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Holding the Line: Inside Trump's Pentagon with Secretary Mattis
An insider's sometimes shocking account of how Defense Secretary James Mattis led the US military through global challenges while serving as a crucial check on the Trump Administration.
For nearly two years as Trump's Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis maintained a complicated relationship with the President. A lifelong Marine widely considered to be one of America's greatest generals, Mattis was committed to keeping America safe. Yet he served a President whose actions were frequently unpredictable and impulsive with far-reaching consequences.
Often described as the administration's "adult in the room," Mattis has said very little about his difficult role, and since his resignation has kept his views of the President and his policies private. Now, Mattis's former chief speechwriter and communications director, Guy Snodgrass, brings readers behind that curtain. Drawing on meticulous notes from his seventeen months working with Mattis, Snodgrass reveals how one of the nation's greatest generals walked a political tightrope while leading the world's most powerful military.
Snodgrass gives us a fly-on-the-wall view as Mattis...
* Reacted when learning about major policy decisions via Twitter rather than from the White House.
* Minimized the damage done to our allies and diplomatic partners.
* Slow-rolled some of Trump's most controversial measures, with no intention of following through.
As the first book written by an insider with firsthand knowledge of key decisions and moments in history, Holding the Line is a must-read for those who care about the presidency and America's national security. It's filled with never-before-told stories that will both alarm and reassure, a testament to the quiet and steady efforts of General Mattis and the dedicated men and women he led at the Department of Defense.
For nearly two years as Trump's Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis maintained a complicated relationship with the President. A lifelong Marine widely considered to be one of America's greatest generals, Mattis was committed to keeping America safe. Yet he served a President whose actions were frequently unpredictable and impulsive with far-reaching consequences.
Often described as the administration's "adult in the room," Mattis has said very little about his difficult role, and since his resignation has kept his views of the President and his policies private. Now, Mattis's former chief speechwriter and communications director, Guy Snodgrass, brings readers behind that curtain. Drawing on meticulous notes from his seventeen months working with Mattis, Snodgrass reveals how one of the nation's greatest generals walked a political tightrope while leading the world's most powerful military.
Snodgrass gives us a fly-on-the-wall view as Mattis...
* Reacted when learning about major policy decisions via Twitter rather than from the White House.
* Minimized the damage done to our allies and diplomatic partners.
* Slow-rolled some of Trump's most controversial measures, with no intention of following through.
As the first book written by an insider with firsthand knowledge of key decisions and moments in history, Holding the Line is a must-read for those who care about the presidency and America's national security. It's filled with never-before-told stories that will both alarm and reassure, a testament to the quiet and steady efforts of General Mattis and the dedicated men and women he led at the Department of Defense.
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First published October 29, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
October 28, 2019
One of the best, fairest, and most interesting accounts of the Department of Defense in a generation. CDR Snodgrass portrays Mattis as deserving of his accolades and reputation, while revealing that Mattis is also mortal. (Yes, Mattis is not perfect, like all of us.)
Accounts of key meetings with Trump, Tillerson, McMaster, and other senior administration leaders validate earlier reports while adding the depth and nuance needed in our era of soundbytes and headlines.
CDR Snodgrass does a great service to the nation by giving America's citizens a peek behind the curtain into arguably one of the most important national security teams in our nation's history as we rebuild the military to counter Russian, Chinese, and Iranian aggression as well as sustain the war on terrorism and work to prevent another 9/11.
The author stays true to the values we uphold in the Navy: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. He has deftly managed to support his previous boss, fairly portray events in the administration, and add touches of his personal story without clouding the greater narrative about Mattis' time as Secretary of Defense.
Well done CDR Snodgrass. I wasn't sure if this book could toe the line right, but it held.
I cannot recommend it more highly for readers interested in defense, leadership, and the events of our times (there are some interesting tidbits on the recent JEDI contract award to Microsoft on pg309, comments on NATO/Syria/ISIS abound as we reflect on the President's pull-out of Syria, etc.).
