Rating: 
Summary: Overall an easy and enjoyable read
Review: Joe Klein, journalist and author of "Primary Colors," has written a very light and easy-to-read book about the Clinton presidency. This book is not a tell all, nor does it document all the facts of Clinton's two terms. Instead, in broad strokes, Klein wants to capture a fairly big or overall portrait of the Clinton presidency. With some exceptions, he seems to do a fine job.The book essentially reads like an extended Newsweek article. It is not very meaty, the sentences are short and simple, and one could easily read this book on a longer plane ride. Klein takes us from Arkansas where Clinton was preparing for the primaries, though two terms at the White House, and through key moments of the Clinton Presidency such as healthcare reform, reelection, Lewinsky, and legislative battles. In short, it is a broad overview and not a detailed account of Clinton's eight years. Somewhere in the middle of the book Klein takes a serious right turn for about twenty pages and discusses Newt Gingrich's rise to power. Frankly, I thought the subject could have been handled in half the pages. The tangent is interesting, but I really don't see how it adds much to Klein's account of Clinton's presidency. The twenty pages might have been better used by looking at another aspect of a presidency that continues to ignite debates and stir emotions. The other disappointing aspect of this book is the author's word choice. The book is easy and light reading, but every five or so pages, like clockwork, we see some odd language use that is seriously out of place. We hear about "North Carolina's antediluvian Visigoth senator..." somewhere toward the end of the book. This is but one example, but many more can easily be found throughout. Other reviewers provide such examples and I won't reiterate. I'll just say that nobody talks like this, and I can't help but wonder why an accomplished writer would want to write like this. The language is seriously out of place relative to the rest of the book. That said, Klein's view of the Clinton presidency is interesting even if there are no new arguments or insights. Klein is certainly one of a small number of people in a position to write such a book. He was there, alongside Clinton in a sense, from start to finish. As a result, we get an interesting perspective and an enjoyable read. This book is certainly worth reading. Little annoyances aside, I am glad I took the time to learn more about this presidency. In a sense, it makes me look forward to Clinton's autobiography. I suspect the story of Bill Clinton is far from finished.
Rating: 
Summary: An insightful, if somewhat superficial, book
Review: Klein, the author of Primary Colors, probably is the most perceptive commentator on Clinton. The Natural is an analysis of Clinton's tenure as President. Klein is a moderate Democrat, and his political bias shows through at some points. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem; however, in this case, a few good points are obscured by writing that falls into hack political journalism a little too much. At a few points, "The Natural" inexplicably leaves its analysis of Clinton to discuss the rise of smear politics, the hypocrisy of the Right that impeached Clinton, or the bias of the media against Clinton. I disagree with some of the points he makes on these subjects, and I agree with some. However, the real problem is that it makes the book oddly disconnected, and seperates Klein from the real reason to read him: his perceptions on Clinton. The discourses that Klein goes off are only tangentially related to Clinton.. In a larger book, with more space, they would be appropriate. However, they take the place in "The Natural" of more relevant information. One gets the sense that Klein was trying to score political points, when all you want him to do is describe Clinton honestly. Still, there are major themes in this book that make it worthwhile. Klein tackles questions such as what Clinton will be remembered for, why the Lewinsky scandal gained such traction, who had his ear at what time in his Presidency, and which of his qualities accounted for his successes. He makes solid arguments that Clinton accomplished a good deal of real policy work as President (a rather new assertion), and excellently documents the workings and powers in the Clinton White House. "The Natural" is by no means the definitive book on the Clinton Presidency. It is, however, by far the best available to us at the moment.
Rating:
Summary: Short-Cut to Understanding Eight Years
Review: The Natural by Joe Klein will surprise few people, particularly those who have read his fictional Primary Colors, but it is a wonderful introduction to eight very strange years in American politics. Bill Clinton's biggest tragedy as a president was that he did not live through a time of crisis (beyond those sordid ones that he created for himself) because the evidence suggests he could have risen to the challenge with the utmost skill. He was a truly fascinating politician with an a amazing and powerful love of the game of politics. This book hits all the high (and low) lights of his reign and often gives a balanced and intelligent assessment. The author touches effectively on the changes brought to goverment by the arrival of Baby Boomers into government, such as Clinton and his easily bested foe, Newt Gingrich, in order to supply a context for the narrative. The book is short so it does not dwell on policy issues and cabinet ministers much but it is a nicely done remembrance piece.
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