Rumsfeld: A Personal Portrait

by Midge Decter

US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has become the leading spokesman for the Bush administration on all matters related to the military and its prosecution of the war on terror. Midge Decter, an accomplished political journalist who has enjoyed over two decades of friendship with Rumsfeld, will answer the question of why and how he has come to play such a critical role. Partly biographical and partly analytical, the book focuses on Rumsfeld's past and current activities as well as what he an ethos of sturdiness, frankness, and resilience that has clearly resonated with the American public. Decter gained Rumsfeld's full cooperation, and she trailed him through the Pentagon and beyond as he prosecuted the war on terror and the military campaign against Saddam Hussein. The daily stresses of advising the president, handling the media, crafting military policy, and dealing with issues of life and death are examined from the inside – as they happened. This book offers a dynamic, intimate, behind–the–scenes look at the biggest political star (apart from the President himself) of the Bush administration.

Genres: Biography

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jim Jaqcobs · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author is a fawning fan and it shows. With the unlimited access she had to his home and family might she have received a check?

Such tripe!

[Don Murphy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is about as telling and accurate as a Repobublican can get! The author actually has the courage/audacity to claim that Rumsfeld was prophetic. Prophetic? Pathetic! Not only that, but she tries to explain that his ramblings were actualy zen-like staments which forced people to be more accurate/clear with what they were saying.
Extemely one-sided, the author interviewed people who only had positive things to say about Rumsfeld; there is no actual analysis/debate of what he did. At one point, the author explains that dramatic weight-loss was not due to the extreme pressure/scrutiny from the Iraq War, but that he decided to go on a diet. "Fact" supported by his wife's statement! Sure.
Any major faux pas done by Rumsfeld is explained away, ignored, or shifted away from him (eg, the looting of Baghdad is brushed off because no one paid attention to the fact that American soldiers weren't the ones doing the looting. Yea us.)

[Clara Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found that Rumsfeld is a tough minded man who could not be intimidated: whether it be generals in the Pentagon or Senator and Congressmen or other business. If I were to go to battle I want Rumsfeld on my side. When he was assigned to be the NATO ambassador his oldest daughter a senior wanted to stay in the states for her senior year in High School. He said definitely not they were a family and would stay together as a family. A loving father is a part of his life story.

[shawn stapleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice bio about the former sectary of denfense. Democrats would hate it.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

According to Cockburn (q.v.) Decter's book is hagiography. I trust his judgment as she is Podhoritz's wife.

[Brandon Minster · Rating 1 out of 5]

I paid a lot of money for a puff-piece that told me little more than Wikipedia could. This book removed the blinders from my eyes regarding the Conservative Book Club and History Book Club.

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was boring. It was tough to follow and made it hard to relate to Rumsfeld.