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Ronald Kessler
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A Matter of Character: Inside the White House of George W. Bush Hardcover – August 3, 2004

by Ronald Kessler (Author)
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 89 ratings
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A thought-provoking look at the real President George W. Bush behind the two-dimensional public image promulgated by the media draws on interviews with key players in the Bush administration, as well as with friends, colleagues, and former aides, to reveal a man of clearly defined moral instinct, leadership style, and more. 45,000 first printing.
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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Sentinel HC
  4. Publication date
    August 3, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    6.26 x 1.17 x 9.32 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1595230009
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1595230003
  8. See all details
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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

About the Author

Ronald Kessler, an investigative journalist, is the bestselling author of fourteen nonfiction books, including Inside the White House, The Bureau, and The CIA at War. A former reporter for The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, he has won sixteen journalism awards—including two George Polk awards, one for national reporting and one for community service.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sentinel HC; First Edition (August 3, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1595230009
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1595230003
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.26 x 1.17 x 9.32 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 89 ratings

About the author

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Ronald Kessler

Ronald Kessler

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Ronald Kessler is the New York Times bestselling author of 21 non-fiction books about the White House, Secret Service, FBI, and CIA.

Kessler began his career as a journalist in 1964 on the Worcester Telegram, followed by three years as an investigative reporter and editorial writer with the Boston Herald. In 1968, he joined the Wall Street Journal as an investigative reporter in the New York bureau. He became an investigative reporter with the Washington Post in 1970 and continued in that position until 1985.

Kessler has won eighteen journalism awards, including two George Polk awards--for national reporting and for community service. Kessler has also won the American Political Science Association's Public Affairs Reporting Award, the Associated Press' Sevellon Brown Memorial Award, and Washingtonian magazine's Washingtonian of the Year award. Franklin Pierce University awarded him the Marlin Fitzwater Medallion for excellence as a prolific author, journalist, and communicator. He is listed in Who's Who in America.

"Ron Kessler...has enjoyed a reputation for solid reporting over the past four decades."--Lloyd Grove, The Daily Beast. "Kessler's such a skilled storyteller, you almost forget this is dead-serious nonfiction..."--Newsweek. "[Ronald Kessler] is the man who broke the story about the [Secret Service prostitution] episode in Cartagena...."--New York Times. "His [Kessler's] book quotes both flattering and unflattering observations about presidents of both parties."--FactCheck.org. "[Kessler has] done groundbreaking work over the years, [resulting in] major scoops."--Michael Isikoff, Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo! News. "[Ronald Kessler] is one of the nation's top investigative journalists."--Fox & Friends. "Ron Kessler appears to get everything first."--Slate.

Ron Kessler lives with his wife Pamela Kessler in the Washington, D.C. area. Also an author and former Washington Post reporter, Pam Kessler wrote "Undercover Washington: Where Famous Spies Lived, Worked and Loved." His daughter Rachel Kessler, an independent public relations consultant, and son Greg Kessler, an artist, live in New York.

Kessler's website is RonaldKessler.com.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
89 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book compelling, interesting, and honest. They say it's a page-turner that provides real insight into the character of a great man. Readers also mention the man is intelligent, disciplined, and likable.

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ReadabilityCharacter development
6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book compelling, interesting, and honest. They say it's a page-turner for those who want the facts when debating.

"...I found the book to be honest, accurate (from my own other readings) and uplifting of America's choice for President...." Read more

"...This makes the book particularly interesting and the account of President Bush's sterling character in the White House especially authentic...." Read more

"...This is a most interesting book and anyone that cares to look on both sides objectively will find it difficult to put down. It is indeed a pageturner." Read more

"...A very important book for those who want the facts when debating those who look only to the New York Times and Dan Rather for their "facts."" Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the character development in the book to be real. They mention it presents a man who is intelligent, disciplined, and immensely likable.

"...in his first term in the White House, but this one is unique in its focus upon character, upon the values he embodies and the style of leadership he..." Read more

"Gives a real insight into the character of a great man even while he is being vilified by the press and hate-mongers...." Read more

"...book will probably make you gag, not only because it presents a man who is intelligent, disciplined, immensely likable, but one who is able to laugh..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

RoamingDoc
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest Writer, Honest Book
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2006
Verified Purchase
Ronald Kessler has sufficient 'history' to prove beyond a doubt that he's in "no one's" pocket. And his past publications have garnered accolades again sufficient to prove his insight and investigative prowess. Those who 'challenge' this writings clear conclusions (as in, "what was he thinking"?) just display their own political bias. "A Matter of Character" should lay to rest for any fair minded reader the attributes of President George W. Bush. There is no escaping the comparisons made between the prior occupants 'lack of character' (oft alluded to in other writings but underlined and supported by first hand testimony in this book) and that of George and Laura Bush's behavior, beliefs and outlooks. I found the book to be honest, accurate (from my own other readings) and uplifting of America's choice for President. I don't know anyone who likes everyone... but I certainly like the book and would suggest its overall critical fairness a good review of President Bush and his Presidency. Buy it, you won't be sorry.
5 people found this helpful
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K. Joines
3.0 out of 5 stars A Matter of Laughter
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2009
Over the last 18 months, I have read at least one biography (and most often two or more) written on each American president. In doing so, I have learned that they are never unbiased.

