The President We Deserve: Bill Clinton: His Rise, Falls, and Comebacks

Even before Monica-gate, there were way too many Clinton books. Some of them magazine articles padded out to book length (Elizabeth Drew). Some with axes to grind and ponderous writing (like Bob Woodward). Some written by right wing nuts who have no idea how to write or conduct research. This book is great---written by someone who has perspective (it probably helps that he isn't an American), wit, and skill with words. It will make you think about Clinton about yourself in new ways.

American conservative writers and talk-show hosts won't appreciate Martin Walker's non-partisan and "outsider" perspective on President Bill Clinton. While he recognizes Mr. Clinton's failings--some of the same failings that inflict so many members of the President's generation--Walker also illuminates a deeper significance to Mr. Clinton's leadership. This is seen not only in fiscal responsibility, such as the President's willingness to rebalance America's books after 12 years of deficit spending by Republicans in the White House. Nor does Walker restrict himself to finding significance in the President's support of the American middle-class over the nation's wealthy minority, or in his successful resistance of Draconian legislation proposed by the Republican-led Congress. No, Walker also recognizes a lasting "Clinton Doctrine": the President's emphasis on international trade, rather than international military force, as a means of obtaining peace in this world. This is an innovative tactic, and one of the many important things for which President Clinton is destined to be remembered. I look forward to Walker's full assessment of the Clinton administration after 2001.