Books That Inspired the Limited Series American Crime Story (Impeachment)

American Crime Story: Impeachment is a dramatic television limited series that portrays the events leading to the impeachment of the President of the United States, Bill Clinton, in 1998. The limited series is based on several books and was filmed in the United States and Canada, with locations in the cities of Los Angeles, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Production began in October 2018 and was completed in February 2019. The cast includes Sarah Paulson as Linda Tripp, Beanie Feldstein as Monica Lewinsky, Annaleigh Ashford as Paula Jones, Clive Owen as Bill Clinton, Billy Eichner as Sidney Blumenthal, and Bruce Greenwood as Kenneth Starr.

The limited series follows the story of the perjury and obstruction of justice charges against Bill Clinton, stemming from his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, which took place between 1995 and 1996. The investigation was led by the then-Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr, the trial by the United States Senate, and the involvement of the then-Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich.

The episodes focus on Starr's efforts to investigate Lewinsky's allegations, as well as the consequences and repercussions that the impeachment had on the lives of all involved. The series examines the events from a political, personal, and social perspective, offering a unique and insightful view of the case.

Books on the subject

"A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President" (1999), by Jeffrey Toobin, is a thorough analysis of the sexual scandal that nearly destroyed then-President Bill Clinton. The book explores the role played by Independent Counsel Starr, the political and legal showdown between Starr and Clinton, and the tension that permeated the entire process.

"Monica's Story: A Story of Pain, Resilience, and Hope" (1999) by Monica Lewinsky: tells Monica's story from the beginning of the scandal. In it, Monica recounts the details of her relationship with President Bill Clinton and how she was surrounded by the media and the government. She shares how she dealt with the consequences of the scandal and how she recovered psychologically. The book also addresses abuses of power, gender issues, and other important topics, making it a truly valuable book.

"The Breach: Inside the Impeachment and Trial of William Jefferson Clinton" (2000) by Peter Baker: provides a detailed insight into Clinton's impeachment trial. The book tells the story through the eyes of key players, including the president, former Independent Counsel Starr, Clinton's defense counsel, and Congress, and examines Clinton's decision to lie to the country about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

"The Death of American Virtue: Clinton vs. Starr" (2010) by Ken Gormley: is a detailed account of the events leading to the investigation and impeachment of President Bill Clinton. The book examines the role of Congress members, media members, and prosecutors involved, as well as the influence of the Republican Party on the impeachment process. The book also examines the political culture of the United States in the 1990s and the impact the impeachment had on Bill Clinton's presidency.

"Truth and Consequences: Life Inside the Outrage Machine" (2018) by Kurt Eichenwald: addresses the culture of "witch hunting" that took over the impeachment process of Bill Clinton and other political issues in the late 1990s. The book investigates how the media and the government influenced the impeachment process and the unfolding of the political crisis.

Where to watch: Star+