Decision Points

By: George W. Bush

Narrated by: Ron McLarty

Length: 20 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

President George W. Bush describes the critical decisions of his presidency and personal life.

Decision Points is the extraordinary memoir of America’s 43rd president. Shattering the conventions of political autobiography, George W. Bush offers a strikingly candid journey through the defining decisions of his life. In gripping, never-before-heard detail, President Bush brings listeners inside the Texas Governor’s Mansion on the night of the hotly contested 2000 election; aboard Air Force One on 9/11, in the hours after America’s most devastating attack since Pearl Harbor; at the head of the table in the Situation Room in the moments before launching the war in Iraq; and behind the Oval Office desk for his historic and controversial decisions on the financial crisis, Hurricane Katrina, Afghanistan, Iran, and other issues that have shaped the first decade of the 21st century.

President Bush writes honestly and directly about his flaws and mistakes, as well as his accomplishments reforming education, treating HIV/AIDS in Africa, and safeguarding the country amid chilling warnings of additional terrorist attacks. He also offers intimate new details on his decision to quit drinking, discovery of faith, and relationship with his family.

A groundbreaking new brand of memoir, Decision Points will captivate supporters, surprise critics, and change perspectives on one of the most consequential eras in American history - and the man at the center of events.

©2010 George W. Bush (P)2010 Random House

Really enjoyed this book

I was not expecting to enjoy this audio book as much as I did. Having lived thru his presidency I thought I had a clear understanding of a lot of what went on. I was surprised by how much insight this book offers into his key decisions and why he made them. Also, I thought the book gave an interesting view of him as a man that we did not see during his presidency. Really liked this book, well worth my time.

4 1/2 stars

The only reason I could not giv this book the entire 5 stars was my disappointment that the former president did not read it himslef. I saw that he read the unabrigded versions but not the full novel. The author was good but more emotion could have been felt from his own words.
Not a huge Bush fan before I read the book but was too curious not to read/listen to his story. It was an amazing heartfelt journey that discussed many behind the scenes that I could have only imaged.
Def recommend!

Won't change minds.

Frankly, we live in a society where you defend your beliefs regardless of the facts. People that think that Bush lied on purpose or that the war was about oil or taking out the guy that threatened his dad will still feel that way. I would recommend this book to my liberal friends if they can listen to it with an open mind, not so much to be swayed, but to better understand where he came from. To me, he did not apologize for anything he did as much as explain his decisions. Fact is, I disagreed with several of his decisions but listening to his thoughts about those decisions made me have greater respect for the level of thought he put into them.

My favorite part is when he talks about asking Cheney to run with him. Cheney told him about his daughters sexual orientation and Bush said he didn't care. To me that about sums up the kind of guy he is. He wanted Cheney because he thought he would be the best president if he was taken out and it did not matter to him what else was going on in the family. He did what he felt was right regardless of what others thought. The fact he picked Cheney when so many others could have pulled other voter demographics was yet another sign that Bush was his own man.

Informative

Some of the blanks were filled in that took place during 8 years that George W. Bush occupied the White House. I enjoyed reading about his background and his relationships with his family and others as well. I understand much of his decision-making and admire him as a leader of America.

A definite listen

This book keeps your attention and gives one insight to difficult decisions. I respect his views and reasoning's for the decisions he had to make.

Abridged version might be better.

Interesting to hear President Bush's perspective in his own words. Your opinion of his decisions might changer after reading this book even if he is biased at times in his presentation. Narration was great. The abridged version might be better for most because the book was a little long and dragged at times through subjects I found less interesting.

OUTSTANDING

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES, A PART OF HISTORY

What other book might you compare Decision Points to and why?

BILL GATES BIOGRAPHY

Have you listened to any of Ron McLarty’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

NO.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

NO

Any additional comments?

I thought it was a little long and a little too detailed in some cases, but I still read it.

Amazing book.

Very insightful. Whether you agree with what the man did or not, it is very well written and informative. I have a whole new appreciation for 43.

fantastic

Fantastic book. I learned so much from this book about W's presidency. I always liked him and knew that he had a tough presidency between 9/11,war, financial crisis, etc. Listening to the decisions he made and why he made those decisions was fascinating. What a great book and even more respect for this president.

A Differnet Side of Pres. Bush Revealed

I finished this week reading (listening) to President George W. Bush???s memoir ???Decision Points.??? This book was one I had been anticipating for quite some time and after finishing it I must say I was not disappointed.

The book is put together completely different then other memoir as President Bush talks about not his life but the decision???s he had to make that shaped his presidency. Topics ranging from Iraq, Afghanistan, Stem Cell Research, 9/11, Staff Issues, Katrina, and the financial crisis you get an inside look into what went into his decision???s as well as a selfless look at how difficult of a time he had during situations.

The bigger topics (9/11, Iraq, Katrina) were quite fulfilling and intriguing the chapter he spoke on his work with AIDS victims in Africa was a side to this President I had never seen or read about it. His desire to combat the spread throughout Africa reveals the softer side of this war time President and something the US Media Outlets failed to reveal. President Bush wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post just today (12/1) talking about his ongoing policy to help fight AIDS.

Most like me will read this book to hear about how/why he dealt with certain situations the way he did (be prepared with a tissue when reading the 9/11 chapter, just warning you) but I hope as I did, others will see a softer side of the President Bush.