robert Patterson explains why he feels Bill Clinton endangered our national security. Patterson feels Clinton, more than once, failed to act decisively when action was required. Patterson was entrusted with the "football," the mechanism that launches a nuclear counterattack. Clinton carries the nuclear code cards. If a nuclear response is warranted, he gives Patterson the cards to activate the device and launch the missiles. Naturally, Patterson has to be near Clinton at all times.
Patterson's close proximity to Clinton has made him an eyewitness to situations he felt Clinton carelessly mishandled. Patterson's first disturbing experience occurred three months into his new position, September 13, 1996. Patterson was on a golf course while Clinton played golf. A military situation occurred that required Clinton's decision. Iraq had conquered the Kurdish city of Irbill, violating the cease fire agreement that ended the Gulf War. The military was put on alert for an appropriate response against Iraq's military arsenal. A suitable target found, the military scrambled planes and contacted Sandy Berger, Clinton's National Security Advisor, for a decision to strike or not strike. Sandy phoned Clinton on the golf course. Clinton refused to take the call. While the planes were in the air, the military phoned Berger two more times. Clinton refused those calls also. Finally, short on fuel, the military aborted the mission. Patterson felt Clinton's refusing the calls resulted in no response to this treaty violation. A military man himself, Patterson felt this inaction emboldened the Iraqis to further test American resolve.
Another disturbing experience involved Osama bin Laden. Clinton had been given intelligence reports in 1996 that Al Qaeda terrorists planned using commercial airplanes as bombing missiles. Sudan captured Osama bin Laden and offered him to Saudi Arabia. The Saudis didn't want him. Clinton could have requested bin Laden from Sudan, but didn't. We all know what Osama bin Laden did later. Clinton also carelessly misplaced the nuclear code cards. One set of lost cards was never found.
Patterson noticed sloppy White House security procedures and an overemphasis on public image. Most White House event scheduling was for Democratic Party fund raisers. Patterson watched Clinton make massive reductions in military personnel and armaments and increase oversees military deployment. Patterson felt this reduction of personnel and armaments and the increase of deployments stretched the military dangerously thin. Patterson wasn't the only military aid that felt that way. In May 1998, all five Clinton military aides, disgusted, considered an "en masse" resignation. The military reassigned Patterson as Air Force Academy instructor.
"Dereliction of Duty" features a forward by Al Santoli, author of "Everything We Had," which outlines how Clinton weakened our military. "Dereliction of Duty" also contains a long quote from Casper Weinberger's 2001 book "In The Arena: A Memoir of The Twentieth Century." If everything Patterson relates is factual, it seems Clinton really did neglect his duty as Commander-in-chief.
Patterson's close proximity to Clinton has made him an eyewitness to situations he felt Clinton carelessly mishandled. Patterson's first disturbing experience occurred three months into his new position, September 13, 1996. Patterson was on a golf course while Clinton played golf. A military situation occurred that required Clinton's decision. Iraq had conquered the Kurdish city of Irbill, violating the cease fire agreement that ended the Gulf War. The military was put on alert for an appropriate response against Iraq's military arsenal. A suitable target found, the military scrambled planes and contacted Sandy Berger, Clinton's National Security Advisor, for a decision to strike or not strike. Sandy phoned Clinton on the golf course. Clinton refused to take the call. While the planes were in the air, the military phoned Berger two more times. Clinton refused those calls also. Finally, short on fuel, the military aborted the mission. Patterson felt Clinton's refusing the calls resulted in no response to this treaty violation. A military man himself, Patterson felt this inaction emboldened the Iraqis to further test American resolve.
Another disturbing experience involved Osama bin Laden. Clinton had been given intelligence reports in 1996 that Al Qaeda terrorists planned using commercial airplanes as bombing missiles. Sudan captured Osama bin Laden and offered him to Saudi Arabia. The Saudis didn't want him. Clinton could have requested bin Laden from Sudan, but didn't. We all know what Osama bin Laden did later. Clinton also carelessly misplaced the nuclear code cards. One set of lost cards was never found.
