How Bush Rules: Chronicles of a Radical Regime

by Sidney Blumenthal

In a series of columns and essays that renowned journalist and former presidential adviser Sidney Blumenthal wrote in the three years following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, a unifying theme began to emerge: that Bush, billed by himself and by many others as a conservative, is in fact a radical--more radical than any president in American history. In How Bush Rules , Blumenthal provides a trenchant and vivid account of the progression of Bush's radical style--from his reliance on one-party rule and his unwillingness to allow internal debate to his elevation of the power of the vice president.

Taking readers through pivotal events such as the hunt for Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, the rise of the foreign-policy neoconservatives, Abu Ghraib, the war on science, the Jack Abramoff scandal, and the catastrophic mishandling of Hurricane Katrina, the book tracks a consistent policy that calls for the president to have complete authority over independent federal agencies and to remain unbound by congressional oversight or even the law.

In an incisive and powerful introduction, Blumenthal argues that these radical actions are not haphazard, but deliberately intended to fundamentally change the presidency and the government. He shows not only the historical precedents for radical governing, but also how Bush has taken his methods to unique extremes. With its penetrating account of a critical new era in American leadership, How Bush Rules is a devastating appraisal of the Bush presidency.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History

416 pages, Hardcover

First published August 10, 2006

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first 20 pages of the book pretty much said everything anyone needs to read about the Bush Administration. The rest of the book was just story after story of the same thing. I have an increased appreciation for Colin Powell and what he had to offer the country. Too bad that he was marginalized by some real right wing wackos whose integrity and ethics are quite questionable. Good book for those who want to understand more about the neoconservatives (rejected by Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush for their radicalism)and their agenda.

[Mark Welkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my top 3 must-read books for understanding the Bush/Cheney era. Blumenthal offers a unique perspective with his experience as both a journalist & an insider during Bill Clinton's 2nd term, as well as having written about "movement conservatism" since the 1980's.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unfortunate reminder of the years that America was run by a fratboy. The biggest weakness is that is just a collection of essays from 2003-2006 so every chapter dealing with Valeria Plame contains a reminder of who Joseph Wilson is.

[Bill Kerwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clinton White House insider Sydney Blumenthal shows us--in his customary elegant style--the political machinations by which the Bush-Cheney administration expands and maintains its power.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of his newspaper and magazine articles. He seems to have the most insight and the clearest vision of the dysfunctional administration. Not just that they are, but in what ways.