Contempt

A Memoir of the Clinton Investigation

By: Ken Starr

Narrated by: Ken Starr

Twenty years after the Starr Report and the Clinton impeachment, former special prosecutor Ken Starr finally shares his definitive account of one of the most divisive periods in American history.

You could fill a library with books about the scandals of the Clinton administration, which eventually led to President Clinton's impeachment by the House of Representatives. Bill and Hillary Clinton have told their version of events, as have various journalists and participants. Whenever liberals recall those years, they usually depict independent counsel Ken Starr as an out-of-control, politically driven prosecutor.

But as a New York Times columnist asked in 2017, "What if Ken Starr was right?" What if the popular media in the 1990s completely misunderstood Starr's motives, his tactics, and his ultimate goal: to ensure that no one, especially not the president of the United States, is above the law?

Starr - the man at the eye of the hurricane - has kept his unique perspective to himself for two full decades. In this long-awaited memoir, he finally sheds light on everything he couldn't tell us during the Clinton years, even in his carefully detailed "Starr Report" of September 1998.

Contempt puts you, the listener, into the shoes of Starr and his team as they tackle the many scandals of that era, from Whitewater to Vince Foster's death to Travelgate to Monica Lewinsky. Starr explains in vivid detail how all those scandals shared a common thread: the Clintons' contempt for our system of justice.

This book proves that Bill and Hillary Clinton weren't victims of a so-called "vast right-wing conspiracy." They played fast and loose with the law and abused their powers and privileges.

Today, from #MeToo aftermath and Russiagate to President Trump's impeachment trial, the office of the American presidency is in crisis - and Starr's insights are more relevant now than ever.

©2018 Ken Starr (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A firecracker of a book that tells the ultimate inside story.... Candid, illuminating, and authoritative.” (Rich Lowry, editor of National Review)

“If you think you know the story, you don’t - until you read this gripping account of what happened behind the scenes.” (Tim O’Brien, ABC News)

"Twenty years after the political tumult that made him one of the most polarizing figures in the nation, it is possible to see Ken Starr as a brilliant lawyer and reasonable man." (Michael Wolff, author of Fire and Fury)

An interesting story

I remember vividly how to he story unfolded, and it was very interesting to hear it from a main character.

Kenneth Starr is the Star

Why would you want to go back in time and hear this stuff all over again. Well, we’ve never had the opportunity to hear it from the Judge himself. Fascinating tale. Can’t make this stuff up as they say. Still unbelievable what this corrupt couple has gotten away with over the decades and they’re still not behind bars. A good reason Judgement Day. Great to have the story in Judge Starr’s own voice. Starr, an honorable man and glad to learn a little about him as well.

Great insights into DOJ special counsel, relevant today

I thought Starr’s reading would be tough to get through in the first few minutes, but I quickly settled into enjoying his delivery. Without the excellent material I may have had a different opinion. I’d put the overall affect on par with Krauthammer: it feels dry, but the actual content lends something to what eventually becomes a trusted intellectual delivery.

I was a young man at the time the Clinton/Whitewater investigations were underway, and I paid little attention to politics. Starr’s book provides a lot of really great backdrop to many of the details vaguely remembered. I believed then and believe now that the Clintons were corrupt. However, I thought that Starr was also a political figure—a Mueller before Mueller.

That really was the great thing about this book. It led me to carefully consider the current investigation of the Trump administration, and having insight into how things work on Capitol Hill during such times. As a result of the book I have a different take on the investigation and a far more skeptical perspective on the difference between guilt and proveable guilt where it comes to a presidency.

Regardless of of your political leanings Starr’s book is worth a listen.

Just the facts!

Thank you, Ken Starr, for your book. Your narration was wonderful and added a true sense of history. Hearing this story from someone who was such an important part of the event brings the story to life. This is no gossip or political attack, but an insider view of the facts of an event that shocked our country! #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

insider perspective

An important perspective of a precedent setting time in American history and politics. I'd toy seek to understand what happened, Ken Starr's version of events and his analysis deserve consideration.

Very enlightening

Wow what interesting facts. I am sorry for what Ken Starr and his family suffered through the Clinton years. I voted Democratic for 50 years and I am appalled with what the Clintons have gotten away with.

Talk about behind the scenes

Excellent book but a best fit for those who like a lot of detail. I really enjoyed the candid look behind the scenes and a trip back to this time in history.

Such a tragedy.

It was a fascinating read and I enjoyed all of it. the ending just leaves you realizing how tragic that period of American history was.

Judge Starr is very nice.

As always, Judge Ken Starr is a very nice gentleman and honorable individual. It is good to hear his side of Whitewater, but frustrating to see how he was turned into the "bad guy" while Hill & Bill got to skate free. It's a quick and easy listen - still relevant to what is still going on in politics in this country today.

Vanilla ken

The story sounds familiar to every president that’s been in the White House, The neoliberal Clinton started the exception making for his conduct of behavior glad he had to pay MS Jones