The author of Primary Colors, the reality-based novel that shook
the world of American politics, returns with more thoughts about
the Clinton presidency, this time without the veil of fiction. As a
political journalist reporting from the seat of power, Klein had
constant access to this most charismatic of presidents throughout
his years at the White House, and, although there are no startling
new revelations made here, his impressions of Clinton and his inner
circle are fascinating. The author clearly finds much to admire in
his subject, but it is not an unqualified admiration. He writes of
a man with huge enthusiasm and intelligence, and a boundless desire
to make a difference - yet whose fleshly appetites, whether for
women or for junk food, constantly undermined his attempts at
self-discipline. His description of Clinton trying to jog away the
excess poundage caused by consumption of his favourite burgers and
fried chicken, his pale thighs jiggling, makes uncomfortable - if
humorous - reading. And it was, of course, a similar lack of
self-discipline that was to lead to the Lewinsky scandal, an
American public riveted by the evidence of the semen-stained dress
and the infamous cigar. Klein has the benefit of writing with
hindsight, during the presidency of George W Bush, whose
differences from his predecessor throw the Clinton years into sharp
focus. He is kinder about the Clintons' marriage, scotching any
suggestions that it is a marriage of political convenience, rather
than love. He describes blazing rows, followed by the kind of
tenderness and affection it is impossible to fake, and he also
paints a compelling portrait of the former president's addiction to
talking, and of his famed all-nighters discussing policy with his
young staff, which would leave his office littered with empty Coke
bottles and pizza boxes. He describes Clinton's formidable
intelligence, and incidences of sheer humanity and warmth which, if
this account is to be believed, considerably outweigh the
peccadilloes and misjudgements. (Kirkus UK)
Astute, even-handed and keenly intelligent, THE NATURAL is the only
book to read if you want to understand exactly what happened during
Bill Clinton's presidency, and how the decisions made during his
tenure affect all of us today. We see how The White House
functioned on the inside, how it dealt with the manoeuvres of
Congress and the Gingrich revolution, and who held power and made
the decisions during the endless crises that beset the
administration. Klein's access to the White House over the years as
a journalist gave him a prime spot from which to view every crucial
event, both political and personal, and in the case of Monica
Lewinsky both, and he sets then forth in an insightful, readable
and completely engrossing manner. THE NATURAL is stern in its
criticism and convincing with its praise, and will cause endless
debate. It is a book that anyone interested in contemporary
politics, in the functioning of the largest democracy in the world,
whose decisions affect us all, should read.
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