Rating: 
Summary: "It's NOT the economy, stupid!"
Review: As one who has never registered as a member of a political party (but who did not vote for Clinton either term), I did not see the ideas of William Bennett to be too glaringly partisan. His comparison of Clinton to past presidents caught in lies, from Reagan to Nixon to Kennedy showed a careful, thoughtful treatment.The most striking argument he makes, in my opinion, is that the idea that "all politicians lie" is not as accurate as Clinton would like to think we all believe, or "He's no worse than any other, so we should let it go." Bennett does grant that yes, politicians do lie, but that does not make it right, nor does it mean we should EXPECT it of them. He also points out the danger in refusing to differentiate between the "small lies" ("I don't really like to eat that much junk food---but then, I don't really consider McDonalds to be junk food") and the whoppers ("I did NOT have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky" or "It was just a fluke that I didn't get drafted," etc., ad nauseum). A lie is a lie. Republican or Democrat, president, congressman, governor, or mayor. Husband, father, or child. Yes, we need to forgive, but true repentance entails a turning from sin, with a resolution not to do it again. America knows Bill Clinton is not truly repentant and by not being outraged, everyone loses. EVERYONE. The more people I talk with and the more I read about this situation, the more I am convinced that the only people standing behind Clinton anymore are those who are happy with the *representative* form of government that our Constitution ensures, because of his representation of what they stand for...or don't stand for. This book should especially be read by those who have been sitting by (as I have for a long time) and said, "Well, things are going pretty well, so who cares if Clinton cannot even be trusted by his own family--unemployment is low and the economy is cruising, so nobody would ever be able to touch him anyway, he's too popular." Read this book and see how dangerous this attitude is, and why we must refuse to let our sense of outrage die!
Rating: 
Summary: Thought provoking analysis of Clinton's crisis.
Review: Bennett in his typical style thoughtfully summarizes and carefully probes the arguments in this heated controversy. He reminds us that there are inevitable consequences for breaking moral precepts. At times he pushes the argument too far, revealing his anger with Clinton the man. This is unneccesary, he does best when allowing the Presidents words and deeds to prove his argument. I appreciate his candor in finding the independent counsel statute flawed and find it ironic that Clinton renewed the law in 1994.
Rating:
Summary: Bennett destroys the defense of Clinton.
Review: Bennett pulls no punches in his critique of President Clinton. He begins his book by acknowledging that he is a critic of the President. He builds credibilty by stating that this was not always the case. As education secretary he praised Clinton for his education reform while he was governor of Arkansas. That being said, he describes the reasons why he is now very critical of Clinton: an overflow of coruption throughout his administration. Bennett systamatically describes the main arguments that Clinton defenders are using. He then goes on to argue why, in his opinion, they do not measure under intellectual scrutiny. He addresses the bogus notion that this is "all about sex between two consenting adults," to the theological arguments that Clinton's supporters are citing. Bennett attacks some defenses more effectively than others, but on the whole he is successful. It is important to note that Bennett is not simply "preaching to the choir." The purpose of his book is to appeal to the middle ground that is uncertain about Clinton's ability. I enjoyed this book because it cuts to the chase and Bennett makes reading about a seven month old scandal interesting. The only criticism I have is that Bennett runs through all of the Clinton scandals like a dirty laundry list. It is, however, an effective case against Clinton.
Rating:
Summary: This book is a little out of date, but I still enjoyed it!!
Review: Bennett supports his arguments with a wealth of facts as opposed to many on both sides of the political spectrum who are basically into name calling. While I agree that many who thought Clinton's sexual escapades were a disgrace to the office of president, they were forgivable. The perjury, subborning of perjury, and obstruction of justice should have caused his removal from office. It appears to me that the only difference between Clinton and Nixon was that the Republican congressional leadership had enough gumption to call Nixon's hand where the Democrats didn't and the opponents didn't have the power to go it alone. And now it seems that many on the left are hoping for Hillary, thinking this is a way to get Bill another eight years. Way to go, Bennett, in spite of your also having human frailties. At least you can make a point and support it without sinking to filthy language like some of the reviewers of this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Holy Dice Rolling
Review: Bennett tries to sound philosophical but he's not. His representation of opposition arguments is unethical in that it's a clear series of straw-man arguments, he deliberately misrepresents them in order for them to be easily knocked down. Not only that, but it's apparent the guy has his head way up his ass. I can't help but smile at the hypocrisy. Bennett could actually write this pretentious, self-righteous pile-of-crap while he was depositing eight million dollars into a slot machine! Eight million dollars! That's a lot of goddam coins! I also got a kick out of Bennett lecturing about the profundity and spirituality of sex. Gimme a break! We don't need a whale-of-a-man telling us about how sex should be. But since we're on the topic Bill, I understand missionary might be the only way to go for a puritan such as yourself, but for the sake of Mrs. Bennett what do you say you condsider an alternative? Female superior, or at the very least, a weight-neutral position, should be given some consideration. If you're a moral fundamentalist or you just hate the Clintons, this book's for you. If you like to periodically read books that confirm for you how psychologically jumbled up some people are, this book's for you. If you like reading things that are, what's the word I'm looking for, worthwhile, this book's definitely not for you.
