The Death of American Virtue: Clinton vs. Starr

Ten years after one of the most polarizing political scandals in American history, author Ken Gormley offers an insightful, balanced, and revealing analysis of the events leading up to the impeachment trial of President William Jefferson Clinton. From Ken Starrs initial Whitewater investigation through the Paula Jones sexual harassment suit to the Monica Lewinsky affair, The Death of American Virtue is a gripping chronicle of an ever-escalating political feeding frenzy.

In exclusive interviews, Bill Clinton, Ken Starr, Monica Lewinsky, Paula Jones, Susan McDougal, and many more key players offer candid reflections on that period. Drawing on never-before-released records and documentsincluding the Justice Departments internal investigation into Starr, new details concerning the death of Vince Foster, and evidence from lawyers on both sidesGormley sheds new light on a dark and divisive chapter, the aftereffects of which are still being felt in todays political climate.

"This book's readers will quickly think of water. Facts overwhelm you like Niagara. And when you've finished reading about President Clinton and special prosecutor Ken Starr, you may want to take a long shower. Gormley, a professor of law at Duquesne (Archibald Cox), reviews the entire sordid business of Clinton's foolishness and his enemies' efforts to bring down his presidency. It's not an edifying tale. Very few of the book's cast come off well, except for Secret Service officials and a judge or two. If there's a sympathetic character, it's Susan McDougal, who refused to rat on her friends. Starr makes error after error and confuses vindictiveness with duty. While not altering the basic story in any way, Gormley gains much from effective interviews 10 years after with participants and his use of newly available documents. While his book is too long, Gormley remains in control of the details, and this riveting first look at events that only future history will put into full relief shows how affairs of sex and enmity can become affairs of state. 24 pages of b&w photos." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

This is a detailed narrative reconstruction of the various scandals that resulted in the impeachment, without conviction by the Senate, of President Bill Clinton. The scope of the narrative is wide-ranging, detailing the actions and views of a broad spectrum of actors relevant to the scandals and their outcome, and the account of Gormley (Duquesne U. Law School) benefits from interview access to many of the key players, including President Clinton, Ken Starr, Monica Lewinsky, Linda Tripp, Paula Jones, Susan MacDougal, and others. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Ken Gormley is a law professor at Duquesne University, specializing in constitutional law, as well as a nationally renowned expert on Watergate and special prosecutors. He is the author of the critically acclaimed Archibald Cox: Conscience of a Nation.