This week, former secretary of defense robert gates released a long and weirdly candid book on his years in that unpleasant job. Of course, well now hear no end of personal attacks on him, but i believe he viewed writing this book as a last, essential duty to his country, peters says. I have an ulterior motive as well in writing this book. But thats exactly what it got, and then some, thanks to the shockingly scathing book by robert gates. I bought this book after watching a live interview of mr robert gates at the gartner symposium, orlando fl. Bush but was retained for service by president barack obama. But that goal could have been achieved by a book confined to policy. Describing a remarkable exchange he witnessed, robert gates writes in a book due out next week that hillary told the president that her opposition to. Retired army lieutenant colonel ralph peters says gates is guilty of washingtons worst sin. Robert gates might defend himself by saying that he hopes to contribute to a continuing discussion of the issues. Gates 2014, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Once the book is out, the person said, gates views will be more clear.
In a new memoir, former defense secretary robert gates unleashes harsh. Gates, who served so influentially as secretary of defense during the crucial years 20072011, deserves critical examination. For example, president obamas white house staff is seen as an imperious. With iraq in a profound downward spiral and many believing that afghanistan could be next, the legacy of robert m. Some readers will approach this volume with a great deal of. The newly released book authored by former defense secretary robert gates titled duty is seen for sale at the books and books store on january 14, 2014 in coral gables, florida. However, there is more to this book than catty, if entertaining, swipes at washingtons great and good. He treated the office of the presidency with respect. Bush presidency, robert gates offers unique perspectives on the soviet unions demise, the gulf war, removing noriega from power in panama, the impact of the cold wars end on eastern europe and latin america, and the political crisis in the philippines. Gates believed that he had left washington politics behind for goodbut when he received the call from the white house in 2006 to help a nation mired in two wars, he answered what he felt was the call of duty. Robert gates is one of the most thoughtful, honest, and compassionate men this fine country has to call upon. Gates gives us a forthright, impassioned, sometimes conflicted account of his four and a half years as defense secretary in his fascinating new memoir duty, a book that is highly revealing about decision making in both the obama and bush white houseshis writing is informed not only by a keen sense of historical context, but also by. Gates s problem with the president is less about strategy or substance than about heart. Gates gives us a forthright, impassioned, sometimes conflicted account of his four and a half years as defense secretary in his fascinating new memoir duty, a book that is highly.
Gates has 12 books on goodreads with 18116 ratings. Well, im as critical of myself in the book this is one thing that only a couple of people have pointed out im as critical of myself in the book as i am of anybody else. Now, gates has written a memoir that questions obamas faith in the mission he assigned to american forces in afghanistan and vice president. Memoirs of a secretary at war paperback may 12, 2015 by robert m. Favorite family activities include parlor and tabletop games, writing and reading stories, coloring, and, of. Sloan with seven married children and more than twenty young grandchildren, they especially enjoy large family gatherings with good food and lively conversation around the table. To judge from the pages of his book, many of his expressions of outrage were indeed motivated by selfserving bureaucrats or members of congress who. Lawmakers question timing of robert gates memoir cbs news. Robert m gates was not a typical us secretary of defence. The place to start is gates recently published book, duty. Gates called the book clever, funny, and moving, and even remarked that it was one of the most profound novels hes read in a long time. Robert gates will write a memoir and a book on leadership, his publisher says his books will be released in 20 and 2014, knopf doubleday says gates is the only defense secretary to serve two. For the first two years, on national security matters, we largely saw eye to eye, writes gates.
His narrative is, how does one put this gently, uneven. Robert gates, former defense secretary, offers harsh critique of. The time period is from 2006 to 2011, and includes the george w. Robert gates book lays bare obamas incompetence fox news. Did bob gates new book just trash his golden reputation. Memoirs of a secretary at war is a nonfiction book written by robert m.
Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. Gates, however, dismisses this argument, writing, i believe obama was right in each of these decisions. The only part of government gates actually liked, it seems, was the military. An interesting book, written with honesty by someone who genuinely felt he was. The former defence secretary robert gates has said he does not regret anything that he wrote in his controversial new book and called the memoir an honest account in duty. Get this book free when you sign up for a 30day trial. Robert gates has just written a new book about the time he spent serving as defense secretary under george bush and barack obama called duty. Robert gates harsh on obama, biden in memoir abc news.
I read a lot, but i dont always choose whats on the bestseller list, according to the billionaire and microsoft cofounder. With three different positions in intelligence and national security during the george h. From the former secretary of defense, a strikingly candid, vividly written ac. After serving six presidents in both the cia and the national security council, robert m. In a new memoir, former defense secretary robert gates unleashes harsh judgments about president obamas leadership and his commitment to the afghanistan war, writing that by early 2010 he had. So can gates book, which ranges from generous and gracious to churlish and selfrighteous, sometimes on the same page.
Bush administration 20062009, the obama administration 20092011, the afghan war, and the iraq war narrated in first person point of view, this. I rarely saw him in the oval office with a coat and tie, and he always conducted himself with dignity. To fully understand the quotes that are generating so much sensational news coverage, you have to read the book. My point is that yes gates is indeed guilty of these sins, but i dont think that robert parry has a copy of this book yet, so would sound stronger having read the gates book. Two memoirs from hillary clinton and robert gates should make us wonder if politics are redeemable. Though the book simmers with disappointment in obama, it reflects. The vison of the leader as a human, with the primary concern focused always on people not on money but, eventually, leading to financial benefits is a. Renowned military analyst praises robert gates memoir. Novels bill gates thinks everyone should read business. Bill gates favorite book recommendations offer quite an eclectic mix. Gates 2015, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Gates has also written numerous articles on government and foreign policy and has been a frequent. Former defence secretary robert gates defends book as an.
Gates believed that he had left washington politics behind for. Attorney general eric holder waded into the controversy over former defense secretary robert gatess new book thursday, calling it a mistake for gates to have published his recollections. With robert gates book, loyaltys short shelf life returns. Robert gates rages against the political machine in his. Memoirs of a secretary of war, by former defense secretary robert gates is seen in washington, wednesday, jan. Gatess memoir follows the classic form, telling the story of his years at the pentagon during the bush and obama administrations. Interview with charlie rose robert gates, former secretary of defense discusses his book duty.
Gates began his career serving as an officer in the united states air force but. With robert gates book, loyaltys short shelf life returns to the. To washington and that bombshell book from robert gates. Knopf while his rivals at the white house, the state department and the pentagon loudly staked out their positions, gates held back. Gates talks about transforming large organizations from the inside. Gates, in his book, seems angry at a white house that insisted on running defense policy and challenging the military. Write public email to robert gates wo address, contact info. Robert michael gates born september 25, 1943 is an american statesman, scholar. That uninformed people would criticize him for making a decision to allow gay scoutmasters in the face of the current legal and ethical climate is perhaps expected, but it is also ignorant. Transcript for robert gates harsh on obama, biden in memoir. Robert michael gates born september 25, 1943 is an american statesman, scholar, intelligence analyst, and university president who served as the 22nd united states secretary of defense from 2006 to 2011. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. Lessons on change and reform from fifty years of public service by robert m.
Secretary of defense robert gates looks back on five decades of leadership experience. Lessons on change and reform from fifty years of public service, former u. Gates starts with the claim that bureaucracies are often inefficient and fail their clients. A full list of bill gates favorite books in 2019and from. Gates, 70, has unmasked himself as just another former washington official writing just another kissandtell in the soontobereleased duty. The book offers the familiar criticism of congress and its culture, describing it as truly ugly, woodward writes.
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