My Life Hardcover – January 1, 2004

Sure this book is long but you are basically getting his life and what a life it is. I like how he doesn't become President until almost exactly halfway into the book so you get to see what made him who he was/is. I think this book is a must read for anyone that wants to make a run into politics, in many ways it is almost like a how to do book. Clinton was a sly devil and you get to see why so many of these hardcore Republicans hated him. You also get to see his roots and where he comes from and why he does what he does and did. Just for fun I looked over some of the one star reviews about this book and you can tell that most of them didn't even read the book. They repeat a talking point of calling this book "My Lies". Other one star reviews ask why Clinton didn't talk more about his cheating and talk about how his daughter felt about it. That seems almost sick and twist but whatever; some people are just sick.It is a long read but it is best to look at it like a series of books. He does a great job. I've highlighted so many things in this book (kindle is awesome, get one!). Clinton was the man. Wish he could run again. I didn't like all of what Clinton did as President but now I see that he had to play the sick game of politics for a greater good. Politics is a nasty business and you see that in this book but you also see how Clinton would dance around to get what he wanted.This is a must read if you are a Clinton fan.This is a must read if you are going into politics regardless of your party because you'll learn a lot.This is a must read for any fan of history because his life was living history and you get to see it first hand and he explains things well enough for those of us who were too young to remember things or too busy with being a kid.This is a must read for whoever is smart enough to fix this current economy.Someday I would like to meet President Bill Clinton and thank him for what he did for America, remind him of what he couldn't/didn't do for America and then thank him for this book.He played the system to help make it a little better for the little guys and now you can read how he did it.And another thing! I can't help but notice how a lot of the players back then are still in our systems and how even the small timers at the time that Clinton would introduce us to in this book are around today and are now major players. Maybe that is part of what is wrong with our system today, all the hang arounds that become corrupted over time..

First of all, I find it a sad commentary that readers have decided to review the book, not on its merits, but on their already formed opinions of Bill Clinton himself. Since ppl either love the man or hate him, I suppose that's no real surprise. So, in the interest of truth I'll state my position on the man:I believe Bill Clinton will be remembered by history in a far better light than Ronald Reagan. I voted for him twice. I devoutly wish I was able to vote for him this coming November. The man has his flaws - as human beings, we all have them. But I like him more *because* of his flaws. Get over it. It's an opinion. Everyone has one.As to his book -- I found it moving, human, and compelling. I wasn't so much a fan of his technique however. Particularly in the beginning, his prose is stilted, as though he knows he must give rein to his life, but wishes he didn't have to. Up until he enters Georgetown, the book reads more as a series of loosely connected sketches, than an involving portrait of his life. But once he gets going with the political detail -- he shines. His enthusiasm is real. His belief in making a difference is real. His love of the game (and don't kid yourselves -- politics is a *game*) is infectious and sometimes soaring. But, unlike his speeches, his personal magnetism is dampened. Perhaps it's that we can't hear his voice, or see his face. To do so would increase my enjoyment of the book - because it's his force of personality which is most compelling, using voice and body language to fully engage the person(s) he's communicating to.Technically he's a competent writer. I would have been surprised to find otherwise. At times he turns out a lovely phrase. But his true gift is direct, person-to-person communication, and that's why he gets 4 stars here instead of 5.I hope he decides to continue writing. Tackling your own life as your first project is daunting without the additional pressures of his own particular standing. I'll be very interested to read his next effort.

I most certainly would (and have!) recommend this book. What a wonderful accounting of the life of a president! Who knew one person could be spread so thin and accomplish so much. Thank you Bill Clinton for being my president in my lifetime. Hope to live long enough to see history repeated. Looking forward to reading the latest book and would hope there will be more to come.