The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History With The President (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
The author was Clinton's 'oral historian' during his time in the White House. Branch pretty regularly visited Clinton and recorded interviews about current events for Clinton's library. This book is not based on those tapes, which remain in Clinton's possession, but on Branch's notes of the conversations. It's pretty much all in here except for any details of the special prosecutor investigations. Clinton & Branch talk about the investigation, but due to nervousness about discovery of the tapes in an investigation did not go into detail. That's actually fine (to me) as I was more interested in his work as a president (budget, domestic & international affairs, dealing with the Republicans, etc.)We all know Clinton was a great politician. What comes through in the book is how insightful and broad his thinking is. Politics is a people activity, and Clinton was able to look deeply into motivations of those people as well as the long term societal impacts. A long read, but worthwhile if you're interested in the topic. This is a great biography (or memoir, if you will) on President Clinton and the Presidency in general. This work has captured what most presidential biographies (and autobiographies) only dream of: conveying to the reader what it is like to be the President at the time when the principal subject is the President. POTUS is not an easy job, even in peaceful times, and this book hammers that point home quite deftly. Particularly noteworthy is the incident during the first term when Pres. Clinton seemed to fall asleep in mid-sentence with his eyes rolling into his head. This book also has many fascinating tales on foreign policy during the Clinton years. I especially enjoyed the in-depth details about the U.S.'s dealings with Haiti in Pres. Clinton's first term. The enlightening details trail off after the second inauguration as the text seemed to get more breezy and quick in general. And though his deference on the Monica Lewinsky scandal is understandable (both for legal and personal reasons), you do kind of wish the author, Taylor Branch, had pressed the President for more on the matter. Bottom line, this is a fascinating book and one that should not be missed by any fans or researchers of U.S. and Presidential history.
What do You think about The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History With The President (2009)?
Provided some insights into Clinton's time in office. I thought it could have have done move.
—ez24954
Great book!!! A good way to understand how presidents make decisions.
—Jubbles
Yawn. I keep it around in my bathroom in case I run out of Charman
—cacachurra
