Amazon.com

This is the consummate guide to the political and personal lives of every U. S. president through Bill Clinton. Arranged chronologically, The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents elaborates not only on the major accomplishments and events of their terms, but also on less well-known details such as personalities, careers before the presidency, Supreme Court appointments, hobbies, ethnic backgrounds, and even extramarital affairs. Well-organized and packed with details, the book also includes a bibliography on each executive, including books written by and about them, along with useful and entertaining appendixes on the political composition of every Congress, presidential curiosities (such as the uncanny similarities between the lives and deaths of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy), and a ranking of presidents. Whether you want to know the opponent of James Monroe in the election of 1816 or read some of Harry S. Truman's more memorable quotes, this is a most complete and thorough reference to each commander in chief. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

A DEFINITIVE REFERENCE BOOK FOR THE NON INITIATED
For people around the world interested in history and the workings of the U.S. Presidential sistem, this is the ultimate reference guide about U.S. Presidents. It provides a wealth of information about Presidents that are not well known, as well as little known facts about more famous Presidents. It is organized in 43 chapters, one for each President (with the exeption of Grover Cleveland which is treated in two chapters) and every President is covered according to headings such as: Physical description, personality, siblings, childhood, education, religion, marriage (in some cases extramarital or postmarital affairs),carrier before the Presidency, campaign and issues, inaugural address, Administration Cabinet, Supreme Court appointments, books written, etc.
A MUST HAVE !

Good Reference on U.S. Presidential Administrations
This is a solid reference book. If you are looking for thumbnail sketches of U.S. Presidents and their administrations, this book will satisfy. The personal history of the president is here, family information, political career highlights, administration personnel, major issues faced, election results, quotes and opinions for and against. It is the kind of book I remember as a youngster that gives you enough information to fire one's thirst for historic knowledge -- great for browsing. Only complaint, the paper on which the work is printed is of a very inferior quality that is not the best one could ask for for reading -- also not particularly durable. These are production criticisms, the work is very good for its purpose.

Outstanding book, disappointing revision
I am writing based on the 2001 hardcover edition.

This is an fascinating, very readable book. The research is excellent. The biographical facts about each president are fleshed out with narratives about their early lives, marriages, children, religious beliefs, careers, retirements, and more.

The political matters likewise get excellent treatment, with narratives about each president's nomination, campaign, election, and achivements. Each Cabinet member and most Supreme Court nominees get at least a short paragraph. There are also quotes by and about each president, including both praise and criticism. Far more than a dry series of lists and facts, the human touch makes this book very worthwhile for anyone fascinated by American history in general and the presidents in particular.

The book, originally published in 1983, is revised at least every four years. This edition covers events up to early 2001, so it includes the 2000 election, the Clinton pardons, and Bush Jr's initial appointments, but not September 11. The Clinton chapter from the previous edition has been completely rewritten and discusses that turbulent presidency at length.

Unfortunately, DeGregorio did not revise the pre-Clinton chapters, leaving them embarrassingly dated. The Bush Sr. chapter mentions nothing about his son becoming President, not even referring us to the Bush Jr. chapter especially added for this edition. Jackie Kennedy and Richard Nixon both died in 1994. Neither relevant chapter mentions these most basic facts, even though the book was revised in both 1997 and 2001.

This book is so detailed - where else can you find descriptions of John Tyler's (14!) children, James Garfield's extramarital affair, Andrew Johnson's religious views, and Calvin Coolidge's academic record - that I am amazed at this neglect.

The 1993 edition (which I recently replaced) gets five stars. The 2001 edition retains and adds to the excellent work from the previous editions - but the major omissions limit it to four stars.

Not Just a Reference on U.S. Presidents, but on U.S. History
I was a history major in college and did some student teaching at the high school level. Whether I was working on an essay or preparing a lecture, this book was one of my favorite references. Not only does it offer well organized information on the Presidents (birth, childhood, family, education, etc.), it offers tons of information on the people, legislation, and events of their administrations. It describes cabinet members, laws that were passed, foreign relations, domestic issues, you name it. It saved me a lot of time in my research. The sections on the physical descriptions, personality traits and, in some cases, pre and extramarital affairs on each of the presidents was very interesting and offered info you normally do not find in other books. I highly recommend it.

A great guide to the former presidents
If you are anything like myself you may enjoy reading about the love lives of former presidents or maybe what was George Washington like when he was younger. Or perhaps what profession did James Madison pursue before becoming president. If you do enjoy reading or learning about things such as these about the former presidents then you will love this book.

This book has facts from the president's religion to their accomplishments in office then to their marriage lives and former lovers. It has criticisms and praises on their terms in office as well as whom they appointed to their staff. It has the ranked every president with the exception of Bill Clinton since he was still in office at the time the book was written and George W. Bush since he had yet to be elected.

In simpler terms this book basically has every detail you may want to know about the former Presidents. This should be a definite pick up if you enjoy reading about the history and personal lives of the former presidents. ... Read more

Amazon.com

George W. Bush is a direct and decisive man who is much nicer to his Secret Service agents than Bill Clinton was, according to author Ronald Kessler, and smarter than his critics believe him to be. A Matter of Character, Kessler's examination of the 43rd U.S. President, treads lightly on policy issues as the author instead focuses on Bush's positive personality traits and relates how those traits are positive indicators of his ability as a policymaker and leader of the world's lone superpower. Kessler spoke to several Bush cabinet members, long time friends of Bush, and other associates who speak, perhaps not surprisingly, in glowing terms of what a great guy he is. As for the criticisms of Bush, such as handling of pre-9/11 intelligence, the war in Iraq, and the economy, Kessler dismisses them as the product of jealous former employees, and a pervasive, biased liberal media (particularly Washington Post reporter Dana Milbank). By attacking the accusers instead of thoroughly dissecting the accusations, Kessler misses out on an opportunity to defend the president in a more substantive way. The portrait that ultimately emerges of Bush is not a particularly complicated one. He appears to be a man without flaw, and the book presents a similarly simple view of the greater political landscape: Bush and his allies as honest, shrewd, and virtuous, all others as jerks, fools, and ditherers. A Matter of Character lacks the complexity of Plan of Attack, the book Bob Woodward wrote after gaining similarly close access to Bush and his cabinet. It's more like a forceful piece of campaign material, passionate in its advocacy of the candidate and complete with a heroic black-and-white photograph on the cover, which will give Bush supporters plenty to cheer about. --John Moe ... Read more

Book Description

The early years of the twenty-first century were a tumultuous time in America. The country faced a hotly contested presidential election, the largest terrorist attack in the nation's history, and the early stages of war. Through it all, President George W. Bush surrounded himself with a handful of close advisers. During this time the man beside the President was Ari Fleischer, his press secretary and one of his most trusted confidants. In this role, Fleisher was present for every decision and became an eyewitness to history.

In this riveting account, Fleischer goes behind the scenes as he recalls his experiences in the West Wing. Through the ups and downs of this time, he took the heat, fielded the questions, and brought the President's message into living rooms around the world.

In Taking Heat, Fleischer, for the first time, gives his perspective on:

• The 2000 election, from the recounts to the transition to power
• September 11, 2001, its aftermath, and the anthrax scare
• The pressure-filled buildup to the war in Iraq and the President's thoughts as the war began
• Life in the White House, from learning to adjust to the pace of the West Wing and his early briefings to his relationship with the press
• The White House press corps, who they are, and how they report the news
• The factors that led to his decision to leave Washington behind.

This is the story of the men and women of the White House press corps and the cornerstones of democracy: freedom of speech and the freedom of the press. Fleischer presents an in-depth, insider's view on the Washington political arena from a perspective few have seen.

