Bush at War: Inside the Bush White House - Hardcover

Woodward, Bob

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0743204735 ISBN 13: 9780743204736

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd, 2002

Synopsis

Award-winning author and journalist Bob Woodward turns his attention to the presidency of George W. Bush. Before the acts of terrorism on 11 September, George W. Bush's presidency had been beset by numerous problems. Not only was it in many peoples eyes invalid, very few people took him seriously as a world statesman. Then following one violent mindless act of terrorism, George W. Bush became a president that his country could rely on, one they felt they could trust to lead them through these difficult times. And the world saw a man who was decisive and resolute, a president who was seemingly determined to route out the people who had carried out the heinous acts. But one year after the attacks how has the 44th President of the United States fared? And what were the actual behind the scenes discussions that took place whilst the country was rocked by the crisis? Bob Woodward has been shadowing the President since those fateful events, he was allowed unprecedented access to closed-door meetings and briefings and this masterful book is a look at what really happened.

About this title

Review:

Bush at War focuses on the three months following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, during which the US prepared for war in Afghanistan, took steps toward a pre-emptive strike against Iraq, intensified homeland defence and began a well-funded CIA covert war against terrorism around the world. The narrative is classic Woodward: using his inside access to the major players, he offers an almost day-by-day account of the decision-making processes and power battles behind the headlines. Woodward's information is based on tape-recorded interviews of over a hundred sources (some unnamed), including four hours of exclusive interviews with the president, along with notes from cabinet meetings and access to some classified reports.

Woodward's analysis of President Bush's leadership style is especially fascinating. A self-described "gut player" who relies heavily on instinct, Bush comes across as a man of action continually pressing his cabinet for concrete results. The revelation that the president developed and publicly stated the so-called Bush Doctrine--the policy that the US would not only go after terrorists everywhere but also those governments or groups that harbour them--without first consulting Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell or Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is particularly telling. Other principals are examined with equal scrutiny. Though National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice emerges as soft-spoken and even tentative during group meetings, it becomes clear that Bush is dependent on her for candid advice as well as for conveying his thoughts to his cabinet. The relationship between Powell and Rumsfeld (and to a lesser degree Powell and Cheney) is often strained, exposing their differences regarding how to deal with Iraq and whether coalition building or unilateralism is most appropriate. Woodward also describes how CIA director George Tenet prepared a paramilitary team to infiltrate Afghanistan to set the groundwork for invasion, and how this ushered in a new era of cooperation between the defence department and the CIA. A worthwhile and often enlightening read, this is a revealing and informative first draft of the Bush legacy. --Shawn Carkonen

Review:

Evan Thomas

"Newsweek"

Human and convincing in its telling detail.

Fred Barnes

"The Weekly Standard"

Woodward...is the best pure reporter of his generation, perhaps ever. He uncovers more things than anyone else.

Thomas Powers

"The New York Times Book Review"

Remarkable..."Bush at War" is akin to an unofficial transcript of 100 days of debate over war in Afghanistan.

Steve Neal

"Chicago Sun-Times"

Woodward has produced the best book yet written about the September 11

terrorist attacks on America and how Bush fought back.

James Rubin

"The New York Observer"

A great read...Bob Woodward has unearthed important new information on the behind-the-scenes struggles that have led to success -- and failure -- in President Bush's War on Terror.

Evan Thomas Newsweek Human and convincing in its telling detail.

Fred Barnes The Weekly Standard Woodward...is the best pure reporter of his generation, perhaps ever. He uncovers more things than anyone else.

Steve Neal Chicago Sun-Times Woodward has produced the best book yet written about the September 11 terrorist attacks on America and how Bush fought back.

Thomas Powers The New York Times Book Review Remarkable... Bush at War is akin to an unofficial transcript of 100 days of debate over war in Afghanistan.

Fouad Ajami The Washington Post Book World A work of spareness and authority...We are fortunate to have this richly detailed view of our nation's central policy command.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0743204735
• ISBN 13: 9780743204736
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 416