Hundreds Attend Clinton, Patterson Book Tour In Westchester

Ted Amoruso of Mount Vernon said he wouldn't miss a visit by a president, even if it meant lining up at 5 a.m. for a book signing 14 hours later.

Bill Clinton and James Patterson told reporters that their new book, "The President Is Missing," is disappearing from Barnes & Noble shelves, and gave one clue about the mystery thriller's plot: "Anything electronic can be hacked."
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

Bill Clinton of Chappaqua signing copies of his new novel, "The President Is Missing," at a Barnes & Noble store in Scarsdale on Tuesday night.
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

Ted Amoruso of Mount Vernon was first in line at 5 a.m. Tuesday for former President Bill Clinton's book signing event at Barnes & Noble in Scarsdale. Hundreds asked Clinton and co-author James Patterson to sign "The President Is Missing."
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

Bobby Williamson of Manhattan was among dozens of "special guests" allowed into the Barnes & Noble bookstore before the guests who stood in line all day. "I got my signature," he said.
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

Best-selling author James Patterson, a Newburgh native who has resided in Scarborough and Palm Beach, Fla., signing his latest novel co-written with former President Bill Clinton of Chappaqua.
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

At least 500 fans of Bill Clinton and/or James Patterson stood for hours in the sun and heat on Tuesday for the former president's book signing tour at Barnes & Noble, The Westchester duo co-wrote a mystery thriller titled "The President Is Missing."
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

The lobby at Barnes & Noble just before Secret Service agents swept the entire bookstore and patio where people locked out of the sold-out book-signing hung around along Post Road near Scarsdale for a "Bill Clinton sighting."
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

Ted Amoruso was first in line to buy his copy of "The President Is Missing" signed by Bill Clinton of Chappaqua and best-selling author James Patterson. Amoruso met Ringo Starr on a 2003 book tour, but said, "This will be my first president."
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

Bill Clinton and James Patterson spoke to reporters before signing hundreds of "The President Is Missing" at Barnes & Noble for hours on Tuesday night.
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

Jon Craig

06/20/2018 7:30 a.m.

This story has been updated.

"I waited in line for Ringo in 2003. How often do you meet a Beatle? I've never met a president."

And Amoruso said he has always been a fan of Bill Clinton of Chappaqua, Al Gore and Hillary Clinton, whom he did meet during her 2016 campaign against President Donald Trump, who owns an estate in Bedford.

Amid heavy Secret Service security and a sweep by dogs, former President Clinton stopped by the Barnes & Noble in Scarsdale on Tuesday, June 19 to sign the book he co-wrote with best-selling author James Patterson of Scarborough.

Patterson, a native of Newburgh, said the books are selling faster than he expected.

The Westchester writing duo signed more than 500 copies of their new novel, "The President is Missing" on Tuesday night.

Clinton headlined news recently after his NBC "Today" show comments about Monica Lewinsky, as reported here by Daily Voice.

"The President Is Missing" is a fictional thriller about a president who disappears as he tries to prevent an apocalyptic cyber attack. Clinton and Patterson believe it can happen.

Clinton told news reporters, "We started talking about doing the book in the middle of 2016. ... Anything that's electronic can be hacked."

The 500-page novel topped Amazon's best-seller list before publication.

A limited number of wristbands for access were distributed beginning at 9 a.m. at the Barnes & Noble store, 680 White Plains Post Road in the Vernon Hills Shopping Center.

The event was "sold out" within two hours, and visitors --some with umbrellas -- braved sun and 80-plus degree heat for hours before snaking through security lines longer than those at JFK Airport within the bookstore.

"I was here at 5 a.m. this morning and I've been here ever since,'' Amoruso said. "It was the thrill of a lifetime."

He ended up having to wait even longer as a few dozen "special guests" got their books signed before the early birds with bracelets.

"I knew somebody who knew somebody, so I got in free," said Bobby Williamson of Manhattan. "It's my first time meeting a president. James Patterson was lovely."

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