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Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War by Robert M Gates -- Summary, Review & Analysis
What is the true cost of war, and how does one man in charge deal with the outcomes of his decisions?
In Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War, Robert Gates offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at his role in politics, as well as his personal efforts during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. This Summary, Review & Analysis is the perfect companion to help you get the most out of Gates' experiences. He discusses what his job was like as the Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011. Find out what really went on in both the Bush and Obama administrations during the two wars overseas.
Buy the book first, then buy this unofficial reading sidekick from Save Time Summaries. Narrow down the key points to take away from this memoir. Decipher the meaning of the book and get the most out of your reading with an expert overview. Duty features insider information about Congress, the military, and controversies that dominated America's media. Gates expresses his role on the front lines of war with intimate details while conveying the emotional aftermath of signing deployment orders.
This guide compiles all the nuggets of information that add to your enjoyment of Duty. Look at the key players behind the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and gain new admiration for the brave soldiers who represent America. Gain the perspective from inside the White House Situation Room as you relive the Navy Seal Team raid that killed Osama Bin Laden.
Here's your chapter-by-chapter guide to Robert Gates' Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War that you can download right now!
In Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War, Robert Gates offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at his role in politics, as well as his personal efforts during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. This Summary, Review & Analysis is the perfect companion to help you get the most out of Gates' experiences. He discusses what his job was like as the Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011. Find out what really went on in both the Bush and Obama administrations during the two wars overseas.
Buy the book first, then buy this unofficial reading sidekick from Save Time Summaries. Narrow down the key points to take away from this memoir. Decipher the meaning of the book and get the most out of your reading with an expert overview. Duty features insider information about Congress, the military, and controversies that dominated America's media. Gates expresses his role on the front lines of war with intimate details while conveying the emotional aftermath of signing deployment orders.
This guide compiles all the nuggets of information that add to your enjoyment of Duty. Look at the key players behind the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and gain new admiration for the brave soldiers who represent America. Gain the perspective from inside the White House Situation Room as you relive the Navy Seal Team raid that killed Osama Bin Laden.
Here's your chapter-by-chapter guide to Robert Gates' Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War that you can download right now!
43 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2014
4 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 25, 2020
Relatively apolitical reflection by a man who clearly cares deeply for the men and women in the armed forces and the awesome responsibility and toll of being SECDEF.
November 4, 2014
I truly believe that 50, 75 or 100 years from now, historians will look back on this novel with a critical eye. It will provide keen insight to the mindset of American govt, America's leaders and our approach in fighting terrorism.
Although this novel was NOT what I expected, I found it detailed, enjoyable and extremely informative. If you're expecting a tell-all expose don't read this book. It's not what the media has sensationalized. Instead it's a look into the workings of the mind of Sec of Def Bob Gates. The majority of the book focuses on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, it also touches on other issues the SecDef has to deal with--and did deal with during his time with both Bush and Obama. The Arab Spring, N. Korea, Israel, Syria, Egypt, Russia--even earthquake relief in Haiti.
I found the book well written. Mr. Gates would sprinkle in just enough personal stories and some humorous tales so that the reader does not get bogged down on JUST Iraq or JUST Afghanistan. I wont go into summarizing the book's specifics cause others have done that. I will say that I enjoyed this book but the part that I found moving were Se. Gates' interaction with troops, both overseas as well as the ones wounded and now stateside.
This book is not an easy read. Not only due to the subject matter it covers but due to the length. At about 40 lines per page and almost 600 pages (593 to be exact), this is not a James Patterson novel that you can breeze through in 2 days. "Duty" is a slow methodical read. You have to read the info, digest it. When you start this book, make sure you have enough time to devote to finishing it. I read it nightly for between 2-3 hours and it still took me 8 straight days to finish in. I'm not implying it's a bad book due to the length. I'm just saying you need a good chunk of time to finish it.
I really wanted to give it 5 stars. I feel it deserves it. Mr. Gates is a true patriot, a great American. The ONLY reason I just cant is the length. I just feel some areas contained a little too much overkill. There were several instances, for example, when Sec. Gates was going into a meeting with the Pres or readying himself to testify before Congress. First, he'd advise the reader what his goal in the meeting would be and why. Then, he would discuss the meeting and write about bringing up the same issues. After the meeting. Gates would summarize what he said and why he said t--sometimes even using bullet points. I just felt this was a little too much, a little over the top. I cant help but feel that this book easily could have been 100 pages less, maybe even 150, possibly 200 pages less. That's the ONLY negative I could find about it--in my opinion.
I really want to give it 4 ½ stars. I cant give 5 due somewhat to the length and issue I just mentioned. And 4 stars seems too low. I'm going with 4.
Great book.
Although this novel was NOT what I expected, I found it detailed, enjoyable and extremely informative. If you're expecting a tell-all expose don't read this book. It's not what the media has sensationalized. Instead it's a look into the workings of the mind of Sec of Def Bob Gates. The majority of the book focuses on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, it also touches on other issues the SecDef has to deal with--and did deal with during his time with both Bush and Obama. The Arab Spring, N. Korea, Israel, Syria, Egypt, Russia--even earthquake relief in Haiti.
I found the book well written. Mr. Gates would sprinkle in just enough personal stories and some humorous tales so that the reader does not get bogged down on JUST Iraq or JUST Afghanistan. I wont go into summarizing the book's specifics cause others have done that. I will say that I enjoyed this book but the part that I found moving were Se. Gates' interaction with troops, both overseas as well as the ones wounded and now stateside.
This book is not an easy read. Not only due to the subject matter it covers but due to the length. At about 40 lines per page and almost 600 pages (593 to be exact), this is not a James Patterson novel that you can breeze through in 2 days. "Duty" is a slow methodical read. You have to read the info, digest it. When you start this book, make sure you have enough time to devote to finishing it. I read it nightly for between 2-3 hours and it still took me 8 straight days to finish in. I'm not implying it's a bad book due to the length. I'm just saying you need a good chunk of time to finish it.
I really wanted to give it 5 stars. I feel it deserves it. Mr. Gates is a true patriot, a great American. The ONLY reason I just cant is the length. I just feel some areas contained a little too much overkill. There were several instances, for example, when Sec. Gates was going into a meeting with the Pres or readying himself to testify before Congress. First, he'd advise the reader what his goal in the meeting would be and why. Then, he would discuss the meeting and write about bringing up the same issues. After the meeting. Gates would summarize what he said and why he said t--sometimes even using bullet points. I just felt this was a little too much, a little over the top. I cant help but feel that this book easily could have been 100 pages less, maybe even 150, possibly 200 pages less. That's the ONLY negative I could find about it--in my opinion.
I really want to give it 4 ½ stars. I cant give 5 due somewhat to the length and issue I just mentioned. And 4 stars seems too low. I'm going with 4.
Great book.
February 21, 2014
Learned a lot from this book and unfortunately, a lot more than I needed to know about politics and war.
September 6, 2014
Excellent book Gave me lots of insight from his perspective into recent political events.
August 1, 2014
its worth reading.
March 14, 2014
Very interesting book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews