Rating: 
Summary: Controversial look at the Bush White House
Review: This is a tough book to review - upon first glance, the book appears to be a scathing criticism of the Bush administration, but it is written with the insight of an insider.Paul O'Neill, Secretary of the Treasury during the first two years of the Bush administration (2001-2002), collaborated with Ron Suskind to prepare this book that tells what O'Neill sees as the "inside story" of how this administration operates. O'Neill is a card-carrying member of the Republican party; he served Presidents Nixon & Ford in the 70's, and now was involved in George W. Bush's administration in the early 2000's. However, he tells tales that cast suspicion on the motives of this administration, starting with the plan to oust Saddam Hussein (as early as February 2001) to the Bush/Cheney economic policy of multiple tax cuts that, as O'Neill & fed chairman Alan Greenspan say, could be detrimental to the long-term health of the American economy. The book is well-written, and moves along at a quick pace. I do not believe that the book was written with the intent of discrediting the present administration, but instead was written to show one individual's view of what happens in the political circles around George Bush. If you are a member of George Bush's fan club, this book will probably enrage you, since it is at times very critical of the administration. If you are, however, an opponent to the current political leadership in this country, you just may find yourself shaking your head and saying "Wow! I knew that, but it still seems so hard to believe!".... I would encourage anyone that reads this book to read it with a critical eye and to know that the book is likely to arouse passion or fury previously not felt about "W".
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Summary: Bush Revealed
Review: What strikes me most about Mr. Suskind's book is the overwhelming number of shocking truths he reveals. His prose is not given to drama but mere recitations of events, meetings, memos and timelines. Together these create a picture of a President who is over his head. He relies on self-interested aides who care not a whit for the 'good of the people' but seek to make money for their allies. Subtextually, these ideologues just want their way, whatever it takes. Amazingly, Bush uses esteemed cabinet secretaries, whom he appointed, as covers to propose and sell policy to which they object. He nods in response to their input, using nothing. And so they quit. Essentially, Bush, Jr. does not read (even short memos made especially simple for him), avoids discussing complex issues of economics, ecology, social security theories or any pivotal area with those most knowledgeable. He cares nothing for long-term successful relationships with countries crafted diligently by several administrations providing American with secure allies. He gives the power of his office to persons known as intellectual lightweights to run his government. And finally, he came into office with several agendas. And even though the world has changed, he remains rigid . . . even in the face of concrete, reasoned opposition from within. This book is a sad, albeit informative, revelation.
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Summary: Thoughtful review of the Bush Presidency
Review: At first when I picked up this book I was afraid it was going to be another "Bush is an idiot" let's over-throw the "thief in chief" type of book. To my pleasant surprise, it isn't that kind of book. This book is a report of O'Neill's experiences as Treasury Secretary during the first few years of the George W. Bush White House. It describes how O'Neill came to be in his position as Treasury Secretary, and some of the political battles that he fought during his time in office. There are many memorable moments in this book including O'Neill's trip to Africa with Bono, the battle over steel tariffs (which were just recently removed), and O'Neill's fight against huge budget deficits (which was a record high last year). You leave the book with an honest sense of what the climate is like within the White House, how decisions and policy is made, and how Bush and his administration operate. Although the book is ultimately critical of Bush, it is an honest, open approach to him that you don't find in many other books (many current authors are vehemently for or against Bush). The book also clearly reveals how difficult the job of being president is, and, at the same time, reveals that Bush is not up to the job.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for all Americans
Review: This book is mesmerizing, well-written insight not from a comedian or 'angry' Democrat, but a Republican insider who values being a true patriot rather than being loyal to a President. Fascinating book that explains how we are in the mess we are in. Must read for all Americans of every party.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: Is anyone really surprised? Does anyone out there really think that Bush is a policy wonk, or a deep thinker? Just read the landscape of his life, there is nothing there to admire. Anyone can debate Bush about the affairs of the country (foreign and domestic) and win without really feeing good about it, it's like beating a child at Jeopardy. If you read one book this year, make it this one.
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Summary: The Ugly American Part 2
Review: That's what this book should have been subtitled. For those not familiar with The Ugly American, it shows how diplomatic hiring of ambassadors in the South Pacific basically doomed the US to losing key ground to Russia, who put shrewd negotiators and "can-do" people in key positions to win the populace. The US, on the other hand, hired young socialites who had no idea what was going on, nor could they care. In one telling chapter, a former Army officer realizes that the Phillipine's biggest problem is self-sustaining food, and that chickens from the US should be brought in to improve the local livestock, thereby making the people more self-sufficient and healthy. The US response? They built a bridge and road system so their own diplomatic staff would have a more comfortable ride. Flash forward to 2003. Paul O'Neill has been to Africa, and has realized that the people's health is terrible, and that they don't have an adequate water supply. The US estimated that building a water facility that could support a major city (like Detroit) would cost 2 billion. However, making adequate wells would have only cost 25 million. O'Neill clearly knows what should be done, but time and time again he is ignored by the administration, who use his presence to help paint themselves as centrists, while following an ultra-conservative agenda. This book is very well written, and very disturbing. It not only paints a picture of an administration that is so out of touch with America that they can claim that "deficits don't matter," and that tax cuts for the rich will solve all the nation's economic problems, but it also shows that the people who could really have made a positive impact were ignored and ridiculed. I strongly recommend this book to Bush supporters, as it is written from the perspective of someone that the administration is hastily trying to distance themselves from. The motive seems clear: this guy tells the truth, and they're afraid of that. I find it interesting that O'Neill has started to recant some of the things presented in the book. One can only speculate that the administration found some way to use strong-arm tactics to intimidate him. After all, money wouldn't work, he was too rich. But he did have a wife...
