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14th out of 17 books
—
7 voters
All Too Human
All Too Human is a new-generation political memoir, written from the refreshing perspective of one who got his hands on the levers of awesome power at an early age. At thirty, the author was at Bill Clinton's side during the presidential campaign of 1992, & for the next five years he was rarely more than a step away from the president & his other advisers at every...more
Paperback, 480 pages
Published
March 1st 2000
by Back Bay Books
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Nov 22, 2007
Vivek
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
those interested in white house politics, Bill Clinton, or fans of "The West Wing"
Shelves:
politics,
biography-memoir
George Stephanopoulos was an essential part of Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign, and of his white house staff during the first term. In this book, Stephanopoulos recounts what it was like being such a crucial adviser and his experiences working for the Clintons. There is also a bit in the beginning about about how George got into politics in the first place.
I found this book fascinating for the first half, and then it seemed to drag a little bit. But this reflects his experience - the...more
I found this book fascinating for the first half, and then it seemed to drag a little bit. But this reflects his experience - the...more
I would have given this 3 1/2 stars if that had been an option. For a conservative republican like myself, this might seem like a weird book choice, but I found it to be an interesting view of what went on in the Clinton White House. It didn't make me like the Clintons any more or less, but it helped give me a better understanding of who they are. I found Stephanopoulos surprisingly honest about his faults which I appreciated. Had the whole book been about how wonderful he was while working in t...more
Well-written and personable book from an insider in the Clinton White House.
Stephanopoulos takes an admirably open approach to his own shortcomings, which is perhaps why he feels free to lace into the lecherous big wheel as the book progresses and the Clinton scandals add up. I found it fascinating to read his take on Clinton the man and the myth, and also how much energy staff put into managing a president's moods. (Clinton comes across as a world class crank with a chronic temper but also a c...more
Stephanopoulos takes an admirably open approach to his own shortcomings, which is perhaps why he feels free to lace into the lecherous big wheel as the book progresses and the Clinton scandals add up. I found it fascinating to read his take on Clinton the man and the myth, and also how much energy staff put into managing a president's moods. (Clinton comes across as a world class crank with a chronic temper but also a c...more
I was born in 1980, so I was a little too young to engage with the politics of the first Clinton administration. This book, though, by a talented communicator who blends a little Hollywood celebrity with some academic analyses of issues and campaign tactics, makes me feel like I have caught up on what I missed during my junior high years. Stephanopoulos gives us a candid look at his time on the campaign trail and in the White House, written after President Clinton's impeachment but before the de...more
I did not like the book nor do I like George Staphanopoulos. A very dispassionate, unemotional rendering of his rise to the top of the food chain. I don't think George really felt any true affection for Bill Clinton. He savored his role as attack/guard dog of the President's image. Basically the story of Greek boy done good. It did not satisfy my craving for a better understanding of Bill Clinton the man nor did it provide the inside look at the daily life in the White House. Pompous at best wit...more
George Stephanopoulos' account of his odyssey into Clintonmania also charts the fall (albeit a short one) of an icon. George (it's easier to refer to him this way - give me a break) is human and reports back what he sees with a human voice, detangling the political meanderings and meetings of the 90s with panache and humor. Reading "All Too Human" today makes my eyes water, remembering and wishing for a simpler time, when all we had to contend with were a few floozies. This book is great if you'...more
I read this while pregnant with Abby (so 10+ years ago) and came across it again recently. I enjoyed this book immensely. It is well written, cleanly told, and you get such a beautiful insider's perspective on life in DC and how it can unravel a man and his soul. He paints his demise from a healthy idealist to a jaded, neurotic, depressed political aide so well, it reads like a novel.
To me, this is a political must-read for anyone who lived through and studied the Clinton-era. (Wait - with Hil a...more
To me, this is a political must-read for anyone who lived through and studied the Clinton-era. (Wait - with Hil a...more
George Stephanopoulos's "All Too Human: A Political Education" not only looks at his time with Bill Clinton's presidential administration; but the realization that the two-term president was a regular person with flaws.
