All Too Human Abridged

Rating:
Summary: Awesome Read
Review: This was the greastest, most heartfelt piece of liturature that has ever come out of the Clinton Administration. This non-fiction version or Primary Colors, left the fiction version in the dust, with its humor and honesty.

Rating:
Summary: The Mis-Education of George Stephanopolous.
Review: Stephanopolous is proof that Republicans do not corner the market on morality. His memoirs of being one of the "president's men" demonstrate his true-grit at a time when principles and convictions took a backseat to polls and egos. As far as being egocentric -- who isn't? Stephanopolous makes clear that the only thing keeping him sane in an otherwise insane world of polls, political theory and crackpots was a sense of self awarness; An awareness that he was as much a part of the system which he battled to change that changing the system meant changing himself. Perhaps that is what makes Stephanopolous the "uber-protagonist".

Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT BOOK!
Review: I was so thoroughly impressed with this excellent insider's account of the Clinton world. Perhaps such an eye openning book of a president should not be released while he is still in office, however, Steph. presents an extremely fair look at President Clinton and does not pull any punches against himself. Many advisor tell-alls make large and disingenuous boasts about how the author was the one true guiding light or was thoroughly repulsed by the president's behavior; George is honest about his mistakes and how he often eagerly went along with ethically lacking innovative political techniques . Again, GREAT BOOK!

Rating:
Summary: Fasinating account of two very human people working together
Review: Normally you would expect a book written by a friend and close advisor to the President to remain unpublished until completion of the President's term in office. Such a delay would be a courtesy to avoid embarrassment resulting from detailed revelations in the book. Because this book was published before the end of President Clinton's second term, I expected it was going to be a "stab them in the back" and "get even" book about an "all too human" President. However, the astonishing admission of driving ambition, monumental ego and specific accounts of devastating mistakes were not reserved for the President. Mr. Stephanopouls (S) addmitted that he, too, was "all too human." The book became a fasinating account of two very human people managing to work together towards accomplishing something good for the country despite the incredible pressure of the oval office, the political stage and their own human weaknesses. The book, I think, was published before the end of the President's term as an attempt to defend and support the President and his administration. The defense is based on full disclosure, warts and all, rather than spin and hide. The great irony of the book is that the President sees it as a betrayal rather than a defense. One other irony is, that despite the passionate support contained in this book, it was necessary for Mr. S to add a footnote commenting on the Lewinsky affair that occurred after he left the staff. He felt the affair, and the way it was handled, were indefensible. If you are a political junkie, as I am, definitely spend your money to buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book with many dimensions
Review: In college, I majored in business and minored in poli sci. I made a career in business (now being 2 years older than GS), but still keep a close eye on politics. This book touched each world for me. There are no bombshells here. GS took the high road and I'm sure that there are a lot more damning thoughts in his head if that was what he set out to accomplish. The book gives the reader insight as to how decisions are made in Washington and the press coverage (or White House spoon feeding) of those decisions. I found the most informative passages to be his explanation of the nuances of his job -- like correcting the lanaguage in a speech that the President wrote without offending him -- the whole deal with Dick Morris and the mating game that they played -- the silent treatment that he would get from the President when he was on his bad side. From a business or career perspective, I also found the book to be insightful. GS is not shy about voicing his support for the President's ambitions but also letting the reader know that he had ambitions of his own -- who doesn't. I also enjoyed the discussion of his feelings when he was in political exile for a year and his thoughts on how to get back into the fold. GS was also very candid about sizing up the participants in various meetings, signaling that some were friends and some were foes (or neutral). Finally, the last minute changes that are made to a major presentation or speech happens all the time in business. My only two complaints are his reference to his "celebrity status" and his reference to "Kay" Graham. These are minor irritants and highlighted to me that there is more ego in GS than I originally believed from following his career. Finally, I came away from the book respecting Clinton's political skills more than when I started. Clinton is portrayed as very hands on and personally synthesizes the points that each of his advisors are making rather than asking for a recommendation that he can simply say yes or no to. Clinton is clearly a CEO and not Chairman of the Board (albeit a lying CEO, but hands on nonetheless). Excellent read, though not a bombshell that some may have been wanting.

Rating:
Summary: learned a great deal about the sensationalism of the media
Review: As a woman coming of age in the era of Princess Diana, O.J. Simpson and Moinca Lewinsky, I learned more about the press and their intentions than anything else in this book. The time spent spinning stories that seem only to be created to sensationalize and sell papers is abhorrant and dangerous. This supposedly "shocking tell all" of the President told little new about the scandals of the President, but refreshingly revealed how much work the administration was actully trying to get done in between fending off media attacks, some fair, some not fair. I walked away from this book liking President Clinton and Hilary MORE than I had going into it. The book portrayed Clinton as a flawed idealist, Hilary as compassionate, brilliant and sensitive and Gore as quick-witted and clever. An administration that was trying to change the world but given only soundbites to do it in. It is also apparent that G.S. still respects and admires them greatly. I found this book to be more of a critique on himself and the state of our media than on the Leader he admired and served.

Rating:
Summary: Readable, fun, for everyone.
Review: Story is fun to read, while not leaving out the technical info so the Poli Sci people are satisfied. Good Stuff.

Rating:
Summary: Worth a look
Review: Stephanopoulos' style is appealing & makes for a quick read. He leaves out some details that might make the story more colorful (especially about his own life), yet includes others that seem irrelevant. While reading the book, I always felt he was holding something back from me as the reader, and it bothered me throughout the book. I wonder if he had waited until the end of the Clinton presidency, would this book have been more in-depth? For someone who had once considered the priesthood in the Greek Orthodox Church a profession, his Machiavellian world of Clinton politics is certainly a far cry.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting insights by a former "in the loop" guy
Review: When I put this book down I could only think of one thing: my hors d'oeuvres were burning. And they were right out of Martha Stewart's new handbook on hors d'oeuvres! I rushed to the kitchen, but, alas, the cornhash and cheese on crackers was all but ruined. What did this make me think about Clinton? I'll tell you: he did it! He ruined my introduction into the world of Martha Stewart recipes. For once in my life I thought I'd found the answer to problems that plagued our nation (formerly I thought they were very cagely concealed in Max Planck's quantum physics equations). That George! He's got something here worth paying attention to, something on... on page 42.... no.... but read it anyway. It might make some sense to you. I'm just stilled steamed over those tasty treats that I'll have to start over again. Let's see, here is the guacamole, here's the lime, here's the ketamine...

Rating:
Summary: A Look at the Day to Day Life of a Political Leader
Review: This book held my interest from the first page to the last. I enjoyed it on several levels, as a peek into the highest political office, as the story of one young man's career path, and as a study of how political decisions and consensus are reached. I was struck at how many actions were dictated by The Tradition Stall (that's the way every President has done it) and, at the same time, by how much of the President's day to day job had to be reinvented for each administration change. Instead of building on the lessons learned from the previous White House, the new group seemed intent on "doing things their own way" which usually meant ignoring everything - good and bad - and wasting a lot of time. I think they would have benefited from reading THE 2,000 PERCENT SOLUTION, learning about common stalls and how to circumvent them. The courtship of Mario Cuomo for the Supreme Court was a classic "Communications Stall" fed by too much wishful thinking. This book delivered on the hype and will be enjoyed by anyone interested in the political process that is not already privy to the elite power circles of Washington.