Ken Starr

Ken Starr (1946-2022) was an American lawyer, judge and government official best known for leading the independent counsel investigation of President Bill Clinton in the 1990s that resulted in the Starr Report and Clinton's subsequent impeachment. Before his role investigating Clinton, Starr served as U.S. Solicitor General under President George H.W. Bush from 1989-1993 and as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit from 1983-1989. He argued 36 cases before the Supreme Court during his career. After his time as independent counsel, Starr served as Dean of Pepperdine University School of Law and later as President of Baylor University from 2010-2016. His book "Contempt: A Memoir of the Clinton Investigation" published in 2018 provided his account of the investigation that defined his public career. Starr's legal career also included defending Jeffrey Epstein in 2008 and serving on President Trump's defense team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. He authored several books on the Supreme Court and constitutional law, including "First Among Equals: The Supreme Court in American Life" and "Religious Liberty in Crisis: Exercising Your Faith in an Age of Uncertainty."

Readers' views of Ken Starr's books largely align with their political perspectives. His memoir "Contempt" receives polarized reviews, with little middle ground. What readers liked: - Detailed explanations of legal procedures and constitutional principles - Clear writing style when discussing complex legal matters - Historical documentation of the Clinton investigation from an insider's perspective What readers disliked: - Perceived partisan bias in presentation of events - Limited self-reflection or acknowledgment of criticism - Focus on technical details over human elements Ratings across platforms: Amazon: "Contempt" 4.5/5 (300+ reviews) Goodreads: "Contempt" 3.8/5 (400+ ratings) "First Among Equals" 3.9/5 (100+ ratings) Specific reader comments: "Thorough documentation but reads like a legal brief" - Goodreads reviewer "Too focused on defending his own actions" - Amazon reviewer "Clear explanation of constitutional principles" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

Contempt: A Memoir of the Clinton Investigation (2018) A firsthand account of the investigation into President Bill Clinton, detailing Starr's role as independent counsel and the events leading to Clinton's impeachment.

First Among Equals: The Supreme Court in American Life (2002) An examination of the Supreme Court's role in American society, analyzing major decisions and the Court's evolution over time.

Religious Liberty in Crisis: Exercising Your Faith in an Age of Uncertainty (2021) An analysis of religious freedom in America, exploring constitutional protections and contemporary challenges to religious liberty.

Bear Country: The Baylor Story (2005) A history of Baylor University examining its development as an institution of higher education in Texas.

Jeffrey Toobin - He provides detailed accounts of major legal and political investigations through books like "The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson" and "True Crimes and Misdemeanors: The Investigation of Donald Trump." His coverage of high-profile cases and the Supreme Court parallels Starr's focus on constitutional issues and presidential investigations.

Bob Woodward - His investigative works on presidents and political scandals, including "All the President's Men" about Watergate, align with Starr's insider perspective on presidential investigations. His access to key figures and detailed documentation of political events mirrors Starr's approach to chronicling the Clinton investigation.

Linda Greenhouse - Her work as a Supreme Court correspondent and author of books like "Becoming Justice Blackmun" provides deep analysis of the Court's operations and constitutional law. Her focus on the Supreme Court's role in American life connects directly to Starr's writings on constitutional issues.

David Boies - His books on constitutional law and experience arguing before the Supreme Court reflect similar legal expertise to Starr's work. His involvement in high-profile cases and analysis of constitutional issues matches Starr's blend of practical legal experience and scholarly writing.

James B. Stewart - His books examining legal and political scandals, including "Blood Sport: The President and His Adversaries," focus on detailed investigation of complex cases. His approach to documenting political investigations and legal proceedings parallels Starr's method of analyzing high-profile cases.