Astonishing
Why You Should Read Blumenthal's "The Clinton Wars" -- Part 1
By Jeff Koopersmith

Order "The Clinton Wars" at borders.com, barnesandnoble.com or powells.com

May 23, 2003 -- NEW YORK (apj.us) -- Normally, when I review a book for American Politics Journal, I'll read it at one sitting, and as many of you know, I am not easily impressed.

Sidney Blumenthal's blockbuster tome "The Clinton Wars" did just the opposite. It is perhaps the most exciting -- no, enthralling -- history of the Clinton presidency published to date, and at this juncture I doubt if anyone will bother to make an attempt to compete.

As I read through the first twenty-five pages of the book, I quickly realized that Mr. Blumenthal was not writing another "gotcha" essay in line with the chatter on the left. No, this was a serious, contemplative and fair-minded examination of the Clinton presidency and those who had buoyed it -- or attempted to smash it from the late 1980s forward.

The book begins by setting a stage -- not only physically, but in history -- and Blumenthal is careful to make historically valid and carefully researched comparisons between the Clinton years and past administrations. These assessments as valuable as gold inasmuch as they bring the reader toward a new understanding of the way things were before the news media became almost synonymous with nasty entertainment.

The book carefully brings the reader through Clinton's youth, his years in Arkansas, his family and relationships. It moves through the first 100 days -- in great detail and with eye-opening lucidity and explanation. Blumenthal takes care not to excuse the former President for his shortcomings -- but also presents a Bill Clinton who was unforgiving of himself.

Click here to read Jeff Koopersmith's reply to the preposterous review of "The Clinton Wars" in The Village Voice!

What struck me as an opinion journalist was the huge number of submerged personalities detailed by Mr. Blumenthal in just the first hundred pages of "The Clinton Wars" who were members of the Clinton lynch gang. Not only is he aware, and not only does he discuss the role of right wing activists and hoodlums from David Bossie through Grover Norquist to Kenneth Starr, but Blumenthal takes special care to make the reader understand that his allegations of their wrongdoing are true -- and founded in fact. The book is heavily footnoted in this regard.

Blumenthal takes no prisoners, and I expect two potential outcomes.

One: because Mr. Blumenthal does not hesitate to label reputably "impeccable" reporters and editors for what they are -- namely, puppets of the neoconservative movement -- his book will not be widely discussed. I watched "Charlie Rose" interview Blumenthal last evening, but since have heard nothing more about this book -- which should, in any circumstance, be virtually rocking the world of Washington "insiders".

A second scenario, and one to be expected from the bowels of the most rotten neoconsrvative websites and lackluster publications, will be a total press onslaught on Mr. Blumenthal, his wife and family, his grocer, and his newspaper boy.

But will the rats emerge -- or be so frightened that any attention paid to the book will in the end mark their doom?

We shall see.

I took particular pleasure in Mr. Blumenthal detailing the misdeeds of New York Times writer Jeff Gerth, whom I identified early on as a buffoon and an eager participator in the trumped-up Whitewater affair. I was also pleased to see Blumenthal take aim at Grover Norquist, Newt Gingrich (in great detail), Dick Armey, and Tom DeLay.

Even better is his history of Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell's involvement in the Clinton lynching.

And this, mind you, is contained in just the first few chapters!

The book is long, and will establish Mr. Blumenthal not only as a world-class political commentator, but also as a historian par excellence.

JEFF KOOPERSMITH is a political consultant, opinion research authority, policy analyst, and self-described "dissident lobbyist."