Fleischer writes of his belief that the press has a bias in Washington. It's not a question of partisanship or press-driven ideology. Instead, it's a focus on conflict, particularly if it's a conflict they can attach to the President. It's the nature of the White House press corps, regardless of who's in power. The members of the White House press corps are masters at being devil's advocate, able to take with passion the opposite side of whatever issue the President supports. Fleischer's job was to calmly field their questions, no matter how pointed.

Taking Heat is an introspective exploration of the top political events in the first half of the Bush administration, as well as the candid observations of a professional who stood in the bright lights of the world stage.

Reviews (21)

You Can Take the Spinner out of the WH, But He Still Spins
The book was a huge disappointment. I'd suggest that it was ghost written by Karl Rove, but Rove would surely be craftier about his unadulterated Bush-envy. Rather than insight and introspection, the book's main purpose seems to be to dismiss criticism of Bushand then explain it away with syrupy words of praise for the author's former boss.

The chapter about the day of September 11th, should have been the most insightful and telling about what happened at the epicenter of power...instead it was spiced with explanations of why President Bush sat reading My Pet Goat, while America was under attack..."Under inconceivable pressure, Bush maintained his composure and sent an image of calm to the nation." (page 140). - I'm not making this stuff up. That was a direct quote from the book explaining Bush's deer-in-the-headlights look that we've all seen as he was reading to the kids in Florida.

I was looking forward to reading this book and again, it was just a disappointment. Maybe Fleischer is hoping to run for office or needs to ingratiate himself even more in certain circles.Or maybe he really believes what he wrote, but to me the book is just nonsense. Sorry. Two thumbs (or maybe 'goat paws') way down.

Excellent insights on the pressures of the media
Ari Fleischer was the White House Press Secretary for 2 1/2 years (January 2001 to July 2003) and now writes to tell about his experiences. Ari does a great job giving us a sense what the daily pressures were like, facing the media day after day. The point Ari makes time and again is that the media try to trick him into saying things he doesn't mean or aren't accurate, trying to stir up conflict, because "without conflict, there is no news".

One of the other points Ari focuses on is how slanted the 'mainstream' media are towards the Democratic viewpoint, and I couldn't agree more. I mean, how believable is CBS, NBC, ABC, the Washington Post and the New York Times (just to name those as an example) when you realize that 90 percent or so (as found when surveyed) of those journalists vote Democratic...

Ari tells great inside stories such as what it really was to be with the President when 9/11 happened. Missing, though, is more insight into Ari's background growing up (he describes his Democratic upbringing until he became a Republican shortly after finishing college in a mere couple of pages). Hilarious are his tellings about Helen Thomas, the notorious "dean" of the White House press and self-admitted anti-Bush all the way. Turns out that Ari actually has a lot of respect for her and a great personal relationship outside of the media spotlight.

I had the pleasure of hearing Ari give a presentation last Fall here in Cincinnati, and was really impressed with the man. That was before this book came out, and having read his book, I am even more impressed with him. This is a terrific book, and I highly recommend it.

Well written account of the media covering important events
The job of being Press Secretary for the President of the United States is complex and it essential for both the Presidency and the Public that the person holding that position perform the duties of that office well.Ari Fleischer did a great job during very difficult times.He was there in the 2000 campaign and recount, when the new Bush administration took office, during the intense national sorrow and anger surrounding 9/11, the launch of the War on Terror in Afghanistan, and its continuance in Iraq.No wonder he felt burned out and wanted to leave before the 2004 campaign began in earnest.After all, he had a new wife and they wanted to begin a family.I think he did a great job and made a good choice to leave when he did.

What is particularly interesting about this book is that the events it describes are still fresh in our memory.Nearly all of us experience these events through the media of television, newspapers, weekly magazines, opinion journals, and so on.Here, Mr. Fleischer provides his perspective on these events from the inside versus how the media reported the events.The contrast is illuminating.He does debunk some of the popular myths about these events and makes clear what was really said by President Bush and the administration.He is also very clear that the Administration's certainty over the Weapons of Mass Destruction was held by everyone around the world, but was wrong.

He also has several amusing anecdotes about interactions with this or that reporter over various events.Sometimes he gets off the witty line and other times he is the butt of the joke.He was serious about doing his job well, but under such serious circumstances humor was required to keep things approximately sane.

While some who hate the Bush administration have taken after this book, largely without reading it, I can tell you that I have read it.This book is written engagingly and provides a fresh perspective on recent events that are now becoming a part of history.It is important to get a deeper understanding of our time than the varying and often contradictory news reports.Historians, especially those covering politics and media, will consult various sources for these events to write their books, and I am sure one of them will be "Taking Heat" by Ari Fleischer.

Good job.

There is much to learn from this book.
Notice the trend in how people who gave this book 1 star use a whole mess of generalities in their reviews or bash Fleischer's writing skills. He only claims to be a man with a story to tell here, people, never does he claim to be any more of an author than you or me. You can take comfort in the fact that those reviewers are wrong about that also, as Fleischer stays clear and cogent throughout.

1. If you actually read the book, you find that he does explain many of the controversial issues of GWB's term in great detail. He shows where there were misunderstandings, and usually lays out step by step how that came to be from the White House's perspective.

2. To the person who posted the Helen Thomas review of the book: You might have remembered that Helen Thomas was a senior member of the press corps who showed her steadfast bias in the briefing room with evermore persistant and leading questions. That is, again, had you actually read the book.

And if you want to see her ignorance in action:

MR. FLEISCHER: Actually, the President has made it very clear that he has not dispute with the people of Iraq. That's why the American policy remains a policy of regime change. There is no question the people of Iraq --

MS. THOMAS: That's a decision for them to make, isn't it? It's their country.

MR. FLEISCHER: Helen, if you think that the people of Iraq are in a position to dictate who their dictator is, I don't think that has been what history has shown.

MS. THOMAS: I think many countries don't have -- people don't have the decision -- INCLUDING US.

Bias, in favor of conflict. That is what plagues our media. Fleischer saw it and confronted it on a daily basis. That is what this book is about.

A Lost Opportunity
I read this book hoping to get some insight as to what happened in the first Bush Administration and the way the White House sold the war in Iraq. Instead Ari Fleischer, a man so close to these events, comes across as a Bush loyalist who supports and justifies Bush's policies.It was a waste of time and a lost opportunity to give us some insight and help give us some historical information and honest reflection.

There is no discussion of how they used the press to manipulate the public and sell the war. For example, he claims the President was careful never to link Iraq with 9/11. But he never addresses why 70% of the American people in 2003 believed otherwise. How did that happen?

After leaving the White House, he is still spinning the President's position and blaming the liberal media. Too Bad....

... Read more

Book Description

More than any other world leader in recent times, George W. Bush is a man of faith…a conservative Christian who has brought the power of prayer and the search for God’s will into the Oval Office. His faith has proven to be a bedrock of strength and resolve during two of the most tumultuous years in our nation’s history.According to Newsweek magazine, “this presidency is the most resolutely faith based in modern times. An enterprise founded, supported and guided by trust in the temporal and spiritual power of God.”David Aikman, skilled journalist and former senior correspondent for TIME magazine, pens this dramatic and gripping account of Bush’s journey to faith. Based on interviews and behind-the-scenes stories, you’ll learn how…

· His life changed after a conversation with Billy Graham on the beach at Kennebunkport

· He walked away from alcoholism toward a new destiny

· The events following 9/11 caused many to view him as God’s chosen man for this critical time in history

· His decision to go to war with Iraq became the ultimate test of his faith

A Man of Faith…an intimate look at how Bush’s spiritual life has impacted his presidency, the nation, and the world.

Reviews (17)

Revealing Story of Our 43rd President
Aikman has written an excellent book on George Bush's Christian faith - how he became a Christian, and how Christianity has positively impacted his life.

