The Truth of Power – Intellectual Affairs in the Clinton White House - Hardcover

Barber, Benjamin R

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0393020142 ISBN 13: 9780393020144

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Co., 2001

Synopsis

President Clinton had a romance with big ideas. He cultivated intellectuals intently, seducing them with his characteristic charm and the promise of real influence on the political stage. "The Truth of Power" captures how Clinton's seductive charisma and the high hopes of the '60s generation came together in an exhilarating and disappointing "affair". Drawing on his six years of experience as an informal adviser to the president, Benjamin R. Barber reflects on the relationship between power and ideals, visionary leadership and pragmatic politics. Should ideas have a claim on presidential power, or is leadership by polling actually more in tune with the demands of democracy? What happens to intellectuals seduced by presidential attention? And will the future grant Clinton a substantial legacy?

About this title

Review

"Benjamin R. Barber writes persuasively about how Bill Clinton's mind works, not as an intellectual in the learned sense of the term, but as a brilliant synthesizer who can express the essential points of any argument that engages his attention. Barber believes, against the grain of conventional wisdom, that Clinton 'is a man whose democratic career is long from over.'" -- Alan Wolfe, Boston College

Benjamin R. Barber writes persuasively about how Bill Clinton's mind works, not as an intellectual in the learned sense of the term, but as a brilliant synthesizer who can express the essential points of any argument that engages his attention. Barber believes, against the grain of conventional wisdom, that Clinton 'is a man whose democratic career is long from over.'--Alan Wolfe, Boston College

Benjamin R. Barber writes persuasively about how Bill Clinton's mind works, not as an intellectual in the learned sense of the term, but as a brilliant synthesizer who can express the essential points of any argument that engages his attention. Barber believes, against the grain of conventional wisdom, that Clinton 'is a man whose democratic career is long from over.'

--Alan Wolfe, Boston College

Benjamin R. Barber writes persuasively about how Bill Clinton's mind works, not as an intellectual in the learned sense of the term, but as a brilliant synthesizer who can express the essential points of any argument that engages his attention. Barber believes, against the grain of conventional wisdom, that Clinton 'is a man whose democratic career is long from over.'--Alan Wolfe, Boston College

About the Author

Benjamin R. Barber (1939--2017) was an American political theorist and author, perhaps best known for his 1995 bestseller, Jihad vs. McWorld.

Edition details

• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Co.
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0393020142
• ISBN 13: 9780393020144
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320