Rating: 
Summary: Party politics
Review: I cannot help but wonder when the GOP will get over their fanatic obsession with Bill Clinton. The man is not the President anymore, and yet the books (and boo's) keep coming.I found this book to be an interesting read as long as it is taken with a grain of salt. Decisions made at the Presidential level are policy decisions based on political and moral values of the person in the position. The author takes specific decisions made by Mr. Clinton and his administration and places them in situational parameters that are too specific to be accurate. Instead of taking into account the big picture the author paints the situations from a staunchly conservative point of view that inexorably leads to distrust and disdain for all things non-Republican. The author obviously doesn't have the same values as the 42nd President and that is his perrogative. It would just be nice if he at least mentioned some of the geo-political and domestic pressures that were present at the time from a NEUTRAL point of view. I am not saying the Clinton was right, necessarily, but I am saying that this book doesn't try to cover both sides of the issues. Anyone can write a book that criticizes (in hindsight) decisions made by someone with a different political outlook. There will be many books written by liberal pundits about Mr. Bush and his dealings with the middle east and even move about his domestic agenda. These books are a dime a dozen. If you want a book on recent American political history..read something published outside the US, and get multiple sources. Do not trust everything you read.
Rating: 
Summary: They say the problems come from the details
Review: This book has plenty of details! We've heard the stories and been given the spin, but it looks like the hopes of Clinton being the people's President have truly evaporated with this book-if it's true. Right wingers have long told stories about Hillary's ravings, Bill's sex-obsessed attitude, and the ignorance of geo-political realities. Until now, I've always written those claims off as Republican jealousy, but it looks like it might have been the truth. I look back now and wonder if the Dereliction of Duty was really his (after all, we'd been warned), or if it was a dereliction on the part of those who voted and supported the Clintons? This is not the typical political jealousy book, and I suggest everyone read it asap!
Rating: 
Summary: Great Contrast to Bill and Hill's books
Review: After reading some of the reviews attacking this book I could not wait to read it and post a review. Lets face it, the clinton's wasted 8 years in office, ruined the military and its moral and had more scandels then all previous administrations.
I think its rather odd that neither Bill or Hillary could remember anything during the Whitewater hearings, but can remember everything when it came time to get paid and write a book.
The Lt. Col brought more items to light then previously known and deserves to say what he needed to say. He earned it, and those that have served know the hardships of biting your tounge when on-duty. The clintons were and are the worst thing to happen to politics since the nixon fiasco.
Pick up the book and give it a chance.
Rating:
Summary: Well-Written and Informative Account of a Loathsome Man
Review: Let me state at the outset that I was not a Bill Clinton fan before I read this book. In fact, I wouldn't have thought there was anything that could make me think less of this so-called "president." I was wrong. Buzz Patterson's account reveals that Bill Clinton was even more disgusting, irresponsible, and negligent that even a harsh critic like me could have imagined. Patterson, an eyewitness to the Clinton trainwreck, clearly details Clinton's ignorant disregard for the armed forces and his cavalier treatment of the nation's most important national security issues (including when he "misplaced" the nuclear launch codes). It also confirms (with some new accounts) what a truly loathsome human being Clinton is: from drunken partying to fondling a uniformed female on board Air Force One to rampant cheating at golf. Notice that most of the negative reviews of this book do not challenge the veracity of Patterson's assertions; rather, they suggest that Patterson is "right wing" or "conservative." Whether he is or not, the facts are the facts. You will finish this book shaking your head in disgust at how our great country could have put up with the Clintons for eight years.
Rating:
Summary: Clinton golfing while world burning
Review: I've seen this book so many times in bookstores, I've read nearly the whole thing on separate trips, always placing it back in the bookshelf before buying something of substance.
This book is probably past its sell-by date, since W is now in his second term and there can be some real evaluation of global terror and the role of the American president. This book probably sold most of its copies during the early days of W, and most certainly right after September 11, 2001, the day that partisan hacks completed their takeover of the media.
It made good (business) sense to publish a book about how it was obviously all Clinton's fault that we were attacked, so we could huddle under Bush as he began his impressive campaign to destroy the brand name of the USA and encourage terrorists around the world to mobilize for more jihads. But that's how opinion is often formed in the United States of Amnesia, so much so that Bush has convinced a good number of folks that starting several wars will, in fact, reduce terror, rather than encourage it. I can't think of a better propaganda campaign or a better job of proving that 2 + 2 = 5, and such a campaign is only helped by books like this.
The material is very selective, the context is often distorted, and this often sounds more like a personal beef with Bill Clinton rather than a serious study of how Clinton 'endangered' the country, or even a study about global terror in the 90s.
Of course, it goes without saying that you can write the exact same book about every single US president in the last 40 years or so, but that would require thinking, which the target audience of this book is not expected to do. A shame.
Avoid unless you collect partisan flame books.
Rating:
Summary: Some truth of the CIinton Presidency
Review: I received this book as a Christmas gift from a relative who read it. I commend Lt. Colonel Patterson for writing it. Former President Clinton was more interested in women, golf, and being popular with the UN and our enemies than fulfilling his consitutional responsibility as President to defend our nation. I agree with him that Clinton helped 9/11 to happen by not taking out Bin Laben when he had the chance!