Indeed, while the president is a very polarizing figure (much like Clinton), one would have a hard time arguing the sincerity of his faith. Unfortunately, some people like the reviewer from Philadelphia have taken it upon themselves to judge whether George W is going to heaven or hell. Why can't they just stop judging and admit they don't like the man? While I do not agree with everything he has said and done, I cannot doubt the sincerity of his faith and the transformation he has experienced over the years.

Also to the reviewer from Philadelphia - please be very careful about quoting Scripture out of context:

1. Many people in the Bible were finanically well off - Abraham, Job, Matthew, Isaiah, David, Solomon, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, etc. Yet God did not condemn them because of their riches.
2. Jesus rejected the power the Jews offered Him because they offered power apart from God's will. Over thousands of years God has elevated people to positions of power. Power in and of itself is not bad, it's what we do with it that counts! God will raise and lower those whom He pleases.

Among the areas of George W.'s life covered in the book are:

1. Early childhood, teenage, and college years at Yale and why he was turned off by the liberalism displayed on college campuses.
2. The strong marriage he has enjoyed with his wife Laura.
3. Active involvement in church over the years and how he has ministered to the less fortunate.
4. How he has cooperated with people of other denominations (although a Methodist, he has worked with Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcoplians, Pentacostals, and Catholics) and faiths (Jews, Muslims, etc.) over the years.
5. Close relationships he has enjoyed with ministers of different ethnic and denominational backgrounds (and who says conservatives can't work with others?) despite having differences of opinion on particular issues.
6. His involvement in politics (from working on his father's campaign to becoming governor and eventually president).
7. The uniques challenges he has faced as president (911, numerous UN Resolutions, faith-based iniatives, tax rebates, etc.).

I appreciated the author's sincerity in covering all aspects of George W.'s life - good and bad. Aikman does not gloss over Bush's struggles with the bottle, smoking, and foul language. Yet the author also quotes several sources close to the president who have seen great improvements in these areas over the years - yet another testimony to the power of the transforming grace of Jesus Christ working in and through a person's life!

Read, enjoy, and be encouraged by the faith of our 43rd president and do not concern yourself with those who wish to tear him down at all costs!

Who has actually read this book?
There are some reviews here that appear to be written by those who plainly dislike Pres. Bush but did not read this book. I feel sorry for them, as this is a wonderful book going into the life and development of Bush as our President. The reviewer from New York, the non-Christian, appears to have little grasp on what Christianity is. The other from Crawford must assume that all church services are on Sundays. As many Baptist will say, church is not merely a place to worship. It is the culmination of worship and study. Aikman shows how Mr. Bush changed from a rambunctious young man into a respectable, admirable leader. He has his faults and makes no qualms against them. Aikman, an outsider to the family, took anecdotes and lessons from Mr. Bush's life through colleagues, friends and family. What you have here is the embodiment of those interviews. No, Mr. Bush has not been faultless in his Presidency, as no President ever has been faultless. (Clinton was a far-cry from faultless...the sworn liar.) But he has shown time and time again that he has a sincere heart to love and a God-driven will to serve the people for the betterment of the world. He earned more respect from me through this book, after reading of the years where he was not the most well-mannered or appropriately behaving person. However, he had a need to save himelf from his own destruction, and he chose God as the one to lead him out of his perils. He has followed God and Christ since those days and become an example of a renewed Christian. What could be a better testament to his life and his family than this book? Read it, whether you do not agree with his politics or not. I don't claim that it will change your political opinion of him, but I know it will give you more insight on why he does certain things or speak in certain ways. Just have an open mind when you begin this book. If anything, you will learn how he could easily have been one of your friends from your hometown, college or workplace. Give this book a try. Don't discount it automatically and ignorantly. David Aikman does a wonderful job in telling a story you may enjoy.

Insightful look into the faith of George W. Bush
Former Time correspondent David Aikman explores the faith and spiritual journey of President George W. Bush, who presides over one of the most faith based administrations in American history. Aikman launches the book with the "political bombshell" of then Governor Bush answering a question during a debate, "What political philosopher do you most identify with and why?" with the response, "Christ, because he changed my heart." In the chapters that follow, we learn of Bush's roots, beginning with his great-great-great grandfather Obadiah Bush all the way down to his father George H.W. Bush. We learn of his childhood, adolescence, college days, military service, marriage to Laura -which began his switch to Methodism after years of attending a Presbyterian church-, and his years as a businessman and owner of the Rangers. Aikman reveals how Bush's faith gradually began to take on a greater role in his life as we are introduced to many of the mentors who guided the future president, including Billy Graham and James Robison. Perhaps I read this book from a different perspective than most; I am a religious Jew. For a community that has historically tended to vote Democrat, significant numbers of American Jews are increasingly voting for conservative candidates. This can be attributed to many factors, including, the long overdue realization that liberalism is intrinsically opposed to traditional authentic Jewish values which are more accurately reflected by conservatism, coupled with the moral confusion and moral-relativism characterizing so much of the Left and the Democratic Party. That many Jews are becoming staunch Bush supporters becomes all the more understandable after reading David Aikman's A Man of Faith, where the reader learns, in chapter seven, of Bush's deep affinity for the land of Israel and the Jewish people, not to mention his personal friendship with Ariel Sharon. When Bush told the American Jewish Committee only months into his presidency, "A top foreign policy priority of my administration is the safety and security of Israel," this wasn't mere rhetoric. As Aikman chronicles, Bush is perhaps the greatest friend Israel has ever had in a United States president. Aikman writes, "Jewish leaders have also come away from meetings with George W. almost enraptured by the sense of commitment to the defense of Israel and the protection of Jews worldwide that George W. has often conveyed." In this chapter we also read of a rabbi who told Bush, "Mr. President, I didn't vote for you, but if you had been president in 1938, I now think the Holocaust might not have happened." When I read that first time around, I literally had chills, for I am one Jew, and a grandson of Holocaust survivors, who fully shares these sentiments of deep gratitude to our commander-in-chief. As this book discusses in great length, it is Bush's unabashed faith as a devout Methodist which animates his moral compass, his determination to actively identify and confront evil, and his resolve to uphold the traditional Judeo-Christian values that make America great- and which are currently being jeopardized on many fronts. G-d bless America, the president, and our troops!

Great overall biography!
I have finished the first half of the book and am amazed at what I did not know about George and Laura and the Senior Bushes. It really is very encouraging to see how W's faith grew through the years.

God has been pleased to grant our nation Christian leadership at this critical turning point in our history, and I can only say "Praise God from whom all blessings flow". I am in prayer for our nation every day!

A minister to the nations
I have read several books about the Bushes -- and specifically about George W. Bush. The author is a good writer, writing fairly from both sides of the issue, and portrays a man who has had to deal with personal failure, like we all do. Our nation was established by Christian principles, and it is by Christian principles we are still a nation. As our society continues to slide into darkness, we will be held responsible for not living for God. GWB is committed to the principles for which this nation was begun, and I felt the writer beautifully scripted the tapestry of providential destiny for a man named, George W. Bush. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The political biography, complete with life-altering turning points and a political philosophy for leading the United States into greatness, has become obligatory for those running for president--just one more thing to check off the "to do" list on the way to the Oval Office. A Charge to Keep is George W. Bush's offering: a light and breezy book mixing personal and political remembrances that proves heavy on chatty anecdotes and light on policy prescriptions. If you read the last chapter you'll sort of learn where George W. stands on most things, but still not really discern how he would actually run the country. There are no revelations, either personal or political: Bush's wild side and youthful indiscretions, like stealing a Christmas wreath from a New Haven hotel for his Yale fraternity, are touched on lightly when he discusses them at all. A Charge to Keep is so upbeat and positive, in describing the Houston woman to whom he was engaged in college and from whom he "gradually drifted apart," Bush says simply: "I still think the world of her, and our parting was friendly. We were very young, we lived in different places, and we gradually developed different lives."

