My Life, Volume I

By: Bill Clinton

Narrated by: Michael Beck

Length: 24 hrs and 57 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, and his extraordinary capacity for hard work, to serving the public. It shows us the progress of a remarkable American, who, through his own enormous energies and efforts, made the unlikely journey from Hope, Arkansas, to the White House - a journey fueled by an impassioned interest in the political process which manifested itself at every stage of his life: in college, working as an intern for Senator William Fulbright; at Oxford, becoming part of the Vietnam War protest movement; at Yale Law School, campaigning on the grassroots level for Democratic candidates; back in Arkansas, running for Congress, attorney general, and governor.

We see his career shaped by his resolute determination to improve the life of his fellow citizens, an unfaltering commitment to civil rights, and an exceptional understanding of the practicalities of political life.

We come to understand the emotional pressures of his youth - born after his father’s death; caught in the dysfunctional relationship between his feisty, nurturing mother and his abusive stepfather, whom he never ceased to love and whose name he took; drawn to the brilliant, compelling Hillary Rodham, whom he was determined to marry; passionately devoted, from her infancy, to their daughter, Chelsea, and to the entire experience of fatherhood; slowly and painfully beginning to comprehend how his early denial of pain led him at times into damaging patterns of behavior.

President Clinton’s book is also the fullest, 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: the day-to-day bombardment of problems, personalities, conflicts, setbacks, achievements.

It is a testament to the positive impact on America and on the world of his work and his ideals.

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 10-year-old boy watching the national political conventions on his family’s new (and first) television set.
• The young candidate looking for votes in the Arkansas hills and the local seer who tells him, “Anybody who would campaign at a beer joint in Joiner at midnight on Saturday night deserves to carry one box...You’ll win here. But it’ll be the only damn place you win in this county.” (He was right on both counts.)
• The roller-coaster ride of the 1992 campaign.
• The extraordinarily frank exchanges with Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole.
• The delicate manipulation needed to convince Rabin and Arafat to shake hands for the camera while keeping Arafat from kissing Rabin.
• 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. A unique book by a unique American.

This is the first volume in the two-volume unabridged edition of My Life. Listen to My Life, Volume II (Unabridged).

©2004 Bill Clinton (P)2004 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Finalist, Non-Fiction (unabridged), 2005

"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)

Long, but I am not sorry...

At times I wished I had gone for the abridge version, but am glad I choose this version. The book offers interesting incite in to one of the centuries most polarizing figures. It is somewhat self severing, but what autobiography isn't? I would have given it a 4, but narrator Michael Beck's otherwise excellent reading had me screaming at my iPod every time he massacred the names of major figures of the American political scene.

Only Pres. Clinton could have written this one...

This is a must read or listen book for those who want to better understand American politics. This bio could not have been written by anyone other than the Author. It is a good read for politicians of all nations.

Perfect!

A wonderful Victorian-length memoir. And, I even have 26 or so hours to go in Volume II! Well worth the millions he was paid to write it.

Really well performed!

What did you love best about My Life, Volume I?

The narration was wonderful. At first I was disappointed that it was not read by Clinton himself but after 20 minutes it was so easy to get lost in Beck's reading that I almost forgot what Bill Clinton sounds like.

New found respect for Clinton from a Republican

I can now see how Bill Clinton was so successful as President. He has the ability to persuade and make you like him, no matter what he does. He had a tough childhood that put a resolve and strength in him that made him a survivor. He married a woman who would push him farther than we would think possible. He made political hay out of her and turned Hillary into an asset rather than a political liability. He was the governor or a small backwoods state with little other experience and catapulted it into the Presidency through his sheer charm and willpower. Whether you like Clinton or not, he will come out as a different character when you get done reading this book. His revelations about Monica and his reasons (excuses) do not give much new insight into a possibly disastrous situation and he puts it into the context it belongs - as a minor failure by a man with an ego a little too big for his own good. He expands on his personal flogging and begging for forgiveness far more than the episode itself. It would have been interesting to know if there were any political deals struck with Hillary to help her endure this embarrassment, but I'm sure we will never know that whole story. No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, you need to read this book. It will not only tell you about the man, but give you insight into the time we have all lived through.

Wow -- 24 Hours and I am only through Volume 1

I just finished Volume 1. It stops when he gets elected to the White House in 92. It is very interesting and after listening I have forgiven him for Monica. But I cannot believe there is more to hear! I think they should tell you this when you purchase it.

An incredibly honest account of Clinton's life

I was amazed at how open and honest he is about his parents' problems and about how much the draft weighed on him. I'm not even halfway through it and I think it's the best audio book I've ever listened to.

Insightful

This is a frank and honest look into the early years that forged his presidency. Thank you Mr. Clinton.

Good Sleep Medicine

I was keen on listening to Clinton's autobiography and gave it my best effort but I was only able to listen to the first part of the first volume before I became stupified by personal references. I would suggest the abridged version if you have the interest.

I had a hard time with this one...

I consider myself to be a huge Bill Clinton supporter, and really wanted to read this book. I passed up the abridged version because I thought the unabridged would be that much better! My goodness; about two hours into the book I was so incredibly tired of listening to absolutely meaningless stories about third cousins, getting stung by a bee while mowing the lawn, and drinking sweet tea at Sunday supper. I was incredibly disappointed. I fell asleep twice listening to it, and I finally decided that I made a bad purchase and just retired the book without finishing it. Don?t make the same mistake I did. If I had it all to do over again, I?d probably get the abridged version if for no other reason than Clinton reads it himself.