BZ
Lieutenant, US Navy
Accounts of key meetings with Trump, Tillerson, McMaster, and other senior administration leaders validate earlier reports while adding the depth and nuance needed in our era of soundbytes and headlines.
CDR Snodgrass does a great service to the nation by giving America's citizens a peek behind the curtain into arguably one of the most important national security teams in our nation's history as we rebuild the military to counter Russian, Chinese, and Iranian aggression as well as sustain the war on terrorism and work to prevent another 9/11.
The author stays true to the values we uphold in the Navy: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. He has deftly managed to support his previous boss, fairly portray events in the administration, and add touches of his personal story without clouding the greater narrative about Mattis' time as Secretary of Defense.
Well done CDR Snodgrass. I wasn't sure if this book could toe the line right, but it held.
I cannot recommend it more highly for readers interested in defense, leadership, and the events of our times (there are some interesting tidbits on the recent JEDI contract award to Microsoft on pg309, comments on NATO/Syria/ISIS abound as we reflect on the President's pull-out of Syria, etc.).
BZ
Lieutenant, US Navy
November 19, 2019
This is a lousy book on a lot of levels.
For a guy who was employed as a speechwriter, it is surprisingly inept. Two different times, the author alerts us that something funny is about to occur. It usually takes two pages, and it is never funny. If I were to employ two of his default writing tricks, I would say ‘ Frankly, he is a, heck, horrible writer.’ And his description of most people always mention their height and usually he figures that will suffice.
The story focuses way too much on his fall from grace from a very unlovable Mattis and tries hard to settle scores with people who played the political game much better than he did. The truth is that nobody cares.
The only reason anyone could possibly care about this book is for his insight on Trump and Mattis. Maybe it’s his military background or maybe it’s a lack of courage but he shares just enough to sell a few books without upsetting anyone.
Don’t waste your time.
For a guy who was employed as a speechwriter, it is surprisingly inept. Two different times, the author alerts us that something funny is about to occur. It usually takes two pages, and it is never funny. If I were to employ two of his default writing tricks, I would say ‘ Frankly, he is a, heck, horrible writer.’ And his description of most people always mention their height and usually he figures that will suffice.
The story focuses way too much on his fall from grace from a very unlovable Mattis and tries hard to settle scores with people who played the political game much better than he did. The truth is that nobody cares.
The only reason anyone could possibly care about this book is for his insight on Trump and Mattis. Maybe it’s his military background or maybe it’s a lack of courage but he shares just enough to sell a few books without upsetting anyone.
Don’t waste your time.
November 1, 2019
This was an interesting read, overall. It's always fascinating to peek behind the curtains of any organization, be it civilian or military, and see how the process should work, but often doesn't. The story of General Mattis' tenure was fascinating both for its insights into General Mattis as a person, and into the Trump administration. Mr. Snodgrass worked hard to present a balanced portrayal of that entire tenure. Perhaps that's why it didn't completely grip me - it felt too balanced, lacking in any strong flavor of opinion. I'm sure that's because as a career military man, he was by nature and training cautious and careful about expressing his own views. I did find the book worth my time, however.
November 13, 2022
What a treat! I picked up Holding the Line because of my interest in General Mattis's career. Coming from a Marine family on several levels Mattis appeared to me to be a Marine's Marine and that's how Snodgrass shows him. I thought it was a book on Mattis and it is, but it is more Snodgrass's experience working for him as Secretary of Defense. Snodgrass writes in a clear, factual style yet it is also entertaining. This could have been a very dry read - but it wasn't. It showed the depth of Mattis and by turn Snodgrass's personality. Yes,he is a speech writer, but he is also a solid story teller. I hope this is not his only book but that he continues to write -- perhaps even delving into fiction.