George W. has been labeled a lightweight by some; A Charge to Keep will do nothing to dispel that notion. It features lots of Bush family memories and numerous mentions of George W.'s famous parents, including letters from his president father. George W. has followed closely in his father's footsteps, attending the same prep school and college. He even belonged to the same secret society at Yale, Skull and Bones. From college it was on to flight school and the Texas Air National Guard, Harvard Business School, and then (again, like his father) the Texas oil business and politics. George W. seems mostly in sync with his father on policy issues as well. "A thousand points of light" is transformed slightly to become "compassionate conservative," which pops up in the final chapter more than 10 times. Readers will come away knowing many of the experiences and events that have helped shaped George W., but his future is still an open book. --Linda Killian ... Read more

Reviews (104)

Simple
Like many another left-leaning moderate (or right-leaning liberal, or whatever the hell I would call myself these days), George W. Bush wasn't my choice for president, but with smarmy Al Gore his only serious opponent, his victory (if that's what you'd call it) didn't distress me too much. After all, if the lesser of two evils (Gore) is still evil, the greater of two evils (ahem) is almost comforting. If Forrest Gump's famous observation is correct ("Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get"), one could argue that the greater of two evils is preferable. You know exactly what you're gonna get, and if you get something you didn't expect, chances are you'll be pleasantly surprised rather than bitterly disappointed at having been betrayed.

It's a tradition of sorts to give any newly elected leader the benefit of the doubt, and in that spirit, I read Georgie boy's book (albeit three years into his presidency). Why not? After all, it's a quick read.

Of course, it's a "quick read" because, like all "books" supposedly written by presidential candidates prior to seeking the presidency, it's really not a book at all. It's campaign material, propaganda meant to paint the candidate in the flattering colors of his own choosing, and it's no surprise that Bush's tract does not challenge the established formula of this peculiar genre. It's also no surprise that Bush probably didn't write his book. He doesn't strike me as much of a reader, much less a writer, and one can take it for granted that he spent most of the four years preceding his "election" working on his 2000 campaign, not writing drafts of any memoir.

This is the work of Karen Hughes, the credited co-author, and, in one sense, she does a brilliant job. Even though it's unlikely Bush spent even one moment behind a word processor or typewriter, Hughes nontheless captures his spirit in her prose, creating a book very much like the one Bush would write if he were to bother with such things. The sentences are all short and to the point, never complex enough to require a comma, all reinforcing the image of Bush as a very simple man. Simplicity has its virtues, but one can argue whether it's the best virtue for a man whose job requires day-to-day decisions regarding enormously complex life or death matters, but, like Reagan, his simplicity is part of whatever charm he has.

The prose never reveals much, certainly nothing that would indicate Bush was anything other than what he claims to be (which is?), and is as instantly forgettable as similar books by Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and other seekers of the highest office in the land. This is political propaganda and nothing more, but who would think it was anything but?

Bush is more intelligent than a turnip
That's about all that one will conclude upon finishing this book. When I was done, I felt like I had consumed solid air, or fat-free cream cheese.

bush rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think presadent Bush is the best presadent this county had ever had! In this book he tells how he made ot to be the govener of texas, after he was the owner of the Rangers even though they didn't do no good when he owned them even though they had Arod Pudge, and Juan Gonzalez, but it don't matter none compared to him as a presadent! HE is the best we ever had maybe except for Regan; I exspechially like the discusion about the painting he has in his offise the one of the old west battle seen that that one president had with the mustash, Roseavelt i believe. That was cool and very inspring! I think Bush is going to win again because he gave us that $400 last time, and noone else ever did that, I am glad becuase I was able to pay of my tv from rentacenter because of it I am greatful. I don't know why anyone would be against him anyways, exspecialy is you are a Christian, the world is a better place on acount of his being presadent and people should look at that. the only thing I did'nt like was that there was'mt enouf pitchers of him and his family, especially his cute girls, but they dont look like they take after him. He is a great man as this book showed and should be read by all Americans God bless the USA, love it or leeve it!

Classic
While some former members of the Army Reserves will be quick to apologize for Bush going AWOL - likely they, too, shirked their duties and made a mockery of our proud military - this book goes to great lengths to outline why many of the other less deserved criticisms of our esteemed president are invalid. In Bush's own words, we see that he has a lot to say, and he offers us much to think about.

An interesting and intelligent read (even those unable to understand Ulysses should be quick to grasp this), Bush offers logical arguments and sound examples to counter the "dumb" accusation. Bush is not dumb. His experience speaks for itself. He, like some ex-Reservists, was not a respectable member of the United States Armed Forced, but dumb he wasn't. Bush earned everything he has, and he should be praised for it.

Bush is the greatest American president of the 21st Century.

BUSH IS AN UNDERRATED TOP GUN FIGHTER JOCK
I finally read this book, and did so in light of the mounting criticism of Bush as "dumb," along with attempts to discredit his military career. My sense at this point is to look at the available empirical evidence. George W. Bush was admitted to Yale and graduated in four years. He was a legacy, so getting in was assured, but many students do not graduate in four years, as he did. This is to his credit. His grades have not been released, but most of those who were there say he was about a B- student, which is quite respectable.

Next, he entered the U.S. Air Force, their version of the Reserves, which in his case was the Texas Air Guard. Perhaps he received some favoritism over others in getting a slot, but the evidence is he did not. The fact is, he was willing to "go jets," which few were willing or qualified to try out for. Bush went through a series of rigorous tests and passed them. He entered flight school, where the "wash out" rate is about 80 percent. He passed. He entered flight test, where the wash out rate is quite high. He passed. He qualified and flew jets. Here is the thing: People make movies and write books about this experience. "The Right Stuff", "Top Gun", "An Officer and a Gentleman" are all about exceptional young men who walk this trial by fire. Bush is one of them. He is a Top Gun - no, not the actual guys who are selected for Miramar by the Navy, not a Blue Angel, not Chuck Yeager, but he is one of an elite group of awesome Americans.

When Fleet Week comes around, and I see these pilots walking around town, my first reaction is that by virtue of having those wings they are top flight individuals, outstanding people. I do not ask whether they flew in combat or missed some drills. I know if they are wearing that uniform and have those wings they are studs. Bush was one of those men.

Apparently Bush missed a few drills in 1973 after five years in the Air Force. I was in the Reserves and missed some drills. Everybody misses drill occasionally, for a million valid reasons, none of which means we were AWOL. Bush was never AWOL.

One other thing. Bush never flew in Vietnam, but I bet he is glad of this. Had he, no doubt his detractors would say he dropped napalm on villages and killed civilians.

Bush applied to the University of Texas Law School and was turned down. So much for having every door opened to him because of his "daddy," who had been a Texas Congressman and two-time Texas Senate candidate. Bush applied to the Harvard Business School. Guess the percentage of people who are not accepted. 80 percent? 90? Point made.

Bush was accepted. He was not a Harvard legacy. It would appear he got in on merit, being a Yale grad of good grades and a fighter pilot. Their conclusion: This guy has an impressive background. He studied the courses, and graduated with an MBA. How many enter the MBA program and wash out? Many do.

Accordingly to the not-Republican Atlantic Monthly, Bush has never lost a political debate. He has squared off with some tough characters, like Ann Richards and Al Gore.

Dumb? This issue has has been studied and analyzed. The conclusion? Bush is no dummy.

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM ... Read more

Book Description

He was a poor student who somehow got into the finest schools. He was a National Guardsman who somehow missed a year of service. He was a failed businessman who somehow was made rich. He was a minority investor who somehow was made managing partner of the Texas Rangers. He was a defeated politician who somehow was made governor. You can hardly blame him for expecting to inherit the White House.

