Book Review

Started this series in March and finished on Saturday. I've got another long list to get through starting with Righteous Indignation by Andrew Breitbart.

If you are looking for a George W Bush autobiography; this isn’t it. While it does cover some personal information, this book is about exactly what the title states: Decision Points. President Bush takes us on an 8 year trip through the history of his administration. It’s hard to imagine that any other president had to face what he faced (9/11, Katrina, Financial Meltdown) and still maintain his sanity. While I have disagreed with some of his decisions in the past, after reading this book I can at least understand why those decisions were made.

This is a wonderful look into the life of one of the most important women in our nation’s history. Now, I have to admit… I’ve got a bit of a schoolboy crush on Condoleezza Rice. I’m sorry but, intelligent, witty women who wear knee high leather boots fascinate me (that’s why I married my wife). Ms Rice has led an inspirational life.  From humble beginnings in Alabama and through the devoted love of her parents she rose to become the Secretary of State of the US. Quite different from President Bush’s book, there is very little political content in this story. This is a book that celebrates family.

Donald Rumsfeld is one heck of a remarkable man.  In 1962 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives.  After that his career goes into overdrive. Director of Economic Opportunity.  Assistant to the President (Nixon). Ambassador to NATO. Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council, Defense Planning Committee and Nuclear Planning Group. White House Chief of Staff (Ford). 13^th Secretary of Defense (Ford).  Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Reagan’s Special Envoy to the Middle East. 21^st Secretary of Defense (Bush). The list goes on and on. Forty four years of public service. I admire this man a great deal (even though he and Condi don’t seem to get along too well).

I became a fan of King Abdullah II when he was then Prince Abdullah and making a guest appearance on Star Trek Voyager. It was a non-speaking part as he was not a member of the SAG.  Educated in Great Britain as well as the United States has given the King a great deal of knowledge about how the world works and that shows in his writing. If you can’t handle a little criticism of US Foreign Policy then you probably shouldn’t read this book. The book is one part autobiography and one part policy. Both parts are appealing. It will also serve to give you a little insight on Jordan itself. The people of Jordan as well as their King are friends of the United States.