wish-list
October 29, 2019In his new book, Guy Snodgrass, former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis’s chief speechwriter, provides on-the-record, eyewitness candor about the 2 years Mattis spent in President Trump’s White House NYT
February 9, 2020
I saw this book as an opportunity to learn more about Jim Mattis and how he fared in the Trump Administration. I have become somewhat fascinated with Mattis, his philosophy, and how that philosophy manifested itself during his tenure as Secretary of Defense for Donald Trump. I bought the book on that basis, and it added some insight on Mattis and the so called “adults in the room” that existed for a short period in the Trump Administration. How did Mattis get on with Rex Tillerson, with National Security advisor H.R. McMaster, and others, and especially with Trump? Again the book offers some insight, but mixes that insight with the personal and professional tenure of the author, who worked as a speechwriter for Mattis. We are forced to endure the office politics, which invariably reflect badly on everyone. The author mixes in some office score settling with the book, which drove down my enjoyment of the work, and my rating.
The marriage of Trump and Mattis was unlikely to succeed not because of personality, but because they have fundamentally opposite world views. The differences were evident even before Mattis was offered the job. Mattis himself believed that his “interview” with Trump had not gone well, and that he would not be offered the job. From the book:
“Despite Trump’s words, the interview hadn’t instilled much confidence in Mattis about his chances. His conversation with Trump was friendly enough, but he had “disagreed with the president-elect on every one of the main points that he raised.” Their most memorable exchange occurred when Trump told Mattis that he supported the use of waterboarding on prisoners of war. Mattis disagreed, saying, “I’ve never found it to be useful. Give me a pack of cigarettes and a couple of beers and I do better with that than I do with torture.” Having disagreed so much with the president-elect, Mattis told us that he thought, Well, thanks for the invite, as he pretended to dust his hands off. I certainly won’t be hearing back from those guys. Nonetheless, Trump’s appreciation for Mattis appeared to increase in the weeks following his interview. Having decided to select Mattis as his nominee for secretary of defense, he teased the announcement at a December 1 victory rally in Cincinnati, the first stop on his “Thank You” tour around the country after the election. “We are going to appoint ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis as our secretary of defense,” Trump announced to raucous cheers, “He’s the closest thing to General George Patton we have.”
Snodgrass, Guy . Holding the Line (p. 28). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
The differences between them went well beyond using torture. Trump’s attacks on NATO, his attacking of Asian ally South Korea, both on trade and on contributions to U.S. defense efforts on the Korean peninsula, his cozy relationship with Vlad Putin, all brought tension to the relationship. Mattis tried, quietly, to stay under the radar politically, while exercising influence on Trump policy wise. Snodgrass gives us a highlight of an early meeting at the Pentagon, attended by the President and all of the major players, including Tillerson, Pence, Kushner, Bannon, Cohn, and others, with General Mattis as the host. Mattis prepared methodically, creating a slide deck that attempted to show the benefits of U.S. “forward deployment.”
“Good morning, Mr. President,” he began. “Today I’d like to show you our global laydown of forces, a forward presence created by the greatest generation from the ashes of World War II. These men returned home and said, ‘What a crummy world, but we’re a part of it,’ before rolling up their sleeves and getting to work. From World War II, we learned the hard way that we had to be forward deployed . . . that we can’t defend effectively from America’s one-yard line. Our presence abroad also supports millions of American jobs at home by ensuring the free and unfettered flow of global trade, and that our economy is the real engine of our national defense.” President Trump crossed his arms and scowled.”
Snodgrass, Guy . Holding the Line (p. 73). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
The meeting went downhill from there, with Trump simply rejecting or contradicting, mid-stream, the presentation and the points Mattis was trying to make.
From the book:
"Mattis continued with his briefing, walking through in exacting detail the force ratios in each major geographic location. He sought to convince President Trump that our allies and partners put forward far more troops in support of stability abroad than America does. In short, America gets a good deal from an overseas military presence…
Mattis’s third slide triggered a stronger response from Trump. A visual depiction of our Pacific posture, this slide zoomed in on the US forces located in Japan and South Korea—forces that had kept the peace in both countries for more than six decades. It detailed the numbers of troops in each country, the cost to American taxpayers, and the costs borne by our allies to support forces in their country. Mattis made the point that America had been willing to accept unfair terms following World War II in order to get both countries back on their feet, but that now would be an opportune time to update our trade agreements should Trump desire to do so….
