Separate chapters summarize the major issues facing Americans during the Bush Administration and how Bush came to make his decisions. Everything from stem cell research, to the wars in the Middle East, to the financial crisis still impacting the nation today is covered. Some areas are given a considerably larger amount of focus than others. It is George Bush’s view on his life, his presidency, and the world. He admits fault for mistakes (such as the slow response to Katrina) and accepts responsibility. It is candid and blunt. The reader is invited into talks at Camp David, Oval Office discussions, personal moments at the Governor’s Mansion in Texas, and emotional outbursts aboard Air Force One. In sum, an interesting and well-written read for any person regardless of their personal feelings towards the former president.

People of all political parties should read the book. It is a great insight into the presidency as Bush sees it. Regardless of whether or not you like the former president, it is a great account of the daily operations of the Oval Office and how difficult it is to be analyzed for every little thing you do. Essentially, a president is not going to make everyone happy. That comes with freedom of choice. People are allowed to have their own opinions and express them in a constructive way. After reading the book, the reader will come away with a greater appreciation of the daily trials and tribulations a president faces. If nothing else, it will give the reader a deeper understanding of the issues facing the presidency during the Bush administration. Could he have made better decisions? Probably. Could he have made worse decisions? Definitely. Overall, I think a person will come away with more respect for the difficult decisions any president has to make.

I'm glad I read it, but I probably would not have; but it was our book of the month