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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.929092
EAN num: 9780684818900
ISBN number: 0684818906
Label: Simon & Schuster
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 512
Printing Date: February 08, 1996
Publishing house: Simon & Schuster
Sale Popularity Level: 240617
Studio: Simon & Schuster
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Who exactly is Bill Clinton, and why was he, of all the brilliant and ambitious men in his generation, the very first in his class to reach the White House? Drawing on hundreds of letters, documents, and interviews, David Maraniss explores the evolution of the personality of our forty-second president from his youth in Arkansas to his 1991 announcement that he would run for the nation's highest office. In this richly textured and balanced biography, Maraniss reveals a complex man full of great flaws and great talents. First in His Class is the definitive book on Bill Clinton.
Amazon.com:
Lots of people have put forth theories on what makes Bill Clinton tick, but the most trustworthy source may be David Maraniss of the Washington Post. Maraniss won a Pulitzer covering Clinton's campaign, and his book on the man is nonpareil; you simply can't understand Clinton without reading Maraniss's anaylsis of his past. When Bill Clinton is good, he is very, very good, and when he's bad, he's exactly like he has been all his life. Fair-minded but no apologist, Maraniss is essentially an inspiring reporter who, virtually alone among Americans, has troubled to interview Clinton's Oxford classmates and therefore knows that Clinton was, according to them, not lying when he said he 'never inhaled'; his classmates devoted hours to teaching Bill to inhale, but he just couldn't do it. Maraniss also casts light on what Clinton did imbibe intellectually at Oxford; precisely what he did to elude the draft, and its moral significance; how Arkansas politics shaped his political style; and what his character and marriage might actually be like. Yes, Maraniss gives us a comic scene in which fiancée Hillary comes through the front door of the campaign headquarters while a young female staffer is hustled out the back--but more importantly, Maraniss puts such events in perspective. As he once observed in the Post, 'The question of whether a president who cannot control his sexual appetite should not be president is a tough one. It might mean that most of our presidents should not have been presidents.'
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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he nails a lot of truth about clinton's early years and presidency...
and/but
david maraniss is also fair... approaching it all as a Fellow Human just trying to get along in the world...
this book was fascinating to read and, like all good biography, taught life lessons ~
it was so interesting because ~ say what you will about bill clinton ~ he's the most interesting capable man of a generation...
anne coulter, christopher hitchens and ALL the folks of that Ilk who are not nearly as impressive as the people they love to skewer... lack everything someone like david maraniss demonstrates: for starters, insights that MATTER...
Rated by buyers -
I decided I hated Clinton a few days after 18 of my brother soldiers were slaughtered in Mogadishu. It was the day the very first load of wounded Rangers came back to the states. I dont expect Presidents to be standing tall every moment wounded troops come back. But I do expect they would have enough decency not to tout their health care initiatives by visiting wounded gang bangers on such a day (as Clinton did). I read this book a few years after that incident. Still hate Clinton and her husband......just not as much!
Mr. Maraniss paints an interesting picture of Bill Clinton. Here is a truly brilliant man who learned the ins and outs of the American political system. A man who can spend a law school semester on the campaing trail yet manage to pass with some intense studying at the least moment (Im a law school grad an freely admit I couldnt do this!). But he also shows us the spoiled child side too. A person who was doted an indulged in his early years and who essentially got everything he wanted. Its no wonder he thought he was too good to serve in the military! Speaking of that Mr. Maraniss puts to bed for all eternity the draft issue. He makes it quite clear Clinton received an induction notice and then did everthing in his power to avoid service. Why should he serve his nation or follow his marriage vows? He was the best of the best and should be above the law!
So there you go. The good and the bad of a very polarizing character in a very intriguing format. Clinton lovers, nows the time to hit the not helpful button and get the hate email flowing!
Rated by buyers -
If you are a right wing nut, stay away from this book, you might actually appreciate and respect Bill Clinton. Maraniss really sheds light on the former President's childhood, initial interest in politics, Arkansas' governorship and his announcement for the presidency. Unbiased and definitely a page-turner. I have read a bunch of Bill Clinton books and this is definitely one of my favorites. You do not need to be a policy wonk or even a political hack to enjoy learning about our 42nd president. Even some of my Republican friends find his ascent interesting and even revealing as to some of his decision making during his time in the White House. A great book, a greater president, two thumbs up!!
Rated by buyers 
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First, the title of this story can be misleading. In highschool, college, at Oxford and Yale, Clinton was never "first in class," based solely on grades. But, who cares? Clinton is one of the best presidents in United States history and Maraniss gives an inside look into the life of this great man despite not interviewing anyone in the Clinton family. He uses research based solely on interviews from those people closest to the man himself. When you reach for this book don't think it will give you an inside look at the presidency. It rolls along in chronological order from birth to announcement of candidacy for the 1992 presidential election so never gets to the presidency. It does however provide some interesting insights into the Clinton marriage, and the Clinton psyche. His temper, although rare is described well in this biography. Overall, it is a great read for anyone who wants to know more about a former president. Everything from his Oxford years and apparent affairs with other women not named Monica Lewinsky or Paula Jones. Perhaps the greatest thing about this book is how Maraniss remains neutral. Regardless of his like or dislike of Clinton, he never shows it.
Rated by buyers -
I'll just start this by saying that I recommend this book wholeheartedly. Maraniss does a fantastic job of creating an incredibly readable work and his research here shines through. Interviews with former friends, old letters, yearbook signatures...! If you want to gain a better understanding of Bill Clinton, both his strengths and weaknesses, I strongly urge you to read this book.
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