"Is Our Children Learning?" examines the public life and public record ofGeorge W. Bush and reveals him for who he is: a man who presents the thinnest, weakest, least impressive record in public life of any major party nominee this century; a man who at every critical juncture has been propelled upward by the forces of wealth, privilege, status, and special interests who use his family's name for their private gain.

A Texan, political analyst, strategist, and partisan, Paul Begala has written a devastating assessment of the Bush brand of politics. ... Read more

Reviews (77)

Bad writing, scary info
This is a truely frightening look at the man who is going to be our next president. Mr. Begala paints a picture of Bush that leads one to wonder what he would be doing if it was not for his family's connections & wealth. While some of the points raised are speculative, the author does a good job of citing the source where he got the basis for the speculation.

The problem comes with Mr. Begala's writing. All too often he takes a conversational tone with the reader, suggesting that this is more of a personal attack than he claims it to be. After all, Gore is no saint either. Begala claims that this is not motivated by partisan feelings, but his constant gushing over Gore and the fact that much of the research was done by the Democratic National Committe refute this.

All in all, it's a scary picture being painted of a man I wouldn't trust to house-sit, much less be the president (and I wouldn't trust any of the other front-runners either, in case you're questioning my partisanship!). Too bad about the writing and the obvious personal feelings involved with the writing.

Made me change my vote from Nader to Gore!!
I would tell anyone who is even thinking of voting for George W. Bush
to run out and read this book cover to cover and then see if you
really want to vote for him!

Begala does an excellent job of
showing the real facts of what Bush has done as governor of Texas, a
record Bush claims he's proud of!? Hmm...more tax cuts for the
wealthy, yet he opposed health insurance for 200,000 more children and
a Patients' Bill of Rights. Bush claims some people choose to be
uninsured.

That's only the tip of the ice, Begala shows how
Gov. Bush made it legal to carry guns to church in Texas, put
voluntary pollution controls in place for big corporations (who are
also fudning his election), opposed a bill that would ban Texas from
executing the mentally retarded, and the list goes on and on. ....

The Main Point
This interesting book proves the point of millions of Americans (including mine): George Bush is an idiot that deserves to be defeated in the November election by a man who actually knows what he is doing for our country and the world, John Kerry. A superb book!

Democrat fun
We like to poke fun at those in public office, its an American tradition to make sure those who we elected don't respond to the bluster of their office. George W. Bush has a rather extraordinary resume: Yale undergraduate degree, Harvard MBA, military fighter pilot (F102 driver) a cocktail of brains and brawn that sends the fatuous left into conniptions. Indeed this Christian seems to have been placed onto the earth to drive liberals bonkers, none of them can even keep up with him. Can you think of anyone who achieved Yale-Harvard-Figher pilot credentials? I can't.

Mostly the book is the typical Left-over misrepresentation of W, making fun of his poor verbal skills, noted, and ignoring his strong foreign policy skills. Indeed after 9/11 he persuaded 40 countries to join us in Afghanistan and all without the UN involvement. When Congress directed him to invaded Iraq he put together a coalition of 31 countries to do so without the United Nations. In 1991 the United Nations could gather only 29 for the same task.

The fun title of the book is a claim, without a tape recording of course, that W used the wrong tense in a simple sentence. Obviously unlikely, and just as obviously a bitter attempt by the Left-overs to slight a sitting American President that has disassembled their world view.

Biased but Good
While Begala is certainly biased against Bush, the book is based in solid facts, whose sources Begala carefully annotates. This book makes a few things abominably clear: Bush has made many mistakes, as a student and as a businessman, and yet he has always advanced anyways, largely due to his family's wealth and power. The label of "Compassionate Conservative" is nothing more than a campaign gloss. Bush's tax plan saved the wealthiest one percent an extra $46,000 per year, while the bottom twenty percent got a whopping $42 (that's per year too, if you can't beleive your eyes). Where is the compassion in that? Or in laughing when asked about death penalty cases? Whatever the topic, Begala makes it clear that Bush doesn't really care about the poor and needy, at least when it comes to politics. He follows wherever the big money lures him.
The chapters are a short, easily readable length; the book makes for light and easy reading-- although at some points the more liberal minded may want to cry. Each chapter starts out with several quotes from W about the topic, many duplicates of the ones which appear in the Bushisms. The parenthetical comments (It's _____________, Governor, Karl Rove will explain it to you.) are hysterical. A simultaneously funny and sobering book, it is well worth the read. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Political consultants are nothing new in American politics; they are the big guns called in to work on a campaign or deal with the occasional crisis, then dismissed for another day. Not so with White House Senior Advisor Karl Rove. Due to his close personal relationship and unlimited access to George W. Bush, as well as his control of the information that reaches the president, this "permanent consultant" occupies a unique spot in Bush's inner circle and in history. "His influence marks a transcendent moment in American politics: the rise of an unelected consultant to a position of unprecedented power," write authors Moore and Slater. Since Rove is ultimately responsible to Bush only, not to American citizens, he is not required to work openly. As a result, Rove is hardly a household name, despite his considerable clout. This intriguing and important book seeks to remedy this by offering a comprehensive look at this behind-the-scenes political guru. "Karl Rove matters to all Americans, many who have never even heard his name. While the president chafes at the description of Rove as 'Bush's Brain,' he can hardly deny that every policy and political decision either goes through, or comes from, the consultant," write the authors, leading them to pose the question, "Who really runs this country?"

Rove has been involved with the Bush family for nearly 30 years and has worked on every one of George W.'s campaigns. In great detail, the book shows how Rove led Bush, a "reluctant political warrior," all the way to the White House. The portrait of Bush and Rove's relationship is fascinating. Though opposites in many respects, they are an unusually effective political team. But where Bush seemed to fall into politics, Rove has been preparing for his current job all of his life, and Bush has served as a vehicle for Rove's considerable ambitions, the authors contend. "Without Karl Rove, there would be no President George W. Bush," they write. Moore and Slater look deeply into Rove's past to offer copious evidence of his political genius, his tenacity, and his remarkable success rate in getting his clients elected. The facts also portray Rove as unethical, vindictive, and a chronic abuser of power. Loaded with revealing anecdotes and inside information, this is essential reading for anyone looking to understand not only the Bush administration, but how politics really work. --Shawn Carkonen ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Interesting, enjoyable, but unsatisfying.
I leapt at the opportunity to read anything about the elusive and enigmatic Karl Rove. This man, like some political "Where's Waldo", is stitched into virtually every political scenario involving President Bush. I was curious about who this big nerdy looking dude was, how he got on the scene, and what he might want. The latter curiosity was perhaps my strongest. I wanted to know why the Campaign Consultant didn't go home after the election.

This book did a fairly good job of satisfying most of these curiosities. I now know about Karl Rove as a kid, Karl Rove as the know-it-all student, Karl Rove as the guerilla campaign consultant, and Karl Rove as the first ever "permanent consultant"; which is a unique (if not scary) position. It seems that Bush decided it would be a good idea to keep someone in the White House full-time to help him ascertain how certain policy decisions would likely play with the electorate.

Unfortunately, and most likely because of the unprecedented secrecy of this administration, that's really where "trail ends". The author doesn't offer much as to what Rove has been doing the last four years. I found that disappointing. Also, I found way to much "kenstaresque" witchhunting going on - he said/janitor said style accusations about impropriety in some of the campaigning he was involved in. Nothing juicy.

I would recommend this book for those who have an insatiable appetite to know everything publicly available about the Bush Administration. Even in that case, I'd recommend skimming through this book vs. reading carefully. I read carefully, and there just wasn't enough there there.

Christian Hunter
Santa Barbara, California

Even more timely information on the sleaze of Karl Rove
Anyone who wants to know whether Karl Rove is petty
and political enough to out Joe Wilson's wife as
a CIA agent needs to read this book.

