THE CLINTON TAPES Wrestling History with the President

Pulitzer Prize winner Taylor Branch examines the modern presidency and White House life, shedding additional light on the enigmatic strengths and weaknesses of his friend William Jefferson Clinton during his presidency. Branch’s analyses rely on his recollections of the many conversations—initiated by Clinton—between the two men. In these recorded discussions, which usually took place late at night, the president reflected upon national and international matters at hand and made personal observations about his family life. Branch’s narration is gently warm, with more than a touch of Southern inflection. But his unvarying tone, while sincere, creates a low-key mood that does not give some of the material the appropriate gravitas. Pronunciation issues add to the dullness. The straightforward narration reflects the rapport between the two individuals but not the importance of the shared historical insights. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2010]