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Family of Secrets: The Bush Dynasty, America's Invisible Government, and the Hidden History of the Last Fifty Years Paperback – Illustrated, November 17, 2009

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,196 ratings

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How did the deeply flawed George W. Bush ascend to the highest office in the nation, what forces abetted his rise, and-perhaps most important-have those forces really been vanquished by Obama's election? Award-winning investigative journalist Russ Baker gives us the answers in Family of Secrets, a compelling and startling new take on the Bush dynasty and the shadowy elite that has quietly steered the American republic for the past half century and more. Baker shows how this network of figures in intelligence, the military, oil, and finance enabled-and in turn benefited handsomely from-the Bushes' perch at the highest levels of government. As Baker reveals, this deeply entrenched elite remains in power regardless of who sits in the Oval Office.
Family of Secrets offers countless disclosures that challenge the conventional accounts of such central events as the JFK assassination and Watergate. It includes an inside account of George W.'s cynical religious conversion and the untold real background to the disastrous response to Hurricane Katrina. Baker's narrative is gripping, sobering, and deeply sourced. It will change the way we understand not just the Bush years, but a half century of postwar history-and the present.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Prodigiously industrious investigative journalist Russ Baker...connects the dots between the Bushes and Watergate.” ―Time

“[Baker is] a man on a mission, desperate to stop the methods of stealth and manipulation that...reflect a deeper ill: the American public's increasingly tenuous hold upon the levers of its own democracy.” ―
San Diego Union-Tribune

Family of Secrets is much more than a non-fiction narrative of political history; Baker has created an historical document that is, ultimately, an act of courageous patriotism for a nation in need of self-examination and the truth.” ―James Moore, Huffington Post

“There's a wonderful book I'm reading, called Family of Secrets, by Russ Baker. He spent many years on it. And it's a family - forgive me, Bushes and Bushettes-a family of criminals. Why they're not all in jail I don't know. If I seem a little dazed, I've been reading about their crimes, and proposed crimes, and how they got away with it.” ―
Gore Vidal

About the Author

Russ Baker is an awardwinning investigative journalist. He has written for the New Yorker, Vanity Fair, the New York Times, the Nation, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, the Village Voice, and Esquire, and has served as a contributing editor to the Columbia Journalism Review. He is the founder of WhoWhatWhy/the Real News Project, a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization, operating at www.whowhatwhy.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Publishing; Illustrated edition (November 17, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 592 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1608190064
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1608190065
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.6 x 8.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,196 ratings

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Russ Baker
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Russ Baker is an awardwinning investigative journalist. He has written for the New Yorker, Vanity Fair, the New York Times, the Nation, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, the Village Voice, and Esquire, and has served as a contributing editor to the Columbia Journalism Review. He is the founder of WhoWhatWhy/the Real News Project, a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization, operating at www.whowhatwhy.com.


Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,196 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book well-researched, fact-filled, and well-documented. They describe it as an outstanding, captivating, and important book for everyone to read. Readers also praise the writing style as easy and comfortable. Opinions are mixed on the scariness level, with some finding it disturbing and an important cautionary tale, while others say it's scary for the future.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

155 customers mention "Knowledge level"152 positive3 negative

Customers find the book well-researched, fact-filled, and well-documented. They appreciate the investigative reporting and astonishing revelations throughout. Readers also mention the book can be used as a quick reference for facts.

"...Not only is the book a great read, but it also can be used as a quick reference for facts dealing with the Bushes...." Read more

"...like a great spy thriller (because it is) and there are astonishing revelations throughout (which are backed up meticulously in the footnotes)...." Read more

"First of all 10 out of 10 to Russ Baker for his painstaking research and meticulous handling, sorting, sifting and reporting of the information...." Read more

"...is most shocking about "Family of Secrets" is how much fresh, detailed evidence Russ Baker provides in areas decades-old and seemingly with cold..." Read more

107 customers mention "Readability"97 positive10 negative

Customers find the book outstanding, exceptional, and captivating. They say it's an important book for everyone to read, and a must-read for truth seekers. Readers also mention the book reads like a great spy thriller.

"...Not only is the book a great read, but it also can be used as a quick reference for facts dealing with the Bushes...." Read more

"...This book at times reads like a great spy thriller (because it is) and there are astonishing revelations throughout..." Read more

"...Simply incredible!!!" Read more

"...All told, this is an good expose of the House of Bush. Thoroughly worth reading, but with a discerning eye." Read more

47 customers mention "Writing style"34 positive13 negative

Customers find the writing style very well-written, easy to read, and comfortable.

