A Matter of Character: Inside the White House of George W. Bush (Hardcover)

by Ronald Kessler (Author) "After the 2000 presidential election, George W. Bush was "neither fish nor fowl," as Andrew H. Card, Jr., who would become his chief of staff,..." (more)
Key Phrases: domestic policy advisor, pool report, residence staff, United States, Secret Service, Air Force One (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
George W. Bush is a direct and decisive man who is much nicer to his Secret Service agents than Bill Clinton was, according to author Ronald Kessler, and smarter than his critics believe him to be. A Matter of Character, Kessler's examination of the 43rd U.S. President, treads lightly on policy issues as the author instead focuses on Bush's positive personality traits and relates how those traits are positive indicators of his ability as a policymaker and leader of the world's lone superpower. Kessler spoke to several Bush cabinet members, long time friends of Bush, and other associates who speak, perhaps not surprisingly, in glowing terms of what a great guy he is. As for the criticisms of Bush, such as handling of pre-9/11 intelligence, the war in Iraq, and the economy, Kessler dismisses them as the product of jealous former employees, and a pervasive, biased liberal media (particularly Washington Post reporter Dana Milbank). By attacking the accusers instead of thoroughly dissecting the accusations, Kessler misses out on an opportunity to defend the president in a more substantive way. The portrait that ultimately emerges of Bush is not a particularly complicated one. He appears to be a man without flaw, and the book presents a similarly simple view of the greater political landscape: Bush and his allies as honest, shrewd, and virtuous, all others as jerks, fools, and ditherers. A Matter of Character lacks the complexity of Plan of Attack, the book Bob Woodward wrote after gaining similarly close access to Bush and his cabinet. It's more like a forceful piece of campaign material, passionate in its advocacy of the candidate and complete with a heroic black-and-white photograph on the cover, which will give Bush supporters plenty to cheer about. --John Moe

Product Description
More than seventy-five books attacking George W. Bush have been published so far. Now, finally, there's a book that sets the record straight against a backdrop of media bias. And it's not by a conservative idealogue but by an award-winning independent reporter who set out to find the real President Bush behind the two-dimensional public image.

Ronald Kessler was granted unique access to the West Wing and interviewed the key players of the Bush administration-from Condoleezza Rice to Karl Rove to the president himself. Kessler also interviewed Bush's close friends, college roommates, and former aides.

His surprising conclusion: George W. Bush isn't the most articulate or scholarly president in history, but he scores very high on the factors that count most: character and leadership. President Bush has a more clearly defined moral instinct, management style, and self-awareness than any other recent president.

And without question, President Bush is the driving force behind his administration, not the pawn of anyone else. In an age when politicians notoriously hem and haw while trying to please everyone, he makes deft decisions very quickly. He is bolstered by his strong Christian faith and the resolve he gained after giving up alcohol.

For many swing voters, this election will boil down to a matter of character. Kessler's unconventional book-filled with news hooks about life in the West Wing-will help them understand the real George W. Bush. And for readers who already support the president, A Matter of Character is the book they've been waiting for.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Sentinel HC (August 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595230009
• ISBN-13: 978-1595230003
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (91 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #568,969 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The man who brought respectability back to the Presidency, August 8, 2004

By	Dawn Woolworth "I Quadrant Entrepreneur -Real... (Orlando, Fl) - See all my reviews

Say what you will about George W. Bush, but before you pass judgement on him, read A Matter of Character and see why George W. Bush is the man who brought respectability back to the Presidency of the United States and why he is the most qualified to help America to continue to grow after the Clinton Recession and why Bush will be around for FOUR MORE YEARS!

166 of 206 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real George W. Bush is STANDING TALL!, August 7, 2004

By	Carl Matthews "dellites" (Rochester, NY) - See all my reviews

Having been trashed to death with all of the ridiculous Bush-bashing books that came out earlier this year, what a refreshing change it is to read a book that is actually based on facts, not opinion. A book that is well researched and a book that tells the truth about a great man and a great President.

A Matter of Character is must reading for all Americans, especially those seeking the truth about our President, not just opinion, if not flat out lies like in the anti-Bush books.

The world of politics seems to be getting uglier and uglier. In 2000, we had Al Gores "win at any cost" agenda. Now we have some new opponents to President Bush who feel that "if we can't find any dirt on the guy, let's create some." Whatever happened to who is the best man for the job? Or arguing policies?


After reading A Matter of Character, you will realize that George W. Bush is standing tall indeed despite all the rhetoric and unfounded bullcrap.

A Matter of Character is a book that you must read.

77 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First of all it's a fair book, August 8, 2004

By	Judit Rasmussen (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Fairness is not very modern, but how refreshing. Finaly a book that takes a fair look at the President, the writher judges what he sees, not what is modern or smart to say when you are a singer or an actor on the far left.
A very recomented book !