One Sentence Summary
Crisis of Character is an autobiography written by Gary J. Byrne, a former US Secret Service officer who discloses his firsthand experience of guarding the Clintons in the White House and the consequences of their tumultuous reign.
Book Genre
This book is an autobiography and a political memoir which blends true stories and anecdotes about the Clintons with opinion.
Main Topic of the Book
Crisis of Character: A White House Secret Service Officer Discloses His Firsthand Experience with Hillary, Bill, and How They Operate is essentially a no-holds-barred account of former US Secret Service uniformed officer Gary J. Byrne’s experiences while he worked as a guard at the White House during Bill and Hillary Clinton’s time as president and first lady, respectively.
Key Ideas
- Inside the Protective Bubble: Shouldering the responsibility of personally ensuring the safety of the president and his family during the Clinton presidency, Byrne attests to the unique experiences of being a Secret Service officer and the insight it gives him to the workings of the White House.
- Joe Biden Contrast: Bryne also makes a point of noting how different Joe Biden is from the Clintons, stressing his moral soundness and lack of media manipulation.
- Publicly Private Affairs: Byrne divulges just how far in secrecy the Clintons kept their own scandals, as well as their questionable relations with those who donated to the Clinton foundation.
- The Impeachment of Bill Clinton: Byrne speculates that Bill’s sexual misconduct was so rampant in the White House that it should have resulted in more serious repercussions than mere impeachment.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
- Part I: In Part I, Byrne introduces the context in which he was chosen as an officer for the White House and recounts the lessons he gleaned while on the job. Byrne then dives into different scenarios that he was challenged with during his tenure, including Chelsea Clinton’s first date.
- Part II: Part II focuses on the trials Byrne faced while on the job, as well as the disappointments and instability that the Clintons turned the White House into. Byrne acknowledges the shortcomings of the Clintons and the laidback attitude of the White House with regard to security.
- Part III: Part III introduces Byrne’s moral perspective on the Clintons and Joe Biden, with particular focus on Bill’s filmed confession and the scandal that followed. Byrne then recounts the journey of the Clintons’ fall from grace, beginning from the Monica Lewinsky allegations and ending with the Stars and Stripes ceremony—the last event he personally witnessed.
Key Takeaways
- Secret Service operatives must compose themselves in order to fulfill their duties without bias.
- The Clintons prioritized their reputation over transparency and outrageously triggered a ‘cone of silence’.
- Byrne learned the power of a particular attitude through his first-hand experience with the Clintons.
- He believes Suggests that Bill’s sexual misconduct was more serious than portrayed in the media.
- The Clintons were able to survive a serious scandal that should have resulted in a far harsher consequence.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Gary J. Byrne is a former US Secret Service officer and presidential guard who served in the Clinton White House from 1996 to 1999. After retiring from the White House in February 2005, he wrote a book called Crisis of Character, which recounts his experiences while protecting President Bill Clinton and his family. Byrne has also served as an aviation security expert and a part-time local law enforcement officer.
Target Audience
The target audience for Crisis of Character is anyone interested in the Clinton White House, along with those interested in reading stories of police officers and security operatives.
Publisher and First Publication Date
Crisis of Character was originally published in June 2016 by Center Street, an imprint of Hachette Book Group.