Lewinsky

^BC-BRITAIN-LEWINSKY
^Lewinsky wilts at first signing of her biography
By Astrid Zweynert
LONDON (Reuters) - A tearful Monica Lewinsky wilted just five minutes into a frantic photo session in London Monday before signing her book ``Monica's Story'' about her affair with U.S. President Bill Clinton.
The former White House intern, dubbed by some British newspapers ``the most famous lover in the world,'' struggled to keep up a weary smile as more than 70 photographers bathed her in photo flashes for 15 minutes, demanding that she pose with her book.
Dressed in a navy blue pin-striped trouser suit, Lewinsky only occasionally lifted her eyes off the ground.
Wiping a few tears from her eyes she was led away by Harrods Department store security guards for a 40-minute break before returning to continue with the signing at a desk where Mikhail Gorbachev, Norman Schwarzkopf and Margaret Thatcher sat to sign their autobiographies.
``It was all a bit overwhelming for her,'' Harrods spokeswoman Laurie Mayer told Reuters. ``She's not feeling great, she has a bit of a flu.''
The photographers, some of whom had waited for more than four hours, reacted angrily. ``That wasn't much of a photo opportunity. If she wants the publicity she has to put up with us,'' said one.
At Lewinsky's request, journalists were under strict instructions not to ask any questions. Harrods press officer Peter Willasey said the former White House intern would leave the room immediately if anyone posed a question.
The first customers had arrived at 0630 GMT and waited for almost six hours to have their books signed. Harrods estimated some 700 people lined up for the hour-long signing.
``The book is a must, it's history,'' said Kip Knippel from Minnesota. ``I'll have it signed to commemorate this piece of history.''
The Harrods signing session was the first of a 19-bookshop tour across Britain that will last until March 25.
In the book, written by Princess Diana's biographer Andrew Morton, Lewinsky makes her first criticism of Kenneth Starr's prosecution team, saying she still lived in fear of it and was almost driven to suicide by her questioners in a hotel room in January 1998.
Dealing with customers seemed to come easier to Lewinsky. When she re-emerged after her break, she looked relaxed and smiled broadly after the last remaining photographers had been asked to leave.
Harrods said it sold 400 copies of the book within two hours Monday. More than 700 books, selling at $24.99 for a hardback copy, had been ordered by phone since last Thursday.
^REUTERS