Patterson noticed sloppy White House security procedures and an overemphasis on public image. Most White House event scheduling was for Democratic Party fund raisers. Patterson watched Clinton make massive reductions in military personnel and armaments and increase oversees military deployment. Patterson felt this reduction of personnel and armaments and the increase of deployments stretched the military dangerously thin. Patterson wasn't the only military aid that felt that way. In May 1998, all five Clinton military aides, disgusted, considered an "en masse" resignation. The military reassigned Patterson as Air Force Academy instructor.
"Dereliction of Duty" features a forward by Al Santoli, author of "Everything We Had," which outlines how Clinton weakened our military. "Dereliction of Duty" also contains a long quote from Casper Weinberger's 2001 book "In The Arena: A Memoir of The Twentieth Century." If everything Patterson relates is factual, it seems Clinton really did neglect his duty as Commander-in-chief.
June 27, 2008
A must-read for anyone with a political mind. Some question if this book has any "truth" to it...there's no way you can make this stuff up. Clinton checking out the author's wife when he was awarded his medal of service, hilarious. (You can't tell me he didn't see it coming.) Hillary's sunglasses dramafest was worth the read, too. You will want to go back and read the book just for the elevator scene where Hillary was yelling at Bill. "Yes, dear. Anything you say, dear." If anything, you'll come away from the book feeling sorry for Bill, poor guy.
May 13, 2009
If you hate Clinton, (Bill and Hillary both) you'll love this book. Basically, it's a poorly written political hit piece. Poorly sourced, the book is a thin collection of rumor and rant padded with standard right wing outrage at the perceived evils of such supposed leftish social engineering issues as gays in the military and women in combat. Imagine your biography was written by your worst enemy, who concentrated on and inflated every bad or foolish thing you ever did and ignored or denigrated every good thing. That's what this book is like.
If Patterson had written Ronald Reagan's biography with the same degree of loathing and objectivity that he afforded Bill Clinton, that book would report that Reagan was a doddering old fool who slept through most of the important events of his presidency, was already senile when he took office, fell back upon upon his experience as an actor and pitch man for soap flakes to communicate by reading platitudes off three by five cards in a folksy but sincere voice, hypocritcally praised right wing values and the military when he was actually an old Hollywood roue whose military service consisted of sitting safely at home and talking on the radio while real men fought and died, was so pussy whipped that he let his wife (who he weirdly called "Mommie")dictate important decisions and fire high level staffers, consulted an astrologer before making almost every important decision of his presidency, and violated the Constitution and lied to the American people by secretly trading arms for hostages. Some of these things may have a grain of truth in them, but even so, this is not the whole story of Ronald Reagan, anymore than Dereliction of Duty is the whole story of Bill Clinton. Which is to say the book is unbalanced and unfair. Duh.
A representative and telling example of Patterson's hatred of all things Clinton and his resulting total lack of objectivity is provided by his descriptions of the military experience of Ronald Reagan and Al Gore. Reagan "had no combat military experience...yet he became, among the military, one of the most popular and effective presidents. In part, this was because he had at least served in an Army military unit...working on home front celebrities during World War II." But Gore "served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam but did so from behind a typewriter...safely away from the fray." The bias shown by this is so massive as to be almost laughable. But then, Patterson's mission wasn't to write an accurate or serious book -- it was to savage a man and an Administration he loathes. His disdain for Clinton and his right wing bias is pervasive and cast doubt on the accuracy of his entire book, including the supposed personal observations.
Read it if you want, but don't expect much real analysis. I wasn't able to find any review of it in a reputable source. It's published by the same people who were going to publish O.J. Simpson's book. I suppose the generally high ratings this book received reflect the fact that practically the only people that would read it are committed right wingers who probably think this book is the gospel truth and an example of great journalism.
If Patterson had written Ronald Reagan's biography with the same degree of loathing and objectivity that he afforded Bill Clinton, that book would report that Reagan was a doddering old fool who slept through most of the important events of his presidency, was already senile when he took office, fell back upon upon his experience as an actor and pitch man for soap flakes to communicate by reading platitudes off three by five cards in a folksy but sincere voice, hypocritcally praised right wing values and the military when he was actually an old Hollywood roue whose military service consisted of sitting safely at home and talking on the radio while real men fought and died, was so pussy whipped that he let his wife (who he weirdly called "Mommie")dictate important decisions and fire high level staffers, consulted an astrologer before making almost every important decision of his presidency, and violated the Constitution and lied to the American people by secretly trading arms for hostages. Some of these things may have a grain of truth in them, but even so, this is not the whole story of Ronald Reagan, anymore than Dereliction of Duty is the whole story of Bill Clinton. Which is to say the book is unbalanced and unfair. Duh.
