Plan of Attack

By: Bob Woodward

Narrated by: Boyd Gaines

Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Plan of Attack is the definitive account of how and why President George W. Bush, his war council, and allies launched a preemptive attack to topple Saddam Hussein and occupy Iraq. Bob Woodward's latest landmark account of Washington decision making provides an original, authoritative narrative of behind-the-scenes maneuvering, examining the causes and consequences of the most controversial war since Vietnam.

Based on interviews with 75 key participants and more than three-and-a half hours of exclusive interviews with President Bush, Plan of Attack is part presidential history charting the decisions made during 16 critical months; part military history; and part a harrowing spy story as the CIA dispatches a covert paramilitary team into northern Iraq six months before the start of the war.

What emerges are astonishingly intimate portraits: President Bush in war cabinet meetings and in private conversation; Dick Cheney, the focused and driven vice president; Colin Powell, the conflicted and cautious secretary of state; Donald Rumsfeld, the controlling war technocrat; George Tenet, the activist CIA director; Tommy Franks, the profane and demanding general; Condoleezza Rice, the ever-present referee and national security adviser; Karl Rove, the hands-on political strategist; other key members of the White House staff and congressional leadership; and foreign leaders ranging from British Prime Minister Blair to Russian President Putin.

Plan of Attack provides new details on the intelligence assessments of Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction and the planning for the war's aftermath.

Also, listen to Terry Gross' interview with Bob Woodward on Fresh Air.

©2004 Bob Woodward (P)2004 Simon & Schuster Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

"A serious book it is, instantly essential, matching America's most celebrated political reporter against the most secretive administration in our history. For once, a hyped product has lived up to its billing....Plan of Attack offers by far the most intimate glimpse we have been granted of the Bush White House, and, better still, a glimpse of the administration's defining moment: its war of choice against Saddam Hussein." (The New York Times)

Review

I found the audiobook to be very enlightening and helpful in understanding the mind set of those involved in planning the war.

You Are There

This book gives you the impression that you are a fly on the wall during very important discussions and decisions. This book confirmed my belief about the VP's role in the Iraqi invasion. Its over 7 hours, but it is so engaging that you will not want to stop listening.

The Facts Tell it All

Woodward does a very good job of putting many stories together from the start of the Bush administration to the start of the Iraqi war. In many ways, this book is very much like Suskind's The Price of Loyalty, which centers on O'Neill's perspective. Plan of Attack includes many perspectives, and they really reinforce what O'Neill observed about Bush and the other participants. What Woodward has captured in this book is a much more complete picture of who Bush is, and I have to say it is a very scary profile. While many have commented that the book does not do enough analysis of what is reported, I couldn't disagree more. The analysis is right there, in the facts that are reported.

Good documentary

Good documentary. The writer did a good research job. A good hearing/reading for those who are still puzzled by the roots of the Iraq invasion. Excellent narration.

abridged, but better than nothing

I don't know how much is lost in abridging the book, but it sure does jump around a lot. As others have said, this book will back up your preconceived notions of Bush. Either he is a decisive leader who pushes the country forward or a goof-ball who never saw a fact that he couldn't ignore. Either way you will find this book to be quite educationational. I just wish we could hear the whole book.

Dan

Excellent Listen

Woodward does it again. Excellent book. Shows the great president George W really is: Hard decisions and focus.

Great behind the scenes telling of events

Bob Woodward gives us the thoughts, opinions, points of views and interactions between the major individuals involved in the run up to the Iraq War. I never got the impression that Woodward was trying to spin his own views on these events, just the facts. It made me feel like I was there. Definitely recommended for those interested in politics and international affairs!!

Well written!

Well written book for anyone wishing to understand the invasion of iraq. Covers Bush and his cabinet, and the intelligence they received.

wish I could find unabridged version

Content was good enough; but being the abridged version, it left out too much.

Bush at his Best

How a great President overcame a do-nothing president If only Bob Woodward had gone on the talk shows and talked on what he actually said in the book. This book shows an in charge President bending over backwards to give the enemy the benefit of the doubt.

A great read.
Perhaps if Kerry can read this he will support our President!!