June 17, 2004

Bill Clinton launches book tour at Chicago’s Book Expo America

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

In 1901, Mark Twain delivered the first keynote address at Book Expo America, an annual gathering of authors, publishers and booksellers looking to gain insight into the growing world of publishing while getting a sneak peak at new and upcoming titles. With 170,000 books published last year alone, the three-day event has grown over the past century to be considered the premier industry experience in the world, playing host to over 2,000 exhibitors and more than 500 author signings.

This year’s keynote honors went to former President Bill Clinton, as he delivered his inaugural speech to a standing-room only crowd for his upcoming memoir “My Life,” scheduled hit bookstores later this month.

During his introduction at the Chicago event, Sonny Mehta, president and editor in chief of Alfred A. Knopf Publishing, described Clinton’s story as both a riveting personal drama and a fascinating look at the American political arena over the past 40 years. “It is the fullest and most nuanced account of a presidency ever written and one of the most revealing and remarkable memoirs I have ever had the honor of publishing,” he said. “It’s not just a great book, but an important historical document.”

The introduction led to a nearly one-minute standing ovation, after which Clinton joked, “You’ll have to be careful treating me that way, you’ll have me thinking I’m President again.”

Oftentimes humorous, sometimes political, Clinton touched on specific memories, political policy and a constantly changing climate. He applauded bookseller and librarian efforts to amend Section 215 of the Patriot Act, which gives the FBI extensive authority to search records, including those of bookstores and libraries. “You should oppose anything you don’t like,” he said. “In this case [regarding 215], I think you’re right. The government hasn’t made a case for it yet. I think it’s important that we do this in a way that doesn’t compromise the character of our country or the future of our children.”

While he acknowledged that complicated political challenges facing the nation today would certainly slow the process when it came to achieving the proper balance, he reiterated the need to “bend over backwards to protect free speech.”

An avid reader, Clinton credited a copy of “Dick & Jane” for starting his lifelong love affair with books at the age of 2—an affair that he said has had a big impact on his life.

From his relationship with his grandmother, to his triumphs and failures as a person and as president, Clinton mixes personal anecdotes with American history and political opinion—broken into two distinct parts that cover his life from birth through his election in 1992, and then as President of the United States. “I wanted to show how my small life interwove with America’s life,” he said. “Including how America broke open politically in the 60s.”
Clinton considers the second part of his book a diary of the presidency. “There is a lot of policy in it,” he explained. “Some will think too much. But I think it’s important, because I think the presidency is a deciding job. I want people to understand what it’s like to be president—at least what it was like for me.”

Clinton called the process behind creating his memoir therapeutic, as writing about specific times in his life found him thinking about it in sections and finding himself back in the moment. “I could feel it,” he said. “I had these emotional waves come over me.”

In his prologue, Clinton expressed his desire for good friends, to have a successful political life, and lastly, to write a great book. “My Life” claims to fulfill the later. “If this book’s no good,” he stated, “it’s all my fault.”
“A lot of presidential memoirs they say are dull and self-serving,” he added whimsically. “I hope mine is interesting and self-serving.”

Clinton also advised others to document their life stories as children hunger for their roots. He admitted one of the most amazing experiences working on the book was seeing it through his daughter’s eyes. “You can’t imagine what it will do for your children,” he said. “Anybody who is fortunate enough to live to be 50 years old should take some time to sit down and write the story of their lives, even if it’s only 20 pages and even if it’s only for your children, your grandchildren, and your closest friends.”