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Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War Paperback – May 12, 2015

by Robert M Gates (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 2,597 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 640 pages
  • Publisher: Vintage; Reprint edition (May 12, 2015)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 030794963X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0307949639
  • Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.3 x 9.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2,597 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsA Review of "Duty" by Robert M. Gates
By Writing Historian on January 14, 2014
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
One paragraph from Gates is worth highlighting to encapsulate the book's overall theme - "I did not enjoy being secretary of defense. As soldiers would put it, I had too many rocks in my rucksack: foreign wars, war with Congress, war with my own department, one crisis after another. Above all, I had to send young men and women in harm's way." That quote frames what I believe to be the cathartic reasons that Gates wrote this book. I do not believe that he wrote this book for political reasons.

The first two chapters chronicle those events which I feel set the tone for the rest of the memoir, namely, Gates' uncomfortable introduction to Washington politics in the midst of an unpopular conflict, having replaced an unpopular SecDef, as the Democratic Party in both houses flexes its newly gained clout.

A significant portion of the third chapter is devoted to Iraq. It is also where Gates discusses his observations and opinions of prominent members of the Bush cabinet and military services.

Chapter Four - entitled "Waging War on the Pentagon" - focuses on Gates' struggles to overcome the entrenched bureaucracy within the Pentagon.

Gates talks about Syria, Russia, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, China, North Korea, NATO, Eastern Europe, Georgia (Former Soviet Republic), and "of all things, piracy" in Chapter Five. The strongest points of this chapter are Gates' insights into his dealings with the Chinese, Russian and Israel leadership, as well as the somewhat symbiotic relationship between Israel and Iran.Read more ›
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3.0 out of 5 starsInformative, but ...
By Calvin Professor on February 2, 2014
Format: Hardcover
Years from now, this will be a valuable book for historians. I found it informative, but it can be a long read. I thought about why, even though it has some interesting facts and anecdotes, it was not the type I would say I can't put down until it's finished. Then, I realized the answer. Having been a former Army officer, it jumped out at me at one point: this reads much like after action reports I would often have to review. Most compelling histories and biographies/autobiographies maintain a strong story narrative in each chapter. While the book had good chronological breaks, it didn't give a full sense of an underlying theme. Again, it's an interesting read and it will hold your attention if you enjoy material about politics along with the ups and downs of both presidential administrations. I also believe it is fair and balanced as can be for someone who was in his position. In the end, I would be amiss, though, if I didn't say "Thank you, Secretary Gates, for your service. We need more like you."
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5.0 out of 5 starsAlways Fighting for the Troops
By Loyd Eskildson HALL OF FAME on January 14, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
Robert Gates has a doctorate in Russian and Soviet history and has worked under eight presidents. Gates served for 26 years in in the CIA and NSC, and under Bush I became Director of Central Intelligence. After leaving the CIA he became president of Texas A&M University, leaving there to replace Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense. Author Gates then spent four and a half years as Secretary of Defense under both Presidents Bush and Obama. His memoir, 'Duty,' details decision making in both those administrations. While Gates didn't keep a diary himself, he was able to draw upon 40 books of notes by Geoff Morrell, former ABC White House correspondent who was Pentagon press secretary at the time.

What's surprising about Gates' book is that, after a lifetime of keeping personal opinions to himself, he's so candid now. Obama is described as 'the most deliberative president I worked for,' and 'refreshing and reassuring' in his structured approach to decision-making, while Bush II as impossible to dissuade from convictions he held about Iraq. As for Afghanistan vs. Obama, gates contends that while there was no doubt about the president's support for the troops, Obama also suspected he was being 'gamed' by the military into supporting their requests. Thus, Obama was in the position of not trusting General Petraeus - his commander there, disliking Afghanistan's president Karzai, feeling the war wasn't his, and primarily simply wanting to get the U.S. military out of there.

Hillary Clinton, though 'smart, idealistic but pragmatic, tough-minded,' disappointed Gates with her admitting her opposition to the 2007 Iraq surge was based on her assessment of domestic politics in her ill-fated run for the presidency. (Gates also notes that Obama did likewise.Read more ›
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4.0 out of 5 starsContemporary lessons on politics and war
By Afia TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on January 14, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This book makes a splash in many ways yet it has some flaws. I purchased Kindle and Audible versions for simultaneous reading/listening. Consider this 63-page book for a high-level summary of the chapters: Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War by Robert M Gates -- Summary, Review & Analysis

Strengths
* Gates shows impatience with domestic politics during war. I could feel the passion.
* Gates evidences personal change through visiting severely wounded troops and learning about the sacrifices of their families.
* Tons of photos, at least in Kindle version.
* Solid narration. George Newbern performed audio version. At opportune times was mystery storyteller, creating tension and suspense.
* The section "Waging War on the Pentagon" marks shift of America's war effort to one of urgency and ruthlessness, and might elevate the book's status in the genre of military history.
* Explains how big federal contracts are navigated and why leadership means fighting the system.
* View of Washington, DC from articulate insider that began federal government career in 1966 and served closely under several administrations.
* Realistic-sounding viewpoints on military interventions and strategy.
* Summarizes lesson of entire book in "On War" section. It's about how wars are deceptively easy to get into; it's a national scolding for being dismissive of history.

Flaws
* The book starts slowly with speeches and lengthy preambles that resemble the self-licking ice cream cone the author was fighting. After that momentum picks up considerably.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsDuty Personified

Robert Gates, Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War (New York: Alfred Knopf, 2013). There are few memoires of DefSecs which matter. This one does. Read more

Published 7 days ago by Christian Potholm
4.0 out of 5 starsBalanced, insightful memoir

Secretary Gates presents a detailed and thoughtful account of his service under Presidents Bush 43 and Obama. Read more

Published 8 days ago by Max Martini
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Excellent

Published 14 days ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Excellent recounting of life in the public with excruciatingly honest revelations about the morass that is often American politics.

Published 14 days ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsOutstanding book. Gives a lot of insight into how ...

Outstanding book. Gives a lot of insight into how things are done in Washington and how hard Secretary Gates worked to keep the focus on our troops in the field who are giving... Read more

Published 14 days ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsThis book does a great jib of illuminating how decisions are made at...

This book does a great jib of illuminating how decisions are made at the highest level of gov't. He also did a great job of not throwing Rumsfield under the bus... Read more

Published 14 days ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsVery interesting perspectives of recent history. Must reading for ...

Very interesting perspectives of recent history.
Must reading for those non fiction fans. Reader gets an understanding of the vital roles played by the author during two... Read more

Published 14 days ago by leonard werner
5.0 out of 5 starsGates

More than enough dysfunction to go around in our pathetic government. He's too smart to run for President, but Gates would make a good one.

Published 23 days ago by MICHAEL HAMPTON
4.0 out of 5 starsGates in His Own Words

Having read Duty Robert Gates memoir from his time as Secretary of Defense during the George W. Bush and Barack Obama presidencies. Read more

Published 24 days ago by Michael Griswold
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Excellent non-partisan view from inside the government (and the mind of Mr. Gates) as history was unfolding.

Published 27 days ago by Dominick J Claudio

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