Hell to Pay: The Unfolding Story of Hillary Rodham Clinton

by Barbara Olson

In Accomplice , Olson separates fact from fiction and shows us Hilllary's often disturbing complicity in her husband's affairs.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Biography, History

344 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Kevin Kirkhoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wrote this review quickly because my wife told me she was sick of looking at Hillary's face on the cover. If she had only read the book. There is so much more of Hillary Clinton about which to be freightened other than her face.

I got this book thinking it would be a behind-the-scenes look at Hillary's White House conduct. The title is what a Secret Service memo said would happen if a desire of the First Lady's wasn't carried out. The book turned out to be a biography. A lot of her history is well known. "Goldwater Girl". Conservative parents. The author, Barbara Olson, was one of the special prosecutors that investigated Filegate and Travelgate. These two scandals are outlined in gruesome detail.

What I didn't know was her radical college life. She supported the Black Panthers, and idolized radical left-wing activist Saul Alinsky. Quotes from his book "Rules For Radicals" are featured at the beginning of each chapter. Particularly revealing were her papers written for various law journals that promote the government taking over child-rearing. Child's rights, in the form of lawyers assigned at birth to represent the interests of every child. Major issues in children's lives would not be decided by parents, but by judges. She learned from civil rights activist Marion Wright Edelman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund, that tying an issue with the "protection of children" makes it easy to push your agenda. If people oppose your issue, they are opposing children.
She worked for the prosecution in the Watergate case. Frequently assigned to find "dirt" on Nixon and his accomplices. You might say she was part of the "vast left-wing conspiracy".

She has a paranoid attitude to much of what she does, preferring to do work in secret. HillaryCare, the great socialized medicine fiasco was such a private matter that no one knew who was on the committee (that at one time reached 500).

It was common knowledge that she knew full well of her husband's womanizing. She used her husband's charisma to propel her (and her radical left-wing idealogy) into a position of power.

This was a very informative look into the writings, behaviors, and (ultimately) behind-the-scenes peek into the actions and "training" of Hillary into the person she is today.

[G. Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me begin by saying I am neither Republican nor Democrat. This book chronicles the rise to power and political technique of both Hillary and Bill Clinton. It is not a biography. It is not pretty. What it is is a fascinating look at the political growth of Hillary Rodham from her early “hippie” stage through and beyond her time as First Lady. Whether you are a fan of Hillary or not, one cannot deny the fact that from very early on she has been dealing with controversy. So much so that she has developed a style and technique that is still in play today. The litany of “crises” cannot all be attributed to the “vast right wing conspiracy, they started too early on.

What I find so intriguing is the fact that what Barbara Olson, killed on 9/11, chronicled 15 years ago is still playing itself out today. When you read about how Hillary has dealt with things in the past and how she continues to deal with issues surrounding her world, it is almost uncanny. Even if you are a die hard Hillary supporter, you cannot deny the coincidence of her world today versus the world described by Barbara Olson.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially in today's political climate.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember when Hillary was talking about adopting a baby- so the beginning of this book truly made me laugh. I never thought it would happen either.

Knowing most of the minutia of all these life changes and place positions, I was still surprised at what I didn't know. And how well this Olson foresaw the "futures" after 2000. Although she never viewed Obama as messing up the works in the timing plan.

What I didn't know was the depth to the relationship with Vince Foster. Or how well and easily she could create alternative information instead of the truth of actions when nailed in those earlier Arkansas and just post-Arkansas years.

Honestly, she has skills. All of them in very close comparison with the Cook County Madigan machine organization. Same methods of association and paranoia as well. So you flood the "place" with only friendly compatriots and fire everyone else regardless of their character, work record, worthy product or whatever.

It still seems amazing to me that she was given that Presidential Nomination with the baggage of record she has and holds from her early 20's. Her book alone about letting the state raise your children way back when- that alone did if for me to know where she stands. And what methods she uses routinely.

But this one gives day and dates and every aspect of the "marriage" and "partnership" and core identity explained from her own and Alinsky's rules. (They are virtually similar and so each chapter begins with such quotes).

My favorites:

"Let nothing get you off your target"

"Ethical standards must be elastic to stretch with the times"

-- Saul Alinsky, Rules for Radicals

[Jordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's face it: most people's political knowledge comes through a compilation of carefully selected sound bites and short news stories that are then filtered through that particular person's biases that probably lie on either side of the controlled left/right paradigm. Do just a little research beyond this mind control system and you realize that there is "a whole new world" with "a hundred thousand things to see." For instance, once you realize that Hillary Clinton didn't really write her best-selling book "It Takes a Socialist Village", a tiny bit of the rotting Clintonian facade begins to crumble. Then you learn about all the incredibly clever, deceptive, and multi-facted political gambits and stratagems they employ--triangulation, armies of private investigators, and outright intimidation (lets not even get into the murder conspiracies) and you have to realize the gaping maw that must lie in the center of their souls. It's a bewildering web of deception and power lust that goes beyond anything you'll probably ever read in a novel. If you consider yourself an informed American, it might be good to learn something about the person who could likely be your next president. The propaganda machine is already revving up for that with a movie about Hillary in the pipeline. I assure you that is not a coincidence.
About the book: there is all kinds of interesting information contained herein but sometimes the author comes across as a typical moralizing conservative, although those bits are rare enough that I could still thoroughly enjoy the journey. If you want to swallow a much better redpill about the Clintons, read No One Left to Lie to by Christopher Hitches. It was written by an incomparable mind and you'll probably share in Hitchen's delight at showing the emperor's nakedness.

