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30 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Right Book for the Right Side, August 18, 2004
This review is from: The Right Man: An Inside Account of the Bush White House (Paperback)
I have read a number of the reviews, and am somewhat disappointed that many reviewers take this space to express their own political views (generally along the lines of how "bad" a president George Bush has been), but not enough about the merits and entertainment value of this book. I mean, isn't that why we read books (or listen to a CD or watch a movie)? We want to be entertained, and maybe (hopefully) learn a thing or two along the way. On those standards, "The Right Man: The Surprise Presidency of George W. Bush" passes the test easily. I read this book recently while on vacation, on a beach, to give you an idea of my state of mind while reading this book.
David Frum was a speechwriter on economic issues for about 14 months (early 2001 to early 2002). Is the account of the Bush-insider self-serving to a degree? Sure it is, but what's wrong with that? (Do you believe for one second that Bill Clinton's autobiography is not?) What appealed to me most were Frum's observations and insights on the "power struggle" between Karl Rove and Karen Hughes, and around them. In fact, for a White House administration that on the outside comes across well-disciplined, the overwhelming feeling one gets is that EVERYTHING is a power struggle. How anything ever gets decided anymore, is amazing to me.
The Amazon.com editorial review on the hardcover issue of this book is sceptical that Frum left on his own device. I never got that impression. Frum's explanation that in a post-9/11 landscape, where economic issues are secondary to fighting the war on terrorosm, and therefore the need for a economic speechwriter is greatly diminished, came across as reasonable and credible to me. Maybe I'm just naive, who knows. In any event, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and that's good enough for me, although I imagine that many of the anti-Bush zealots may feel differently.
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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, February 27, 2005
This review is from: The Right Man: An Inside Account of the Bush White House (Paperback)
I found this book interesting due to the level of info not found in newspapers and on television. An actual insiders view of the President and his staff. It's nice to hear that all of the negativity we hear daily about the President and his staff may not all be true.
But this isn't about politics. This is a review about a book! The book is pretty well written and tells a good story of a man whom came to the White House skeptical and had his views turned by a meeting directly with the President himself. Whatever your politics, you have to think that if a book holds information like that we should all be encouraged to read it. No matter what your affiliation.
I gave it only four stars due to the end. It seemed to drag a bit at the end and left me wanting more info about the administration.
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46 of 71 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Proving the addage "They Fear What They Do Not Understand.", April 6, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: The Right Man: An Inside Account of the Bush White House (Paperback)
What made this book interesting was the author wasn't a Bush fan to begin with. This was an educational book for me, offering a look at the man and the administration that some Democrats and the news media loves to hate. I agree with one of the other reviewers that the first few chapters do paint an administration that may have been mediocre but today there is no questioning the strong leadership and values of a successful administration. I finally understand why his critics hate him so -- It's because George W. Bush did not live up to their expectations of failure, because he has turned this country around to a powerful country with a strong (and getting stronger) economy and a proud and powerful military, because he has a positive vision and truly believes in that which he says and he believe in his country, but most of all, because his critics can't figure him out. They just don't get how someone could want a strong and free America and world. George W. Bush is, beyond all words and without a doubt, the right man for the job. He has earned my respect and support.
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