Bush at War

By: Bob Woodward

Narrated by: James Naughton

With his unmatched investigative skill, Bob Woodward tells the behind-the-scenes story of how President George W. Bush and his top national security advisers, after the initial shock of the September 11 attacks, led the nation to war.

Extensive quotations from the secret deliberations of the National Security Council - and firsthand revelations of the private thoughts, concerns, and fears of the president and his war cabinet - make Bush at War an unprecedented chronicle of a modern presidency in a time of grave crisis.

Based on interviews with more than a hundred sources and four hours of exclusive interviews with the president, Bush at War reveals Bush's sweeping, almost grandiose, vision for remaking the world. "I'm not a textbook player, I'm a gut player," the president said.

Woodward's virtual wiretap into the White House Situation Room reveals a stunning group portrait of an untested president and his advisers, three of whom might themselves have made it to the presidency. In Bush at War, Bob Woodward once again delivers a reporting tour de force.

©2002 Bob Woodward, All Rights Reserved (P)2002 Simon & Schuster Inc., All Rights Reserved, AUDIOWORKS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

"With rare access to the Bush White House, Woodward has again given us a masterpiece of political reportage." (Barnes&Noble.com)

Very interesting read ...

From the cover and the title, I feared that this book had a GW bias. I didn't need to worry. Here, Woodward proves he can still be a powerful, objective writer. He has interviewed the likes of GW, Powell, Rice and others, and from those interviews, he has captured their thoughts and actions so that parts of this book read more like a fictional book with strong narrative. Without any apparent judgement, he has also captured some of the conflicts within the Oval Office in such a way that you can judge them for yourself. And I was amazed at the currentness of the information provided. This book starts on 9/11 and follows the War on Terrorism through to October 2002 with the start of the current efforts against Iraq. Excellent, informative reading.

Great inside review

This is a must listen if you are a keen follower of the 9/11 attacks and the events that followed. The inside account depicts emotion, interviews and unprecedented access to the BUSH predentcy.

Not Bad

I can't stand Bush but the book was better than I thought. I came away with a new understanding of Rumsfield and Powell which I appreciated. I also didn't come out of the book thinking that our President was any less a reactionary macho cowboy than I did from observing the news and reading about him elsewhere. Even for Democrats or Bush haters this is a book worth listening to. I would never have purchased it otherwise but am glad I listened to it.

Very interesting

Its a bit of a rah rah Bush book, but this is an enlightening read. I personally hate Bush's speeches, but Woodward's actual quotes of Bush and colleagues makes them much more real and helps you appreciate who they really are and what they did. Great narrator too. Highly recommended.

Bush at War

Bob Woodward's insider account of the inner workings of the Bush administration is fascinating. Only a privileged few would have his kind of access. His accounts are riveting. Highly recommended.

Balanced

Before the Iraq war began, I had hoped that the President and his advisors had more information than I and were making a well informed decision to invade Iraq. I was wrong. This book is wonderful at demonstrating how our elected officials and their advisors are just as human as we, and are just as likely to make emotional decisions with potentially disastrous results. This book compares well to Halberstamm's "Best and Brightest" about the Vietnam debacle. Woodward does a nice job of writing an objective account and avoids getting entangled in partisan arguments.

Exciting non-fiction

This is the most exciting non-fiction I have ever read. It has all the makings of a Tom Clancy novel. I had to keep reminding myself that this was real.

Bush at War is Fascinating

Fascinating description of what went on; in and around the War Room surrounding the events of Sept 11. A view of how decisions are come by and made in the Bush White House.

A balanced look inside the Oval Office

Woodward did an excellent job at providing excellent insight into Bush's way of thinking, often contrasting with his inner circle, but a very refreshing look.

Policy Happens

More than a peak inside, this is sitting at the table! An eccellent job of capturing the thoughts, disputes, and concerns of the moment. How did the White House respond and react to the events of September 11th. Woodward lets the reader decide if Bush's methods are strengths or flaws. Also, you get the chance to see the groundwork for our current actions in the gulf to help put it in perspective.