[Bill Sleeman · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF (did not finish)! Way too many half-truths and outright distortions to spend more of my time with - when the author accused Hillary Clinton of destroying Richard Nixon I just knew the book was going to be far from fair and balanced

[Art · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poorly researched biography by the late Barbara Olson. I don't mind reading critical biographies. However, I do expect the author to be somewhat fair and to at least give me some depth in their portrayal of the subject.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me angry. Excellent insight into the Clintons.

[Boris Trucco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book as an eye-opener as to who Hillary Rodman Clinton really is: a radical left ideologue who believes children ultimately belong to the government and a hot pursuer of power willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it. Lies, deception and corruption are just primary tools in the accomplishment of that goal, Bill Clinton being a symbiotic partner in crime. The sad part is that the American voters and the mainstream media know who Hillary is yet somehow they have been uncannily tolerant of her ways and means. Hillary’s background and trajectory are just a preview of the insane, radical left policies implemented by the Biden’s regime. If it is a consolation, we must be thankful that HRC didn’t get to be elected as the president of the United States and, hopefully, she will never be.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down with Hillary!!!! Up with Sam!!!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Michael Filippini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be quoting Joe Rogan to RFK Jr.: "if this was not true, you would be sued for defamation".

I'm a moderate republican although lately I have been trying to avoid politics. I also want to add I feel it strangely convenient that anyone who gets too close to the Clintons.....die.

These people were probably the most classless first family to ever enter the white house, I would rather have the Obamas in for 16 years straight rather than the Clintons.

If you read this you will KNOW, Hillary solicits her husband to women, he's probably had more sexual partners than Wilt Chamberland. That indeed as Dinesh D'Souza put it, she didn't care he did it she cared he got caught. Sex politics aside she has affiliated with people that have links to the PLO and South American communist parties. She virtually coup'd tat the presiding administration personal who were lawfully appointed and anyone who remotely got in her way she made sure there was hell to pay

Final note one thing I learned from this book, as I'm a security guard for a California based company. I'm fairly certain that the secret service almost hired Gavin DeBecker & assoc. to be white house security as they would not put up with the domestic disturbances in the dorms of that building.

[Nadine Guirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating would be a bit below a 4. To be candid, I intensely dislike Hillary Clinton for her complete dishonesty, unbelievable corruption, vengeful and power-hungry style of life and overall lack of ethics. This book (published 25 years ago) lays much of it bare. None of it surprised me. All of it ticks me off, though.

There is a follow-up book which I'll also read. The author, Barbara Olson, was an accomplished attorney and died on 9/11 as her plane crashed into the Pentagon. Wow.

[Flowergarden24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a closer look behind the curtain about the corrupt ways of H. We have all heard the stories and this just adds to them. It confirms what we already know about how backhanded the government is, how money talks, its all in who you know, politics is a game of favors, lying, deceit at all levels, stealing and lack of firm values. House of Cards - just plug H in the Prseident role and that's what this book is about.

[Brenda Selner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember hearing bits and pieces of the events covered in this book. When added together, the portrait of HRC is undeniably one of a malicious mean spirit that will not hesitate at anything to get what it wants. “They think of themselves as the most ethical people in the world,” a White House aide would later say.

I was a lifelong Democrat until 9/11. Barbara Olson was killed that day when the plane she was riding on hit the Pentagon. Outrageous Hillary-associated events continue.

[Ann McReynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Barbara Olson’s discerning study of Hillary Clinton’s early power grabs —as the wife of Arkansas governor Bill Clinton— and her gradual rise in Washington. The recognition by Mrs.Olson of the steely mindset of her subject is important to pass along.

[Anne L Whitaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hillary

A very thorough review of the life and political ambitions of Hillary Clinton. How she was never in it for her husband's benefit but always had an agenda off her own.

[Charlie Lake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book if you want to understand the mindset of Hilary Clinton and the dishonest and political extremes she went to protect her husband form a premature end to his presidential career his career. Think Trump is bad ..read this book!!!!! and be glad Hillary did not make it to be President of the US and leader of the free world. She would be much more suited to replace Putin in Russia.

[Bob Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are in the midst of the 2016 presidential election and there are several books on the best seller lists about the political history of Hillary Clinton. This book covers Hillary's history from her college days at Wellesley and Yale through the Monica Lewinsky scandal in Bill['s second term.