A representative and telling example of Patterson's hatred of all things Clinton and his resulting total lack of objectivity is provided by his descriptions of the military experience of Ronald Reagan and Al Gore. Reagan "had no combat military experience...yet he became, among the military, one of the most popular and effective presidents. In part, this was because he had at least served in an Army military unit...working on home front celebrities during World War II." But Gore "served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam but did so from behind a typewriter...safely away from the fray." The bias shown by this is so massive as to be almost laughable. But then, Patterson's mission wasn't to write an accurate or serious book -- it was to savage a man and an Administration he loathes. His disdain for Clinton and his right wing bias is pervasive and cast doubt on the accuracy of his entire book, including the supposed personal observations.
Read it if you want, but don't expect much real analysis. I wasn't able to find any review of it in a reputable source. It's published by the same people who were going to publish O.J. Simpson's book. I suppose the generally high ratings this book received reflect the fact that practically the only people that would read it are committed right wingers who probably think this book is the gospel truth and an example of great journalism.
July 6, 2016
A very informative first hand account of the Clinton administration. It is very revealing as to how reckless Bill was and how Hillary terrorized the White House staff to include her disdain and disrespect for all things military.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
July 9, 2007
Another reason not to vote for Hillary Clinton.
December 10, 2008
Not the best writer you'll ever read but a compelling and revealing look at the inside of Clinton's presidency.
April 19, 2009
It is too bad William Jefferson Clinton was not tried for his failure to act as the Commander in Chief. He was too busy playing golf and chasing skirts.
February 13, 2024
My husband and I were both active duty during the Clinton years, and I had been wanting to read this book for a few years now and finally did. Those who served then, will attest to the low morale of the force that Col Patterson talks about and the lack of confidence in our president who is the Commander in Chief. Through this account, we also learn how much the Clintons, and the Clinton Administration had a lack of respect and even dislike for the Armed Forces. How many times Mr. Clinton failed to return calls and take action on things that affected our National Security. And you also discover that these failures, had he acted on them, quite possibly could have prevented 9/11. This is not a political hit piece, but instead observations by someone who was one of the staffers that worked as close to the President as possible and had the responsibility of carrying the Nuclear Football (which Mr. Clinton lost his codes for). There are so many great reviews of this book on Amazon, but I will say this...the military should never ever again be at the hands of someone with so much contempt again. Many of us feel, that through Mr. Clinton's actions, or lack of them, we would be in a much better position now.
January 9, 2024
I'm not a fan. While Patterson can write a story and hook a reader, I'm not a supporter of a military officer using their position to tell a story about the First Couple's personal lives. Don't get me wrong--I admired much about the Clinton administrations's accomplishments, but was not a fan of the President's "leadership by example."
I believe Patterson needed to do a better job of linking the President's personal conduct to the deterioration of national security. He failed to do so and therefore improperly used his privilege of access.
I believe Patterson needed to do a better job of linking the President's personal conduct to the deterioration of national security. He failed to do so and therefore improperly used his privilege of access.
March 23, 2011
While we heard a lot of the "stories" of what went on in the White House, this is the confirmation coming from one of the closest people to work in the presigious historical building.
Even though he was a career military officer who swore and oath to "protect and defend the constitution of the United States of America," the fact that he did not write the book as an active military member shows a lot of tact on behalf of the author.
I give Lt. Col. Patterson a lot of credit for his professionalism in keeping his mouth shut while working for the President, and for not quitting. If I were in the same situation, I'm not sure if I could have stuck it out like he did with all that went wrong. At the same time, I also give him a lot of credit for providing a somewhat "unbiased" look at the years he worked in the White House.
Patterson writes with a lot of conviction. He doesn't write like he has a vandetta against his former employer, but comes across like an objective historian. The truth is "the story has to be told."
