In late 1991, 30 year old George Stephanopoulos joined President Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign. Over the next 5 years, Stephanopoulos held a position close to the presidency, from Communications Director to Special Counsel, placing him in the center of action in Washington. His memoir is a personal recollection of what happened on the campaign trail and in Clinton's first term: the good and the bad. From the fight to revitalize the economy and "put people first" to the Whitewater scandals and the government shutdown. More than just a personal memoir, All too Human also offers an inside look into President Clinton - the office and the man. Stephanopoulos manages to present an honest portrayal of the struggles and victories of President Clinton's first term. I particularly enjoyed that he was so honest about his own faults and shortcomings, going as far as admitting the impact on his emotional health. His experience in Washington, and specifically in the White House, can be summarized with this little tidbit: "Before we got here, we thought of ourselves as good people."After reading his accounts of all the scandals and failed legislation, it's no wonder he had stress hives! But he has a point. Regardless of our political views, I think the majority of those in politics go into it with the best intentions and the desire to do good. Seeing how President Clinton and his administration had to play the game, the hard decisions they had to make, and all the bad press they got, I can see how it would bring down even the most optimistic of us. As for his portrayal of President Clinton, I think it was a fair one. He showed the positives - his charm, his intelligence - but still addressed the scandals and his questionable character. All too Human sums it up perfectly. Both President Clinton and Stephanopoulos are just that - human. Flawed and imperfect humans. "Although he humiliated himself, dishonored his presidency, and deserved to be punished, Clinton did not abuse presidential power in a way that justified impeachment. Hiscrimes were more about the man than the office...For the first time in months, I began to sympathize with my former boss... He was a man alone with his failing before the whole world,a man forced to confess sins that had devastated his family and undone the hopes of his life, a man ashamed."
George Stephanopoulos was an essential part of Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign, and of his white house staff during the first term. In this book, Stephanopoulos recounts what it was like being such a crucial adviser and his experiences working for the Clintons. There is also a bit in the beginning about about how George got into politics in the first place.I found this book fascinating for the first half, and then it seemed to drag a little bit. But this reflects his experience - the excitement of the campaign and the first couple of months in the white house before it became a daily grind. There are a lot of interesting insights into what its like serving in a such a high level staff position to the President, as well as into just how Clinton ran his White House - far from perfectly. By the end, you get a good idea of what it must have been like to be in Stephanopoulous' shoes, and how much the job that he has held entails and must take out of you. The book is also very well written - the author has a way with words.Anyone who is a fan of the TV-series "The West Wing" will get a special kick out of this book, as you see how Sorkin (the screenwriter) obviously based many of the happenings in his episodes on what really happened (indeed, he admitted that he based Rob Lowe's character Sam Seaborn on Stephanopoulos, and that he used stories he found in this book).
What do You think about All Too Human (2000)?
Who is my favorite president? William Jefferson Clinton.Stephanopoulos had a very close relationship with Clinton both before and during his election. As a person who has studied American Politics in depth, this inside look at a presidential campaign was both fun and exciting. Clinton is very much 'All Too Human' and I am thankful that Stephanopoulos had the courage to step away and write this book.I was in 7th grade when Clinton ran for office. Even at that young age, I was in awe of his presence and the hope he inspired. I actually volunteered for the campaign and spread the word door to door with other team members. It was more than exciting and a wonderful opportunity for a kid so in love with American Politics. FYI: This book was assigned as a mandatory reading in a college seminar titled: The American Presidency. The seminar took place at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in the Fall of 2000 - Viva John Kerry! Although I was required to read this book, it was one of the very few that I truly enjoyed from start to finish.
—John
Well-written and personable book from an insider in the Clinton White House. Stephanopoulos takes an admirably open approach to his own shortcomings, which is perhaps why he feels free to lace into the lecherous big wheel as the book progresses and the Clinton scandals add up. I found it fascinating to read his take on Clinton the man and the myth, and also how much energy staff put into managing a president's moods. (Clinton comes across as a world class crank with a chronic temper but also a charismatically endearing side.) A good read for policy wonks, especially for its exploration of how Clinton the political animal traded virtue for votes in a lurch to the center, although Stephanopoulos's worldview as a liberal Democrat is limited to challenging assumptions from the other side (Republicans) without ever taking a wider look into how much they may be alike. Stephanopoulos quit after one term so he wasn't in the room during the madness of the Monica Lewinsky crisis, which may be why his moralizing about Clinton's extra-political affairs in the conclusion comes across as preachy.
—David Tracey
I read this while pregnant with Abby (so 10+ years ago) and came across it again recently. I enjoyed this book immensely. It is well written, cleanly told, and you get such a beautiful insider's perspective on life in DC and how it can unravel a man and his soul. He paints his demise from a healthy idealist to a jaded, neurotic, depressed political aide so well, it reads like a novel.To me, this is a political must-read for anyone who lived through and studied the Clinton-era. (Wait - with Hil as SOS - are we still in a Clinton-era? I'm so confused.)
—Amy Hillis
