My intentions going into this book were to simply read what Rumsfeld believes, what he remembers. With a critical eye, however, I also planned on looking for any inconsistencies, any contradictions, during his storied political years of experience. What I found led me to the title of the review; Rumsfeld's memoirs are from naturally from his perspective, but provide little to truly argue with other than anecdotal information, which can be very difficult to prove or disprove. Naturally, all can't be covered in the confines of this review (which is gigantic to begin with), but I found two primary recurring themes while reading these memoirs (which are, incidentally, very interesting), and one topic of discussion that is sure to draw the most ire:
1) Bipartisanship - In terms of thought as well as allegiance, Rumsfeld was not always unary.
2) National Defense - Throughout an illustrious career, he has held many positions that all eventually deal with national defense. His thoughts and actions are truly eye-opening.
3) The Bush Years - There will be the most disagreement with this portion of his recollections, but his recounting of events is infallible unless one allows political dogma to overrule reason.
BIPARTISANSHIP
What struck me most of all while reading Rumsfeld's memoirs were his extensive private and public sector experiences, and how evenly he managed to deal with nearly all he encountered. Obviously a lifelong Republican, his admiration for Reagan and Nixon are apparent during their respective historical chapters/sections, his praise was measured and fair. While he appreciated Gerald Ford's steadfastness, he also noted the naďvety shown by Ford and JFK while younger. He rips LBJ for Vietnam failures and Agnew for being Agnew, but has had diverse friendships and alliances with ardent leftists like Al Lowenstein; his references to Joseph Lieberman are always favorable. Noting specific instances that are difficult to debate, he points out the failings of a Democrat-led Congress and Senate that dominated the 1960s, eviscerates Clinton for numerous strategic mistakes, accurately depicts Gore's wooden nature, and paints an unfavorable view of Carter - Rumsfeld felt Carter was "sleepwalking" through his responsibilities - rightfully so considering the laughable responses to Soviet build-up and invasion of Afghanistan. Praising Reagan, the Great Communicator, as an obvious step up from Carter was easy, but praise and criticism is not so short-sighted or blindly allegiant to his Republican political label that he wouldn't ignore the rationale behind previous administrations' decisions. Unlike Democrats like Carl Levin, whose blind partisanship caused Rumsfeld to use the phrase "curiously immune to reason," Rumsfeld challenged respected members of George W. Bush's cabinet (Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell). Rumsfeld's autobiographical perspective is poignant, personal, and candid. An equal mix of humor and humility.
NATIONAL DEFENSE
Exhibiting a proclivity for proactivity, his views on national defense were more balanced than many believe. Perhaps it was his upbringing after Pearl Harbor that molded him in this regard - at that time support for war was nearly unanimous, but personal sacrifices were equally understood - but he contributed to numerous decisions showing measured aggression - opposition to the bombing pause in Vietnam, later post-9/11 actions, caution when working on the SALT II resolutions with the Soviets - he also appears somewhat indifferent towards the Yom Kippur war and even wrote his senior thesis regarding the need to limit presidential power during wartime. Mr. Rumsfeld was not always on the offensive as some would believe; he was against one of the most aggressive shows of military and scientific strength in our country's history: the NASA moon landing.
THE BUSH YEARS & 9/11
Rumsfeld remarked that Middle East stability was important for America's future as far back as 1983, and commented on terrorism reaching our shores numerous times during his long time swimming among the sharks of bureaucracy (he mentioned concerns about al-Qaida to the CIA in the late 1990s); so, it is ironic that many wish to tarnish his legacy by assuming nothing good was done during the Bush years - pre and post 9/11. As he famously revealed, and how he titled this book, there are simply unknown unknowns in this world. Despite being part of bureaucracy for much of his adult life, he still remained distanced enough to recognize the intrinsic mess. He remembers GWB as a formidable president, different than the popular image fostered by critics and satirists, and utterly rejects the Cheney as puppet-master meme.
Not so one-sided that he didn't have a few negative, albeit hesitant, aforementioned comments about Rice and Powell, noting the former's senior-level government inexperience and the latter's reserved nature as hurdles for the Bush administration, Rumsfeld nonetheless spoke highly of their efforts during what was possibly the most difficult and unknown time in American political and military history. Open shots are not frequent in the memoirs, but he does note Rice's tendency to placate multiple diverging departments - a habit undoubtedly formed in academia - thereby giving the impression that Bush left a matter unresolved, as one of the aspects that hindered progress in the war on terror, a phrase with which he disagrees. Additionally, he discounts erroneous claims from those who would have others preposterously believe Bush and the United States were unilaterally acting in response to 9/11. Rumsfeld accurately states that is impossible to stop all terrorism, that a nation can only defend against its possibilities and react fiercely when affected, but he also feels MISTAKES WERE MADE. The man is not without fault or humility. Providing retrospective thoughts on how President Bush might have handled the post-9/11 war on terror, while uniformly disagreeing with the notion that actions were too grandiose or equivalent to war crimes, Rumsfeld notes that influence from Saudi Arabia should have been a deliverable rather than an insinuation based upon support, alternate sources of energy should have been researched, and more could have been done to get America, particularly young people, involved in support of the military or intelligence communities. There are minor policy disagreements (i.e. 20/20 hindsight), but to borrow a phrase, his reflection is fair and balanced.
CONCLUSION
Through his numerous election failures, both as the official running and as a supporter, Rumsfeld realizes that in politics the right doesn't always get done. Moreover, what is right is nearly never agreed upon. What are without doubt, however, are Rumsfeld's intelligence, patriotism, determination, efforts, and resolve. His talents have led him to numerous accomplishments which reflect the kind of tireless civil servant he has been throughout his decades long service to our nation. The unfortunate side-effect to any endeavor as monumental as a retelling of career as long as Rumsfeld's is A) Length, and B) Irrelevant personal life additions. The former made this book a chore, the latter is understandable considering context; the combination is the reason for the 4-star, rather than 5-star, review. To the detractors of his efforts, specifically those who have not read the book, I offer an appropriate Rumsfeld quote: "Events can often seem to have been obvious in retrospect."
