Rating: 
Summary: a collapse of maturity
Review: about as helpful, intelligent and/or reliable as a ham sandwich, this book is one man's bitter tirade against an administration who decided he needn't work for them. the ambition and reasoning for writing the book is solely for the money coming in for book sales - do not believe it was any sort of civic duty.
the book grounded up Aldrich's reliability and outright respectability. he is no more than a whiner and opportunist with this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Unsavory truths
Review: Although the this book seems a little old, when political
events unfold on a daily basis, it is a very truthful and
candid look at the early years of the Clinton White House
years and the sloppy, self-centered occupants. It would
be funny to read about Bill Clinton trying to run and hide
from an angry, vulgar, cursing Hillary if it wasn't so sad.
Many insights into the type of people who worked in that White
House and their casual attitude toward their work and the American public, and their callous disregard for basic security
for both the President and the US.
And it's too bad everyone who might consider voting for Hillary
isn't required to at least read what is noted here about her
behavior and character. Her self-absorbed, continual efforts
to benefit herself, to the detriment of absolutely everyone
else have to be eye-opening.
But most of her fans aren't interested in the truth, but real
students of politics will want to learn the truth. Which is
presented here by a first-hand observer.
Rating:
Summary: What if only a fraction of this stuff was true?
Review: I absolutely love reading about the "most moral and ehtical" administration in history. Whitewater, Filegate, Travelgate, Chinagate, Buddhist monks forking over cash, special prosecutors, Paula Jones, Monica, Kathleen, stained dresses, phone sex, cigars, drug dealers at White House functions, impeachment, acquittal, and last-minute skanky pardons: now THAT'S entertainment! I kind of miss not having the Clintons around--there was never a dull moment, that's for sure.I first read Gary Aldrich's book, UNLIMITED ACCESS, years ago, and have since reread it. The author, who was strong-armed out of the FBI after clashing with the Clinton administration, provides an entertaining read about widespread corruption, incompetence, and silly shenanigans on the part of the idealogues from Arkansas. From stonewalling background checks to abusing security access, the Clinton people made sure that every day was a bad day for the FBI staff at the White House. Aldrich relates so many anecdotes and accounts that I found myself in a state of disbelief (after all, there couldn't be that much corruption); yet, if only 10 percent of the author's allegations were true, that's enough to provide an eye-opener to even the most ardent Clinton-lover. That Aldrich has an agenda--that the author has nothing but contempt and disgust for the Clintons--is more than obvious as the reader moves through this book. Some of the personal attacks went over the top ("Clinton has the face of a drinker."), and some of the "rumors" passed along by Aldrich are downright laughable (e.g., sneaking the President out of the White House so he could entertain his harlots at the local Marriott), yet the author presents enough firsthand information to make any reader question the competence and integrity of the new administration in town. UNLIMITED ACCESS is a refreshing "blast from the past," a reminder of the goofiness that was in power for eight years, and a sigh of relief that our nation no longer has to endure such embarrassment.
Rating:
Summary: Suprisingly good
Review: I didn't expect much from this book, and I have to say that Mr. Aldritch does seem a bit of a prude at times. Still, what he has to say is important, and it seems that as time goes by he is revealed to be more right than wrong.
Rating:
Summary: A Frightening Expose of Life in Clinton White House.
Review: I read this book many years ago (when it first came out), and have since read it again. Seeing the way that Special Agent Aldrich was treated by the Establishment press made me understand what a powder keg of a book it really was! Aldrich was easily dismissed then; but I wonder if his revelations would be as easily cast aside now with the impeachment done with, and yet more scandals looming that could cast a pall on Vice President Al Gore's run for the presidency. When I read about the Christmas tree being decorated with drug paraphernalia, and stories about how Clinton administration officials weren't too concerned about finishing their FBI background checks (an absolute requirement designed specifically to weed out those who would do harm to national security). Such things have been the status quo of this particular administration. The way in which Clinton reacted to the Waco siege is particularly brow-raising in view of the evidence that has come out since (the use of flammable CS canisters was STILL not enough to bring about possible punishment of federal officers who allegedly lied about its use during the siege). The reaction by Aldrich to Vincent Foster's supposed suicide is interesting in retrospect as well. Aldrich doesn't have much new to say to that, except when he regards the fact that Foster was not an imbalanced person in his view, and the agent contends that something was not quite right about the president's longtime friend killing himself (reporter Christopher Ruddy ran afoul of Clintonite spinmeisters by maintaining that Foster,indeed, was a victim of foul play. If it was complete tripe, why did Carville and other Clinton godchildren go after him like they did?). I am well aware that the radical egalitarians and/or moral relativists out there will still call this book a piece of trash, and repeat the old mantra "the book a waste of a tree", or some such nonsense. But I wholeheartedly disagree. Aldrich's take on the Clintons (especially Hillary, who would throw a poisonous glance at anyone who dared look at her, or worse yet, say "Good morning!" to her!) is interesting, and presupposes the era of Monica and the subsequent impeachment on grounds of obstruction of justice and witness tampering (not...ahem...just sex...please...). I will add to this that I do think Aldrich wrote the book because he disliked the Clintons, not just because of his conservative leanings, which are very evident. The book is deducted a star because I think it was too much a motivating factor; I would have preferred an expose based solely on what he saw. Keeping this in mind, read the book that first opened the eyes of many who wondered just how far the Clintons could go with the Scandal-of-the-Month administration they created. Yes, folks, character DOES count. This book clearly shows why.
Rating:
Summary: Terrifying!!
