The War Within: A Secret White House History 2006-2008 | List Price: $32.00
Discount Price: $17.79
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Binding: Hardcover
An excellent account of Bush's recent Iraq Policy [Posted on 2008-11-12]
Bob Woodward has provided another candid, incisive, and informative window into the personalities, key players, and power brokers who have helped shape and implement the Bush administration's policy in Iraq. He provides detailed accounts of candid, sometimes back room discussions among the key figures who have shaped American military policy in Iraq in the waning years of the Bush administration. This includes figures such as Bush's key advisor Stephen Hadley, Peter Pace, Stephen Petraeus as well as the obvious Bush officials Condi Rice and Dick Cheney.
Woodward's portrait is well-balanced and highlights both shortcomings, such as internal debates about Iraq policy (or lack thereof) among his senior aides; to the apparent success of measures like "the surge" and "Anbar Awakening." He then turns to providing some developing impressions about Bush's possible legacy, as well as what the next president (at the time of publication it was down to McCain and Obama), and what he will inherit.
Woodward, who has authored countless acclaimed books on presidential politics, including three previous books in the "Bush at War" series, was granted unprecedented access. He also provides clear, cogent analysis of the key players and factions in Iraq- from the dubious initial role of Chalabi, to the missteps of Bremer's transitional government, to the election of Maliki as the president of Iraq. He also interestingly observes how, among the three main factions in Iraq (Sunni, Shia and Kurds), the Shia, in addition to being the most numerous, also control the lion share of the vast, rich, oil fields of southern Iraq.
Overall an excellent book by an acclaimed, award-winning author and reporter, who as many may remember, broke the Watergate story way back when along with Bernstein.
My one critique of this book is that, while the access and detailed reporting are outstanding, I was hoping for more analysis and narrative commentary from Woodward. Then again- that is not really his "shtick." If you like Woodward's other books and his columns you will love this book, but be mindful that he leaves the reader to connect a lot of the dots and draw their own conclusions from his detailed accounts of this arguably dubious era in presidential history.
Highly recommended!
So-So book of Woodward's final installment [Posted on 2008-11-19]
This forth installment by Woodward on Bush's presidency/Iraq war focuses almost entirely on the Bush Administration's about face in dealing with Iraq. Or more importantly, how very little change had occurred except throwing more troops at the fire contrary to what the military advised the president on. I was very disappointed that the entire book focused only on one thing - the troop surge. I really thought that troop surge was greatly overrated in this volume. What I mean is I think Woodward tried to parallel it with the debacle of Johnson's escalation of Vietnam and hedged his bets on public reaction and the effects that the troop surge was going to have on the American public.
I think the bottom line is the war still continues, the surge is over and done with and just viewed as another drop in the bucket for the Bush presidency. I really think Woodward could have covered the entire surge in 2-3 chapters.
What I did like is Woodward's ability to get inside the administration and write about the behind the scenes and the interactions that go on. This book sheds light that Bush really makes the ultimate decision but like a poker player - bets on one hand. Bush never really engulfed himself in the situation but had others do the leg work for him. Hadley is the real engine turning the opinion and forcing the administration into alignment (whereas Rummy was the bad guy in the the previous book).
This was the least interesting book (of the 4 Woodward has written) with little to no revelation in it. Everyone knew the war was being lost but Bush would not admit it. Well, the war continues, no one hears of Petraeus anymore and the surge is forgotten - this is how memorable I chalked this volume to be.
Tells the Story of the People Who Saved the War [Posted on 2008-11-21]
As with his first 3 books detailing the Bush Administration's conduct of the Long War, Woodward provides an excellent first draft of history. A chronicle put together from extensive interviews with numerous sources, Woodward paints a picture of an Administration at war with itself over the struggle in the Iraq theater. The situation in Iraq begins to get so bad, that elements within and outside the White House begin to piece together a strategy to turn around the war effort, and eventually convince the President to change strategy at the last possible moment. Like in the first three books, this story is so detailed I sometimes think "He HAS to be making this up. No one could know that!"
There's been a lot of sensational angst and hand-wringing over this book,just like the previous ones. The first two books were roundly condemned by the Left as "laudatory" of Bush. The third book, State of Denial, was widely seen as more critical, as was this one. The reality is more complex. All four books show the warts of the Bush Administration and The War Within is no different. Woodward shows us a president who is not deeply involved in the decision-making process and is, some would say, dangerously sure of himself.
But it also shows a president who is resolute and willing to act when the chips are down. Who is willing to swim against the tide, ignore the conventional wisdom and finally do what is necessary to win the battle.
What plays out in the book is that the tragedy of the Bush Administration is that it took *so long*, pushed to brink of defeat, before the president decided to change the strategy. What came out in State of Denial was that the president kind of sees himself as the "cheerleader in chief." That is, he empowers people to do a job, and then back them up to the hilt. But sometimes, you have to be Lincoln. Sometimes you just have to fire generals until you find one that fights.
The Abazaid/Sanchez/Casey strategy was appalling. "Leave to win?" That doesn't even make sense on its face! How do you win a war by ceding the battlefield?
Despite Woodward's generally negative characterization of President Bush, he does give him his due in finally deciding to go around his own generals and military establishment, and tap a select group of people who were flailing their arms and yelling for 2 years - trying to keep the nation from sailing off a cliff. The War Within details the efforts these people also; Meghan O'Sullivan, General Jack Keane, Fred Kagan and Steve Hadley, and their struggles within the security bureaucracy. These people saved the war.
Top Secrets Revealed [Posted on 2008-11-23]
Have just begun reading the book but from page one it holds abundant previously secret information, well-documented as only a top notch reporter like Bob Woodward can do it!
Detailed Look into the Bush White House [Posted on 2008-11-30]
I read this book having not read any of the previous Bob Woodward books. The details that he is able to get from within the White House and what was going on behind closed doors is astounding.
I started getting frustrated with the book in the middle as sometimes I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over. This was more of a flaw in the way Bush handled the situation than a flaw in the book. The lack of progress and decision-making in Iraq is unbelievable, and is definitely shown through the book.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about how the war in Iraq was and is being handled.
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