Crisis of Character
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder | Gary J. Byrne, Grant M. Schmidt |
| Products | Book |
| Parent | Center Street (Hachette Book Group) |
Crisis of Character: A White House Secret Service Officer Reveals His Personal Encounters with Hillary, Bill, and Their Methods is a bestselling 2016 publication authored by former United States Secret Service Uniformed Division member Gary J. Byrne, alongside Grant M. Schmidt. The book provides a firsthand narrative concerning President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton throughout the 1993–2001 Clinton administration, asserting instances of Bill Clinton's extramarital affairs and portraying Hillary Clinton as exhibiting a commanding and domineering attitude. It also describes a turbulent dynamic within the First Couple.[1][2][3]
Publication
Released by Center Street, a division of Hachette Book Group, the work’s commercial achievement was predominantly fueled by endorsements from conservative media.[4] Prior to its full release, selected excerpts were published in media outlets such as the Boston Herald.
Content and themes
Focusing on contemporary political issues, notably the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, 2016, Byrne asserts that Hillary Clinton "does not possess the integrity or temperament required for the office". The narrative emphasizes her frequent use of coarse language. Additionally, the book recounts episodes from Byrne’s tenure during earlier presidential administrations.
Responses
The nonpartisan Association of Former Agents of the United States Secret Service criticized the publication for potentially damaging the trust between agents and those they protect. They challenged Byrne’s claimed access to many events detailed in the book, suggesting that much information may have been derived from internal speculation. Media Matters highlighted inconsistencies between Byrne’s account and his 1998 sworn testimony amid the Lewinsky scandal. On the other hand, the author, supporters including Donald Trump, and some conservative commentators argued that mainstream media largely overlooked the book. Byrne’s publicist commented that "the Clintons always attack the messenger".
Critical reception
A review in The Washington Times observed that the book offers surprisingly limited direct insight into Hillary Clinton herself, functioning more as a memoir enriched with reflections on Byrne’s professional experiences and personal life.
Commercial reception
Following its launch, the book swiftly climbed to number two on Amazon’s bestseller rankings. It entered at number one on the New York Times Non-Fiction bestseller list and maintained that position for five consecutive weeks. In subsequent weeks, it gradually slipped but remained within the top ten for a total of ten weeks. The title also attained the number one spot on the Publishers Weekly list.
External links
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