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Kill or Capture: The War on Terror and the Soul of the Obama Presidency Hardcover – June 5, 2012

by Daniel Klaidman (Author)

14 customer reviews

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Is Barack Obama an idealist or a ruthless pragmatist? He vowed to close Guantánamo, put an end to coercive interrogation and military tribunals, and restore American principles of justice, yet in his first term he has backtracked on each of these promises, ramping up the secret war of drone strikes and covert operations. Behind the scenes, wrenching debates between hawks and doves—those who would kill versus those who would capture—have repeatedly tested the very core of the president’s identity.

Top investigative reporter Dan Klaidman has spoken to dozens of sources to piece together a riveting Washington story packed with revelations. As the president’s inner circle debated secret programs, new legal frontiers, and the disjuncture between principles and down-and-dirty politics, Obama vacillated, sometimes lashed out, and spoke in lofty tones while approving a mounting toll of assassinations and kinetic-war operations. Klaidman’s fly-on-the-wall reporting reveals who has his ear, how key national security decisions are really made, and whether or not President Obama has lived up to the promise of candidate Obama. Readers making up their minds about him during the 2012 election year will turn to Kill or Capture to decide.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A good book to read if you want an answer to the question, 'What happened?' That is, what happened to the idealistic Obama of the 2008 campaign who was going to shut down GuantÃ¡namo, end indefinite detention, try terrorist suspects in civilian courts, take civil liberties more seriously, and end the rabid secrecy of the Bush era? How did he turn into the guy who not only didn't do any of that stuff, but became a drone-obsessed killing machine in the process?"
—Kevin Drum, Mother Jones

"Divulge(s) the details of top-level deliberations—details that were almost certainly known only to the administration's inner circle. Likely to be the most thorough accounts of America's recent national-security efforts that we shall receive before the November election."
—The Wall Street Journal

Book Description

HMH hardcover, 2012, previous ISBN 978-0-547-54789-3

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product details

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 1 edition (June 5, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0547547897
ISBN-13: 978-0547547893
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 14 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #656,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1210 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Specific Topics > Terrorism
- #1234 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > International & World Politics > Security
- #1360 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > United States > Executive Branch

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I'm Unsure How Others Will Compare...

January 7, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I could not put this book done. Klaidman (via those he consulted and conversed with) gives so much detail and information on the foreign policy and terrorism issues that existed during Obama's first term. There isn't much jargon used, which makes it easy to read and follow. The chapters are strategically broken up, and offer individual stories while continuing the overall narrative. I'm glad one of my professors recommended this to me!

2 people found this helpful

Comment

Great source of information

September 4, 2012

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

For those interested to learn the politics within the federal government's actions and attitudes surrounding Gitmo and the fight against terrorism during the Obama Administration, there is no better summation and resource. A great reference to anyone who enjoys Political Science.

Compared to the newspapers coverage on the topic, this book deserves 5-stars for its educational value. However, out of respect for political current event books in general, I can only give it 4-stars.

3 people found this helpful

Comment

Obama's Dark Side

December 19, 2012

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is the best account of Obama's national security policy decision-making that I have read. Like Jane Mayer's "The DarkSide", it is both highly informative and ultimately discouraging...I could only read about ten pages at a time before taking a time out to think about something more optimistic. It is sobering that even someone with the training of a constitutional law professor and the progressive instincts of President Obama can fall prey to the so-called imperatives of national security and be lured into unconstitutional use of drones strikes and limitless detainment. We live in a dangerous world, to state the obvious. But adherence to our constitutional principles is the only thing that can keep us safe in the long run.

13 people found this helpful

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Samuel Gorovitz

Exemplary journalism

October 16, 2012

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This meticulously researched and timely book exemplifies the highest standards of investigative journalism. It makes no compromises in its rigorous pursuit of the truth, and displays with subtlety and insight the searing tensions involved in trying to balance national security responsibilities with other comparably important values. It is lucid and devoid of bias and oversimplification.

5 people found this helpful

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April 3, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A great read from that time period in our history. A view to how our president mind works, or doesn't depending on your view.

2 people found this helpful

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March 18, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Daniel Klaidman takes the reader inside the Obama Administration's decision-making process is using remotely-piloted aircraft in counter-terrorism. The reader will not be surprised at the role politics plays in deliberation, but will be better-informed with respect to who contributes to developing American foreign policy.

Comment

Sandra McMahill

January 1, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Excellently written account. Should be read by everyone.

Comment

July 27, 2012

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I found all the behind-the-scenes information very instructive. If what Mr. Klaidman puts forth is true, it appears that the "NIMBY" attitude of the States and Congress is more responsible for the apparent shift in policy on terrorism (and increase in drone use) than the President's supposed inconsistency.

6 people found this helpful

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