Over time Mattis began to shut down, sitting back in his chair with a distant, defeated look on his face. He had cared so much about this meeting, had poured his heart and soul into it, and had believed firmly in his ability to bring Trump around to his way of thinking. None of his attempts were working. From our vantage point, Mattis was playing a game of chess against a president fixated on “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”
Snodgrass, Guy . Holding the Line (pp. 74-75, p. 79). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Mattis and Trump, intrinsically, are just not on the same page policy or disposition wise. Mattis is extremely disciplined and careful, sometimes to a fault. He is a voracious reader. Trump is ill-disciplined, does not read, and prefers to operate from instinct. In my view it was not a marriage designed to last.
There were some interesting Mattis quotes, which I am believe add some value to any discussion, as well as some quotes that give an indication of his more hard edged military demeanor. Let’s look at two of the military ones:
“Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet”
“Always carry a knife with you. Just in case there’s cheesecake, or you need to stab someone in the throat.”
Snodgrass, Guy . Holding the Line (p. 18-19). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
The non-military quote that I believe to be worthwhile from General Mattis:
“Bus, never forget that we all have an expiration date. Every day that passes brings you one day closer to the end of your tenure.” He paused for a few seconds, reflecting. “Especially in a political job. You never know when the end will come, so make the most of the time you have.”
Snodgrass, Guy . Holding the Line (p. 139). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
The second is not a quote, but an observation from the author on what kind of leader General Mattis is:
“Mattis believes there are only two types of organizations: one where the leader directs and assigns tasks, or a second variation, where the staff informs the leader of where to go and what to do. A longtime military commander, Mattis was clearly in the first camp. Using his staff, he would direct the Pentagon. The Pentagon would never direct him.
Snodgrass, Guy . Holding the Line (p. 47). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
That observation is so important. Nothing against staff but if you place a person with insufficient ability into a major position of responsibility and they simply “follow staff direction” then you are heading for trouble, or a tenure that accomplishes little. Mattis is, in my opinion, 100% correct on that point. .
I took some good value from the book, but would repeat the criticism that the book had two separate areas of focus, and for me that was a negative. Author Guy Snodgrass is retired military, and he definitely took this opportunity to even the score with a few administrative rivals. He also did not hero worship Mattis, pointing out what he considered to be deficiencies, but at times it appeared that he might have been settling a score or two with the General himself. I will be looking for more on Mattis, a fascinating figure, but this was a good start.
The marriage of Trump and Mattis was unlikely to succeed not because of personality, but because they have fundamentally opposite world views. The differences were evident even before Mattis was offered the job. Mattis himself believed that his “interview” with Trump had not gone well, and that he would not be offered the job. From the book:
“Despite Trump’s words, the interview hadn’t instilled much confidence in Mattis about his chances. His conversation with Trump was friendly enough, but he had “disagreed with the president-elect on every one of the main points that he raised.” Their most memorable exchange occurred when Trump told Mattis that he supported the use of waterboarding on prisoners of war. Mattis disagreed, saying, “I’ve never found it to be useful. Give me a pack of cigarettes and a couple of beers and I do better with that than I do with torture.” Having disagreed so much with the president-elect, Mattis told us that he thought, Well, thanks for the invite, as he pretended to dust his hands off. I certainly won’t be hearing back from those guys. Nonetheless, Trump’s appreciation for Mattis appeared to increase in the weeks following his interview. Having decided to select Mattis as his nominee for secretary of defense, he teased the announcement at a December 1 victory rally in Cincinnati, the first stop on his “Thank You” tour around the country after the election. “We are going to appoint ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis as our secretary of defense,” Trump announced to raucous cheers, “He’s the closest thing to General George Patton we have.”