Rating:
Summary: Proof of the Clinton moral decay!
Review: How does it feel to have your life destroyed by other people making hay out of your personal weaknesses? What goes around comes around, Billy Boy! Feel the pain, man. You were never able to feel anyone else's. Better men than you were mocked for feeling the pain of others. Maybe after this, you'll understand that forgiveness, tolerance, and understanding are virtues, and hypocrisy is not. Seems to me that there is more reason to burn Bennett books than smash Dixie Chicks CD's. At least the Chicks spoke out of their convictions, not out of calculation.
Rating:
Summary: A timeless account of events long past...
Review: I read this short book recently, even though the events on which the book focuses are long past. I still do not know what made me pick the tiny thing up, but I am glad that I did. Bennet's college major of philosophy is easily recognized here as he discusses the events and arguments which occurred in the midst of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. Each chapter is organized into a group of claims and arguments made in defense of Bill Clinton, followed by a clear, concise examination of those arguments with refuting points, except in the rare case where Bennet agrees with the defense. (I believe this only occurs once.) Again, the reader should appreciate Bennet's grasp on philosophy, both in his ability of clearly mold an argument as well as his convincing ideas on ethics. The thing about this book that is best, though, is that Bennet frequently writes in general terms, offerring insights into what makes a respectable, effective, and moral leader as opposed to what does not - the latter often displayed through Bill Clinton's actions and words. The people who I believe should read this most are those who are inclined to make the very arguments with which Bennet begins each chapter. I was disheartned by Clinton before, but my distaste turned to disgust after reading this. More so, however, I became upset with my own lack of outrage. This is a truly timeless examination of the importance of quality and morality for leaders of all time.
Rating:
Summary: Tight, concise analysis of the Clinton labyrinth of lies
Review: If you are one who SUPPORTS the notion that character doesn't count then this is a book that will not make much of a difference in your belief system. However, if forthrightness, integrity, and honesty are important leadership traits to you then this is a must read. Mr. Bennett lays the facts before the reader in clear, easy to understand language and debunks Clinton supporters' point for point with Clinton's own words. One reviewer stated his dislike for the personal tone that the book sometimes takes. But what has not been realized by the reviewer is that the contorted double helix of untruths the president and his men have fashioned has made a book of this matter necessary. Ultimately only those individuals who would avoid reality will find great fault in this simple, yet eloquent, book that exposes the man know as William Jefferson Clinton for what he is. Even more... it tells us about ourselves. And you will not like what you'll see.
Rating:
Summary: Buy it used for $0.01? It is a waste of your money.
Review: In this era of narrowmindedness and conservative and reactionary clap-trap, this serves as a sterling example that if you fill a book with enough vitriol, someone will buy it. I long for a day when the two nations of the United States (The "right" wing and everybody else) will be healed. Perhaps this is just a resurfacing of an even older wound, namely the Civil War. The Republicans of the South (and elsewhere) continually defending the Confederate battle flag (note: it was only a battle flag, not the CSA national flag) and by proxy segregation and slavery. It is with bitter irony that a Republican freed the slaves, since now they are the party of the elite. This book is like all the other Clinton bashing books, high on venom, low on truth. If you like that kind of book...well you can buy one for a penny used. For everyone else, save your penny; God knows you will have to save more than that to survive this Bush economy!
Rating:
Summary: Buy it used for $0.01? It is a waste of your money.
Review: In this era of narrowmindedness and conservative and reactionary clap-trap, this serves as a sterling example that if you fill a book with enough vitriol, someone will buy it. I long for a day when the two nations of the United States (The "right" wing and everybody else) will be healed. Perhaps this is just a resurfacing of an even older wound, namely the Civil War. The Republicans of the South (and elsewhere) continually defending the Confederate battle flag (note: it was only a battle flag, not the CSA national flag) and by proxy segregation and slavery. It is with bitter irony that a Republican freed the slaves, since now they are the party of the elite. This book is like all the other Clinton bashing books, high on venom, low on truth. If you like that kind of book...well you can buy one for a penny used. For everyone else, save your penny; God knows you will have to save more than that to survive this Bush economy!
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