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Bush at War (Hardcover)

"TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, began as one of those spectacular pre-fall days on the East Coast, sunny, temperatures in the 70s, light winds, the sky..." (more)

3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (196 customer reviews)

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Product Details

Hardcover: 376 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0743204735
ISBN-13: 978-0743204736
Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 16.2 x 3 cm
Shipping Weight: 681 g

Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (196 customer reviews)

Amazon.ca Sales Rank: #218,314 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in this category:
#11 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( B ) > Bush, George

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Product Description

From Amazon.com

Bush at War focuses on the three months following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, during which the U.S. prepared for war in Afghanistan, took steps toward a preemptive strike against Iraq, intensified homeland defense, 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 a nearly 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 U.S. would not only go after terrorists everywhere but also those governments or groups which harbor them--without first consulting Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, or Defense 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 defense department and the CIA. A worthwhile and often enlightening read, this is a revealing and informative first draft of the Bush legacy. --Shawn Carkonen

From Publishers Weekly

Quoting liberally from transcripts of National Security Council meetings and hundreds of interviews with those in the presidential inner circle, including four hours of interviews with Bush himself, the Washington Post assistant managing editor, best-selling author and Watergate muckraker manages to provide a nonpartisan account of the first 100 days of the post September 11 war on terror. While Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, President Bush and CIA Director George Tenet are impressive, Donald Rumsfeld and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz come off as hawkish and reactionary, repeatedly calling for a strike against Iraq in the first days of the conflict while pushing for a more widespread, global war. Woodward does an excellent job of exposing the seat-of-their-pants planning sessions conducted at the highest levels of power and the hectic diplomacy practiced by Powell and Bush in trying to get the air war against Afghanistan off the ground. He also brings to light the divisions among the planners concerning the bombing in Afghanistan, which made little impact until late in the game, when the Taliban lines were finally hit. In addition to recounting the heated arguments about when and how to retaliate against Al Qaeda, Woodward also follows Special Ops agents flown into Afghanistan with millions in payoff money weeks in advance of any other American presence. Living in harsh conditions with little to no support, these "110 CIA officers and 316 Special Forces personnel," in this account, ran the show, and effectively won the war with their intelligence gathering operations. While at times relying a bit too heavily on transcribed conversations, Woodward nonetheless offers one of the first truly insightful and informative accounts of the decision making process in the war on terror. 16 pages of b&w photos.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, began as one of those spectacular pre-fall days on the East Coast, sunny, temperatures in the 70s, light winds, the sky a vivid light blue. Read the first page

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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover

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	86% buy the item featured on this page: Bush at War 3.4 out of 5 stars (196)
	14% buy The War Within: A Secret White House History 2006-2008 4.0 out of 5 stars (2) CDN$ 15.33

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Customer Reviews

196 Reviews

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(53)
3 star:		(35)
2 star:		(23)
1 star:		(28)

Average Customer Review

3.4 out of 5 stars (196 customer reviews)

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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Truth Becomes More Obscure Everyday, Nov 24 2002

By	stan jorgensen "sjorge47" (alexandria, va USA) - See all my reviews

It pains me to see this book billed at the "inside truth" written be an "outsider/liberal."

Over the years since his Watergate score, Woodward has morphed from investigative journalist to consumate insider. His access here was vetted by Karl Rove, Andrew Card, Ken Mehlman -- the henchmen inner circle. These people work in secret, allow no real press access (just ask the reporters), and politicize every act and statement that comes out of the White House, i.e. everything is a calculation to make Bush look good and to stay in power.

So here comes Woodward, with his rep and Washington Post connection, the perfect guy to give Bush statue with doubter and critics from the center/left. The whole thing is a "set up" calculated to sell Bush, and at the same time give Woodward a a big book, bucks, and a new basis for getting his face on TV.

Is it the truth? Woodward wouldn't get within shouting distance of Bush or any other "insider" interviewed if he was a free thinker and truthteller. No, he gets in because
he's "reliable", "they" can depend on him. Is Woodward a liberal? Hell no. He's pure establishment and self-serving to boot.

Sure, some of the stuff is interesting. And the book is a decent read. But in the end, it's just a piece of establishment propaganda. Woodward is just another of the "insiders" who take good care of each other and pipe out the "newspeak" calculated to keep us feeling alright. To my mind, the "Evil One" here (since we're supposed to think like this nowadays) is Woodward -- a coy boy he is indeed, a player for sure, but when it comes to reality, he leaves us in the dark.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Sit in on NSC meetings, Jan 18 2009

By	Mr Mugwump (Toronto, ON) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bush at War (Paperback)

Although largely a history of meetings, the book is an indispensable and fascinating insider's account, written with credibility. The book reveals Bush's strong religious convictions, but also a thoughtful side never portrayed in the media. Discussions at numerous meeting belie the common story that the war was poorly planned or that the Bush administration was ignorant about Afghani politics (which isn't to say things didn't go wrong).

The discussions reveal a few basic reasons for the war: to send a warning to other states not to sponsor terror; to fight back, rather than being "Clintonesque"; to mark the beginning of a global war on terror; to establish Bush's legacy (see p 205); to prevent another attack on the U.S. There is hardly any mention of democracy-promotion, and no mention of geopolitics. By October 3, however, the principals recognized that the invasion of Afghanistan would have to lead to peacekeeping and nation building, in order to avoid the type of vacuum that led to the Taliban eventually taking power after the Soviets left.

Many reviewers say the book is merely propaganda, which suggests they think the Bush administration comes out looking better than they deserve. But the historical facts remain the same and will be what Bush is judged on. Also, if what is reported in the book is not what they were talking about at all those NSC meetings, what the hell were they talking about? While the book may not vilify the main characters, it is candid and revealing.

I did not notice any historical contradictions between Bush at War and Against All Enemies (except, if I remember correctly, some difference about whether or not Clinton gave the CIA authority to kill bin Laden).

It seems Woodward only worked on the book until October 11, 2002, which wouldn't give him much of a chance to re-write history with hindsight.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Stenographer to Power, Jul 13 2004

By A Customer

It will take years for historians -- the real guardians of truth -- to have the perspective for an honest recounting of this particular story. Unfortunately, Woodward seems to have traded independent analysis for access to the players -- never a good bargain. Could not help cringe as the self-serving comments were dutifully recorded. Is this really the same author who co-wrote "All the President's Men?"

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Most recent customer reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Dull
Bob Woodward's book is just plain dull. The only new insights he gives us relate to the CIA's pursuit of Osama bin Laden - a quest, we know now because of the Sept. Read more

Published on Jun 28 2004 by Brennon Slattery

3.0 out of 5 stars More Objective than Expected
I was surprised when a friend of mine suggested this book to me, because he is very conservative and my impression was that this book was just another anti-bush rant. Read more

Published on Jun 16 2004 by kingofkirkwood

3.0 out of 5 stars Part exciting part boring
I was very excited to start this book but I must say that after a while it got a bit boring. Another NSC meeting, another disagreement between the principals ! Read more

Published on Jun 10 2004 by Thys Daniel

3.0 out of 5 stars Why you should be terrified
Focusing on the three months between the attack on the World Trade Center and the end of the Afghanistan war, Woodward presents a day-by-day account of what went on in the Bush... Read more

Published on Jun 9 2004 by Alan Mills