Rating: 
Summary: The Clinton Presidency--A Cautionary Tale
Review: This book features many interesting insights, as seen through
the eyes of a dedicated military officer. It probably will not
change many minds. For those people still in denial about the
damage done by the Clintons, it will probably trigger contempt
and outrage. For the folks who believe the Clintons were
disastrous for the long-term security of our country, this will
be just more evidence of that fact. I honestly detected little
personal animosity by the author toward Bill Clinton. He is
simply reporting, from a miliary officers' perspective, how
the unfocused and lackadaisical behavior of our commander-in-
chief from 1993-2001 was detrimental to our nation's security.
Rating:
Summary: Rating the Man
Review: I have not read this book but I will tell you that I have heard him speak and met him at the United States Air Force Academy, he has no axe to grind and when he spoke about his time with the president to us, he made no mention of abuses out of respect for the President, and for our young cadet minds. I will buy this book because I trust this man, and I am sure he will tell it like it is, if you are willing to listen.
Rating: 
Summary: Too little, Too late
Review: When I was an NCO, and later a Warrant Officer in the Army, I was amused by the endless stream of complaints (many justified) that appeared in the "ARMY TIMES"- always anonymously. Military careerists tend to be surprisingly risk-averse, at least when it comes to anything which could hurt their chances of promotion.This book didn't tell me anything I didn't already know about Clinton- the worst person ever to have been President, as George Will memorably said. I wonder, though, why revelations with such severe impact on national security had to wait until Clinton had been out of office for more than two years? Why didn't the author resign (he was certainly employable in the civilian airline sector- and he could have revealed what he knew when it might have done some good).
That said, I agree with the reviewers who believe that the facts in this slim book would have made a good 3,000 to 5,000 word magazine article, but were padded outrageously to put between hard covers. DE OPPRESSO LIBER!
Rating: 
Summary: Republicans Trying to Shift Focus
Review: I'd give this book 1 star because 0 is not an option. In typical Republican spin, the book draws on CURRENT feelings of national insecurity and tries to shift blame to the past. Since when was it Clinton who had the US on the brink of nuclear disaster? To believe the past administration is the root of our current crisis is a laugh. I don't know about you, but I felt pretty safe during the Clinton era and things seemed to be going pretty well for the country compared to now. Lets be realistic - the man who is really putting us in danger is our current President. Its been 2 years since Bush took office, and since that time we've had 9/11, gone to war with Iraq (inconceivable a few years back), and broken international law repeatedly as well as isolating ourselves from the body that holds international diplomacy together - the UN. The current war mongering administration seems to be encouraging a worldwide hatred of the US and continues to move forward with its imperialistic objectives, damn the costs, in its typically mule-headed, imperalistic, and inherently dangerous fashion. The Bush administration didn't care what the people thought when the Supreme Court appointed him as our President nor does it care now. Whereas Clinton had an understanding of worldwide politics, Bush seems to take a Star Wars mentality, in which good is currently at war with evil. Now who is scarier?
Rating: 
Summary: Scary Stuff - Give Me a New Opinion of Bubba
Review: First off, I want to state that I'm a diehard Republican who's always been a bit embarassed at just how much hatred my fellow conservatives have towards Clinton. After all, he reigned over 8 years of consistent peace and prosperity. My fellow Republican friend knows this, and forced me to read "Dereliction". I can only say "wow". If you believe the contents of this book to be true (and I honestly do believe it... it's convincing stuff), than you'd have to consider Bill Clinton to be nothing more than a sleazy playboy who trampled on the tradition and prestige of America's highest office. In a time when our military is overseas fighting and dying, it's maddening to read the utter disregard which Clinton showed for them. Again, assuming this book is true, I'm in the process of revising my memories of Clinton from that of a lovable, goofy old horndog into that of an irresponsible, arrogant jerk who endangered every American with his utter disregard for national security.
Rating:
Summary: Some Golden Nuggets
Review: Read the book, the part about not being a personal attack on Clinton could be argued. There's some interesting backup to UNLIMITED ACCESS about Hillary not wanting people in the halls as she comes by, or her temper.
Thought the book a little short. Could have used more personal encounters with Clinton.
If you're a Clinton hater, it'll help egg you on. If you're a Clinton lover, compare his use of the military with the current administration.
Rating:
Summary: A must read...
Review: To write this book off as a personal attack against Bill Clinton or against Democrats in general is to do it a great disservice. It astounds me that some people refuse to see the seriousness of Clinton's irresponsible actions. This book is not about the current administration, nor is it about hanging onto the past. It was intended to shine a light on what happens when a militarily inexperienced man assumes the role of commander in chief. Col. Patterson is not a professional author...he is a man who felt the need to share a valuable experience and I'm glad he did. As a person who will be retiring from the Armed Forces in a few years, I understand where Col. Patterson is coming from. I understand his perspective and his motivations in writing this book. No military person...much less a pilot who had to fly into hostile territory...wants to think that his or her commander in chief is incabable of making intelligent military decisions. It takes guts for a person in Col. Patterson's position to write a book like this about the president he served.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in what happens when a president has a "peace at any price" perspective. Remember...."9/11"....
Rating:
Summary: Another right wing smear
Review: This book is a disappointing violation of military ethics. The author attempts to please the publisher in order to "cash in" on his military service. Having read the book, I can say that I was hoping for something other than another attack on Clinton and a real look at national security. Sadly, it was not worth the purchase. If you choose to read this book, please understand that it is funded by a extreme right wing publishing house and being pushed by Fox News and other far right media outlets pushing their agenda.
Rating:
Summary: I'm no Clinton fan, but....
Review: This book is simply stupid. Clinton haters must be able to get ahold of better stuff than this.
Rating:
Summary: Bush is much much worse!!
Review: The "president" we have now is infinitely worse than Clinton was. Talk about dereliction of duty, Bush is doing everything he can to destroy democracy in our country. I was proud under Clinton and I'm ashamed under Bush. This book did nothing to change that.
| 
