Clinton Book Lacks Salacious Details Readers Want

[CShine]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Americans waiting to read Bill Clinton's take on the affair with Monica Lewinsky that rocked his presidency must wade through 773 pages of turgid prose to find a recollection remarkably devoid of details. Four-fifths of the way into his memoir "My Life," released on Tuesday by Alfred A. Knopf, the former president recalls his infamous affair with the White House intern.

Clinton writes that in 1995, "I'd had an inappropriate encounter with Monica Lewinsky and would do so again on other occasions between November and April, when she left the White House for the Pentagon."

In all, the book's index cites just 16 pages where Lewinsky is mentioned -- none shedding light on what drove Clinton to the affair or the details of the liaison itself, instead dwelling on his battle with Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr and repairing his relationship with his wife and daughter. For most readers, the book is too detailed on policy issues and not detailed enough on the impact his sexual indiscretions had on his personal life, several experts said. Robert Thompson, popular culture professor at Syracuse University, said the "big bombshell" of the Lewinsky saga would be the No. 1 reason Americans buy the book, which hit bookstores on Tuesday in a 1.5 million first printing. Those readers will look first at the index, jump straight to the first Lewinsky reference and feel let down, Thompson said of the scant reference to the intern in the book.

"Next to Salman Rushdie's 'The Satanic Verses' this may be the most purchased but unread book to come along in a long time," Thompson said. "Millions and millions of people will buy this Bill Clinton book, but a significantly smaller number of them will actually read it from start to finish."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=599&ncid=762&e=9&u=/nm/20040622/media_nm/media_clinton_lewinsky_dc

[Raster]

1. I will buy the book and I will read the book....

....and I don't give a damn about the "salicious details." Big Dog is a great story teller. I want to read about his life, not just a slimey little piece. And I'm getting REALLY tired of columnists and pundits telling me what I will read and how I will react.

[Zen Democrat]

5. Amen!

People buying this book are people that love Bill. And I, for one, don't give a damn about details of his blow job or phone sex. Didn't Ken Starr already write that book?

I definitely will read every word of "My Life" -- but I'd buy the book even if I were illiterate. Hope it's the best selling book in history after the Bible.

And contrary to Reuters, rather than details of Monica, I hope we get details of Ken Starr. He's the real sex criminal here and I hope Bill adequtely exposes The Perverted Inspector.

[playahata1]

27. From "Oprah," Clinton on Ken Starr:

"Not only were we dealing with hysterical media (during the impeachment proceedings), we were also dealing with a man who indicted people because they would not lie about me."

[Pretty_in_CodePink]

34. LOL - Ken Starr wrote that book!

[Lisa]

2. If they want the salacious details, they can just read the Starr Report!

This is an autobiography, not a sex book!

[lancdem]

3. The whole idea is ridiculous

Why would a former president write details about an affair he had? How gross would that be?

[MikeG]

4. Damn! And I wanted to know if she was good at it!!

[2cents]

18. She sucked n/t

[Cocoa]

6. media is really intent on depressing sales

every review says one thing, "do not buy this book, you will be bored."

I wonder how many of these reviewers actually read this book.

[Lisa]

9. "bored" -- as opposed to the thrill-a-minute Bush administration

Influence-peddling by powerful corporations, the suffering and death of idealistic soldiers, the paranoid fantasies of the constitution-destroyers, the apocalyptic bombing of innocent civilians ...

Some of us are tired of big explosions and vindictive threats! I'll take "boring" stuff about diplomacy, economics, and the environment any day.

[ynot]

12. Can't keep a good man down

I agree with your comment. Did you see the interview he gave on Oprah today? It was the best I have ever seen! If he wanted o run again he would win. I am going to buy the book and read it just as it is. He speak more from a personal perspective with practical advice and insights into the dual persona he was forced to live because of the personal and professional attacks.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. puhleeeeze!

Which readers want salacious details? The ruthugs, no doubt.

[PaDUer]

16. Right....let them ask *

about HIS blowjobs, and his daddy.

[They_LIHOP]

8. No matter WHAT the Big Dog does....

It's ALWAYS WRONG to 'some people' - we know who 'they' are!

If he DID go on w/details about the affair, why he did it, etc, don't you think JUST MAYBE it might be a little 'rough' on his WIFE and FAMILY? Like: "Well, ya know, Hillary, she's not really all that hot in the sack if you know what I mean, huh-huh, doesn't really, uh, 'clean her plate', nudge-nudge, so, uh, well, I really just wanted some hot young lovin'"

I mean, WTF is he going to SAY that's not going to hurt his family? If he DID go on and on about 'the reasons', these SAME MOTHERF*CKERS would be whining about how 'insensitive' he was to his wife and daughter for saying these things.

Best that the Big Dog handles it with tact and class, with his eye on his relationship with his family, FIRST AND FOREMOST. Especially if 'the truth' would hurt them, then he should KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT about it. He's under NO obligation to provide salacious details about his marital transgressions. It would be tacky and gross NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS.

He did the right thing. This 'reviewer' is a f***ing IDIOT...

[lancdem]

11. Great post

welcome to DU!

[Pretty_in_CodePink]

35. He did say in the 60 mInutes interview

because "I could". Lots of guys have engaged in sex for the exact same reason. I even have.

