Rating: 
Summary: Book Left Loose Ends, Like Bush
Review: I felt the book was informative, and captured many angles. It gave the reader an inside account of Bush's inner circle. On the other hand, it seemed disorganized, which may more be a function of what was really happening, rather than Woodward's style of writing. Overall, there is probably a New Yorker or New York Times article that captures the essence of the book but does not leave the reader wondering why they purchased it.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent insight into the White House post 9/11
Review: Woodward does an excellent job describing the events and activities of all the major White House players as events unfold after the attack on September 11. He gives true insight into how the players interact and their thought processes as the US response to terrorism unfolds.This is not a book just for conservatives or supporters of our President. Woodward writes in a clearly unbiased manner exposing both the strengths and weaknesses of Bush and his advisors. Educational and an eye opener, the book is very topical as it ends with the heat being ramped up on the Iraqi situation.
Rating: 
Summary: Bush's bumbles make this "instant history" seem silly
Review: The same Bush administration which Woodward sizes up favorably is now stumbling, bumbling and looking pretty silly on the world stage. That's the problem with the kind of "instant history" Woodward attempts here -- it rarely has legs. Given more time to fully play out, Bush's cowboy-style rush to make crucial decisions half-cocked now means there is no meaningful allied front to take on Iraq -- if, indeed, taking on Iraq is even the right thing to do. Bush, Powell, Rice, Rumsfeld -- they've all failed miserably to make the case or put together a winning strategy. Osama is still at large, the economy is in the pits and George is locked in battle with the U.N. Woodward should be embarrassed by BUSH AT WAR and you should not waste your money on it.
Rating: 
Summary: GO GET 'EM GEORGE! Great look at his ideas.
Review: Slipping inside the mind of the main man...hmmm! He seems like a guy with decent ideals and morals who just wants what is best for America and Americans. Isn't that what a President is mainly for? I have to support W. in this cause. I haven't ever been much of a fan of Woodward and I will never really respect him until I find out for certain who DEEP THROAT is. I still think there's a chance he and Bernstein just made him up to make their careers. But maybe I'll be proven wrong someday. This book shows the genuine side of W. and I strongly recommend it, whether you're liberal or conservative. I'm not really into War Stories or War Movies but this book really pulled me inside and wouldn't let me out until I was finished. The only other book that has done that lately is the bio of the late grunge singer/heroin addict Layne Staley called "Angry Chair."
Rating: 
Summary: An Ode to Bush
Review: A very favorable, indeed almost fawning, portrait of Bush and his war cabinet. Bush comes across as strong post 9/11 leader with the right instincts and a good crises management style. This despite the fact, as Woodward's final chapters, if read carefully make clear, that the ultimate success of the Afghanistan war at the end of 2001 was a complete and unexpected, although welcome, surprise to the Administration rather than the natural result of a well thought out and well executed strategy. This does raise a number of concerns about whether Bush will be as lucky in Iraq. Still, even with the recognition that Woodward's portrayal reflects the Bush Administration's spin rather than an objective appraisal, the book is well worth reading especially by those who still consider Bush an illegitimate president
Rating:
Summary: An Inside But Unsuprising View of 2001/2002 News Events
Review: The book generally provides a good summary of White House meetings and actions following 9/11/2001. It focuses on the events leading up to the Afghanistan War and the events ending in its successful conclusion. I did learn a little more about the thinking of the principals involved, especially Secretaries Powell and Rumsfield. That said, there is nothing especially surprising in the information, especially for individuals who follow the news. It is worth reading, but not worth keeping. I passed it on to my Dad.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting...but for decision-making scholars
Review: I should begin my comments saying that i am a third world citizen and that i have read an spanish translation of this book, which it is sold like hot bread in supermarkets in Lima. This book shows how the most powerful government of the earth knows so few about other cultures and other ways of responding to threats. I can't imagine the american foreign policy without their CIA experts and spies. The story everyone has read in newspapers shows a government what can't respond inmediately - because it doesn't have enough information and because it needs to persuade governments around Afghanistan to get bases and logistic facilities and because the Pentagon never imagined a war like this - and that gets in just 10 days the falling down of Afghanistan after the fall of Mazar-i-Shariff with absolute surprise. And what we should recognize is the ability of Bush's staff members to create solutions from nothing, and try, and learn, and finally, doing so again and again, under public pressure, get success. It was a great essay for what is coming: the hunt on Saddam Hussein. I think that european goverments have political elites more sensible to other cultures and more able to persuade and negotiate. The american giant needs a very expensive inteligence agency and subtle military and financial threats to get the almost the same outcomes. But let's give a prize to the intuition and courage to make choices and take risks, of the President Bush.
Rating:
Summary: Objective
Review: I thought Woodward was quite objective. He pointed out the difficulties involved with the war & inside the war cabinet. The book also gives an incredible exclusive as to what Bush is all about & peels away this painting that the media has painted of him as a dumb cowboy from Texas, but quite the contrary. The fact of the matter is that Bush accepted the challenge of the war on terrorism & truly cares about the American people & our nation. He was the glue that held Powell, Cheney, Rumsfeld & Rice together being the driving force behind them in getting results in a time of crisis.
Rating:
Summary: A chore to read
Review: Bush at War is, without a doubt, the most boring book I have ever read. Woodward manages to describe one of the most emotional times in our history with no emotion whatsoever. In fact, the only emotion in the book comes from Bush himself, who was interviewed by Woodward. However, everything that comes out of his mouth sounds like a potential campaign slogan and shouldn't be taken too seriously. Whether you are a Bush supporter or detractor, stay away from Bush at War. Unless, of course, you suffer from insomnia, then get it immediately.
Rating:
Summary: Not a very good book
Review: Other than giving you some insider information about the White House this book does not have anything interesting to say.
Woodward tries to make the President look smart.
I do not recommend this book because it does not have anything to say and seems like he tries to make the President look more knowledgeable that he really is!
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