First published 2008
Robert Draper takes readers behind the closed doors of the Bush White House during one of the most contentious periods in recent American history. Drawing on unprecedented access to every major figure in the administration, Draper reconstructs the inner workings of power during a decade marked by war, crisis, and political upheaval. The author conducted six extensive interviews with President Bush himself, along with conversations with cabinet members, advisors, and staff throughout the administration. Through detailed scenes and conversations, Draper reveals how decisions were made, alliances formed and broken, and how an administration under siege responded to mounting challenges. The result is an intimate view of leadership under pressure and the human dynamics that shaped consequential moments in American politics.
Genres: politics, biography-memoir, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: behind-the-scenes, insider-perspective
Setting: White House
Period: 2000s
480 pages · Paperback · Free Press