Without reading Clinton's autobiography (which I will), I would have thought that his presidency was full of moments that would impact the United States; which it was. Remember when America had money? Remember when he wanted to focus on things that mattered like heatlh care, educa...more
Without reading Clinton's autobiography (which I will), I would have thought that his presidency was full of moments that would impact the United States; which it was. Remember when America had money? Remember when he wanted to focus on things that mattered like heatlh care, educa...more
All too Human could probably be boiled down to three words: Perception is reality. This is an intriguing and somewhat haunting account of the Clinton White House spin machine, starting with Stephanopoulos' days as a key figure in Clinton's 1992 campaign "War Room" and following through to his resignation shortly after the successful 1996 reelection campaign. Of particular interest was the book's epilogue, which describes the author's subsequent employment as an ABC analyst that essentially pitte...more
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This book is a look at what it was like to be inside the Clinton Whitehouse during the president’s first term. George Stephanopolous provides a candid look at not only the president and his inner circle but at his own thoughts and motivations as well. He proves himself to be not only an gutsy and intelligent individual but a classy one as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and believe that it gave me an important understanding of how things actually function in the executive branch.
A fascinating, being-the-scenes look at politics and the presidency. Having read this book I have a greater appreciation for how difficult, and complicated, it is for a president to keep his promises - and for legislation to get passed. And yet, candidates keep right on making those promises because they have to to get elected. No matter how hard a candidate might want to remain above the fray, politics truly is a sleezy game, and they all have to play. After reading this book I found myself les...more
This was a very interesting read. For the record, I do not agree with Stephanopoulos's politics, but am interested in the inner workings of government. I still found this book interesting! It was fascinating to see how decisions were made and how people in government vie for power. I don't think I'd read it again (other than get the list of books that various presidents and advisors read to add to my own "good reads" to-read list), but it wasn't a waste of my time.
I really enjoyed this book! It's an informative as well as personal narrative of Stephanopoulos's experience as a senior advisor to President Clinton during his first term, including an epilogue where he describes observing with dismay the Monica Lewinsky scandal from outside the White House, as a journalist for ABC News. At times the book reads like a nonfictional version of "The West Wing" -- you certainly get an idea of just how many storylines from that show were based on events in the Clint...more
"All Too Human" takes you behind-the-scenes and into the West Wing of the Clinton Administration. This book casts Hilary and Bill Clinton in a whole new light. It seems that Bill would often shift his position on issues after going up stairs and conferring with Hilary. An interesting read! Its easy to see why a young, idealistic politico can get eaten up by a high-stakes, back-stabbing system.
Despite occasionally reading like First World Problems: White House Edition, All Too Human is fascinating. It's a nice insight into the Clinton campaigns/administration, coming across as honest without being too gossipy, which can be a problem with this sort of memoir. While it does get a little bit preachy towards the end, particularly for someone you'd assume would be empathetic to political scandals having experienced them first hand, overall it was very enjoyable. I'd recommend it to anyone...more
If George S would have waited to write this biography/autobiography about his years in the White House, I think he would have had a different ending. George S will still in one of the stages before "acceptance." I got a lot of anger from him in this book. Anger always subsides, and writing a book while not quite at the "acceptance" level of understanding another him, seemed unwise.
The format of the book may not suit everyone's taste, and it doesn't necessarily provide any new information on events with which we are already familiar. The book was a great reminder, however, of all the controversy that existed during the Clinton administration. Some of the scandals I had forgotten, and this book put them into context for me. An enjoyable, if dry, read.
Okay, maybe it should be three stars, it does drag a bit-- especially when he gets into the details. But otherwise, fascinating. He gives you a great glimpse into what it is like to work in the West Wing, the relationship between the White House and the media, and the relationship between the White House and the two parties. You also are privy how decisions were made, who played what role, and how individuals used the White House to push their individual agendas.
