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First off, let me warn readers of occasional bad language, particularly of the "F" word. As I read the book, I was alternately angered and saddened that our leaders could be involved in the tragedy that has been the Iraq war. Bob Woodward is usually attacked as a shill for the left, maybe rightly so, but after reading "The Agenda" about Clinton's first year in the White House, it is difficult for me to see him as other than a reporter of the facts - you know, "We report, you decide."It is pointe...
My favorite memory of this book has nothing to do with what's written. When I was going through security at the Frankfurt airport a guard took my book off the X-ray conveyor belt and said in English, with a thick German accent, "Plan of Attack. It's not a real plan, is it?"
The only reason this book didn't get one star was because the behind-the-scenes accounts were kind of interesting. Of course, people present themselves in the best possible light when interviewed. The endless dialogue could've been summed up to one page:Bush: What's our war plan for Iraq?Gen. Franks: Long build up, long war. 18-24 months. Rumsfeld: Make it shorter. Franks: OK. Bush: What do we have on Iraq intel? Tenet: Nothing.Bush: Saddam's crazy and may become a threat. They must have WMDs. E...
I try to read all of Bob Woodward's "Bush at War" series, and this one was especially fascianating because it goes right from the aftermath of 9/11 -- America's government having gotten caught with its pants firmly around its ankles -- and the brutal retaliation.This book specifically outlines the specious and spurious plan theory that Saddam Hussein not only had something to do with the Sept. 11 attacks, but that he was housing Weapons of Mass Destruction. (Let's face it, part of it was Hussein...
Read this book for a polictical science class. I found the almost romantic like imagery hilarious. Look for lines like, "Donald Rumsfeld entered the room, his broad shoulders jetting out..."Though honestly it did give a very good understanding of what really went on in the Bush administration before the Iraq war. It scared me too, since you think of the government as this all powerful being that clear objectives but really you see that America was lead by a frat boy who was easily mislead by his...
It is a good read. As an outsider, I learned a thing or two about the Iraq Invasion Version 2.0. I'm a little dissatisfied that I just have to take Woodword's words for it, as he hasn't supplied how he obtained much of the information included in the book.
Mirrors and probably authenticates the numerous books regarding the War in Iraq and the missteps of this administration to take America there.
As to be expected from any Bob Woodward book this is a dligent and detailed work , written very close in time to the events portrayed and before the 2004 US Presidential Election.Reading of these historic decisions some 15 years after the event provides the details with an inevitable context broadly unknown at the time - the context of the lives lost and and the lack of weapons of mass destruction uncovered - which both inevitably shadow every page with hindsight.The access to key personalities
I've read at least seven of Bob Woodward's instant history books so far. Like sugar candies, they go down easy. Like sugar candies they aren't satisfying.Read Woodward with caution. His background raises an eyebrow. He comes out of Naval Intelligence, having been, among other things, General Alexander Haig's briefer. His contacts there, and the very figures he relies on for his insider accounts of events qualify his objectivity and his candor. Were he to be open, frank and honest, he would lose
I have read 3 of the books this author wrote about Pres Bush and the Iraq War. I was thirsty for any insight for what may have been going on in Bush's mind during this period. As might be expected, there was some overlap between the 2 books. I found Mr. Woodward to be open minded and even respectful as he began these books but could sense his feelings of frustration and unbelief as more and more revelations came out. I too felt frustration and disbelief. Could this (Bush) person who I voted for
Such a fascinating read.... Makes u look at things 🤨
Woodward again jumps into W. Bush administration, however I feel he seems to be to respective of the upper levels of our government. Unlike All the President's Men, this book gives us too much of W's gut feeling and his need too prove his father's war wasn't finished and his advisors wanted to finish it this time.I have a problem with that because it's apparent that pre 9-11 they were toying with ideas, and that became the catalyst for a war that he, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Rice really had no exit
How much of what the White House interviewees told Woodward was true? How much was spin? It remains clear from this telling that plans were afoot very early to invade Iraq, and the ploy of saying that "there is no plan on my desk" was pure spin. Colin Powell seems to be a voice of caution.It has a mixed message on who is actually in charge. On one hand people say that Bush always has the final word, and is referred to as "the Man" by White House folk, but decisions are only final after he clears...
To be read with a grain of salt, i was intrigued to read behind the scenes of the decisions that lead to a war that was very real in my lifetime. It helps me understand it more. Whether I agree or not, I now have perspective. As the world again looks a little shaky at this moment, I think it's a good thing to read a few books like this at this time
Fantastic book. It's disturbing enough to be led to the slaughter, but to be taken there by a self-serving idiot is terrifying.
Portrays...Colin Powell as the lone voice of reason within the administration. But even he capitulates and follows orders once the decision is made, throwing his reputation into the gutter once he lies to the American public and the world during his UN speech. Although carefully curated, Powell knowingly relied on weak and unsubstantiated evidence to make the case for war. Despite his vocal dissent against the war, he eventually fell into line and spoke the company line. Cheney as obsessed with
Woodward concludes with "How would history judge his Iraq War?" After reading this 2004 Woodward book we now have enough history to judge this anti-Republican author. He has a pattern of releasing in the spring of a re-election year a smear with a puffed up administrative dissenter, pointing us all to what the author feels is a weakness. After reading this book instead I am amazed by the planning, execution and resolve on the part of the Bush administration to bring down Saddam Hussein. There ar...
This book was good when I first read it, but later when I read Suskind's "One Percent Doctrine" and saw subsequent interviews with the official involved, I felt betrayed by the sensationalism that Woodward made of the situation. The characters and events are not so cut-and-dry as he makes them. Unfortunately, Woodward traded accurate journalism for cheap entertainment. That said, it still has some value, as long as one can tell the fact from the fluff.
Good stuff that confirmed my suspicions and verified my disappointment/anger towards the current administration.
Sometimes you read about past disasters to distract from the present ones. They might even prove instructive.What is most apparent from Bob Woodward’s account of the George W. Bush administration’s path to the 2003 invasion of Iraq is how pre-determined it was, and how comprehensively was their refusal to recognize their own self-enforced inevitability.The Bush administration liked to speak of a world pre and post-9/11, but, ironically, it seemed their own mindset that was unable to adapt to the...