"...This book is excellent and well written, but one must have a pen ready to record astonishing facts...." Read more

"...It's articulate, heavily researched and melds various political happenings and relationships in a very plausible way...." Read more

"...The writing suffered, data were less definitive, and much license was taken in speculation where the worst was automatically assumed...." Read more

"...Baker's research is and thoroughly documented it is, and how very well it is written...." Read more

7 customers mention "Connection"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the connections extensive and interesting. They say the book helps expose the behind-the-scenes connections of the Bushes to the downfall of both JFK and RN. Readers also appreciate the interesting info on Saudi connections.

"...This is a great work that effectively connects the dots of Bush Sr. and George W.'s misdoings in this country and how they got away with it...." Read more

"...The connections are so extensive that the average citizen could never imagine...." Read more

"...Connections are inherited, my friends. To get your feet wet, visit YouTube and watch one of the video interviews with author Russ Baker." Read more

"...This book gives details on those. As well as interesting info on the Saudi connections." Read more

14 customers mention "Scariness level"7 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the scariness level of the book. Some mention it's well-written, disturbing, and an important cautionary tale. Others say it's scary for the future if the Bushes continue to maintain their influence. They also mention the book has a tendency to almost go full conspiracy theory on certain topics.

"...But I did find much of the book interesting and disturbing...." Read more

"...My only issue with it is the tendency to almost go full conspiracy theory on certain topics (JFK assassination, 9/11), I'd rather read all of the..." Read more

"...pages. Overall, well written, informative, scarey...We must tryto exert vigilence in whom we send to represent the highest office..." Read more

"...It's well-written but overall extremely boring, as well as filed with conspiracies." Read more

5 customers mention "Bias"0 positive5 negative

Customers find the book to be biased. They mention it has a slight leftist bias toward the end.

"..." but the last couple hundred pages seemed sloppy, and have much more bias and vindictiveness. A few examples:..." Read more

"...Slight leftist bias toward the end of the book -- very out of place." Read more

"This is a perfectly horrid book. So bias. The author fooled me at first by including LBJ in the elite group who rules so much of our government...." Read more

"Good information but at times the author seems to present a hostile bias which jeopardizes scholarship...." Read more

5 customers mention "Length"0 positive5 negative

Customers find the book a bit too long and repetitive. However, they say it's also a strength.

"...It is long and dense, but nonetheless very well written." Read more

"An interesting book but perhaps a bit too long and repetitive...." Read more

"...Only drawback to the book is the length and detail, but that's also the strength." Read more

"Very Interesting read, But I found it too long. It is more a history book than entertaining. If you want an indepth view of the familiy this is it!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2011
"Wow!!!! This book is a tome of information and documented fact concerning the Bushes, father and son. I began to question the narrative of the Bush Administration once we commenced the use of White Phosphorous in Fallujah in late 2004, a known war crime. Operation Phantom Fury, the battle in which I personally served, is just one of many crimes committed by the Bush Dynasty. This book is excellent and well written, but one must have a pen ready to record astonishing facts. The wealth of information in this book requires patience and a willingness to reread certain excerpts to get the whole picture Russ Baker is providing. Hence, the facts are numerous.

One of the most prophetic facts evinced in this book came from a ghostwriter hired to help George W. write his pre-2000 campaign book. The author, who was eventually fired and not allowed to write the book, stated, in 1999, that George W. openly discussed invading Iraq. Bush's reasoning for such an endeavor was none other than to aggrandize himself in the approval polls and in the public's eye. Many will label this a conspiracy theory book, but facts are facts and hard to dispute. Those who usually attack such works only do so to avert any potential reader from partaking of this marathon. In society, many use the "Conspiracy Theory" line as a copout as opposed to actually looking at the evidence provided. This method helps them maintain their blissful state of ignorance.