My interpretation is that the Lt. Col. had a burden on his shoulders because he writes with a heavy heart. He's definitely not a firebrand of an author, and that lends credibility to the book. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable read from a literary standpoint.
Even though he was a career military officer who swore and oath to "protect and defend the constitution of the United States of America," the fact that he did not write the book as an active military member shows a lot of tact on behalf of the author.
I give Lt. Col. Patterson a lot of credit for his professionalism in keeping his mouth shut while working for the President, and for not quitting. If I were in the same situation, I'm not sure if I could have stuck it out like he did with all that went wrong. At the same time, I also give him a lot of credit for providing a somewhat "unbiased" look at the years he worked in the White House.
Patterson writes with a lot of conviction. He doesn't write like he has a vandetta against his former employer, but comes across like an objective historian. The truth is "the story has to be told."
My interpretation is that the Lt. Col. had a burden on his shoulders because he writes with a heavy heart. He's definitely not a firebrand of an author, and that lends credibility to the book. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable read from a literary standpoint.
December 7, 2019
I am non partisan and simply stumbled upon this book and thought it would be worth a read since I have a rather mixed view of the Clinton administration. What I found in this book was a sentiment that I am familiar with and now believe more wholeheartedly. The irrefutable facts speak for themself in what turns into a picture of a man who's qualifications as president aren't being questioned but who's ability as commander in chief can only be described as inept. I think what hurts the authors argument and ultimately lands him with only 3/5 stars is that his career service in the armed forces has left him rather biased on certain things that are ultimately more opinions and need not be brought into the argument he is making. For instance his stance on women in combat is loosely based on research and is partially acceptable on the basis he is using while his stance on homosexuality in the military is never backed with any detailed reasoning and comes off as rather homophobic and completely irrelevant when gauging the job the Clinton administration did. All in all it is worth reading since the places he backs up his points with details, research and stats can be eye opening. Just be weary that you'll also have to weave through the authors own bias on other issues.
January 25, 2018
Close to Clinton while toting the nuclear "football", author Lt. Col. Robert "Buzz" Patterson (Ret.) of the USAF gives an insider's account of Clinton the man - and Hillary the woman. It does not surprise me that Patterson has much to criticize in Clinton-directed military reduction as well as a reluctant military policy and lack of decisiveness. In this foreign policy opinion, this dovetails with In the Arena: A Memoir of the 20th Century which is liberally excerpted in an appendix. Beside these opinions - probably resonant to many considering 9/11 and the follow-on War on Terror - I found most interesting the candid observations of the Clintons' characters. This adds to multiple opinions of Bill as a charismatic misogynist with a generally unprofessional approach to executive position and Hillary as abusive with both treating the military and other resources with a sense of entitlement. A new observation for me was spinning Hillary has a sharp-tongued shrew to Bill as a meek sufferer of her tirades.
January 16, 2012
I met the author of this book a few years ago and was quite impressed with his story and dedication to his position.
As a nuclear medicine technologist who understands the severity of a potential radiologic disaster, I was impressed with this book on many levels.
His account is accurate, timely, and tells the tale of an administration with an accountability problem.
Needless to say, after reading the book, it was difficult at times to put my little boy to sleep at night, as it made me ponder our safety.
To whom much is given, much is required, and the highest office in the land must be held to that belief. I'm curious now to know with the present administration, who carries the football now, and how safe are we actually?
As a nuclear medicine technologist who understands the severity of a potential radiologic disaster, I was impressed with this book on many levels.
His account is accurate, timely, and tells the tale of an administration with an accountability problem.
Needless to say, after reading the book, it was difficult at times to put my little boy to sleep at night, as it made me ponder our safety.
To whom much is given, much is required, and the highest office in the land must be held to that belief. I'm curious now to know with the present administration, who carries the football now, and how safe are we actually?
February 15, 2024
This was the first book I had ever read by someone who talked about a president after having served in their administration. When I first read the book, I found it both interesting and surprising. Interesting and surprising by what the author was claiming took place and surprised at the actions and attitudes of those within the inner circle of the president and the first lady. As I have read more political memoirs, I have come to understand that it is the perspective of the person writing the book and is to be taken at face value and nothing more. With that being said, it is not hard to believe what was said about Hilary Clinton and the way she acted and treated people. In closing, this book is a good read and I recommend it.