Rating: 
Summary: This book opened my eyes
Review: Prior to reading this book, I didn't think Bill was as bad as conservatives had been saying. Yes, he was a womanizer, but most men are. This book opened my eyes to how irresponsible the president was during his eight year term. Most noteable, how he broke down the military and our equipment, and the officers, and their total disrespect for the military, which our nation is now paying dearly for.
This book is an eyewitness account of what the author witnessed first hand. Contrary to other reviews, the author does not give his political views or opinions--he tells us what he witnessed and what protocol was or was not followed in situations he was involved in. The only opinions he gives are about his disappointment in the post he held with the president. After reading this book, I began to understand what everyone was complaining about. I am not even referring to his skirt chasing problems--I'm referring to the more important and relevant mishaps, views and bad judgements on the part of the Clintons that is affecting America today. This is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: A bitter and self-indulgent tirade
Review: Col. Patterson obviously has a lot of anger from his days as an aid to Bill Clinton. Throughout the text the author complains about Hillary Clinton's temper, Bill Clinton's disrespect towards army personnel, and his lack of interest in our nation's defense. Unfortunately his anger damages the credibility of the book. Dereliction of Duty seems more like a tirade.
I can believe the things Col. Patterson says about the Clinton's, but what does that establish? If the book is about Clinton's disregard for safety, why does the author include so many complaints about Clinton's behavior? Furthermore, I think the author blames to many things on Clinton. For instance the Somalia conflict was not Clinton's idea; George Bush Sr. initiated it. Clinton couldn't stop the attacks on the Nairobi Embassy, USS Cole or Khobar Towers, any more than the FBI could stop the Oklahoma City bombing.
Someone with Col. Patterson's experience could have a great career as a political journalist or consultant. But after reading this book I'd say that career is still way ahead of him. Dereliction of Duty could be an important work of journalism, but the book is undermined by the author's extreme bitterness.
Rating:
Summary: Boy,is this ever a book and a half!
Review:
When I picked up this book,I thought it would be a quick read and based on one or two overworked instances.Was I ever wrong.Before I started to read ,I checked the reviews and was surprisd to find it rated 3 1/2* ,but WOW!,459 reviews.I couldn't wait to read it.
Here we have a career officer with a proud history of service to his country,accepting a post to serve again by supporting his Commander-in Chief,and the leader of the most powerful country in the world.Without doubt,he considered this a great honor.What a surprise he was in for!It wasn't just a few things that bothered; him he found a leader who knew nothing and cared less about the Military.Instead ,the leader was more interested in social agendas than protecting the country.Time after time, he saw the path of appeasement or simple disinterest chosen when resolve and leadership was required.On top of that,he saw the strength and ability of the Military and Intelligence greatly diminished and under-supported.
It's only when all these actions are summed up in a short book,is it so evident how much damage was caused during Clinton's two terms.
We have seen the same thing happen here in Canada.Our leftist government has reduced our military to such a point that it is now completeny ineffective.Our military hardware,ships,vehicles,planes,armanents are all obsolete and drastically reduced;and what remains is unsafe.When 4 Canadians were accidently killed in Afghanistan by friendly fire,they were not even equipped with devices to signal that they were friendly forces.Our forces had to be re-uniformed to fight in a desert enviroment;and on top of that the military did not even have the ability to transport them there.Recently, we had a fatal marine disaster with an obsolete,second-hand submarine recently purchased from Britain and along with 3 others that more appropriately should have been scrapped.Our planes did not have secure communication equipment to allow them to be used in Afghanistan. Our helicopter fleet is another, years old ,fiasco.The number of trained and reserve forces have also been drastically slashed.And this is only the tip of the rapidly melting iceberg!While our government would not support the US War on Terror in Iraq;the real fact is that our military is so deficient that it would be of little or no use.
Was this a book by a disgruntled individual?I think not.Read it for yourself and come to your own conclusion.After two terms of this administration,it is little wonder Terrorists felt they could take another,even greater strike at the USA, without any consequences.They hadn't counted on someone like President Bush to confront them and hold them accountable.President Bush pleaded with the UN to get involved.He was rebuffed.He did not take the appeasement route,he assumed the role he was charged with and proceeded to take action.
It's scarry how the Democratic Party chooses to ignore Clinton's failings and still see him and Hillary as their hope for the future,but then again,Canada re-elected the leftist party that demolished our military.
I would also recommend reading some of the great reviews on this book;whether you are a Democrat,a Republican,or like me living in an igloo up here in Canada.The Terrorists don't discriminate.
Rating:
Summary: Up close :failure in national security
Review: This book is not biased, just an up close review of what Lt.Col. Robert Patterson(USAF,RET.) witnessed, the negligence of then President Clinton's handling of national security matters. No matter what political affiliation you are, it should be assumed that every President/commander n chief has the nation's best interest at heart. Dereliction of Duty details alot of unnecessary commotion and nonchalant attitudes President Clinton and his wife exhibited during their administation. The rosy picture Americans always saw of the Clinton's was a gross misrepresentation of the real duo. The book is very informative and puts alot of questions to rest about how the present "terrorist situation" came to pass.
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