Up close and personal with "Uptown Bill": because of two very special in-store appearances by the former President, black-owned bookstores in Harlem and Los Angeles sold out their My Life copies.

Former President Bill Clinton said he wanted to do a book tour that "looks like America." As the tour began in midtown Manhatian, he underscored one of the purposes of his memoir My Life. "I hope that this book will in some way be a gift to black America, that they'll understand that we can get together."

His appearance at Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem in late June drew throngs of well-wishers assembled on corners, pushing aside metal barriers to join the long line of patrons who had pre-purchased their books and now wanted them autographed.

"We sold out the 2,000 books we had on hand," said Clara Villarosa, one of the store's owners. When Senator Hillary Clinton signed her book Living History at the store last year, she sold a little more than 500 copies. At the rate he's going, it won't be long before the former President, whose office in Harlem is only a couple of blocks from the bookstore, has covered the $10 million advance he received from Alfred Knopf: (Senator Hillary Clinton was paid $8 million for her book.) Bill Clinton's African American Fans played an affirmative role in his sales. The former President sold more than a million copies in the the first week.

Four days after his Harlem signing, Clinton visited Eso Won Bookstore in Los Angeles. The moment it was announced that he would appear at the store, James Fugate, the store's owner was besieged: The media wanted interviews; his friends wanted a book and a chance to meet the man many African Americans view as the "first black president."

Like the owners of Hue-Man, Fugate's only disappointment was not having enough books to meet the demand of Clinton's fans. He sold 1,500 copies at $35 each and a limit of one to a person.

Describing Clinton's appeal among black Americans, respondents mentioned charisma, compassion, and style. "I think it's mostly because of his genuineness," said one Harlemite, gloating over his signed book. "They believe he really likes African Americans."

During a brief interview, Clinton gave Black Issues Book Review a similar response. "Well, one time a conservative Republican, who was one of my tormenters, but a friendly one in the Congress, asked me that, 'Why do black people like you so much? I said, Black people are like any other people: They like people who like them."

The strong black identification with Clinton may stem flora his background. "I was born into a highly unusual family of lower-class white Southerners without much education after World War 11, who for whatever reason, mostly because of my grandfather's big heart, were pro-civil rights, anti-discrimination, anti-segregation.... I don't know why. I just got lucky," he explained.

And millions of black Americans feel they were lucky to get Clinton as a President. Such a mutual admiration society between a former president and the black community, is as rare as an ex-President of the United States autographing his book in a black-owned bookstore. "That he came here is just another indication of the love and respect he has for us and us for him" said Tonya Williams, clutching My Life against her bosom. Ms. williams' remarks echoed those of Deborah Rogers, a regular customer at Eso Won: "Now you know Clinton was going to come to our community. He's not going to leave us out--he never left us out."

When the signing was done at Hue-Man around 10:45 P.M., he may have been tired of signing his name, but Clinton browsed Hue-Man, now and then touching a book and commenting on an author. "When is Walter Mosley's new book coming out?" he said to no one in particular, and then answered his own question. "I think it'll be out in July." (He was right about the publication of Mosley's Little Scarlet.) Clinton has often mentioned that Mosley, a black mystery writer, is among his favorites. During an interview with BET, he said that he liked E. Lynn Harris's What Becomes of the Brokenhearted: A Memoir (Doubleday, 2003). Like Clinlon, Harris was born and raised in Arkansas.

It was just about 11pm when Clinton emerged flora Hue-Man to be greeted by a crowd of admirers, screaming his name and rushing toward him as he entered a CheW SUV. Here in Harlem that summer night, there was no Kin Bill--only Bill and coo.

Herb Boyd is a frequent contributor to BIBK