Bill Clinton, standing between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, taking the oath of office of President of the United States.

Happy birthday to William Jefferson Clinton, born on this day sixty-nine years ago. As Clinton approaches his eighth decade, his wife gears up for a second attempt at the presidential nomination, his daughter, Chelsea, is a new mom, and 'that woman' (Monica Lewinsky) is giving TED talks. Clinton himself eats vegan, meditates, travels the world on humanitarian and diplomatic missions, and collects hefty speaking fees. It all seems perfectly of the millennium, befitting a modern president whose vitality and drive have been remarked upon by enemies and admirers alike for the whole of his career.

Born William Jefferson Blythe in Hope, Arkansas, the young future president came into the world three months after the death of his father, and was initially raised by his grandparents while his mother went to nursing school. He would later adopt his alcoholic, abusive stepfather's last name. His early life, a childhood filled with loss, violence, and determination, provided fodder for scores of biographers and armchair psychologists, who've traced everything from his ambition to his womanizing to his childhood.

As president, Clinton’s hardscrabble, self-made personal narrative sharply contrasted with the Bush family's story of dynasty and privilege, but critics saw him as Shakespearean in his belief that the rules of society and law did not apply to him. Troubled genius or enemy of the state? To hear both sides of the story, check out the following biographies and memoirs, and wish Mr. Clinton a happy birthday and many happy returns.

Uncovering Clinton by Michael Isikoff

Isikoff, a political reporter for Newsweek, broke the stories of Clinton's affairs with Paula Jones and Monica Lewinsky. But as Clinton’s presidency turned into a Republican-led battle for impeachment, Isikoff began to believe there was something more sinister at work than simply a man with an unusually high number of, as the phrase went, "bimbo eruptions." By the time Clinton’s second term was through, Isikoff had become convinced, he writes, "I was in the middle of a plot to get the president."

Bill Clinton: An American Journey by Nigel Hamilton

Some may believe Clinton’s presidency was beset by outside forces determined to bring him down. Others say the blame for his failings lie squarely with the man himself. In this biography, Hamilton describes Clinton’s early years and unwavering ambition, writing that Clinton learned at a young age how to use a combination of charm, guile, and intelligence to win over men and women alike, and get them to risk everything to help him realize his dreams of the White House.

My Life by Bill Clinton

And what does the man himself say about his extraordinary life and complicated legacy? In his two-part memoir, Clinton makes direct connections between the pain of his early childhood, especially his troubled relationship with his stepfather, and the reckless and irresponsible behavior that would cause pain to others years later. He does not shy away from blame for his past transgressions -- but at the same time, pulls no punches in calling out the right wing enemies who fought tirelessly to make him pay for his sins.

Hard Choices by Hillary Clinton

One thing that's clear from all the Clinton coverage, positive or negative -- Bill is a man who loves the political spotlight. So it’s interesting to imagine what role he will play if his wife is elected president in 2016. In her memoir from last year, Clinton herself writes of how much her husband enjoys campaigning -- sixteen years after his last campaign "he still loved the excitement of a great political moment." According to this book, the Clintons now enjoy a cozy marriage of mutual support and understanding, all past conflict safely behind them. But it’s a good guess that if Clinton does win the presidency, she’s not the only one we’ll be hearing from once she takes office.