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Summary: Paul O'Neill, Action Hero!
Review: This is one of those "blind men with an elephant" types of books in which each reader will perceive what he or she wants to. Bush apologists will focus upon O'Neill's "disloyalty," "hypocrisy," "bitterness," or whatever, whereas people suspicious of this administration's motives and methods will be tempted to elevate O'Neill to some kind of pedestal of forthrightness and honor. The fact is, however, that whatever value this book might provide has very little to do with O'Neill's personal qualities, and everything to do with what is revealed about the shallowness, ruthlessness, and opportunism that motivate the Bush team, and for that reason people should read *The Price of Loyalty*.Paul O'Neill is undoubtedly more candid, principled, and capable than the average corporate executive cum "revolving door" government administrator. Maybe that isn't saying much. But Susskind's attempt to elevate the gray, boring O'Neill to "action hero" status falls flat. As I read passage after passage extolling O'Neill's personal virtues I found my eyes glazing over, frankly. Moreover, if O'Neill is such a multitalented, literate, hardworking fellow, why didn't he write the book himself? God knows now he has the free time. Clearly, the book is a failure in its attempt to elevate Paul O'Neill to the status of world-historical figure. However, based upon what he says, plus the documents that he has produced and which were shown on "Sixty Minutes," I have no doubt that everything he says about George W. Bush and his policymaking apparatus is true. And this stuff is scary, folks. Once upon a time it was supposedly just wacko leftists who claimed that Bush was obsessed, a priori, with conquering Iraq and turning over its oil fields to private companies. O'Neill *proves* that from day one of the Bush administration, this was true. Time was that only "Bush hating crazies" claimed that Karl Rove and Dick Cheney essentially call the shots for this administration, based upon a narrow focus upon "the base," the conservative core of Bush supporters. This book proves that this is true. And finally, time was that only embittered foes of George Bush claimed that he has little interest in deep consideration of policy alternatives. O'Neill shows not that Bush is "stupid" (he obviously is intelligent in a kind of savvy, knows-how-to-manipulate-people way), but that true to his lackluster personal academic legacy, he cares not a whit for intellectual exploration, nuanced argument, or a careful consideration of the facts related to policy decisions. Everything he does is based upon a kind of Machiavellian political calculus and being "true to principle," and I mean this in a negative way, given the privileged, predatory nature of the Bsh political "core." A major problem related to the "readability" of this book is that frankly, the best parts have been broadcast all over the tv networks and the Internet, and the rest tends at times toward the turgid and boring. The most riveting passages, such as Cheney blandly commenting that "Reagan proved deficits don't matter" are now well-known; on the other hand, I found the long-winded discussions of things like corporate accountability policy pretty slow going. Overall, I think it's terrific that this book has gained so much public exposure, because what O'Neill reveals here about the Bush administration is so damning, with the source of the revelations being not a Chomsky, Cockburn, or even a Carville, but a longtime pillar of the Republican establishment. On the other hand, however, after reading the book I was just as indifferent to Paul O'Neill as a world-historical figure as I was before I began reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent insight into the Bush administration
Review: The book starts off a little slow but then digs into how the Bush administration really works from an inside perspective. Some of this is already well known, such as that it is Cheney that really runs the show and that Bush is not very engaged in issues. What was alarming and new, at least to me, was to the extent that the administration was planning for an invasion of Iraq from the very beginning of the presidency and the total lack of debate within the administration. All in all an excellent book.
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Summary: Suskind & O'Neill REAL Patriots
Review: I noticed a few months ago the media referred to O'Neill as "Not Patriotic." What's the definition of a patriot? Here it is from Cambridge dictionary; Patriot -a person who loves their country and, if necessary, will fight for it. Notice it doesn't state blind allegiance to a dictator or a specific authority. O'Neill is the perfect Bush Administrator "Insider" being that he basically grew up with a lot of these folks for the past 30 years. Even the big cats like Cheney & Rumsfield. This also means that he has the ability to judge their character based on true interaction and not assumption. This book talks about his real experiences working in the Administration and serves as his own vindication given the circumstances of him "resigning." Paul is very concerned about his credibility, and feels that he needs to communicate his concerns and experiences to the American people. Numerous resignations within the Administration have occurred. Anyone from Diplomats to foreign countries to critical members on the cabinet. Even the EPA Director Christie Whitman has resigned. This book/tape series goes through these experiences in vigorous detail. I beleieve this information is completely objective about the circumstances facing the Bush Administration. If you're a biased person, there is no way to convince you so I won't bother. Somehow people got to eliminate their bias so they can get to the real truth of the matter. Otherwise, in the world, you will only see what you ...choose... to see.
