The Boy Next Door by Carolyn Staley
This memoir is about my friendship since age 15 with Bill Clinton. We were next-door neighbors in high school. He urged us to move back to Little Rock when he was governor and to be neighbors again, so we did. And then we moved to DC during his presidency for a remarkable journey there. We stay in touch today through phone calls and texts. It’s not a political book but just a glimpse into the kind of dear friend he is and the many experiences he allowed us to have along the way.
People who have interviewed me have remarked about how the book presents the side of Clinton that shows him to be just a “regular guy” who enjoys getting together with friends for meals, to play cards, listen to music, and have conversation about our families and lives.
As a preacher’s daughter and an ordained minister, I shared a good deal about the role that faith has played in Clinton’s life since a young man. He invited me to go with him to services where I was able to experience what faith means to him. He’s always made it his goal to set policies that show compassion for the marginalized. He believes that education is the great levelizer and makes it possible for people from all walks of life and backgrounds to have an opportunity to have a successful life.
I enjoyed writing about many times when his friendship led him to call to check on us, to invite me and our family to special events that were attended primarily by big donors and powerful leaders. He just wanted to share these times with friends.
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Clinton Library Gift Shop, Paper Hearts, WordsWorth, Books
MEET CAROLYN STALEY
August 19 – 6 pm
Clinton Presidential Center – moderated book discussion & signing
October 13 – 2 pm
Arkadelphia Arts Center – book discussion & signing
October 21 – 12n
Garland County Library, Hot Springs
Garland County Historical Society Meeting – book discussion and signing
December 2 – 5:30 pm
The Vapors, Hot Springs
Virginia Clinton Kelley Democrats Meeting – book discussion & signing
Amazon describes the book this way: The life of President Bill Clinton as seen through the lens of one who was his next-door neighbor during high school and who has maintained a close and uninterrupted friendship ever since, by maintaining a near-constant correspondence, serving roles in both his gubernatorial and presidential administrations, and having shared personal interests, especially music.