Olson introduces us to Hillary by recounting how she planted a story with Walter Isaacson, then a news reporter, that her and Bill were planning to adopt a baby in the summer before the 1996 election. Bill was running against Bob Dole that year and the Clinton lead in the polls was showing signs of softening. A great way to begin this story.

Olson takes us step by step on her transition from a "Goldwater Girl" (instilled by her father) to a radical leftist whose thesis has been hidden from the public, presumably because of her continual references to Saul Alinsky. It is the only thesis ever locked away in Wellesley history.

At Yale Law Hillary continues to growth her affiliation with the Left, including the Black Panther Party. She used Bill's position of governor of Arkansas to get appointed to the Legal Services Corporation. Later as Director she was able to funnel fees back to the Rose Law Firm, where she retained an interest while using the agency to promote the social welfare state. That literally is the tip of the iceberg that includes two instances of perjury in sworn testimony and a number of scandals you know by their nicknames in the press.

Olson covers the one election when Hillary cements her relationship with Bill into what we know it today. An acceptance of Bill[s philandering in exchange for a political position of power. Hers is an incredible story or single-mindedness and perseverance over thirty years. Remarkable.

The book was written in 1999, sixteen years prior to this year's election but it feels like it could have been written yesterday. The book's facts are documented and footnoted, the writing is excellent. A "must read" for any political junkie before this year's election. My only regret about the book is that Mrs. Olson was killed in the Pennsylvania plane crash on Sept 11, 2001. I would have loved more of her work

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a close look at Hillary Clinton through the eyes and mind of a past attorney in the Department of Justice and U.S. Congressional investigator and general counsel who participated in the investigations of many of the intrigues of Hillary Clinton. The biography starts during Hillary Rodham’s college days, and progresses through her days as First Lady in the State of Arkansas, accompanying her husband on the national campaign trail, as First Lady and what the author calls “co-president” during the Bill Clinton presidency and through all the scandals: Whitewater, Monica, “bimbo eruptions,” Travelgate and more.
The book ends in 1999 with Hillary in the beginning stages of considering running for the Senate from New York and with eyes on a run at the White House in 2004 if Al Gore were to be unsuccessful in 2000.
Not noted in the book or even in its 1999 jacket, of course, is the fact that Barbara Olson did not live long enough to further chronicle Hillary’s life and career. Unfortunately, she was a passenger in the airliner that was crashed into the side of the Pentagon by a terrorist on 9/11, 2001.
One can only wonder what further investigations and revelations by Mrs. Olson might have contributed to the events that led to Hillary’s nomination for President by the Democratic Party and eventual defeat the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, in 2016.

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has many good/interesting parts, but as a whole it seemed incomplete and scattered. My biggest problem was that the author seems to assume that the reader will have a detailed understanding of most of the events to be discussed. I was very young when much of this went on and didn't pay attention to politics in elementary school, so sometimes it was hard to follow. For example, Monica Lewinsky is mentioned and talked about for a little while, there are hardly any specifics. I knew about this topic, but many topics I had never even heard of, so it was difficult to understand how much of a crook she is when the meat of the topic is glossed over. She didn't even give the quote of "that depends on what the definition of is is." She made a reference to it, but never gave it. That becomes problematic for me if I don't already know about that line. There also didn't seem to be all that much organization to the book to me. It sort of followed along chronologically, but there was a lot of jumping around. Still, some parts were very interesting and I am even more amazed than I previously was that there is a single person willing to vote for her.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good book! Olsen did so much research to write this book--it details Hillary's life from the early years through to the second term of Bill's Presidency; it gives a scandalously clear picture of the ruthless, power-hungry woman she is.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the cover to this book - it says it all! Barbara Olson, the author, was killed on 9/11. She was on the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. She is brilliant! Just one word of advice - it's not a "beach read" and I made the mistake of bringing ot on vacation with me.

[Rosie Larios · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, i had no idea Hillary was so ruthless. She is a cold piece of work. I had a different opinion of her before I read the book. I could have never imagined what she was really like. Although I gave this book 4 stars I did think it was a bit wordy. Other than that it was a great read.

[Janice Cantwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revealing Read on Hillary's Iniquities

I had not made up my mind on the 2016 election until I read this book on 11-5-16. This is a great compendium of all the unscrupulous lies and deceits Hillary Clinton has used to reach her great ambition, the presidency of the US. Vote Trump!

[Beth]

dad sent it over with mom for me to read, after i had asked him to... we'll see what "Barbara" knows about Hillary.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting. Lots of info about Hillary during her formative college years and how those times affected her aspirations.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. About Hillary Clinton.

[Dionne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read more books on Hillary than any other female politician.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting, written by a detractor.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am sorry that Ms. Olson is gone. Otherwise, I enjoy reading this caricature (as well as looking at the cover) for humor value.