Mr. Kessler's book certainly falls into this category. If you are looking for a book to help you like George W. Bush better, somehow to assuage the guilt you feel about disliking him so immensely, this is the book for you. It was successful in helping me see W in a more "presidential" light. Do I like him or his policies any better after reading the book? No. But I certainly appreciate his position, the decisions he was forced to make, and his decisiveness (he was the "Decider", after all).

Most of all, I appreciate that this book has been the only presidential biography to make me LAUGH OUT LOUD. This book was published in 2004; page 196, referring to the war in Iraq, says: "With the war over, the media began running a barrage of stories questioning the rationale for going to war".

"With the war over". I am still laughing. Tears running down my face.
6 people found this helpful
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Cooper
4.0 out of 5 stars (4.5 stars) Inside Account a Compelling Read
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2004
Verified Purchase
Just in time for election season comes Ronald Kessler with an important and intriguing look at the character of our 43rd President and his kind of White House.

The book begins with President Bush's early days, providing a short biography that focuses on George W. Bush the man. I've read biographical accounts of President Bush before, but Kessler really captures the full essence of the man. There are other recent books out chronicling the strong leadership and vision that he has provided in his first term in the White House, but this one is unique in its focus upon character, upon the values he embodies and the style of leadership he exhibits as Executive. After reading it through, this reviewer felt as if he came to understand the man that President Bush truly is and the respect he commands from his Cabinet, White House staff, and the civil servants who work for him.

Brief biographical backgrounds and insight are also provided about many of the key players in the Administration-Vice President Dick Cheney, Condoleeza Rice, Alberto Gonzalez, Karl Rove, Clay Johnson, etc. Kessler's discussion of these figures is crucial to understanding the kind of White House that President Bush operates-the way of thinking and teamwork they use, how they interact with one another, how they operate in relation to the President, etc.

Kessler's account is most definitely an insider's one. He has conducted interviews with numerous people who work and serve under the President, including housekeepers, groundskeepers, Secret Service, etc. This makes the book particularly interesting and the account of President Bush's sterling character in the White House especially authentic. Anyone can be courteous and kiss up to elitists and big shots, but how one treats one's subordinates and the every-day man on the street says a great deal about one's character. And this book makes it clear: President Bush is a man who takes his oath to uphold and defend the Constitution and to serve the American people seriously. He conducts himself in a professional and honorable manner, as befits the dignity of the esteemed office that he holds. He is a straight-forward, tell-it-like-it-is leader and a man who has arisen to the challenge of his times.

President Bush's conduct of the war on terror plays a vital role in the narrative. Kessler shows the determination and vision that President Bush brings to this monumental task, and also provides a great deal of interesting detail concerning particular episodes in this vital war we are waging against the evil of terrorism. It was President Bush who insisted that we would go after terrorists and those nations who harbor them. I also found Kessler's telling of President Bush's surprise visit to the soldiers in Baghdad, Iraq this past Thanksgiving to be particular touching.

Kessler also does an excellent job in discussing some of the rough spots endured by the Administration-as related to the public through the Old Media filter-and properly dispenses with them. His discussion of the bogus criticisms leveled against President Bush and his Administration by Paul O'Neil, Wesley Clark, and others are a MUST READ.

If there is one drawback to this book, it is the early pages and their discussion of the way the Clinton White House conducted itself. I found the discussion of the current White House to be much more satisfying to read and far more tasteful. Nonetheless, a brief discussion of the character of the Clinton Administration, with occasional comparisons throughout, does serve the purpose of showing the stark contrast between the current administration and the previous one. In these important times, we can all be thankful for the strong character and leadership of President Bush, as Kessler aptly shows.
19 people found this helpful
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Wesley Creekmore
5.0 out of 5 stars Not for Bush haters.
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2004
Verified Purchase
If you hate George Bush, don't bother with this book. It will only infuriate you.

The best of the book was not about Bush. Rather it was about others that are close to Bush and the respect they have for the man.

He is not painted as a saint but as a real person with the extraordinary abilities of a born leader.

The credible opinions are not of the author but of those that have worked closely with Bush and know him well.

This is a most interesting book and anyone that cares to look on both sides objectively will find it difficult to put down. It is indeed a pageturner.
15 people found this helpful
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Debra Goodman
1.0 out of 5 stars Twisted and dishonest attack on education.
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2015
Verified Purchase
Don't read this book. Section on education includes a attack on prominent researchers and claims experienced and caring teachers are dupes. Ignorant and twisted. Work of DOE under Bush has been shown to be ineffective and also rife with conflict of interests.
One person found this helpful
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