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Summary: Interesting Insight into the Bush Administration
Review: Very interesting. Seems like Bush really doesn't know anything.
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Summary: So what's the real motivation behind this book?
Review: I just finished this book and I'd have to say it's a riveting account of how an absolutely brilliant guy like Paul O'Neill could possibly be suckered into believing he had a chance to influence the economic policies of the Bush administration. First of all Ron Suskind is a wonderful writer, who chose to structure this book in the form of a third person narrative. It reads like a novel. Suskind lays the groundwork in the opening section by detailing O'Neill's meeting with Greenspan. We see two economic geniuses, who in the course of a couple of hours, are able to plan an economic strategy to save the US financial infrastructure and Social Security. This sets the stage. We now know whatever happens next, we are seeing the administration through the eyes of a spectacular economist without so much as a hint of political motive. Then he meets with the President, who appears to have no opinion on O'Neill's ideas, but decides O'Neill should come up with something on global warming. I'm definitely no genius, but I'm thinking, "Ding ding ding. RED FLAG!!! Hey, I'm treasury secretary, here!! Dude, what's up with the global warming thing." Here's the thing. O'Neill was never a real insider. He was there only for his reputation. Cheney knew that having a guy like O'Neill on board would lend a high degree of credibility to an already scripted economic policy. We are taken inside cabinet meetings, and national security meetings, and we see what a convoluted mess it all is. But we know it's all just for show because nothing O'Neill sees has anything to do with the real administration. Okay, we already knew this has always been an idealogical, agenda driven administration, driven by pre-scripted policies. Anyone with internet access can pull up the Project For The New American Century. It's no secret. Look at the names on the mission statement. Read the articles. This is the real Bush administration. Did O'Neill really believe he could make economic policy? It's difficult to believe that such a brilliant guy like Paul O'Neill would actually take this job without doing a little research of his own. So what was the purpose behind this book? To expose the officials of the Bush administration as frauds? To show us he is beyond reproach because his IQ is a zillion? He goes on to say he'd still vote for Bush in '04. Okay... Look, I really do believe that given the chance, O'Neill could have had a tremendous impact on the economy, but not with this administration. And he should have known that. So why did he write this book? Simply to save his own reputation. Sour grapes. He refused to play ball and he got fired for it. It was a matter of pride and ego. He's not telling us anything we didn't already know or suspect. And he claims "They" can't do a thing to him because he's old and rich. Really. Since when does that matter? But he's still going to vote for Bush in '04. Now there's an intelligent guy for you. I give Suskind 5 stars for his writing. I give O'Neill 0 stars for being a phony and a hypocrite. He actually managed to become one of the cartoon characters portrayed in the book. Finally an open message to Paul O'Neill. Paul, if your going to put something like this out there, have the guts to stand behind it. Hold your head up and say, "Hell no, I wouldn't vote for those criminals. Not in a million years. I'd vote for Mickey Mouse before I'd vote for Bush." But you're old and you're rich, so why should you care?
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read For Any Young Executive
Review: The book is fascinating study of the dysfunction of the Bush administration. At a more applicable level it is an explanation of the uselessness of idealogy and the threat that opinions based on incomplete and incorrect information are to decision makers and organizations.