Ironically, the person who comes...more
Ironically, the person who comes...more
This is a great book with insight for anyone interested in politics. I found it especially helpful as a young poli-sci/journalism scholar embarking on a career. Stephanopoulos holds nothing back. His honesty is both inspiring and heartbreaking for the reader. The book is a reminder that it took a lot for him to be where he is now. I would definitely recommend it.
Stephanopoulos' refreshingly honest, page-turning ride through his time as Clinton's go-to guy on all matters politics and spin. What makes this work stand out is that it's more than just a behind-the-scenes tell all. Stephanopoulos seems to be grappling with deeper questions about men, motives, compromise and the pursuit of a greater good.
George Stephanopoulas 2000 448 pages
This is a behind the scenes detail on life in the West Wing with President Clinton. This is an interesting, chatty, memoir and revealed lots about the Clintons and also about George and his place in politics. I really enjoyed it and read it in small doses at a time.
This is a behind the scenes detail on life in the West Wing with President Clinton. This is an interesting, chatty, memoir and revealed lots about the Clintons and also about George and his place in politics. I really enjoyed it and read it in small doses at a time.
A fascinating political memoir of Stephanopoulos’s war room days and his tribulations as a "youngster" in the Clinton Whitehouse.
As I recall, the first time Stephanopoulos met Clinton, he was invited into the Arkansas Governor's mansion where Clinton was interviewing him to see if he should hire him as a staffer for the ’92 campaign. (Stephanopoulos had favored Cuomo, but began looking when it was evident he would not run). Clinton asked Stephanopoulos to follow him as they chatted. Clinton wen...more
As I recall, the first time Stephanopoulos met Clinton, he was invited into the Arkansas Governor's mansion where Clinton was interviewing him to see if he should hire him as a staffer for the ’92 campaign. (Stephanopoulos had favored Cuomo, but began looking when it was evident he would not run). Clinton asked Stephanopoulos to follow him as they chatted. Clinton wen...more
I was not a fan of George Stephanopoulos's politics or President Clinton, but I respected George immensely. Excellent book that I couldn't put down. Very well written.
It presented as candid yet factual and informative. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in U.S. history and politics.
It presented as candid yet factual and informative. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in U.S. history and politics.
Stephanopoulos is really sensitive, and stresses that, which is endearing for a political memoir. He was probably still too close to his White House years when he wrote it and the account is raw, but that's why it will be a fortunate contribution to the history of this period.
Dec 27, 2009
Gerald
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-on-tape,
insight
I was mesmerized by the insight into the Clinton White House and the delivery of the author. Although it was eight years ago when I listened to this book I remember one comment quite clearly, "Until we came here (Washington D.C.) we all thought that we were pretty good people."
Geroge Stephanopoulos' story of his years in politics leading to and during the four years spent in the Clinton administration is good reading and very interesting. A window into the Clinton years as well as a look at what it takes to survive at that level.
Nov 26, 2008
Linda
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Linda by:
Judy Lang
Behind the scenes look at the Clintons and their early years in the White House as told by a close aide to the President, George Stephanopolous. It is interesting to understand that his feelings move from admiration to disgust at Clinton's pecadillos.
I really enjoyed this book. I read it years ago soon after it was published, so I don't remember details. During the first Clinton campaign, George worked with a woman from my home town, hence my interest in the book.
An inside account of what went on in White House during Clinton's 1st term. I remember buying this when it came out and the hubbub about it (close Prez aide writing a memoir while the Prez was still in office).
Insightful and introspective George is pretty honest about his failings and a little less modest about his successes. A fascinating look at the inside workings of the Clinton White House and the major players. It got a little too bogged down in the details which became a bit tiresome after a while.
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“I believe in original sin … I know that I’m capable of craving a cold beer in a village of starving kids … I understand that selfishness vies for space in our hearts with compassion …”
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“The thought of the president trying to concentrate on his delivery as gobbledygook whirred by his eyes made me sick with worry — for him and me. This screwup might not have been my fault, but it was my responsibility. ‘This is the worst thing that’s ever happened,’ I muttered. ‘I dunno,’ replied Mike Feldman, the vice president’s aide, ‘the Holocaust was pretty bad.’ Very funny.”
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