cover image The First Partner--Hillary Rodham Clinton

The First Partner--Hillary Rodham Clinton

Joyce Milton. William Morrow & Company, $27 (435pp) ISBN 978-0-688-15501-8

A revealing, often withering portrait of the First Lady, based largely on previously published material, Milton's biography makes an especially timely scorecard as Hillary Clinton considers whether to run for a Senate seat from New York. Though she writes with notable empathy, Milton (The Rosenberg File, etc.) seeks to dismantle the image of Mrs. Clinton as feminist icon and symbol of baby boomer womanhood. She asserts that, because Mrs. Clinton played the role of enabler (accepting Bill Clinton's chronic infidelities and shielding him from the consequences of his self-destructive behavior), she must be held accountable for her bad judgment in thinking that her husband's private flaws would not interfere with his performance as president. The First Lady is presented as a combative personality, a willing participant in the obfuscation of the Whitewater affair and her commodities trading, a woman of many causes with an unfocused, even opportunistic political philosophy and a tendency to surround herself with yes men. Milton is sharply critical of Mrs. Clinton's penchant for massive federal programs, whether for health care or day care. Blending reportage, juicy gossip and explosive charges, Milton contends that Asian-American businessman John Huang was a spy, either for Indonesia or China, and gives credence to evidence that Mrs. Clinton, desperate to raise cash for her husband's reelection in 1996, played a key role in getting Huang a job at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he obtained classified CIA documents on U.S.--China technology transfer and nuclear power. Ultimately, however, Milton doesn't go for the jugular. Both Mrs. Clinton's admirers and detractors will find that she always leaves enough room open for counterargument. 16 pages of b&w photos not seen by PW. Agent, Barbara Lowenstein; author tour; 20-city satellite tour. (May)