Giving how each of us can change the world

A look at how individual endeavors can save lives and solve problems, offering compelling examples of both citizen and corporate activism at work in the world today. "Almost everyone--regardless of income, available time, age, and skills--can do something useful for others and, in the process,...

Full description

Main Author: Clinton, Bill, 1946-
Format: Books Print Book
Language: English
Published: New York : Knopf, c2007.
Edition: 1st ed.
Subjects:
Summary: A look at how individual endeavors can save lives and solve problems, offering compelling examples of both citizen and corporate activism at work in the world today. "Almost everyone--regardless of income, available time, age, and skills--can do something useful for others and, in the process, strengthen the fabric of our shared humanity." Inspiring stories of people and organizations--some famous, as well as many private citizens whom readers will be hearing about for the first time--show that the act of giving takes many forms; that offerings of time, skills, objects, and ideas can be just as important as contributions of money; and that the lives of those who give are changed as well.--From publisher description.
Item Description: "Borzoi book."
Physical Description: xiii, 240 p. ill. ; 25 cm.
Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and webography (p. 215-226) and index.
ISBN: 9780307266743
0307266745
Author Notes: William Jefferson Clinton was born William Jefferson Blythe IV on August 19, 1946 in Hope, Arkansas. His father, an automobile parts salesman, was killed in a car accident three months before he was born. At the age of fifteen, Bill changed his name to that of his stepfather Roger's as a gesture of goodwill to both him and his mother. Clinton attended Hot Springs High School where he was very active in the student government, among other things. In 1963, Clinton was chosen to attend the American Legion Boys State, a government and leadership conference in Little Rock, where he was elected a senator and given the opportunity to go to Washington D. C. and meet President John F. Kennedy. Clinton attended Georgetown University after he graduated from high school, where he majored in International Studies. He interned for Senator William Fulbright of Arkansas, and with him became an opponent of the Vietnam War. Clinton won a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford where he studied for two years before attending the University of Arkansas Law School. There he was issued a draft letter and joined ROTC, but was never called up since he received a high number for the draft lottery.

In 1970, Clinton entered Yale Law School and worked for George McGovern's presidential campaign in 1972. He graduated from Yale in 1973, and worked for a short time in D. C. as a staff attorney for the House Judiciary Committee. In 1974, Clinton entered his first political race, against Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt, losing to the Congressman by 2 percent. In 1976, he was elected Arkansas Attorney General and in '78 ran for Arkansas Governor, winning the race 63% to 37%. He lost the reelection two years later because of Cuban refugee issues, but regained the title in 1982, and held it till he became President in 1993.

Bill Clinton announced his run for President on October 3, 1991, and with Al Gore as his Vice President, took office on January 20, 1993 at the age of 46. He was one of the youngest men to hold the office of President and the first Democrat to be elected since 1976. As President, Clinton worked on health care reform, cut federal spending, created jobs, reduced the deficit and enacted the Assault Weapon Ban as part of the Crime Bill. He also helped Israel and Jordan achieve a peace treaty, enabled a peace accord between Israel and Palestine and contributed to the cease fire in Northern Ireland. Clinton stepped down from the Presidency in 2000 to make way for George W. Bush, and established himself in offices in Harlem, New York City, New York, while his wife was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing New York State.

(Bowker Author Biography)