Reading Clinton continued(3)

Clinton had to be on the defensive, and trying to be nice to all concerned. A second slow reading is necessary, spread over a period of time, to grasp the subtleties of the presentation, and what have been left out, and which items have been stressed upon at regular or irregular intervals. It is a delicate and critical undertaking to create the right image, involving billions of people.

Right for whom? The readers are international, with different backgrounds, approaches, and end objectives and beliefs. The Palestine issue, for examples, is dotted with sincere efforts, as scattered in the 500 pages. It is easier to appreciate good cooking than good politics (but spiced Bangladeshi food is quite different from French cuisine).

Bill Clinton's family background and life cast its usual spell in his public career (as is the usual case universally), but one must admit he rose to the task and tried his best. When high-profile public life and its negative capsules are exposed together, it create problems, and this man, is no exception. The Monica effect on the family makes sad reading.

For the foreign readers in the far-flung corners of the globe there are too many local names and themes which are of relevance to the citizens of the United States. But basic principles peep out on close reading. One example: Nip it in the bud, and the dogs won't bark. The American nursing of changing Russia makes interesting reading mothering the world tends to become a Yankee passion. Clinton noted the fundamental greatness of Mandela. "The party had a heart, but its heart was in the wrong place" apply to in Dhaka" "Lies hurt, but occasional truth hurt more".

In contrast the US $200 presidential hair cut makes amusing reading. Then there are a few lines on 'brain-pox'. Then there was the organisation named DIGNITY, DOING IN God's name incredible things yourself". Another quote: "We campaign in poetry, but govern in prose". Not in Dhaka: both the grammar and the composition are misplaced: One research finding: the Clinton family came from royal ancestors. One schoolboy in a class was surprised to see Clinton standing before him: you are not dead (yet): Right, there is a severe crisis of living leaders.

When daughter Chelsea entered Stanford, Clinton carried her baggage up the stairs. We cannot imagine such an errand in Dhaka from a VIP.

This autobiography will set a new trend in South Asian leaders who dictate or write their autobiographies (I prefer those which are drafted in writing by the incumbents, because the tone of talking is different from the written style). But political writing in the developing countries will continue its traditional subjective mode for at least one generation more.