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Summary: O'Neill Had A Role In Losing His Job As Treasury Secretary
Review: Before I read this book, I was expecting the book to be entirely about how incompetent and ignorant George W. Bush has been as President of the United States. This is what a large part of this book is about, however, I think that there are some things that cannot be overlooked in Suskind's writing about O'Neill's role as Secretary of the Treasury. When Ron Suskind wrote about Paul O'Neill and his work history, I could not help but think of Lee Iaccoca. O'Neill had just retired as Alcoa's CEO, and had an extremely financially comfortable retirement ahead of him. But like most corporate executives, being retired with nothing of challenging significance ahead of them, makes them feel extremely bored and insignificant. I think that this was true of Iaccoca, when he was fired from Ford by Henry Ford II. He could have retired. It wasn't like he HAD to go and look for another job, yet he chose to become president of Chrysler, the most troubled American car company that was on the verge of extinction in the late 1970's. Maybe this is why O'Neill finally caved in after numerous calls from Dick Cheney and others insisting that he become Secretary of the Treasury in George W. Bush's administration. I think that regardless of President George W. Bush's knowledge or experience, O'Neill should have been more upfront in his intentions with the President and other cabinet members from the very beginning when he was hired to do his job. To do otherwise was a waste of two years of his life. When it was announced that O'Neill would become the next Secretary of the Treasury, he had breakfast with the very prominent Alan Greenspan. At this very first meeting they had together, they both agreed on the President's tax cut plan, and they also agreed that the tax cut would remain in effect ONLY if the American economy remained in good condition. The tax cuts would be reduced in whatever amount necessary to avoid deficit spending seen during the Reagan Presidency. My question is this: If both O'Neill and Greenspan agreed upon this, why is it that they did not share their intentions with Bush, Cheney and other cabinet members? Why did they keep this secret from the rest of the Bush Administration? I think the game playing and keeping intentions secret from others in the Bush White House in 2001 led to O'Neill's firing in 2003. When a President hires a person to be Treasury Secretary, one would think that the President would expect him to act in a manner that conformed to the President's wishes. O'Neill did not live up to this expectation, and this is why he was let go. Aside from Suskind's commentary on O'Neill's actions, a large part of the book is about O'Neill's reaction to meetings he had with President George W. Bush. O'Neill had worked with 3 other Presidents, all Republican (Nixon, Ford and Bush Senior), but this fourth President was entirely different from the previous ones he had known. Any time O'Neill had meetings with President Nixon, he knew that he had to have completed extensive research on both sides of an issue to present to the President, and answer any questions he might have. O'Neill had seen President Nixon really get upset and chew anyone out who hadn't done his homework. With George W. Bush, he was expecting the same thing, except that once he made his initial presentation of whatever issue (tax cuts, the economy), Bush had few if any questions, and it seemed during most cabinet meetings that someone else, other than the President was running the show. Maybe O'Neill will get to fulfill his desires in his next job, but only if he is direct in communicating his intentions to others.
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Summary: Wonderful view into the workings of a highly organized mind
Review: I found this book very engaging, but not for the reasons I originally imagined. It certainly has some troubling insights into the Bush White House and doesn't paint a flattering picture of the President. Yet this is only part of what the book is about. I actually found it a lot more interesting to read not for the gossip on the White House, but as diary of how a highly intelligent and organized mind works. I was amazed at O'Neill's disciple and structured approach to problem solving; from his simple daily routines as an early riser who reads several major newspapers by breakfast time, to his diligent follow through on his ever increasing list of To Do items. I really liked reading the small details about how a highly productive person like him does things. Even more impressive was his genuine interest in getting a problem solved honestly and correctly, even if the people working with him on the issues didn't always have the best intentions or techniques.
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Summary: Suskind Shines
Review: I'm only about half way through, but it's obvious why Suskind is a Pulitzer Prize winner. He has thoroughly, objectively provided critical insight into how Dubya operates. Unfortunately, the author has pretty much confirmed my suspicions about the Bushes. I voted for Nader last time but just can't do it again, on the grounds that another Nader vote would mean Bush wins again. I'm eager to read the other new book about the Bush Dynasty too.
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Summary: The Price of Loyalty: George W. Bush, the White House, and t
Review: This book clearly articulates in very well written language the mode of operation of the Bush Administration during Paul O'Neill's tenure as Secretary for Treasury. Alan Greenspan's recent move to put the deficit and social security benefits on the forthcoming Presidential election issues list for the average Boomer voter becomes very understandable once reading this book. Once the reader completes the book, it becomes clear that Dick Cheney and the Bush Administration orchestrated the Iraq WMD escalation with no factual basis pre-9/11. Additionally it becomes clear that the current administration is not particularly interested in context or content, but more the political implications of decisions on divisive issues. A shocking part for me was to discover that President Bush starts cabinet meetings with a prayer, which destroys any notion of the separation of church and state in my mind. I am 41 years old and am not a political person, I have never voted. After reading this book, I am going to vote in the forthcoming election to rid the country of fiscal irresponsibility, bad management and what can only be described as pure ignorance and insensitivity on the important issues of domestic and foreign economics, environment, co-operation and credibility. I say its not sour grapes, but a clear articulation of events from the eyes of an experienced and successful corporate executive.
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