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Decision Points

Decision PointsDecision Points by George W. Bush


In Decision Points, George W. Bush reflects on the most consequential choices he made in his eight years in office, declaring some to be good decisions and others to be poor ones. In his discussion, the reader gains insight into his decision-making process, learning that values were foremost in his mind. Where his values conflicted with the urgency of a situation, Bush showed--such as with his decision to invest taxpayer money to sustain the insurance, banking, and auto industries--that he was willing to adopt behaviors that opposed his values, but that ultimately helped the country. If you are interested in a history of the political events surrounding the United States in the first decade of the twenty-first century, this offers an overview of those events from the perspective of the White House. If you are interested in learning about George W. Bush as a person, this book is also helpful: while Bush focuses almost exclusively on politics, he does describe important personal life events, especially with regard to family. In the end, Decision Points helps the reader understand the mindset of a man compelled to make decisions about science and the nature of human life; war and defense; the economic direction of the country; and more. On a personal note, I noticed the extent to which the country differs now compared to even ten years ago, especially with regard to the salient divisions on race, when in Bush's presidency those divisions focused more acutely on Iraq. As a Bush supporter, I recommend this book as a way to learn about the person himself, and I would recommend it for those who are interested in a president's perspective on the issues of the day that he faced. In reading this, you get the impression of a man of strong convictions, as well as one willing to listen to a wide variety of perspectives on issues. I personally found the president to be more centrist and pragmatic than I had first believed, particularly on immigration, but also one who never forfeit his values.


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