February 1, 2008
Honestly, I never get tired of a paper trail that illustrates the nonsense of "Slick Willy" and company. This is particularly galling as it details in exacting detail a conversation on a golf course in which Clinton was more interested in being on Sports Center than getting Bin Laden. Just as important and timely today with Billary now running...
May 13, 2008
When his SecDef was tying to tell him that the window to get OBL was closing, Bill was too busy playing golf to be bothered.
In addition, Mr. Clinton lost the codes to the nuclear football but waited a couple days to tell anyone because of the embarrassment.
-A wonderful insight into how close we are to being blown to bits, even when we have a pretty good POTUS in office.
In addition, Mr. Clinton lost the codes to the nuclear football but waited a couple days to tell anyone because of the embarrassment.
-A wonderful insight into how close we are to being blown to bits, even when we have a pretty good POTUS in office.
May 13, 2013
Couldnt bear this book. It may have actually been based on the truth as Patterson understood the truth. But when his deductions from all the actions of Clinton seem very skewed to the negative. Of course, you have to consider my politics and understand how brave I was just to read this book in the first place.
February 3, 2022
It was very interesting to see how the military was perceived from the Presidents eyes. While this is only one persons account of his time in the White House, it is very eye opening to what was going on! Highly recommend to read/listen to this book.
January 13, 2008
This was better than nothing, I guess. I mean, I read it all and that says something. You'll learn about how Bill Clinton maybe wasn't such a great president. Prepare to be "shocked."
November 20, 2011
Granted this book is one man's opinion, but I trust a man who has put on the uniform more than one who avoided wearing it.
November 24, 2025
Didn’t realize Hillary was as nasty as she is.
September 7, 2025
Every American 16 years old and up should read this book.
I had no idea that what was written about in this book was happening. My jaw was on the floor in almost every chapter. I knew I never liked the Clintons and I had my reasons, but after reading this book, I realize what a disgrace they are to our country. We definitley were protected when Mrs Clinton didn’t win her election.
Well done Lt. Col. Robert “Buzz” Patterson. Thank you for serving our country and not handing over your position to someone who potentially wouldn’t care as much as you did/do.
Thank you for writing this book. Im recommending it to everyone that will listen to me.
I had no idea that what was written about in this book was happening. My jaw was on the floor in almost every chapter. I knew I never liked the Clintons and I had my reasons, but after reading this book, I realize what a disgrace they are to our country. We definitley were protected when Mrs Clinton didn’t win her election.
Well done Lt. Col. Robert “Buzz” Patterson. Thank you for serving our country and not handing over your position to someone who potentially wouldn’t care as much as you did/do.
Thank you for writing this book. Im recommending it to everyone that will listen to me.
January 18, 2024
A very well written account of a presidency by a seasoned Field Grade Officer of the United States Air Force, charged with maintaining the 'Nuclear Football', and having to be in the vicinity of the POTUS at all times - not just a casual coming and going. Obviously, Lt Col Patterson felt strongly enough to document several instances of behavior by President Clinton that were most inappropriate for the Commander-in-Chief, charged with our National Security. Eye-opening and shocking, but not surprising. Highly recommended reading!
August 19, 2024
As you can see, it is the story behind the Clinton white house, and it doesn't hold much back I think. Bill was a sleazy guy and Hillary was a ball-breaking, power hungry bitch. Together, they treated almost everyone in their circle like the lawn help. It is a really good book about the Clinton years, and you will learn some things that will make you very nervous.
January 20, 2024
Gripping account of the callousness (bordering on treason), misogyny and lack of respect exhibited by both Bill & Hillary Clinton while in the White House. Quick read and shocking behavior witnessed first hand by the author, who deserves a medal for Patriotic bravery.
August 18, 2017
Clinton is human, and all too flawed. These flaws that Buzz outlines in his book are not the usual flaws Americans are familiar with.
August 8, 2019
A lot of info
July 9, 2025
liked the story but the audio book narrator is flat
January 3, 2020
Partisan and inconsistent. Could have been so much better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews