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DARIEN, Conn. People were lined up around the block Friday at Barrett Bookstore waiting for the chance to meet Bill Clinton, who was in town signing copies of his new book, "Back to Work." And they were not disappointed.
It was awesome in the truest sense," said Middlesex Middle School librarian Barbara Ivey. "Hes so personable. Hes the best president.
Gene Volcy, who works in town, said he might not wash the hand that shook the former president's for a year. The fact that hes helping Haiti, which is my home, I wouldnt have missed this for anything. It was such an honor.
The 550 vouchers for the signing were sold out quickly to fans of the former commander in chief. As they got their copies of the book signed, many were able to share a few words with Clinton, who seemed eager to chat.
The volume details the problems the American economy has faced in the past couple years, and how the government and the private sector must work together to get it humming again.
Its an explanation of how we got to where we are today and how we can get out of these problems, he said. The book focuses on how the private sector and the government can work together to get the economy back on track. The countrys got some problems, but none of them are insoluble. We can get out of this.
Clinton said that the reaction to his book so far has been positive. I think of all the books Ive written, the highest percentage of people are reading this one, he said. Ive had Republicans and Democrats in the line, and they want the government to work and the economy to work. I think they buy the argument that I make in this book that they have to work together.
This book is a departure for me. My whole life is my foundation, but I wanted to do one on economics because I thought it would be good for the people who would like to have a simple volume to explain what happened.
Clinton is proud of the work he has done with the Clinton Foundation. It is currently working with schools to help tackle the problems of childhood obesity. Another key component is an entrepreneurship program for inner-city businesses. Around the world, it has set up several clinics in rural areas to help people get access to healthcare.
Clinton said he is making a point to do as many signings in independent bookstores like Barrett as possible.
These independent stores, because they cant typically buy in the volumes and cant afford the price discounts the big chains can, theyre double bound by having a higher cost per book and competing with Internet sales, he said. But I think for a community having a bookstore like this adds a lot to the quality of life.
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