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Summary: ¿Truth, just the truth¿
Review: Once you read this book, you'll never look at the current Bush Administration, or governments in general for that matter in the same way again. One of the reasons why the Price of Loyalty differs so radically from other books critical of this Administration is that this book is written with the perspective of an "insider"; O'Neill was actually there and witnessed the National Security Council meetings, the chats with the President, and experienced the inner, day-to-day workings of the Treasury Department. A great deal of the book is devoted to O'Neill's attitudes towards economic policy and the tax code, which to a lay reader can be a bit difficult to follow, but Suskind writes with such methodological power and authority that you never get lost within the narrative. Policy - or as Suskind states, in the case of the Bush Administration, the lack thereof - is explained carefully and precisely. In fact, The Price of Royalty almost reads as a thriller - the revelations of a whistleblower - as elements of O'Neill's personal and professional life are intertwined and revealed. And the revelations are startling. Much has been made of the statement that the President acted like "a blind man in a room full of deaf people" but O'Neill goes much further and paints a portrait of a President that it almost disaffected, vacant and strangely unwilling to face the truth about budget deficits, the tax breaks and the Iraq War. There is a definitive lack of intellectual rigor and policy decisions are not determined by a careful and scientific analysis of the facts, but rather by a select group of ideologues that have the attitude that "no one really knows" so lets do it anyway and hope that everything turns out OK. O'Neill himself is portrayed as a personality that has an almost scientific grasp of important issues and you will be entertained and intrigued by the rapid-fire intellects of O'Neill and Fed chairman Alan Greenspan as they gather for regular power breakfasts and talk about the importance of adding "triggers" to the tax cuts to protect the federal surpluses. The Price of Loyalty is the story of a man concerned about the future of this country and its leadership role in the world; and he believes that good governance and high standards start with the telling of the truth, a standard that he feels is sadly lacking in government at the moment. This is a powerful book and probably one of the best non-fiction books to be released in quite awhile. Michael
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Summary: Iraq War II and tax cuts
Review: A very good read that I couldn't put down. While reading this book I have developed a theory. Nothing was more important to George W Bush than restoring the Bush family honor regarding Saddam Hussein and tax cuts. Certainly not truth and rational fact gathering. Strikes me as a weird type of Christian that doesn't care about truth. It seems that nothing was more important than getting Saddam out of Iraq and in giving the tax breaks that Bush I had broken his promise on. When one thinks about the Bush II Pioneers, how many of them are investment bankers, wall street tycoons, and corporate business leaders, and all the money they have brought to the Bush II campaign coffers, it is easy to see why Bush II is calling for immigration reform. Business men and women who care nothing at all about anything or anybody except for money and power want to bring down wages in the United States so they can make even more money. If companies are making record profits and therefore have capital to spend - they are spending it on capital improvements OUTSIDE OF THIS COUNTRY. I think that has become very apparent by the weak job creation numbers. Yes, households may show job improvement, but, how many people can start their own landscaping, lawn mowing, car repair companies?
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Summary: A man of principle
Review: Paul O'Neill was obviously so outraged at mindless ideology triumphing over reason in the Bush administration that he had the courage to write this book. By writing this book, he will have to endure the hate and rage of the neoconservatives the rest of his life. Nevertheless, he is a man concerned about the future of this country and its leadership role in the world, so he was willing to write about the dangers we face from a government run being behind closed doors with no opposing opinions being tolerated. Mr. O'Neill believes that collecting and analyzing facts, debating possible courses of action in an open, transparent way, and then - only then - making informed decisions is the basis for a democracy that is strong and enduring. People who care about the future of this country and the US Constitution will thank Mr. O'Neill for this book no matter their political party affliation. It's a unique, well-written, behind the scenes account of how the Bush administration is running this country. Thank you, Mr. O'Neill.
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Summary: A moderate conservative's take on his former boss
Review: Paul O'Neill was disturbed that unlike Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, George W. Bush isn't too interested in facts or nonpartisan slants on things. He is disturbed that he already knows what position he wants to take on things before he hears from his advisors. He is concerned about the overwhelming role that the political advisors play in determing national policy (usually there should be no role at all). In short, although he is a lifelong Republican (and still is), he isn't impressed with the direction that George W. Bush is taking the presidency. Ron Suskind's book is based on an enormous amount of documentation provided (legally) by Paul O'Neill. The only people who will doubt the truth of its content will be those who don't bother to read it. The conclusions are not wild, not a stretch, but actually a bit on the careful side. O'Neill himself is a lot kinder to Bush than he ought to be. I think, in fact, that historians will be far harsher to Bush than the press is. I would ardently urge every American who plans to vote in 2004 to read this book first. Vote for Bush if you want, but I cringe to think that people will lightly cast a vote for a man who seems to be controlled by ideologues.
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