What makes Bill Clinton tick?
William Jefferson Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States is undoubtedly the greatest&... read full description
reviews
Feb 09, 2009
Mazola1
rated it: 
Written by a psychologist who has written about the hypomanic personality, In Search of Bill Clinton bills itself as a "psychological biography." While many will take issue with the whole idea of a psychologist purporting to analyze a subject he's never interviewed or treated, I didn't find that to be the biggest problem with this book, or indeed, a problem at all.
After all, there is much more information about Bill Clinton in the public record than what the average psycho More...
After all, there is much more information about Bill Clinton in the public record than what the average psycho More...
Aug 14, 2011
Douglas
rated it: 
How could Clinton have been so reckless and stupid? I view him as a great president, perhaps the best in the 20th century. I also thought he should have resigned when he pointed at the American people and lied through his teeth.
I could not understand why he would put his presidency at risk.
I found the approach of this book dubious. I figured Clinton was just getting some on the side, figuring he was the new JFK.
After reading this I have to concede the pre More...
I could not understand why he would put his presidency at risk.
I found the approach of this book dubious. I figured Clinton was just getting some on the side, figuring he was the new JFK.
After reading this I have to concede the pre More...
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Mar 18, 2009
Trish
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This was an interesting but long book. The author talked about Clinton's relationships with his family members (esp. his mom and grandmother), and how these relationships influenced his life. The first part of the book (Arkansas) has a gossipy quality (I talked to so and so, and she told me....). I liked his description of how Clinton acted as a peacemaker in Ireland (during his term) and how he now helps distribute AIDS medication around the world through the Clinton Foundation. At times, a
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Mar 16, 2009
The author, John Gartner, a psychologist from John Hopkins, delves into the psyche of Bill Clinton, all the way from his childhood to the present.
Gartner describes Clinton's personality as having "hypomanic tendencies" while not being a hypomanic with bipolar disorder (contradiction?).
"In Search of Bill Clinton" offers an interesting look at Bill Clinton from a psychological perspective.
CLICK HERE to find "In Search of Bill Clinton" More...
Gartner describes Clinton's personality as having "hypomanic tendencies" while not being a hypomanic with bipolar disorder (contradiction?).
"In Search of Bill Clinton" offers an interesting look at Bill Clinton from a psychological perspective.
CLICK HERE to find "In Search of Bill Clinton" More...
Dec 22, 2009
Ed
rated it:
I picked this up in the library, as a quick, "let's look for the good parts, is this book any good?" browsal, and I found that it was much more interesting than I had expected.
First of all, one of many of President Clinton's psychological characteristics is a charismatic unstoppable high energy level. It turns out that there is a psychological personality category called hypomania, which is a personality type, as opposed to mania which is dysfunctional. Hypomania shares m More...
First of all, one of many of President Clinton's psychological characteristics is a charismatic unstoppable high energy level. It turns out that there is a psychological personality category called hypomania, which is a personality type, as opposed to mania which is dysfunctional. Hypomania shares m More...
Mar 03, 2009
Regina
rated it: 
It was okay...
This book, written by a psychologist at John Hopkins University, is a "psychology biography". Maybe my problem with it is the genre - maybe I don't want to know about the personal demons, psychological melodramas, etc that seem way too intimate for any more public speculation. What is particularly most interesting about Clinton, for example, is his compelling biography that is part of the public record. Speculations as to his motivations (particularly in re More...
This book, written by a psychologist at John Hopkins University, is a "psychology biography". Maybe my problem with it is the genre - maybe I don't want to know about the personal demons, psychological melodramas, etc that seem way too intimate for any more public speculation. What is particularly most interesting about Clinton, for example, is his compelling biography that is part of the public record. Speculations as to his motivations (particularly in re More...
Sep 09, 2009
Heidi
rated it:
At the beginning of this book, I thought I was going to love it. The author has some significant thoughts (and, it seemed to me, genuine insights) concerning this president, who was so great in some ways and so disappointing in others. His speculations on Bill's father's identity, as well as the role played by different women in Bill's life (particularly Hillary taking up the part of Bill's grandmother, a woman who gave Bill's life what stability he had in his boyhood) seemed plausible. But in t
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Jan 22, 2010
Diane
rated it: 
Carefully researched, beautifully written biography and fascinating psychological analysis of a complex personality and one of the most compelling leaders of our time.
Apr 14, 2009
Jeanie
rated it:
A lot of psychobabble, but a lot of fun too. It was interesting to read about Bill's activity in Africa.
Oct 26, 2008
I don't usually read biographies and I haven't read any of the innumerable Clinton books, but this one is quite interesting. I'm only a third of the way through it and I've already learned a few things I didn't know.
The author is an expert on the "hypomanic" personality type and he tries to make the case that Bill Clinton is one. I can't judge whether or not he is succeeding, but the information and analysis he offers is fascinating. This is not a hatchet job nor a whitewa More...
The author is an expert on the "hypomanic" personality type and he tries to make the case that Bill Clinton is one. I can't judge whether or not he is succeeding, but the information and analysis he offers is fascinating. This is not a hatchet job nor a whitewa More...
Aug 14, 2009
Natalie
rated it:
This book was very interesting, but could probably be cut in half. There was a lot of psych and science lingo with Bill's past in and of itself. It was interesting to learn of where Bill came from and why he may have acted the way he did. Hearing everyone's accounts of Bill's demeanor was also interesting.. I would be interested in seeing Bill's response to this book. I wonder if it would be an "ahh ha" moment or if he would disagree entirely with the content of it.
Jan 02, 2009
Seth
rated it:
Alternately embarrassingly intimate and ridiculously fawning, but weirdly interesting anyway.
Jun 04, 2011
Steven
rated it:
Loved it. A psychologist's take a Clinton. A little bit openly laudatory, but you'll learn a lot.
May 13, 2009
This is a riveting look at a fascinating person. I never knew all these things about WJC
Nov 05, 2008
Hmmm.... probably not high on the list, too busy right now! Maybe in paperback.
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