Duty

Memoirs of a Secretary at War

By: Robert M. Gates

Narrated by: George Newbern, Robert M. Gates

Length: 25 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

From the former secretary of defense, a strikingly candid, vivid account of serving Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

When Robert M. Gates received a call from the White House, he thought he'd long left Washington politics behind: After working for six presidents in both the CIA and the National Security Council, he was happily serving as president of Texas A&M University. But when he was asked to help a nation mired in two wars and to aid the troops doing the fighting, he answered what he felt was the call of duty.

©2014 Robert M. Gates (P)2014 Random House Audio

A wonderful book

This book documents the talents, skills, abilities and accomplishments of one of the best public servants of our time. It should be required reading for anyone interested in a career in public service. Also required reading for those interested in understanding the challenges and complexities of governing!

Yoda speaks

Robert Gates has a Ph.D. in Russian and Soviet History. He served as the head of the CIA , been a member of the National Security Council under eight different white house administration, was a Air Force officer in the Strategic Air Command. He knew the pentagon better than most Defense Secretaries. “Duty” is a typical of the memoir genre, declaring that this is how the writer saw it, warts and all, including his own. Gates offers a catalogue of various meetings based in part on notes that he and his Aids made at the time and a review of some of the official reports. I thought he did a fairly good job of writing about the positive as well as the negative remarks about different people. The media seems to want to pick out only the negative comments. For example, Gates did make numerous negative remarks about Joe Biden but also said he and Biden were in agreement about the use of the military in Libya and that he likes Biden. Gates had only glowing remarks about Condoleezza Rice and Hilary Clinton. What came across clearly in the book was his fury with having to deal with a dysfunctional congress, his frustrations in dealing with the bureaucracy of the Pentagon, and the feelings of lack of understating of protocol, respect and distrust by white house staff who had never served in the military. Gates writes that Obama was very thoughtful and analytical, wanted to hear all points of view but then made up his own mind. The author also said that he admired Obama for making some very difficult decision as President. He writes about his concern about the welfare of the troops and how he felt his concern was interfering with his ability to do his job. A good deal of the book deals with battles over the budget and his fight with the Pentagon to get rid of programs, equipment that they no longer need only to have the congress reinstate them because the program had direct effect on their State. Over all it is an interesting look into the workings of our government. George Newbern did an excellent job narrating the book.

A Bipartisan Insight

What made the experience of listening to Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War the most enjoyable?

The intimate detail of the shared stories is very enjoyable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War?

The details and timeline on capturing Osama Bin Laden.

Have you listened to any of George Newbern and Robert M. Gates ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

N/A

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There was many moments when Robert M. Gates discusses interacting with injured troops and how he felt responsible.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the audible book so much that I went out of my way to stand in line to purchase a hard copy at a signing by Robert M. Gates.

Excellent

I found this book to be fascinating, not sure I'd agree with all his assessments where basically he is right and whoever disagreed with him is wrong, but overall you have to admire the man and his accomplishments. Good narration

Excellent book but political bias is obvious

This is a good book, well written and very honest. The one glaring issue is that Gates time and again castigates "politicians" for political maneuvering and then happily details how he uses political maneuvering...but when he does it it somehow is just him doing a good job. He even fires people for political reasons when they have done nothing wrong and yet fails to see how his own actions were pure political motivation.

Other than the typical blind sided idea that his machinations were messes art for the greater good and all other opposition was worthless partisan politicking it is a very interesting and detailed look at a lot of the notable situations which made the news during Late Bush era to early Obama era.

Excellent Inside View of the Defense Department

Where does Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Among the very best!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War?

Those parts that dealt with Secretary Gates many visits to wounded vets and the impact those visits had on him.

Which character – as performed by George Newbern and Robert M. Gates – was your favorite?

Secretary Gates.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, too much detail to absorb and digest in one setting.

Any additional comments?

This book provided a very clear insight to the bureaucracy and political infighting that goes on in the DOD and Whitehouse.

Too many repetitions

The book has a lot to offer, definitely. Because the man himself is very knowledgeable, very experienced, thinks in a really efficient way, can work with other people. But why so many repetitions about the same?! I mean it felt like afterthought as if somebody read the book and said: "Oh! you sounded heartless , let's put there more sentiments here and there...." and they did. Almost the same set of words, o er and over again. And if first half of the book it wasn't feeling as "out of the blue", the farthest I was listening the less organic those sentiments felt.
about the performance... I don't know, something I didn't like, strange tone of voice... I think this wasn't completely fault of the actor, I mean there is someone, producer or editor?... so the book is worth to read or listen to, but something here is amiss

factual history

if you are very familiar with the history surrounding the Iraq and Afghan wars you'll find this very interesting. i probably shld have listened to the abridged version. Gates is honest and his feelings for the troops is sincere and moving. War is complicated and it is further complicated by a dysfunctional government. i learned a number of things from this book and i am glad i took the time to listen to it.

great

the book was great the narator was great. all the way around great! more words

Historic look at modern US military history

Enjoyed this memoir greatly. Gates provides a unique perspective that few in our history will have a chance to share like he has with Duty.