[w4rma]

10. I don't give one whit about "Salacious Details". (nt)

[1monster]

13. What a condesending twit!!!

"Next to Salman Rushdie's 'The Satanic Verses' this may be the most purchased but unread book to come along in a long time," Thompson said. "Millions and millions of people will buy this Bill Clinton book, but a significantly smaller number of them will actually read it from start to finish."

[happynewyear]

23. yeah what a shit comparison

Since when is an autobiography anything like "The Satanic Verses"? Are they condemning Bill Clinton before the book has even had the opportunity to be read and considered, not just by some book reviewers, but also by the people that are actually buying the book?

I saw the Oprah interview today and I believe that Clinton will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents in American history. He is primo intelligent and that is why.

Certain people from certain places cannot stand this aspect of Clinton; hence their jealousy is eating them up alive. They will try every possible angle to discredit and humiliate him if at all possible.

If its a good book, people will read it cover to cover - sort of like Gone With the Wind (and perhaps a far better comparison on many levels IMO).

:dem: :kick:

[snorkie]

14. Bought it today....

and I assure you I will read the whole thing. I am reading it to see Clinton's perspective on many things, not to read a detailed hummer description...

Plus, I promise I will read both pages of Bush's auto-biography and I will color in the pictures.

[priller]

15. Clinton book lacks salacious details *JOURNALISTS* want

Or I should say, WHORE MEDIA.

[LibDemAlways]

17. This morning on Democracy Now

Amy Goodman played an interview she did with Pres. Clinton on election day in 2000. He had called her basically to remind people to vote for Gore/Lieberman, but she seized the moment and launched into a series of questions about the death penalty, NAFTA, and sanctions against Iraq. By the end, he was berating her for the tone and substance of the questions. I think he would have welcomed a softball or two about Monica at that point.

I'll buy and read the whole book. But like it or not, among the masses, sex sells - and people will be disappointed that it's My Life, not My Sex Life.

[lancdem]

19. I don't know

Did anyone really think the book would go into detail about that?

[Voltaire99]

30. Good for Amy Goodman - one of the best journalists in America

If Clinton did berate her, it's hardly surprising: he's never wanted to face the moral sewer of his Iraq policy or the foolishness of his backing NAFTA.

[Tellurian]

20. I saw the interview with Oprah, well most of it...

Oprah was so wound up, I didn't think she would ever shut up long enough, to just let the man talk. I think she was a little peeved she wasn't mentioned in his book..After she settled down a bit, Bill was able to complete a sentence or two without her adding, analyzing, concluding, rationalizing...basicly playing Dr.O with BC..

I don't know how it ended. I got pulled away and before I knew it the show was over. Maybe she'll replay it again. I can honestly say, this is the first time I've ever been so annoyed with Ms. Winfrey, as an interviewer.

[Justitia]

28. I wanted Oprah to STFU and let the man talk!!!

Geez! You are totally correct - she had to completely define the conversation at every moment and I wanted to hear from Bill!
She is such a rude interviewer.

Oprah, nobody gives a rat's ass about your summation - let HIM talk!

Beside her annoying overbearingness, I thought the interview went great.

[Carolab]

31. What did you expect?

Oprah supports Bush. She sucks. Always has but especially now that she thinks of herself as some kind of glamor queen. What a joke.

[Piperay]

33. Yeah and I believe

she has gotten even worse (if possible) since she did so much to get groper arnold elected here in CA as Governor. :puke:

[wabeewoman]

21. "turgid prose"

Definition: Excessively ornate or complex in style or language; grandiloquent: turgid prose.
Tsk tsk. Those poor reporters just can't understand Clinton after 3+ years of bush. And the "experts" they quoted were telling-I suspect mostly repuglicans since they are the ones interested in all the sexual details.

[stopbush]

22. I've only read the first 4 chapters...I'm not bored yet.

Geez, I must be un-American as it never even occured to me to check the index for "Lewinsky" first thing! Will I ever be forgiven by real patriots for such an anti-American action?

Come to think of it, I can't recall ever checking a book's index before reading. I usually start at page one and read straight through to the end. I even read the credits and dedications in the Forward. Man, what a dinosaur I am!

[robbedvoter]

24. Wha'? No sex? We wuz robbed! I was sure I'd read it under covers

with a flashlight...Air America reported lines and brisk sales in red states as well (wacco Tx for instance). me thinks they get desperate!

[Lugnut]

25. Bullhockey!

I already know the salacious details thanks to Ken Starr. I will read the book to gain insight about a fascinating American president.

[Dover]

26. REPUBLICANS want the salacious details..but Ken Star already published

them in his report. So Clinton doing so would only be redundant wouldn't it....not to mention stooping to Star's level.
Typical Repuglican Clinton penis envy.

[Dr Fate]

29. I thought the media already covered that part in detail...

zzzzzzzthese guys must really not get laid enough...

[Piperay]

32. I don't care about that crap

I'm more interested in reading about his childhood, his meeting JFK and stuff like that. Geesh, if people want porn they should read Larry Flynt. :argh:

[Ganja Ninja]

36. People buying the Clinton book aren't buying it because the want ...

details about a meaningless little sexual escapade. They are buying it because they loved and admired the man and thought he was a great president. The media whores are hell bent on trying to kill the Clinton legacy. The people standing in line to buy the book aren't swayed by the lies. They weren't swayed during Clinton's term and they aren't swayed by the never ending campaign of character assignation today. In fact it's the campaign against Clinton and how he and his family endured that people want to read about. They want to hear his side for once.