First In His Class: A Biography Of Bill Clinton

When Bill Clinton is good, he is very, very good, and when he's bad, he's exactly like he has been all his life. Fair-minded but no apologist, Maraniss is essentially an inspiring reporter who, virtually alone among Americans, has troubled to interview Clinton's Oxford classmates and therefore knows that Clinton was, according to them, not lying when he said he "never inhaled"; his classmates devoted hours to teaching Bill to inhale, but he just couldn't do it. Maraniss also casts light on what Clinton did imbibe intellectually at Oxford; precisely what he did to elude the draft, and its moral significance; how Arkansas politics shaped his political style; and what his character and marriage might actually be like. Yes, Maraniss gives show more us a comic scene in which fiancée Hillary comes through the front door of the campaign headquarters while a young female staffer is hustled out the back--but more importantly, Maraniss puts such events in perspective. show less

I enjoyed it- I frequently found myself wondering why he did the things he did- an intelligent man-albeit a lawyer- saying it depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is, in some ways this book clarifies the roots of his character

Good read. I learned a lot about Clintons early life and career before he became president.
A mostly fair look though did seem to gloss over the controversies a bit.
Well written with a good flow to it, easy to read.
I would recommend it.

2738 First In His Class: A Biography of Bill Clinton, by David Maraniss (read 30 Apr 1995) This is a 1995 book and is well-written. It is based mostly on interviews, and was written without the cooperation of Clinton and Hillary. I found myself admiring things about Clinton--he certainly has ability and enthusiasm, and drive. Obviously he is flawed in ways that seem incredible, but all in all his life has a number of good things to be said for it. The author is a Washington Post journalist.