This thoroughly disturbing book by a journalist both feared and loathed by the Clinton White House may change the way you perceive some of the most powerful institutions, people and values in the United States.
A blow torch of unrelenting scrutiny fired at those involved in investigations into the death of Clinton confidant Vincent Foster tarnishes and discredits a host of key players, including those in the White House, the FBI, politicians, supposedly 'ruggedly independent' super lawyers (such as Kenneth Starr, special counsel investigating chicanery surrounding the Monica Lewinsky allegations), the media and medical experts.
The establishment view is that Foster - deputy White House counsel and life-long friend of Bill Clinton - killed himself on July 20, 1993, by firing a bullet into his mouth in Washington's Fort Marcy Park. He was, it is said, depressed. Proponents of this premise perhaps find it easy to dismiss conspiracy theories of foul play as fantastic nonsense. And when First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks of 'a vast right-wing conspiracy' fuelled by sensation-seeking journalists on a dishonest campaign to bring down her husband, as she did last week when asked about Ms Lewinsky, she may be referring, among others, to Christopher Ruddy.
But some of the evidence surrounding Foster's death suggests that theories of foul play are not too outlandish. An outstanding lawyer from Arkansas with a loving wife and children, he was held in the highest regard by his peers and guarded closely his reputation for integrity and honesty. He worked closely with Mrs Clinton in Little Rock's Rose Law Firm when Bill Clinton was governor of Arkansas.
The two men's relationship had deep roots: as boys they were neighbours and closest of friends. Shortly after Mr Clinton was elected president in December 1992, he called on Foster to join his select coterie in Washington.
Six months later, amid swirling controversies over the breaking Whitewater scandal, alleged wrongdoing in the White House travel office and critical press comment directed specifically at Foster, he was found dead.