Bill and Hillary: The Marriage

by Christopher Andersen

Describes the Clintons' troubled marriage and why they have remained married in spite of the President's infidelities

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Politics, History, American History, True Story

340 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Christopher Peter Andersen is an American journalist and the author of 32 books, including many bestsellers. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Andersen joined the staff of Time Magazine as a contributing editor in 1969. From 1974 to 1986 Andersen was senior editor of Time Incorporated's People Magazine. He has also written for a wide range of publications, including The New York Times, The New York Daily News, Life, and Vanity Fair.

While his early nonfiction books veered from psychology (The Name Game) to true crime (The Serpent's Tooth) to art collecting ('The Best of Everything', with former Sotheby's chairman John Marion), he is best known for his controversial biographies. Between 1991 and 2011, he published 14 New York Times bestselling biographies. Andersen wrote Mick: The Wild Life and Mad Genius of Jagger to mark the 50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones in July 2012. The book quickly became Andersen's 15th New York Times bestseller.

Reviews

[Erika Nerdypants · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even if true, this book was a smear campaign. Bill Clinton is portayed as a sex maniac who is incapable of making an independent decision. Hillary is made out to be an ardent demisnist (what's wrong with that?) who doesn't shave ehr legs (oh the horrorr), and smells of B.O. I didn't even finish this. Perhaps Mr. Anderson has republican leanings, otherwise he could not have produced such a singularly unflattering portrait.

[Eifersucht · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately the Clintons have always been ripe game for all sorts: especially Republicans. It's rare to find a well sourced, legitimate portrait of the Clinton Marriage, and if you're on the hunt for any such portrait, Christopher Andersen doesn't provide it. It's all surface where he rehashes every bit of Arkansas gossip he could find, without bothering to verify any of the facts. To his credit, he didn't fall for the smears surrounding Vince Foster's suicide. However he can't help himself caricaturing Hillary at moments - something Republicans seem incapable of avoiding.

What he does provide is a tabloid-esque picture of the first couple, with anecdotes that come off like fabrications of the sort Ed Klein would dream up. There are details he fabricates - from Hillary's conversations with Jackie O ( which he could not possibly know) or details about Bill's life when he was 8 years old or Hillary sinking onto a bed, based on something a secret agent listening in from outside the room, supposedly told him ( ????)

He presents every rumor or off tale he has ever heard without dissection. There is little to no corroborating evidence for anything he writes except on some basics which were already known by the time this book was published.

The success of this book at the time was due more to the insatiable desire on many to believe anything about the Clintons, but would I recommend this as some genuine insight into the chemistry between the clintons and their marriage? No.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Clintons are amazing people. Talk about giving up EVERYTHING for your career. I used to study the plays of Shakespear and they always say that the main character of all the tradegies had a major flaw that brought their demise. Bill Clinton's demise was his womanizing. Hillary's demise is her drive to be number one. She gave up so much to make Bill a success in law, politics always knowing she could do it better than him. Unfortunately, everyone knew that was how she felt. In her bid for the Presidency, they rarely ever appeared together. She wears her emotions on her shirtsleeves and you can see right through it. She keeps Bill around to further her own career interests...because in her mind he owes it to her because she stood by him all the way to the white house.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned from this book that you can't judge a book by it's cover. Who knows what people are really like, especially when those surrounding them hide it. Wow, how did he get away with it for so long. He fathered one child and another had an abortion. I am sure he had more relationships then we can count! I feel sad for them that this is the type of marriage they had and especially for Chelsea. This is not the type of man I would elect as president. I think they both needed therapy.

[Tom Sparrenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Christopher Andersen does an excellent job of depicting the true power couple and what each is willing to "put up with" to stay together for the common good. Both Bill & Hillary have their challenges but they're willing to put those aside for a united front/room for advancement politically.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if every fact is true, but it was an easy and enjoyable read. It does not paint the Clintons favorably, but maybe there's not much to work with on the positive side. If you are a fan of Hil and Bill this will not be your cup of tea, but I, for one, enjoyed it.

[Kristy Olsgaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. Very interesting. Even if everything in this book isn't 100% accurate and 50% is, they are a couple of egotistical sociopaths. I often wonder how something like this can be published if it's not true. Wouldn't they sue for libel?

[Elaine Cougler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bill and Hillary by Christopher Anderson is probably well written but the most compelling thing I am let to feel is disgust for the Clintons. A good read but a disturbing one. To think that they could go so far with so little character. I'm glad I read this book as it gave me insight into the Clintons and Hillary is close to becoming the next US president.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

closet confession - I ate this up!! loved it. Jess lent it to me years ago and it sat on a shelf until she permeated the boob tube.. so interesting..

[Cws]

92C

[Carolyn Mcdaniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

He said, she said, they said--if only half of it is true--it's sad.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I have Clinton fatigue.

[Lynn Wynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did I really need to know all this?

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

D I S T U R B I N G