VIDEO CNN anchor Bill Hemmer speaks with author Christopher Andersen Windows Media 28K 80K

Read the Excerpt: A study of contrasts

August 5, 1999
Web posted at: 2:55 p.m. EDT (1855 GMT)

(CNN) -- They are one of history's most remarkable couples: he the irrepressible country boy populist oozing ambition and Southern charm, she the brilliant lawyer with a taste for power, and in the end, an unshakable allegiance to the man in her life.

The nature of the relationship between Bill and Hillary Clinton has generated millions of words from journalists, spinmeisters, talk-show hosts and senators.

Now Christopher Andersen, a man used to digging into the secrets of the famous, has taken up the challenge to document what he sees as the true nature of the relationship of the first couple.

Andersen, author of more than 20 books including "The Day Diana Died," "Jack and Jackie" and "An Affair To Remember: The Remarkable Love Story of Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy," looks at how sex, money, power, lies and scandal have played a role in the shaping of the Clinton marriage -- and in the presidency.