Book Review: Days of Fire - Bush and Cheney in the White House by Peter Baker
Books about the Presidency of George W. Bush generally tend to go in two directions: the more common Bush bashfests, or the less common "Bush was right" tomes. In his 2013 book entitled Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House, New York Times Chief White House correspondent Peter Baker opts for a more objective analysis of both the Bush Presidency and of Bush the President, and in doing so writes a most interesting accounting of both. Baker's retelling has an added dimension that has never been as carefully considered: the complicated relationship between George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. In doing all of this, Baker dispels several myths and misconceptions and gives the reader a fresh perspective that differs from the George W. Bush seen in the 24 hour news cycles of the last decade.
The first part of the book seems repetitive of stories that have been told before: the controversial 2001 election, the September 11th attacks and the build-up to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some readers may think, "Bob Woodward has already written about all of this." But much of Baker's focus is on the relationship between Bush and Cheney, and to a lesser extent, Bush and Karl Rove. Baker demonstrates how, in the early stages of his presidency, Bush relied on Cheney (and to a lesser extent on Rove) for guidance, and how Bush grew in the job to the point where Cheney was relegated almost to the point of irrelevance. According to Baker, stories about Cheney being the puppet-master have no validity.
The book traces the relationship between president and vice-president and analyses how Cheney went from being the central figure in the Bush administration at the beginning to being pushed in the background in the second term, generally in the minority on many issues, and even at odds with his president on a number of issues, including the pardoning of Cheney's Chief of Staff "Scooter" Libby. Throughout, Cheney remains loyal and is never vocal in his criticism of his president.
Baker demonstrates how Bush's presidency was a collection of the most daunting challenges ever faced by an American President: a terrorist attack on American soil, two wars in response (one enjoying popular support at first, the other founded on a much questioned premise), the threat of ongoing attack, natural disasters at home, and the worst financial crisis since the great depression. In examining each of these challenges, a central theme emerges regarding Bush's leadership. In the words of former Bush speechwriter David Frum, "Bush made crises through neglect, and then resolved crises through courage." Baker makes the case that this is essentially correct.
The war on Iraq is the most prominent issue throughout Bush's presidency and it is ably and thoroughly covered by Baker. The dynamic between Bush and his generals is especially interesting. Bush is fearful of becoming another Lyndon Johnson (and of Iraq becoming Vietnam) and in doing so delays in bringing about the surge which ultimately ends much of the fighting. Bush is focused and driven while his support and public approval is hemorrhaging.
Baker notes how Bush was, at times during his presidency, both the most popular and the least popular president in history. He rejects the notion that Bush is a stupid person, or is someone bound by ideology. He points out how well-read Bush is, and how many times he broke with conservative ideology when the circumstances called for it. Many of Bush's harshest critics were on the right as well as on the left. Baker concludes that Bush was his own man, that he was indeed "the decider."
This is an excellent book, one which details the stresses and strains on a president during difficult and challenging times. It is a fair accounting of George Bush's responses to those challenges, both good and bad, and of his personal strengths and weaknesses. It is neither hero worship nor Bush bashing, and Baker's lack of any agenda, pro or con, makes it so enjoyable. Readers who finish this book will leave with a different understanding and impression of the 43rd President, of how much he was influenced by others and of how much he was guided by his own core principles. It has the added dimensions of an assessment of the role that Dick Cheney played in the Bush administration and of Cheney's complex personality. This book is a worthwhile read for anyone wishing for an objective retrospective and analysis of the Bush Presidency, and is one of the best works of history to be published in 2013.
The first part of the book seems repetitive of stories that have been told before: the controversial 2001 election, the September 11th attacks and the build-up to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some readers may think, "Bob Woodward has already written about all of this." But much of Baker's focus is on the relationship between Bush and Cheney, and to a lesser extent, Bush and Karl Rove. Baker demonstrates how, in the early stages of his presidency, Bush relied on Cheney (and to a lesser extent on Rove) for guidance, and how Bush grew in the job to the point where Cheney was relegated almost to the point of irrelevance. According to Baker, stories about Cheney being the puppet-master have no validity.
The book traces the relationship between president and vice-president and analyses how Cheney went from being the central figure in the Bush administration at the beginning to being pushed in the background in the second term, generally in the minority on many issues, and even at odds with his president on a number of issues, including the pardoning of Cheney's Chief of Staff "Scooter" Libby. Throughout, Cheney remains loyal and is never vocal in his criticism of his president.
Baker demonstrates how Bush's presidency was a collection of the most daunting challenges ever faced by an American President: a terrorist attack on American soil, two wars in response (one enjoying popular support at first, the other founded on a much questioned premise), the threat of ongoing attack, natural disasters at home, and the worst financial crisis since the great depression. In examining each of these challenges, a central theme emerges regarding Bush's leadership. In the words of former Bush speechwriter David Frum, "Bush made crises through neglect, and then resolved crises through courage." Baker makes the case that this is essentially correct.
The war on Iraq is the most prominent issue throughout Bush's presidency and it is ably and thoroughly covered by Baker. The dynamic between Bush and his generals is especially interesting. Bush is fearful of becoming another Lyndon Johnson (and of Iraq becoming Vietnam) and in doing so delays in bringing about the surge which ultimately ends much of the fighting. Bush is focused and driven while his support and public approval is hemorrhaging.
Baker notes how Bush was, at times during his presidency, both the most popular and the least popular president in history. He rejects the notion that Bush is a stupid person, or is someone bound by ideology. He points out how well-read Bush is, and how many times he broke with conservative ideology when the circumstances called for it. Many of Bush's harshest critics were on the right as well as on the left. Baker concludes that Bush was his own man, that he was indeed "the decider."
This is an excellent book, one which details the stresses and strains on a president during difficult and challenging times. It is a fair accounting of George Bush's responses to those challenges, both good and bad, and of his personal strengths and weaknesses. It is neither hero worship nor Bush bashing, and Baker's lack of any agenda, pro or con, makes it so enjoyable. Readers who finish this book will leave with a different understanding and impression of the 43rd President, of how much he was influenced by others and of how much he was guided by his own core principles. It has the added dimensions of an assessment of the role that Dick Cheney played in the Bush administration and of Cheney's complex personality. This book is a worthwhile read for anyone wishing for an objective retrospective and analysis of the Bush Presidency, and is one of the best works of history to be published in 2013.