Mr. Baker took great pains to ensure that each chapter is properly footnoted, giving the reader the opportunity to flip to the back and examine the source citation for him/herself. Not only is the book a great read, but it also can be used as a quick reference for facts dealing with the Bushes. This is a great work that effectively connects the dots of Bush Sr. and George W.'s misdoings in this country and how they got away with it. Another interesting topic in the book pertains to the Bushes deep connection to the bin Laden family. It seems that no one is willing to take on this topic and openly discuss it. However, Russ certainly does. Remain ignorant at your own risk. It is a must read for all concerned citizens. "
29 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2012
I became interested in reading this book when I became curious about the continuities between the most-recent Bush administration and Obama's ... after the nice-sounding but vague rhetoric of his campaign, it became clear that "change" was hard to find: Obama's administration is top-to-bottom Wall St., he got his economic advice from the same people who have destroyed the economy, and even more startling, the military/national security team was largely left in place (or just did a little musical chairs). And Obama has continued the assault on civil liberties by signing into law authoritarian powers for the president and the military. The corporate-controlled media hardly notes these things, as they gave Bush a pass on everything when it mattered. Media is either complicit or incompetent. Or both. Most citizens are apathetic.

Something is going on here. The most likely hypothesis to my mind is that the US is essentially now a Plutocracy and a National Security State. A very (very) small group of people control public policy and the military-intelligence-industrial complex embodies an invisible government that freely asserts its will with or without subtlety. Most of the "news" that makes its way through the mass media is propaganda or mere entertainment.

Thankfully there are still a few true investigative reporters who are asking the tough questions and trying to follow the truth wherever it may lead. If you were looking at the last 50 years of American political history from afar, you would have to conclude that the Bush family is a dynasty. A father and son do not hold one of the top two jobs for 20 out of 28 years by accident, especially if they don't -- seem-- all that bright...

Of course, there is so much more to the story of the Bushes and it is absolutely riveting as told by Baker. This book at times reads like a great spy thriller (because it is) and there are astonishing revelations throughout (which are backed up meticulously in the footnotes). If you keep an open mind, it will either alter or make you question American history. I read the 500 pages in 2 days. And you develop a sympathy for Obama and anyone else who would want that job in these times, as you recognize that the real power in America is hidden in plain sight.
21 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing and courageous work of historical truth out of the shadows
Reviewed in Australia on September 9, 2022
Baker is a brilliant and trustworthy investigator, following the thread of CIA activity through high level American politics from Eisenhower and Kennedy through to the Bushes. He makes a highly convincing case that the demise of Kennedy and Nixon were both CIA managed coups, and that the elder Bush was a CIA agent long before he became head of that agency. Really a spectacular history of the ruling class, and especially relevant now that politics is more explicitly populism vs elitism... To paraphrase the younger Bush - to all you C-grade college students with elite intelligence connections, you too can be an establishmentarian president of the United States. Here's how.
noonefamous
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant work of investigation
Reviewed in Canada on April 24, 2014
Russ Baker has written an excellent book and done us all a great service - particularly so when the orthodox US media has abandoned any pretence of asking tough questions of those in power. The Bush family, to use Churchill's quote, is "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma". Baker gets to the roots and origins of the family and their highly secretive behind-the-scenes wheelings and dealings. It's an amazing job actually, one that truly inspires awe when compared to the mundane whimperings of the broader press - the established journalists seem far more interested in toadying up to power and providing sycophantic nonsense than in doing what Baker has done. History, future generations, will be kind to Russ Baker and acknowledge the work that went into this book as far more important than what was printed in the New York Times or Washington Post.
Terry Noonan
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading
Reviewed in Spain on May 26, 2015
Anyone who thinks they know what has been going on for the last 50 years in the US and around the world should take a long hard look at this finely written book which sets out, in detail, the networking of the Bush family. It reveals how they used gold and capital looted by the Nazis to fund political campaigns, appointments, character, and physical assasinations. With Jebediah Bush running on the "oil ticket" in 2016, this book is more important than ever! I highly recommend it.
Daleau
3.0 out of 5 stars Un livre qui serait censuré en France
Reviewed in France on December 29, 2013
Sans prendre position, ce livre vous permet de voir à l'étranger comment s'organise la lutte pour le pouvoir.
Un bel ouvrage !
Ex Libris
5.0 out of 5 stars Unputdownable!!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 6, 2011
I bought this book from Amazon. Russ Baker has written a magnum opus!! In this book "Family Of Secrets" Mr Baker is thorough, exhaustive, meticulous and sweeping in his research into how the two Bushes - George Herbert Walker Bush (Poppy) and George Walker Bush (Dubya) ran America and how the latter almost ran America into the ground. Mr Baker gives us the comprehensive and detailed backstory of one of America's most prominent families.

UNPUTDOWNABLE!!

Buy it!! READ it!!!

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