Highlighting the arrival of former President Bill Clinton’s long awaited “My Life” memoir, a local bookstore will host a panel discussion on the Clinton years just before the book’s midnight release on June 22.

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) will join John Harris of The Washington Post for a retrospective look at Clinton’s policies and news coverage during his tenure in office on Monday night at Politics and Prose bookstore.

Anne Shields, former chief of staff for the Interior Department under Clinton, will also be on the panel.

“What’s striking is the way Clinton’s reputation goes up and down depending on the news and depending on what’s fresh in people’s memories,” said Harris, who traveled the world covering the former president for more than six years.

Harris described Clinton as a man who “never left us wanting for news.”

Clinton was very helpful in establishing a base for liberal principles, according to Frank. He included Clinton’s support of gay and lesbian rights, defensive work on anti-immigration legislation, and “moderate” successes on housing issues.

Although none of the speakers has seen a copy of the book, it is on their summer reading list. “Like a lot of people in Washington, I will start with the index,” Frank said.

The discussion will be held from 10 to 11 p.m. Monday at Politics and Prose, located at 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. The event is free and open to the public.

— Liza Gutierrez