Bill Clinton My Life Hutchinson, 2004
Bill Clinton. The very name of the former President instills admiration in some and loathing in others. My Life is Bill Clinton's attempt to tell the story of his life, marriage, and presidency from his perspective. I doubt that any particular review will persuade or dissuade any reader from reading this book. Most reviewers agree that the book is long winded and rambles on about insignificant details, but whether you enjoy this book or not might depend on your feelings about the man and his presidency. The Detroit Free Press says, "But there's a wonderful naturalness to Clinton's writing in My Life and enough insights into this puzzling man that it's well worth plunking down $35 -- or $26, which is what I paid -- for 957 pages of his almost-unfiltered musings. Even if -- maybe especially if -- you thought he was a bad choice for president, or if you thought he was a good choice who blew his best chances."
Bill Clinton's autobiography, My Life, helps explain an extraordinary individual and career, so often underestimated, and someone whose ideals have often fallen short in practice despite his best efforts. A critical reading of Clinton's book gives new insights into why the United States today is on the brink of destroying its democratic foundations under the Bush administration, even though this was not Clinton's intent. It tells far less about the foundation for overt imperial intervention that has characterised US foreign policy.