Customer Reviews

The Right Man: An Inside Account of the Bush White House

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I found this at Goodwill and it wasn't worth the 69 cents I paid for it: a syncophantic treatment from an insider in one of the worst administrations of any nation in the history of the world. Of course, I'm biased: Mr. Bush's alleged leadership caused me to lose a great job helping young people as a Federal civil servant and I hope that Mr. Frum and his ilk spend some time relying upon Unemployment Insurance to feed their families. I would use this book for kindling and buy up all copies of it if I could to prevent any other reader from experiencing this utter nonsense from an administration that has not only caused me a great position, but in the past month, 40% of my retirement savings thanks to the misguided, ill-conceived and wrongheaded policies and politics of Mr. Bush and his cronies. Do not buy this book from Amazon.com or any source: it is one of the most boring books I have ever read (I've written Federal rules and regulations, and that's saying something). The total lack of objectivity, questioning of Mr. Bush's failures, and Mr. Bush's apparent lack of interest in the middle class are quite striking in this book that belongs at places where I found it: second-hand shops.

Excuse me, Randy Dillow, this is a spot for reviews of a book, not a platform for your personal attacks on the left. While I agree with you that Ezekiel's review is filled with needlessly hateful words, yours is no better. "Liberals are the lower class", one of your statements, is uncalled for. You should be ashamed. I have an idea for liberals and conservatives. Stop the name calling, review the books using your own thoughts. The flooding of name calling, negative reviews, and generalizations are sickening in the least. That being said, this is an average book. It makes some good points, but it is yet another book by an individual who has pledged their undying loyalty to George Bush. It is hard to see someone as subjective when they cannot admit that there have been mistakes made in this administration. I know, everybody makes mistakes, but admitting them and owning up to them is the mark of true integrity. The complete lack of constructive criticism of President Bush makes this a tough read.

On page 139, Frum talks about how rescue workers at ground zero did not vote for Bush in 2000 and guess what- they still didn't vote for him in 2004! This should make people wonder if Bush is protecting us so well, why do the people of New York, biggest threat city, didn't go with Bush in 2004? On page 142, Bush says he is going to hold responsible not only the terrorists but the governments that aid, abet, finance and shield terrorism - does this mean Bush's good friend "Bandar Bush" from Saudi Arabia? Bush says "Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorist." I can't really blame Germany, France, Russia for turning away from us - Bush's good ole it's MY way or the HIGHWAY. All you people who follow Georgie blindly need to go back and read page 147 and tell me that he finally got his reason to invade Iraq on 9/11. "We're finished on taxes, except maybe for capital gains - if we win the war, we'll get our recovery." What a great strategy! And my personal favorite was the 2 paragraphs with Tom Ridge in them. Bush made Tom Ridge head of Homeland Security because he was governor of the state that a flight 93 went down in on 9/11. What since does this make? Guess if you like Bush then it makes perfect sense but there are 48% of voters who know better! For a book that was suggested to me to see the good in George Bush, this book only highlighted the very reasons that I am so afraid of him being the President of the United States.

In reference to "Stop the hatred!, November 10, 2004
Reviewer: Metalhead (Indianapolis, IN United States)" I have to wonder if you read this book. I am not trying to be insulting, but even the post "Proving the addage "They Fear What They Do Not Understand.", April 6, 2004 Reviewer: A reader" said
"What made this book interesting was the author wasn't a Bush fan to begin with." The author of this book expressed several doubts about the President, and a complete lack of faith. He grew to respect the President in the end, but it did not begin this way. Also, he admitted several instances in which the white house staff made errors.

In reference to "Right book about the Right man., September 19, 2004 Reviewer: dimebagger (NJ,USA)" I completely respect Mr. Kerry for his service to our country, an agree that he was a 'war hero.' I do not respect what he did upon his return. Especially since the medals he threw that you refered to in your post were not even his medals. His were safe at home, he threw someone else's medals.

In reference to "Propaganda, September 26, 2004
Reviewer: Ezekiel (Im a Buddist for usa)" Though you make an interesting arguement, I must ask that you please recheck your facts before publishing them. Misinformation is how a lot of controversy begins. President Bush did not provide 'nukes' to Kim Jong Il. President Carter (who won the Nobel Peace Prize, I might add), in no official capacity what-so-ever, took it upon himself to negotiate with N. Korea. At this point he called President Clinton and informed him that the N. Koreans wanted a Nuclear Reactor to "generate electricity." President Clinton (not Bush) said 'oh, okay' and forked it over. Please look this up on more than just one website.

I love President Bush! This book explains why he is perceived as devisive. He views events, people and situations with moral clarity and sticks to his principals. This book is well-written, a quick read and insightful. The notes and references are second only to Ann Coulter.

Little more than a right wing diatribe extolling the virtues of the worst president in American history. A small man with a small mind, the author or the President, take your pick.
Not proud to say he's Canadian by birth, but American every way else.

Im sick of listening to republicans spreading propaganda about John Kerry through Micheal Moore film reviews so heres a little well respected pay back.
George Bush supports nazism death camps and terrorism.Ol "W' also wants to kill innocant people with his war in iraq just to finish off "Daddy's" buisness. George Bush even gave nukes to Kim Jong Il.Can you trust Bush to run america.I cant but maybe its just because he rules us like a king and supports unnesicary wars and calls then "imformation errors."It kind of reminds me of Janet Jacksons wardrobe malfunction (This means I belive its untrue I know how slow republicans are).
In short one nation under a ruthless dictator indivisalbe with liberty and justice to the higher class. No longer land of the free (every time I speak im chastized for being a democrat and a Buddhist)and the home of the brave (just because World War II veterans still live here).
One last thing VOTE JOHN KERRY.