The claim has been made that this outing served
no "purpose", coming after the fact of Wilson's
op-ed piece and supposedly gaining nothing
(others have pointed out that the attack may
have been aimed at deterring other potential
administration critics).

But Rove, for all his political calculations,
has shown a viciousness and a disregard for any
element but the political throughout his career.
Moore and Slater present the details of Rove's
political and personal history in this excellent
book. Read it, and then ask why Bush is where
he is today, and why we should have a person
such as Rove as the closest person to the ear of
the person making momentaous decisions about war
and peace, life and death.

An interesting piece of the Bush puzzle
I have read several current books about the Bush Administration that seem to share one element: the quest for the source of decisionmaking in the Bush White House. Even the insiders are baffled as to who is making decisions. This book, of course, points the finger at Karl Rove. It paints an interesting and persuasive portrait of him as a brilliant and sometimes devious political strategist, who is shaping national and international policy with a long-term view towards, well, ostensibly politics and election(s).

I have a couple of problems with the book and my primary one may be unfair, but here goes. Ultimately, Rove is not the story. If he is behind decisions on steel tariffs and war in Iraq and a myriad of other important policy decisions, then the "story" is exactly the inverse: who is being marginalized from these decisions and/or the lack of a sound decisionmaking framework in the Bush White House. Or, similarly, that the decisions are political and are being made by people who were never elected to office. So I guess I would have been happy with a nice, say, New Yorker article detailing the significant influence of Karl Rove - but for me it wasn't quite enough for a book. And the elements that I found interesting, the significant policy decisions - were not explored to the extent I would have liked.

I also had a problem with the Foreword that has been added to the latest edition. It basically argues that Rove must be behind the White House leak revealing Ambassador Wilson's wife as CIA undercover agent because, well, this is the sort of thing Rove does, it bears his signature. As much as I love a good conspiracy theory, I found this very weak and just not a solid way to start the book. It seemed gratuitous; the authors establish their point about Rove in the book - no need to mix inference (the Foreword) with their attempt to present solid factual research in the book itself.

Bush's Brain
I didn't realize that they would put a more appropriate title on a book of blank pages.

This is your Brain on Stand By
I do not know if the authors set out to make Karl Rove out to be such a dark, evil man with the book or that is just where the research took them, but I doubt too many readers will come away thinking that Karl Rove is anything but. I think the first thing that struck me is that the authors portray Rove as more then just your run of the mill political consultant. They want you to leave with the impression that Rove is the man behind the curtain pulling all the strings of the Bush presidency. They detail how Rove's influence goes beyond just the political front to be an all-encompassing review of anything Bush does. I think we have all heard how President Clinton seemed to take the pulse of the country via polls and then choose his direction based on the polls. Well the authors want you to think that Bush basically has substituted the polls and maybe even an individual thought process with whatever King Karl wants to do.

The book provides some background on Karl, how he started in politics and his life before GW. I found the section detailing the work he did for the first President Bush too limited and the detail about Rove's non-Bush work too detailed. The authors get into the weeds to prove a point that Rove is a rather mean player in the world of politics and I think they could have edited some of it out. This background and the detail on his work with Bush all point to some interesting things that do seem to be playing out today. They state that Rove is the kind of man that has to win and by winning it means really making the opponent lose and lose big. They also point out that Karl is a very good player at the down and dirty art of nasty politics. He would make the Nixon team take a step back.

The one area you always have to be on the look out for in books like this is down right bias based on a dislike for the President. To be fair I think the authors steered clear of this for the most part. I felt there were plenty of opportunities for the authors to take more shots at President Bush and they did not. That is not to say that President Bush gets away scott free. They do lay a few jabs at him for seaming to let Karl play the game so nasty and for enabling this winner take all approach Rove has taken. They state clearly that Karl is a great political operator, but if he is your only close confidant there could be extreme pressures to let him and his slash and burn style take over for your own. Overall I found the book very entertaining. It offers and insight into a man we do not get a lot of information about and a process that does not see the light of day much. If you are interested in politics or the Bush Presidency you will be interested in this book. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the groundbreaking classic exposé of the Bush family, cited by all that followed it, yet still unmatched. Exhaustively documented by intensive search of dozens of archives and months of interviews with government insiders, this biography digs up all the dirt — frightening, gory, hilarious — on the Bush dynasty:

How the Bushes made their fortune building up Hitler and the Nazi war machine ~ Iran-Contra ~ Zapata’s Watergate burglars ~ The Reagan shooting ~ The "war hero" story ~ The secret government ~ "Eugenic" population reduction plans ~ Kissinger, China, and genocide in the Third World ~ Luring Iraq to attack Kuwait ~ The Bush Leveraged Buyout Mob, theft of a nation ~ Jupiter Island, Skull and Bones, and other power bases.

Essential reading as long as this Anglo-American oligarchy directs American politics, the Unauthorized Biography is a vivid X-ray of the presidential dynasty, and the private forces dominating both major political parties. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Fiction at its Worst
I always like to read books that get in a few digs at republicans or any President for that matter. Picking this book up I thought that it would be a nice set of facts and some interesting bits about Bush 1's life. What I got was a book so full of hate for the former President that about 5 pages into the book I started to question almost every comment and section. The authors start with claiming he was a Nazi supporter, then lead a campaign to sterilize poor kids, was involved in the Bay of Pigs, the Kennedy assassination and Watergate. How he had the time and energy to be involved in Iran / Contra is beyond me. It was not enough to claim Bush was involved in these items, the authors never missed an opportunity to get in nasty comments. The full range of derogatory adjectives was used in the book; the authors really gave their thesaurus a work out. Each time Bush's name came up it was accompanied by an unfounded or unsubstantiated dig for example "Bush had never seen an opportunity for genocide he did not like."

Because of the level of hatred and bile in the book, any real negative or scandalous items are lost in the barrage of charges. Let me say again that I am no big fan of the President Bush, but after reading this attack book I find myself thinking the guy is getting a bad rap. This nastiness would have made the anti Clinton book authors proud at the level of venom. I kept reading just to see what was next, what could the authors blame on Bush next, the sinking of the Titanic, the floods of 1993? Overall if you are looking for a fair book shy away from this one. If you hate the first Bush then this book will make you smile all day long.

Yes There are Really Conspiracies!
If it walks like a conspiracy, talks like a conspiracy, and acts like a conspiracy, it is very possible that we might have a conspiracy. The apologists of the status quo, particularly the Bushies and the corporate establishment to which they are beholden, seek to ridicule books like this and say they are all part of an absurd conspiracy syndrome. What they fervently hope is that you will not dare read them. Had enough Americans read this sizzler it is entirely possible that Bush Junior's forces may not have been close enough on election night to remain within stealing distance of the presidential election, finally achieved through the legal prostitution of Federal Society cronies, including one subservient Uncle Tom with a penchant for Rush Limbaugh, namely Clarence Thomas.

When you read this book you wonder long and hard about whether this was really such an unfortunate coincidence that Bush Sr. in his mudslinging 1988 campaign had ardent Nazis working in his minorities division. It was only when Congressman Stephen Solarz and others sniffed the foul odor and rose up in indignation that the elder Bush expressed dismay and dismissed the miscreants, expressing shock in the process.

Just rewind from 1988 to Tarpley's analysis of how the Bush family got rolling in the banking business, with juicy contracts with the Nazis and strengthening of the Third Reich war machine through loans and subsequent sales for pig iron. Then there was that strange society that still remains, and which Poppy and Junior both belonged to at Yale, along with William F. Buckley Jr., "Skull and Bones." Just a few harmless fraternity pranksters? I doubt it. Check out the records of the members through the years and observe all the hellish havoc they have reeked on America and throughout various portions of the world. It all happened by accident? Hardly. Yes, well, it might actually be a conspiracy! But conspiracies don't exist. Ask any loyal Bushie.

