Decision Points [Paperback]

I have always felt history will be kinder on George W Bush's presidency than the present commentators. He is man who had a good record as Governor of Texas and was president for 2 terms in very difficult times for ther USA. This book picks out the main challenges during his presidency and explains why he did what he did. You may not agree with him but he clearly thought a lot about his decisions and was prepared to make them. He comes across as someone who cares, someone who is decisive, someone who wanted to make a difference, someone with integrity and someone who is ordinary (as opposed to being arrogant). He lists his failures and regrets as well as his successes. He writes in an easy to read style which demosntrates a clarity of thought. You may not agree with him or with what he did but this book explains why he did what he did. It might alter your view of him. Political autobiographies can often be self serving (Major, Blair, Clinton), hard to follow and boring. This book is none of those. A thoroughly well written book and a very entertaining and informative read. Certainly one of the best books of its type in recent times. Plenty of ammunition in this book for debate on contraversial subjects such as torture, the middle east etc. Highly recommended.

George W. Bush begins his memoir by admitting he was a borderline alcoholic. The first chapter "Quitting" describes how he became increasingly dependent on alcohol so decided to quit drinking just after his 40th birthday. It's just as well. He would need a clear head when he finally became president. Perhaps Bill Clinton should have considered giving up women (beside his own wife!) before he, too, became president! It would have saved a lot of trouble.

This is a memoir. It's not a history book. Thus reading it should be judged in the same way you might have a conversation with someone in a bar/pub or at dinner party; if you know you are not going like his views then why listen if you don't have to. The only reason someone would give this book less than 3 stars is because they either dislike Bush as president or disagree with his policies. Neither is going to change history.

George Bush was president of the most powerful nation on the planet for 8 years. He took charge just before the biggest terrorist attack in history (9/11), oversaw one of the most damaging national catastrophes on American soil (Katrina) and witnessed the biggest financial melt-down since the Great Depression (2007-09). It's an interesting read. The narrative is lucid and easy to follow. I like the way each subject is divided into separate chapters.

One annoying aspect about the book is how that Bush downplays the fact that his family (or the connections) helped him get into power, both as governor of Texas and later as president, though one line reveals it all, "Proximity to power is empowerment. Have Dad's [George H.W. Bush] ear's made me effective." It's not what you know; it's who you know.

Another annoying factor is his constant references to his "faith". The worst of these moments is when he is asked to speak in the Cathedral directly after 9/11 and admits that he prayed, "Lord, let your light shine through me." Shouldn't this stuff remain private?

Later that month Bush describes going to another service where he listens to a sermon which apparently answered the question they were all asking about the terrorist attacks, Why?... How could this happen, God?"

The minister, Bob Williams, stated that the "answer was beyond our power to know". Actually, it isn't. If you open the Bible at Amos 3:16 you get "When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?" Maybe God was trying to give America a warning.

This is a completely different book from one like Blair Unbound, which I am reading at the moment. The account is completely personal. If you're going to be too critical, then why bother picking it and wasting several hours of your life? But if you are going to read it with an open (but still discerning) mind then there is little reason to see why you won't enjoy it, especially if you are interested in American history and politics.

Oh, and remember, if Bush hadn't got in then we would have had Gore and (later) Kerry. Perhaps Bush is not the problem. Perhaps the problem is the American political establishment - which is why it still has the same problems (on worse) since Bush left power. $16 trillion worth of debt - and counting.

America doesn't need another president; it needs a Messiah! Isn't one due any time now?

I must admit to being a compulsive reader of Political Biographies, and found this to be one of the better ones. Of course this one includes many attempts to set the record strait, and of course he looks at himself in a positive manner, but wouldn't you? There are moments where he feels triumphant, such as the excellent passage on his Thanksgiving trip to Iraq in 2003, and others, such as when he spoke about social security,and Hurricane Katrina, where you can feel his pain with him, as he recounts what he should have done. I must confess to skipping the chapter on the Financial Crisis, because after a few pages it started to become a bit wonkish, but this highlights how the majority of the rest of the book was actually written by him, and therefore feels genuine and heartfelt.

I have never really felt a close connection to Bush, but after reading this book, I agree that he was given a hard time for maybe not being the smartest guy around, and making a few verbal gaffes, but that overall his presidency was a success. Seven years of economic growth, the toppling of two Middle Eastern dictatorships, and being able to step out of his father's shadow,and be President in his own right. I respect him for this, and I imagine that if you read this, you will get a new perspective on both Bush and a man, and a decision maker, as opposed to the one fed to you by the liberal media.