The Pastiche of a Presidency, Imitating a Life, in 957 Pages(Bill's book)

[Scairp]

by Michiko Kakutani

(It's a good thing that the NYT is a LIBERAL newspaper, otherwise Clinton's book might get a POOR review....:eyes: )

As his celebrated 1993 speech in Memphis to the Church of God in Christ demonstrated, former President Bill Clinton is capable of soaring eloquence and visionary thinking. But as those who heard his deadening speech nominating Michael Dukakis at the 1988 Democratic National Convention in Atlanta well know, he is also capable of numbing, self-conscious garrulity.

Unfortunately for the reader, Mr. Clinton's much awaited new autobiography "My Life" more closely resembles the Atlanta speech, which was so long-winded and tedious that the crowd cheered when he finally reached the words "In closing . . ."

The book, which weighs in at more than 950 pages, is sloppy, self-indulgent and often eye-crossingly dull — the sound of one man prattling away, not for the reader, but for himself and some distant recording angel of history.

In many ways, the book is a mirror of Mr. Clinton's presidency: lack of discipline leading to squandered opportunities; high expectations, undermined by self-indulgence and scattered concentration. This memoir underscores many strengths of Mr. Clinton's eight years in the White House and his understanding that he was governing during a transitional and highly polarized period. But the very lack of focus and order that mars these pages also prevented him from summoning his energies in a sustained manner to bring his insights about the growing terror threat and an Israeli-Palestinian settlement to fruition.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/20/books/20CLIN.html?hp=&pagewanted=print&position=

[clydefrand]

1. But I'm gonna

LOVE it!! Can't wait until my copy arrives.

[Scairp]

2. Did you know...?

That, if you had plans to attend one his book signings, often times they require that you buy the book from the bookstore where the signing is taking place?

[candy331]

3. Keep that free publicity going boys

maybe his book will be the best seller next to the Bible with real people buying it and not fake hyped sales like the repugs books.

[Bridget Burke]

8. That's generally the way book signings work.

They're promotional activities put on by book stores.

[hiphopnation]

4. Drudge

has been running this one for over 24 hours, which is long for him.

I do wonder about the timing of the release, however.

[hiphopnation]

5. Drudge

has been running this one for over 24 hours, which is long for him.

I do wonder about the timing of the release, however.

[Scairp]

6. He is not a journalist

This is a NYT book "review". This Ms. Kakutani really took apart both the book and Clinton personally. So much for the liberal bias of the NYT.

[hiphopnation]

7. Haven't read it yet...

but 900+ pages does seem a bit much. :shrug:

[Cheswick2.0]

9. I love long books.... I can't to read it

I am glad this thread reminded me to make sure I reserve my copy with amazon.

[hiphopnation]

10. depends on the subject

900+ for an autobiography does seem a bit much. There would have to be a lot of pontificating going on to talk about yourself for almost 1000 pages. Yikes.

[Scairp]

11. Yes, it is long

Such books are not for the faint of heart. Prolific readers, of which I am one, I'm sure I will have no trouble polishing this one off in short order. I bet I have it read in a week. Or less.:evilgrin: