William Jefferson Clinton (Profiles of the Presidents)

Rating:
Summary: A nice introductory junvile biography of Bill Clinton
Review: In setting the tone for this juvenile biography of William Jefferson Clinton for the Profiles of the Presidents series, Ann Heinrichs highlights Clinton's reputation as the "Comeback Kid," who never quits. This is used to explain why Clinton defeated an incumbent Republican president who enjoyed the highest popularity rating of all time, became the first Democratic president to be re-elected since Franklin Roosevelt, and survived an impeachment. The key question for most teachers or parents before recommending this book for young readers may well be what does this book have to say about the impeachment and the circumstances around it. Heinrichs explains that Clinton was accused of having improper relations with a young female White House intern and that when questioned about it, Clinton did not tell the truth. With regards to the resolution, she makes two points. First, that most Americans apparently cared more about the booming U.S. economy than about Clinton's personal life. Second, that the Clintons were cleared of any wrongdoing in the six-year, multi-million dollar Whitewater investigation. That is certainly even-handed enough and it is reasonable that a volume that is perfectly suited to being a young student's introduction to the life of this particular President does not get into the sordid details.

This book does provide some indication of what it meant to label Clinton a "New Democrat," but most of the emphasis is the key events in his political career. Young readers might have a hard time distinguishing between those things that Clinton wanted to do, such as provide a major overhaul of the U.S. health system, and what his Administration actually did accomplish during his two terms in the White House. But given that the Profiles of the Presidents series is ideally suited to be the first juvenile biography students read about Clinton or any other President, emphasizing biographical details over political philosophy makes a certain amount of sense. One of the signatures of this superb little series is that these books are profusely illustrated with historic and contemporary photographs (including a photograph of the Clinton birthplace in Hope, Arkansas, taken in a pouring rain, and the famous one of young Clinton shaking hands with President Kennedy), most of which are in color. In the back of the book you will find a glossary, fast facts about the president, a parallel timeline of world and presidential events, an index, and other resources that young readers can use to help them understand the life and times of William Jefferson Clinton better.

Rating:
Summary: A nice introductory junvile biography of Bill Clinton
Review: In setting the tone for this juvenile biography of William Jefferson Clinton for the Profiles of the Presidents series, Ann Heinrichs highlights Clinton's reputation as the "Comeback Kid," who never quits. This is used to explain why Clinton defeated an incumbent Republican president who enjoyed the highest popularity rating of all time, became the first Democratic president to be re-elected since Franklin Roosevelt, and survived an impeachment. The key question for most teachers or parents before recommending this book for young readers may well be what does this book have to say about the impeachment and the circumstances around it. Heinrichs explains that Clinton was accused of having improper relations with a young female White House intern and that when questioned about it, Clinton did not tell the truth. With regards to the resolution, she makes two points. First, that most Americans apparently cared more about the booming U.S. economy than about Clinton's personal life. Second, that the Clintons were cleared of any wrongdoing in the six-year, multi-million dollar Whitewater investigation. That is certainly even-handed enough and it is reasonable that a volume that is perfectly suited to being a young student's introduction to the life of this particular President does not get into the sordid details.

This book does provide some indication of what it meant to label Clinton a "New Democrat," but most of the emphasis is the key events in his political career. Young readers might have a hard time distinguishing between those things that Clinton wanted to do, such as provide a major overhaul of the U.S. health system, and what his Administration actually did accomplish during his two terms in the White House. But given that the Profiles of the Presidents series is ideally suited to be the first juvenile biography students read about Clinton or any other President, emphasizing biographical details over political philosophy makes a certain amount of sense. One of the signatures of this superb little series is that these books are profusely illustrated with historic and contemporary photographs (including a photograph of the Clinton birthplace in Hope, Arkansas, taken in a pouring rain, and the famous one of young Clinton shaking hands with President Kennedy), most of which are in color. In the back of the book you will find a glossary, fast facts about the president, a parallel timeline of world and presidential events, an index, and other resources that young readers can use to help them understand the life and times of William Jefferson Clinton better.