This book has become an underground classic and rightfully so. Its author knows literally where certain bodies are buried vis-a-vis the Bush clan and is not afraid to reveal the facts. Thank God there are a few people out there like Tapley who will not be intimidated and continue to speak the truth no matter what the potential consequences might be.

Incredible expose' of 20th Cent. oligarchy; too opinionated
This unauthorized biography of the Bush family, really the
Bush-Harriman-Rockefeller, etc., establishment, is from what I know
by far the best expose' of the way the US-UK governments have
been pretty much taken over by these rich, powerful families and their
networks, which encompass and pervade the entire spectrum of government,
intelligence, corporations; in short, just about every aspect of society.
Certainly that is why the book is out of print, exceedingly [costly]
to obtain, but ... it is possible
to download it by searching the Internet.

The book is timeless and timely in the sense that no one can
understand the groups who are behind our leaders w/o knowing the
persons and organizations who run the world overtly and covertly, and
their history. (A relatively short book that can provide a worthy
backdrop for this study is "The Anglo-American Establishment," by Prof.
Carroll Quigley). It is really an understatement to say that this tome
provides names and details I doubt you will find anywhere else. You may
have read "sound bytes" about some of the topics covered, and sundry
unsubstantiated allegations of this or that, but in these 600+ pages
you get, for the most part, the cold, hard facts.

The chapters covering the elitist residents of Jupiter Island, FL,
the extensive (Prescott) Bush-Harriman dealings with the Nazis (to the
point of even helping to defeat their opposition), Skull and Bones
(a Who's Who of prominent leaders since its inception in 1833), Watergate,
Iran-Contra, the Savings and Loan collapse and bailout, and more, are
so well-researched, thorough, coherent, and full of key events, names, and
dates it boggles the mind, and it's hard to overdo praising the authors
for their exacting, painstaking research. I've read many books that
try to discuss maybe one or two of the topics discussed in this biography,
but do little more than present a maze of data that confuses more than
clarifies. The authors write with what seems to be first-hand, insider
knowledege, and indeed to the point the father of one of the authors was
a lawyer who fought the Bush-Harriman (along with the Warburg banking
family) support for Hitler prior to WWII.

People who reject ...a theory a priori would be faced with a
monumental challenge to refute at least most of this biography. In
tracing George Bush's multi-faceted, long career in public life, his
initial losses running for Congress followed by later successes in
obtaining elected and unelected positions, the authors also demonstrate
very convincingly that behind the scenes there often is practically no
difference between Republicans and Democrats, and that what obviously
counts is to realize who or what has the real power and is thus making
the crucial decisions and pulling the strings.

My one complaint about the authors is their one-pointed agenda to find
nothing but negative things to say about Bush. It was clear why: they
were (and still are) associates of Lyndon LaRouche, a tireless foe of
Bush, whom the latter had imprisoned shortly after he became President in
1989. Also, the book was written shortly before Bush ran for reelection
in 1992, and they wanted to help defeat Bush. But I felt that they made
too much of Bush's hyperthyroidism, his so-called liberalism (which I
could only rarely follow), and found every opportunity to critize his
gaffs, frenetic activity, and emotional outbursts, while finding nothing
to laud. To me the book would have been "perfect" had they just stuck
with providing the extraordinary amount of details on Bush and the other
controlling persons/entities. Still, this unauthorized biography is a
classic for history buffs, absolutely a must-read to understand the
politics of the 20th century, and surely even what is going on even
today. In fact as I write this review there have been widely read
articles in mainstream publications about the "new" (Anglo-)American
empire!

A MUST Read: To Understand the Danger America Faces
This book details the criminal past & Nazi, Eugenic philosophy that Permeates the Bush Family & contacts.
There is a reason that this book is not available .... The powers that be do not wantyou to read it. It is available at several sites on the Internet for free download however. Search by Book name .... I have seen a few places.
Read this so you knw why 9/11 happened and how the Bush's & CIA (shadow government) plan to use 9/11 to turn Amerika intoo a police state.

Recommended with a caveat.
Considering the source (this was published by Lyndon LaRouche's group), this is actually an excellent look at the "other side" of the elder George Bush and his rise to the presidency. Out of all the books and exposes that have been published, this is still the most thorough. Definitely worth a read. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The George W. Bush White House, as described by former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, is a world out of kilter. Policy decisions are determined not by careful weighing of an issue's complexities; rather, they're dictated by a cabal of ideologues and political advisors operating outside the view of top cabinet officials. The President is not a fully engaged administrator but an enigma who is, at best, guarded and poker-faced but at worst, uncurious, unintelligent, and a puppet of larger forces. O'Neill provided extensive documentation to journalist and author Suskind, including schedules with 7,630 entries and a set of 19,000 documents that featured memoranda to the President, thank-you notes, meeting minutes, and voluminous reports. The result, The Price of Loyalty, is a gripping look inside the meeting rooms, the in-boxes, and the minds of a famously guarded administration. Much of the book, as one might expect from the story of a Treasury Secretary, revolves around economics, but even those not normally enthused by tax code intricacies will be fascinated by the rapid-fire intellects of O'Neill and Fed chairman Alan Greenspan as they gather for regular power breakfasts. A good deal of the book is about the things that O'Neill never figures out. He knows there's something creepy going on with the administration's power structure, but he's never inside enough to know quite what it is. But while those sections are intriguing, other passages are simply revelatory: O'Neill asserts that Saddam Hussein was targeted for removal not in the 9/11 aftermath but soon after Bush took office. Paul O'Neill makes for an interesting protagonist. A vaunted economist from the days of Nixon and Ford, he returns to a Washington that's immeasurably more cutthroat. And while he appears almost naïvely academic initially, he emerges as someone determined to speak his mind even when it becomes apparent that such an approach spells his political doom. --John Moe ... Read more

Reviews (282)

Disturbing Insider's Perspective
"The Price of Loyalty" is an insider's perspective on an inside fight -- inside the Republican Party and particularly inside the Bush '43 White House. Suskind's book articulates the view of former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill that the ideological wing of the Republican Party has ascended. O'Neill, representing the pragmatic wing, is appalled.

Democratic and Republican pragmatists may be perturbed by what they read. Politics inevitably influences policy, and that may even be a good thing. But science should not be enslaved to ideology, as it was in the Bush '43 White House's Kyoto Protocol deliberations. Tax cuts should not be enacted to please the Republican base at the price of a huge deficit, when responsible counsel (Alan Greenspan) points to an economy already on the mend and to long-term disastrous effects of that deficit. American soldiers should not be sent to foreign lands to fight and die without compelling reason. "The Price of Loyalty" makes the case that all of these unhappy occurrences transpired.

This book is more memoir than policy tome, but it articulates convincing positive positions that thoughtful members of both major parties could endorse, but which never saw legislative daylight. For example, fiscal prudence. For example, a paltry twenty-five million dollar foreign aid investment in an African country's water system that would have provided all its water needs, saved lives and exponentially advanced that country's economy -- creating a reservoir of good will that would have payed dividends far into the future.

This book gives credit where credit is due. O'Neill admired some members of the administration -- for example, Christine Todd Whitman (now gone), Colin Powell, and Condoleezza Rice (whom O'Neill praises as an "honest broker" of divergent viewpoints). Karen Hughes he compliments as pragmatic.

"The Price of Loyalty" raises questions for the reader to answer. O'Neill admired President Ford's amazing grasp of issues and rigorous thought process. Ford did not win re-election. O'Neill also admired George H.W. Bush. Bush '41 did not win re-election. So, for a book that extols pragmatism and denigrates the opposite, the question arises: is the Bush '43 White House in its own way more pragmatic than its immediate Republican predecessors? Isn't it smart for politics to trump policy? The answer lies in the attentiveness of the American voter and the kind of leader they want. Personally, I think O'Neill is prophetic, but time will tell whether he is a prophet of the Cassandra variety.

