Clinton in Exile: A President Out of the White House

by Carol Felsenthal

Book Overview

On January 20, 2001, the most powerful and arguably most ambitious man in the world relinquished the public stage, reluctantly, at the young age of fifty-four. Since then President Bill Clinton has... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061231592
• ISBN13: 9780061231599
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 386 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

The Way Things Were

Every former president develops a nostalgia for the good old days in the White House. The end of the second term brings such a definitive landing that readjusting to ordinary life becomes a trauma of sorts. The book begins by posing the question as to why President Clinton could not have sought a third term. The answer to this question is unknowable. President Clinton is presented as the proverbial risk taker who thrives on grappling with "chance". The author describes the various speaking engagements of President Clinton throughout Europe. His efforts to eradicate AIDS in Africa are seen as a critical point in the post-White House years. Parts of the book provide an important glimpse into President Clinton's personal life. For instance, he likes expensive mechanical watches and dresses well. A White House portrait of President Clinton was drawn by Simmie Knox- a noted African American painter. A portion of the book deals with President Clinton's 2004 surgery. Overall, the book is a fair testament to President Clinton's post White House years

Carol Felsenthal wrote it -- you gotta read it

She's one of the best biographers that we have. That's all this biographer has to know.

Carol Felsenthal wrote it -- you gotta read it

She's one of the best biographers that we have. That's all that this biographer has to know.

A balanced look at what Clinton has done since he left the White House

Let me start by asking what you have thought about the various Hillary biographies that have come out? If you like Carl Bernstein's book or even found it too critical, you will view this book as an attack piece. If you have liked the books by Dick Morris, Bay Buchanan, and other critics, you will find this book not critical enough. However, this book is not anything like the disdainful books on Clinton by R. Emmett Tyrell, Jr. I believe that if you liked the book "Her Way" by Gerth and Van Natta and the way it reported her life with a balance of praise and criticism, I think you will find this book enjoyable and informative. Carol Felsenthal simply reports what Bill Clinton has done from his last days in office through supporting the Hillary campaign for President to February 2008. The story begins with the chaotic last days of leaving the White House, how much Bill did not want to leave, and just touches on the corrupt pardons. However, the author says that the stories of the Clinton team trashing the White House and removing the "Ws" from the computer keyboards is mere myth. There is no question that if Bill could have run for a third term he would have. What is scarey is that if he had, he would have had a good shot of winning it. The book deals with Clinton's restlessness. Felsenthal is unstinting in her praise of Clinton's charisma, his rock star like reputation on the world stage, and the good works he has done in helping raise funds for Africa and many other initiatives including his own Clinton Global Initiative. However, Felsenthal is also clear about Clinton's self-serving aspects to so many (if not all) of his good works. She exposes his lust for money and his grubbing approach to thousands even while he has tens of millions. The Clinton hunger for honors such as a Nobel prize is also highlighted. Since Carter and Gore both have one, Clinton's need to be so honored has become almost an obsession. I enjoyed most her reporting of the people he hangs out with and who it is that provides him with private jets, his huge income, and what their lives are like. Clinton likes to hang out with movers and shakers and is closest to billionaires who have an appetite for luxury and a strong desire for lots of women. When talking about Clinton's attitude towards female companions other than Hillary, the author doesn't name names, but makes a few suggestions about some women he has been seen with. Of course, this aspect of his character means nothing to his supporters and his detractors have so many more specific reasons to dislike him. We also get to see behind the scenes in what team Clinton did to derail the TV movie, "The Path to 9/11" and how obsessed the Clintonistas are in creating a positive reputation for Bill by highlighting his efforts against Terror, which shouting down all criticisms. Of course, there is the whole question of what it was Sandy Berger took from the archives and destroyed. Some say there are copies