My Life

By: Bill Clinton

Narrated by: Bill Clinton

Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

President Bill Clinton's My Life is the strikingly candid portrait of a global leader who decided early in life to devote his intellectual and political gifts to serving the public.

It shows us the progress of a remarkable American, who made the unlikely journey from Hope, Arkansas, to the White House.

President Clinton's audiobook is also the most concretely detailed, most nuanced account of a presidency ever written, encompassing not only the high points and crises but the way the presidency actually works.

It is the gripping account of a president under concerted and unrelenting assault orchestrated by his enemies on the Far Right and how he survived and prevailed.

It is a treasury of moments caught alive, among them:

The roller-coaster ride of the 1992 campaign

The extraordinarily frank exchanges with Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole

The cost, both public and private, of the scandal that threatened the presidency

Here is the life of a great national and international figure, revealed with all his talents and contradictions, told openly, directly, in his own completely recognizable voice.

©2004 Bill Clinton (P)2004 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year, 2005
• Grammy Award Winner, Best Spoken Word Album, 2004

"My Life is, by a generous measure, the richest American presidential autobiography, no other book tells us as vividly or fully what it is like to be president of the United States for eight years." (The New York Times Book Review)

Self Serving

The most self serving, ridiculous book ever. The world revolves around this man...in his mind.

Time in a void

Politicing aside, this book left me with more desire for complete answers than I had when it began. Where is the meat that was so desparately needed in order to clarify some of his most unexplored yet highly controversial exploits? I guess it would depend on what your defination of 'is' is when you are left wondering. His opinions are fairly well articulated if less than complete. I wish I could reclaim the time lost in this book devoid of viable, vibrant and verified information.

Shallow as a political speech

As a Liberal I am not a big fan of Pres. Clinton yet that is not why I don't like this book much. This book is similar to any book written by almost any President. It is meant more to add to thier myth than it is about informing us about the trails, challenges, mistakes, and accomplishments of a human being. Like the political speeches from any politician that strives to sound like it is saying something while not, this book strives to be grand yet it is mostly shallow. It is better than most of its type yet aimed at true believers not those with curious minds.

self serving attempt at justification

The guy is good at spinning and may be worth a read to see how an expert does distorts the facts for his own gain.

Abandoned it after about an hour

Bill Clinton is a much better speaker than writer, unfortunately. The book really has no artistic merit at all, that I could find. It's basically of the form "I did this then I did this then I did this then I did this then I did this...". The style was so irritating that I couldn't bear to continue listening after just an hour. Out of the literally thousands of print books that I've read, and the dozens of audio books, this is one of only 2 or 3 where I couldn't make myself go any farther.

Have You Still No Shame, Mr. Clinton?

With everything he's done, Bill Clinton has the raw material to write one compelling, riveting book. Unfortunately, this one isn't it. Still evasive about Lewinsky, no nuggets of insight into Reagan, zippo about all those last minute pardons. A major disappointment.

Waste.

A pointless and detailed review of insignificant events. Devoid of interesting material or literary talent.

Ideotic

Typicla Clinton. He brings up subjects to sell books but, as a typical politition, never truthfully answers them. Good effort if you love the political mind. Poor if you thought you would get REAL answers.

Questions Still Unanswered

I tried to understand where President Clinton comes from. But after listening to the audio, questions are still not answered. I don't care what he did, but be honest. I have no right to judge anyone; however, the book evades telling his story. Instead I got the opinion he was leaving something out. There are some highlights though. Some of the historical and knowledge of world politics were enlightening. Although I am not a Bill Clinton fan, I feel that he was judged harshly, but he brought it upon himself, because he just wasn't honest. He did do a lot for America and if he would have been honest, I think his legacy would be among the best. His assertion that he understood Al Queida's terrorist issues and placed it at the top of his military priority list...I just don't buy it. President Clinton makes it sound like he could have prevented 9/11. He had his opportunity and was weak to react. President Clinton has been blessed with the ability to communicate both orally and written. This book displays his talents. He is gifted at bringing people together. Unfortunately his character flaws leave questions instead of answers in this book. We are a nation of forgiveness...tell the truth and move onward, but do it at the beginning not after you told lies. In closing, if I had to own this book or not...I would choose not to own the book. Good reading...but would not be part of my library.

Interesting

A great read for his fans, but to most people who are neither fans nor foes, a disappointment. No new revelations or taking responsibility for his actions, just excuses for his actions and criticisms of those who opposed him. As for his impeachment, I don't think he understands that regardless of the topic, you don't commit perjury under oath.