Suskind & O'Neill REAL Patriots
I noticed a few months ago the media referred to O'Neill as "Not Patriotic." What's the definition of a patriot? Here it is from Cambridge dictionary; Patriot -a person who loves their country and, if necessary, will fight for it. Notice it doesn't state blind allegiance to a dictator or a specific authority.

O'Neill is the perfect Bush Administrator "Insider" being that he basically grew up with a lot of these folks for the past 30 years. Even the big cats like Cheney & Rumsfield. This also means that he has the ability to judge their character based on true interaction and not assumption.

This book talks about his real experiences working in the Administration and serves as his own vindication given the circumstances of him "resigning." Paul is very concerned about his credibility, and feels that he needs to communicate his concerns and experiences to the American people.

Numerous resignations within the Administration have occurred. Anyone from Diplomats to foreign countries to critical members on the cabinet. Even the EPA Director Christie Whitman has resigned.

This book/tape series goes through these experiences in vigorous detail. I beleieve this information is completely objective about the circumstances facing the Bush Administration.

If you're a biased person, there is no way to convince you so I won't bother. Somehow people got to eliminate their bias so they can get to the real truth of the matter. Otherwise, in the world, you will only see what you ...choose... to see.

DISGRUNTLED EX-EMPLOYEE
It is a good thing Mr. O'neill gets his frustrations out by using his typewriter. This seems to be the year for 'Bush Bashing' and many people seem to be getting on the band wagon. It is amazing to me that so many people actually believe everything they read or hear about President Bush.

Reasonably Informative
Paul O'Neill was persuaded by his friend Dick Cheney to take the job of Treasury Secretary, on his retirement from Alcoa. After he was dismissed from that post, a chance encounter with Ron Suskind (senior national affairs reporter at the Wall Street Journal for eight years) led to this account of his two years in office. It is Suskind's book, not O'Neill's, though of course it is intended to present his understanding of O'Neill's experiences and views, and was reviewed by O'Neill for general accuracy. Since the book passed that review, I take it to be a satisfactory account of both.

The writing is quite lively, and directed at a general audience with some interest in politics. A reader who has been following the news will not be much surprised by anything in it (particularly with the quotable bits having now made their way
into the general press). But it is useful to have this insider's confirmation of what can only be guessed at from new reports, as the present administration is considerably more secretive than any administration, of either party, in living memory.
For example, the famous first-month reversal that embarrassed Christie Whitman was clear enough at the time, where the administration flipped its position on global warming without warning the head of our environmental agency (just after she presented that policy at a major international conference), but it is interesting to see it unfold from O'Neill's perspective.

The younger Bush remains an enigma throughout; one gets little understanding either of how he thinks, or what his own primary motivations might be - in striking contrast to every other member of his government. While many politicians may be described as "enigmatic", Cheney for example, this is not strictly speaking accurate. Their goals, values, and objectives are generally transparent, and can be read both from their history and some of their public pronouncements. Cheney may be a good poker player, but at least you know he's playing poker.The enigmas are tactical rather than strategic. Bush's enigmatic quality lies considerably deeper, beginning with the question, what game might he be playing? O'Neill does not pretend to know, which is refreshing. From my own perspective, the most significant remark Bush makes is "I don't negotiate with myself". O'Neill finds this extremely puzzling. Late in the book there is a detailed account of one meeting in which, exceptionally, a free exchange of views on policy was encouraged, in an interestingly chaotic manner.

No doubt other readers will approach this from other perspectives, and reach quite different conclusions. There is ample material to do so.
For example, the portrait of O'Neill's relationship with Greenspan reveals something worth knowing about both, and one of the more striking sections deals with O'Neill's experiences on an official trip through Africa. While it has little to do with the rest of the Bush administration, it is interesting in its own right (as are the remarks on the development of the Argentine financial crisis). O'Neill's views on policy matters are also given, with brevity and clarity, for the most part as one of a range of options with various identifiable strengths and weaknesses.

One major strength of the book is that O'Neill worked with other administrations, including Nixon and Ford, and is in a position to compare their working styles.

Perhaps this book deserves a 4.2 rather than a 5 star rating.
It is not one of the classics of political reporting, merely timely, easy to read, and informative.
On the other hand it is clearly of more value than the polemical books that have been doing quite well of late, so I give it a 5 for its combination of seriousness of intent, execution, and general readability. Suskind keeps well out of the way and allows you to see O'Neill's world. In this category, the basic question is whether a book is worth reading at all. This one is.

[Here's a little zinger that had me sitting up on page 107: "It was a mistake of nearly $700 billion. 'What do you mean, no one was consulted?' O'Neill moaned."]

A Great Book
I found this to be a very eye-opening and scary book, but very factual. It follows Paul's own feelings, so at the beginning he is excited and hopeful, and then he gradually gets disillusioned about the current administration. Had to be gutsy to write this, but I'm glad he did, and I hope as many people as possible read it before the election. Without calling Bush an idiot, he makes it clear what kind of administration we currently have, and how it compares to many previous administrations. ... Read more

Book Description

The Bushes are the family nobody really knows, says Kevin Phillips. This popular lack of acquaintance—nurtured by gauzy imagery of Maine summer cottages, gray-haired national grandmothers, July Fourth sparklers, and cowboy boots—has let national politics create a dynasticized presidency that would have horrified America’s founding fathers. They, after all, had led a revolution against a succession of royal Georges.

In this devastating book, onetime Republican strategist Phillips reveals how four generations of Bushes have ascended the ladder of national power since World War One, becoming entrenched within the American establishment—Yale, Wall Street, the Senate, the CIA, the vice presidency, and the presidency—through a recurrent flair for old-boy networking, national security involvement, and political deception. By uncovering relationships and connecting facts with new clarity, Phillips comes to a stunning conclusion: The Bush family has systematically used its financial and social empire—its "aristocracy"—to gain the White House, thereby subverting the very core of American democracy. In their ambition, the Bushes ultimately reinvented themselves with brilliant timing, twisting and turning from silver spoon Yankees to born-again evangelical Texans. As America—and the world—holds its breath for the 2004 presidential election, American Dynasty explains how it happened and what it all means. ... Read more

Reviews (145)

Skeletons in the Bush family closet? Imagine that!
American Dynasty: Aristocracy, Fortune, and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush by Kevin Phillips is a bit of a mess. The problem largely results from the fact that Phillips apparently never truly decided what the book was supposed to be: a examination of the Bush 'dynasty', a general historical review of dynastic political families in general or a political hatchet job. It tries to be all three and in fact fails at being any of these things, though there are interesting aspects to all three themes. It's a classic case of missed opportunity all the way around.

The great strength of the book is the historical review of the bases of Bush family wealth and power and how that has translated into a political dynasty of sorts. Are there skeletons in this closet? Of course there are. (As there are in the Kennedy closet, the Roosevelt closet, and so on.) Have the Bushies leveraged their wealth to their economic and political advantage. Again, of course they have'as have others. If there is an issue there'and Phillips makes a strong case that there indeed is an issues here'it's that the Bush dynasty has arisen not for even the incidental goal of providing public service in general but almost entirely as a huge cronyism machine.

Phillips tries to compare the Bush dynasty of other American dynasties without much success. The expected convergences are there and well documented. The aspects of historical accident and contrasting experience are ignored or glossed over. That's bad enough. To worsen the mix, Phillips tries to also do the comparison thing with European dynasties. This is really stretching the purview and the whole historical aspects of the exercise pretty much fall apart.

So what give this book 4 stars? Because, insofar as the actual cataloging of the Bush history and experience go, the book is thorough, thoughtful and highly detail