Review: I think every American should read this book! It shows what really goes on in the White House. This book is very believable and yet I wanted for it to be untrue. It is terrifying to find out how the national security of this country is being compromised on a daily basis. How is it that the American people have been so completely wrong about the President and his wife. And why is Congress, the FBI and CIA overlooking the problems within the Clinton administration. Mr. Aldrich gives facts not only on the unprofessionalism of the white house staff but also on their refusal to complete the necessary background checks and the fact that many of them have used drugs numerous times and may still be using them while working there. The counsel for the president actually allows this behavior. Then there is the president and first lady who often compromise their own safety by not allowing the Secret Service to protect them. The first lady allowed sex and drug paraphenilia to be hung on her Christmas tree. What kind of message is that to be sending the American youth. The list of atrocities goes on and on. The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is that it gets a bit redundant at times. Mr. Aldrich tends to make the same point over and over. Other than that, it is a must read. My husband is reading it now and I have at least 6 friends who also want to read it. Thanks Mr. Aldrich for the information and thanks for having the "guts" to publish it.
Rating: 
Summary: Why is everyone afraid to talk about this guy
Review: I was surprised how long ago this came out and I had never heard of it. I thought this was a different prospective than most of the book I have read on this subject. I didn't think that the story was sensationalized. I don't know why the media or Congress didn't get in on this.
I guess I believe the people who work at the White House should be the best in their field and maintaining that standard through background checks does not seem outrageous.
I can't understand why the Clinton's hated the FBI and the Secret Service people so much they were there to help them. If it is true of how Hillary Clinton acted in the White House and the Media didn't report it, then the media is truly Liberal.
I was surprised how much trouble Mr. Aldrich had in publishing the book and the problems he had with the FBI so that it was OK to print.
The best part of the book was some of the interviews that he had with staff that had done illegal drugs. Some of their responses of surprise and how they acted in general was pretty comical.
There seems to have been a lot of corruption in that administration. I guess the thing that frightened me the most was letting foreign agents see classified material if they were willing to pay off the Clintons.
I was surprised how much power Bill Clinton had to give up because of his philandering. No wonder Hillary Clinton was will to cover it up because she got all the power. She was truly disrespectful to people which is why she got so burned on that health care thing.
I could not understand why no one prosecuted Hillary Clinton for all the illegal things she did was it because she could always get a pardon from the President, I do not know.
I was surprised at the end about Bill Clinton's education and his Rhodes Scholar education where he never took classes and just mooched off of other people. I guess he has been doing that all his life.
It you want to see some basic problems with the Clinton administration that go beyond politics check out this book. If you think the Clinton's were straight arrows you will hate this book.
Rating:
Summary: Fun Filled It is...Fact Filled well that's questionable
Review: Of course if you are on the right youkind of cheer, if you are
in the middle-left like me and giggle. Kiss and Tell has always been that sort of thing. When something is written by a disgruntled person they will certainly mention everything bad and throw in a little extra colour too. It certainly is aimed to take Bill and Hill down a bit, whether it does is an open question. The main feeling I get is a guy who liked the old way of doing things and who finds the new way pretty disgusting. The big lack is there is no real insight just a lot of complaining and bad Billy noises. I mean it would be nice
if I got some way to see into the Clinton's character I would have been happier. I mean going on and on about how snarly and cold Hilary was . How the Clinton staffers were poorly dressed does not show them to be incompetent or dishonest. More about the FBI's role would have been better....I mean one is supposed to focus on a book's content in a review. What I feel compelled to do is focus on what I had hoped for that didn't happen. Like how did the Bureau fucntion, was it hampred by politics etc. My thoughts are, if you are on the right biy this book buy this book it will give you pleanty of Bad Billy stories. Elsewise look elsewhere for examples of Clinton's character both positive and negative
Rating: 
Summary: Unlimited Hypocrisy
Review: The liberal-at-all-costs negative reviews by Amazon.com's own reviewer, Library Journal, and other know-it-all elites clash strongly with the views of normal, honest Americans just below who have read the book, have no political axes to grind and no agendas to prop up. The wrongheaded, truth-be-damned hypocrisy of the simpering liberal literary establishment was clearly on display in its hatchet-job reviews and negative tone about this Gary Aldrich book about Clinton vs. its glowing, fawning, "good messenger" reviews of Bush-hater-of-the-month-club books by Richard Clarke and Joseph Wilson.
Rating:
Summary: Revealing if a bit odd...
Review: This behind-the-scenes book is revealing at times and rather odd at others. Aldrich does a commendable job at describing the libertine days of the Clinton White House. The details are researched well (as a professional background researcher) and written quite well, given the fact that the author is not a writer. Still, the entire thing seems almost as childish as the Clinton White House. For evey insightful revelation about security breaches and misconduct, is a comment about the "girlishness" of the men and the "dorm-room" mentality of the WH inhabitants. The author makes pains to say how impartial and apolitical he is, but his anti-Clinton views seep in rather unsubtly--though whether this was an antecedant to his contact with the Clintons or was formed by it is not really revealed. This book--rather short, and easy to read--has quite a few funny anecdotes (the Christmas tree scene is great fun) and the author can keep a sense of humor about the entire thing. Clinton supporters will rightly call it anti-Clinton propaganda. Anti-Clintonites will be comfortable with his level of antipathy and take the stories to heart. This book could have been written in a more objective manner, to give it a bit more weight. As it stands, it just seems like a right-wing crank venting about the hippies in the White House. His credentials are impeccible, and I do not fault him for his position or his honesty. But the book hardly shows this level of professionalism. Is this an important book? Yes, it is--it confirms many of the things we already knew about the Clintons, and it's good to have a concrete source for it. On the other hand, it's written in such a biased way that it's hard to use it in arguments, since Clinton supporters can point to numerous passages that display Aldrich's bias. I would have preferred a less biased book with the same amount of information.
|
