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

Robert Gates had a really tough job.

I don't read a lot of memoirs, but this was great. The Sec. Def. has a really tough role, and it's clear Bob Gates poured his heart into the job. The book also revealed how much of his job was dedicated to dealing with bureaucratic nonsense, which he didn't relish. The massive bureaucracy of the Pentagon combined with polarized disfunction of congress created an environment that was maddeningly lugubrious.

Great perspective on woking with both Bush and Obama administration. Seems like both had their warts.

Dry Reader, could not get through it.

The reader was monotone and I could not get through the book, made it through about 40% of it and didn't want to continue, even though I find the subject interesting.

Not as much bite as I had hoped.

I was very interested to listen to this book, but was quickly disappointed. I gave it three stars because of his great accomplishments working through both parties. That alone is an accomplishment. Long dragged out story. Was looking for a much more upbeat back scene look at the whole picture.

Insightful and profound

Sec Gates gives us a glimpse into domestic politics while preserving international relationships. Sec Gates masterfully navigates the treacherous political waters on the hill and in the White House to provide for the men and women fighting for the very freedoms they themselves debate over. His articulation throughout the book regarding endgames and processes are eye opening. This book sheds light on the mistakes and miscalculations by policies, politicians, and military leaders. It is human to error; but to learn from our past and mistakes is what makes us leaders. I strongly encourage that this book be a must read in leadership courses, international relations programs and political science.

Great insight from a non-partisan

This is a great insight into the recent wars of necessity (Afghanistan) and choice(Iraq) by an experienced hand. Also interesting to take a close look under the hood of the Defense Dept. Wish we had more people like him in office these days. Nice work Bob Gates!

In this in-depth account from behind the scenes at the White House and Pentagon, the “SecDef” for 43 and Obama raises the veil.

In this emotional and heartfelt account of a Secretary of Defense for 2 Presidents with 2 wars raging at the same time, Gates tells of his relationship with Bush43 and Obama and the decisions they made to send young Americans into battle. One of the best jobs of narration I’ve heard, the listener immediately feels he is listening to the author, with all of his inner thoughts and deep feelings about protecting and caring for the troops.

Outstanding - &- Exceptional

This is one of the BEST Books ever written on
National Security and Defense Related Matters.

It is also the most HONEST Insight ever given by
Any Cabinet Minister or Secretary Level in US Federal Government.

It should be a BIBLE For All Future Secretary of Defense -and- All other Government Ministers including Future Presidents Must Read this.

It Should be a Must read for All Military Officers
and Civil Service Officers too... in US.

And for a Normal Citizen....it is a Goldmine to
show how the US Government works at its Highest
Levels and How Decisions are made in
Washington D.C.

Duty

I had read Gate’s first book and was certain I would appreciate the effort as much. I was right. George Newbern was excellent as the reader and Gate’s reporting of his tour was honest.

A Great read

What a great man and patriotic story .....
I can not say enough about how much I learned and admire the book and now the man .

Some Bravado, and Some…Jose Conseco?

Yep! I said it! At least that’s sort of how I read it. A parallel between a baseball player in the steroid era and the US Secretary of Defense? Let me explain.

Don’t get me wrong, this was an excellent book! From cover to cover, the book had my ear, and will enlighten the reader on what really happens behind closed doors of the White House, Pentagon, and The Central Intelligence Agency. When “Juiced”, written by Jose’ Conseco came out reviewers ripped the content and cried foul on Conseco for telling a tale that certainly couldn’t be true. And he was chastised for spilling the dirt and telling his side of what was going on in the Major Leagues when he was playing. He was cast out as a liar and then…It all seemed to be true!

Not to say that Gates rips into the US Government and tells nasty detailed stories of the Presidents he served under and the cabinets he worked with, but he does state his side of 30+ years serving our Government and I’ve heard and read a few comments and reviews about his views in the book by the media asking “Why would he say such a thing about Hillary Clinton?”, or “Why does he paint Obama or Biden in such a dim light?" The fact of the matter is these people see what you and I don’t and this book does an excellent job in conveying that reality. Do yourself a favor and watch the documentary “The Fog of War” highlighting the service of McCarthy before, during, and following the Cuban Missile crisis, and the Vietnam Conflict. McCarthy was called a war monger and yet, he makes it clear in that film that “You didn’t know what I knew!” I assume the same for “Duty”

Gates gives a clear account of how he came to the office he served and the events that shaped both his legacy and those of Bush and Obama. He dishes on what his opinions of our military leaders and he doesn’t hold back on comments made by other key political figures. He gives his account of what happened and what the media actually reports. And he provides insight into his long, long days serving our military and the decisions, back-lashes, leaks and outcomes of many of the events from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars that (may have) been portrayed differently in newsprint.

There was also plenty of pomp and bravado though sincere to a degree. After all, they are his thoughts and his ever-stated commitment to US troops does seem at times to be re-iterated as an agenda rather than genuine. Maybe not. This book is justifiably a topic of discussion at political roundtables and well worth the 25+ hours it will take to listen and confirm.