Snodgrass, Guy . Holding the Line (p. 28). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
The differences between them went well beyond using torture. Trump’s attacks on NATO, his attacking of Asian ally South Korea, both on trade and on contributions to U.S. defense efforts on the Korean peninsula, his cozy relationship with Vlad Putin, all brought tension to the relationship. Mattis tried, quietly, to stay under the radar politically, while exercising influence on Trump policy wise. Snodgrass gives us a highlight of an early meeting at the Pentagon, attended by the President and all of the major players, including Tillerson, Pence, Kushner, Bannon, Cohn, and others, with General Mattis as the host. Mattis prepared methodically, creating a slide deck that attempted to show the benefits of U.S. “forward deployment.”
“Good morning, Mr. President,” he began. “Today I’d like to show you our global laydown of forces, a forward presence created by the greatest generation from the ashes of World War II. These men returned home and said, ‘What a crummy world, but we’re a part of it,’ before rolling up their sleeves and getting to work. From World War II, we learned the hard way that we had to be forward deployed . . . that we can’t defend effectively from America’s one-yard line. Our presence abroad also supports millions of American jobs at home by ensuring the free and unfettered flow of global trade, and that our economy is the real engine of our national defense.” President Trump crossed his arms and scowled.”
Snodgrass, Guy . Holding the Line (p. 73). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
The meeting went downhill from there, with Trump simply rejecting or contradicting, mid-stream, the presentation and the points Mattis was trying to make.
From the book:
"Mattis continued with his briefing, walking through in exacting detail the force ratios in each major geographic location. He sought to convince President Trump that our allies and partners put forward far more troops in support of stability abroad than America does. In short, America gets a good deal from an overseas military presence…
Mattis’s third slide triggered a stronger response from Trump. A visual depiction of our Pacific posture, this slide zoomed in on the US forces located in Japan and South Korea—forces that had kept the peace in both countries for more than six decades. It detailed the numbers of troops in each country, the cost to American taxpayers, and the costs borne by our allies to support forces in their country. Mattis made the point that America had been willing to accept unfair terms following World War II in order to get both countries back on their feet, but that now would be an opportune time to update our trade agreements should Trump desire to do so….
Over time Mattis began to shut down, sitting back in his chair with a distant, defeated look on his face. He had cared so much about this meeting, had poured his heart and soul into it, and had believed firmly in his ability to bring Trump around to his way of thinking. None of his attempts were working. From our vantage point, Mattis was playing a game of chess against a president fixated on “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”
Snodgrass, Guy . Holding the Line (pp. 74-75, p. 79). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Mattis and Trump, intrinsically, are just not on the same page policy or disposition wise. Mattis is extremely disciplined and careful, sometimes to a fault. He is a voracious reader. Trump is ill-disciplined, does not read, and prefers to operate from instinct. In my view it was not a marriage designed to last.
There were some interesting Mattis quotes, which I am believe add some value to any discussion, as well as some quotes that give an indication of his more hard edged military demeanor. Let’s look at two of the military ones:
“Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet”
“Always carry a knife with you. Just in case there’s cheesecake, or you need to stab someone in the throat.”
Snodgrass, Guy . Holding the Line (p. 18-19). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
The non-military quote that I believe to be worthwhile from General Mattis:
“Bus, never forget that we all have an expiration date. Every day that passes brings you one day closer to the end of your tenure.” He paused for a few seconds, reflecting. “Especially in a political job. You never know when the end will come, so make the most of the time you have.”
Snodgrass, Guy . Holding the Line (p. 139). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
The second is not a quote, but an observation from the author on what kind of leader General Mattis is:
“Mattis believes there are only two types of organizations: one where the leader directs and assigns tasks, or a second variation, where the staff informs the leader of where to go and what to do. A longtime military commander, Mattis was clearly in the first camp. Using his staff, he would direct the Pentagon. The Pentagon would never direct him.
Snodgrass, Guy . Holding the Line (p. 47). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
That observation is so important. Nothing against staff but if you place a person with insufficient ability into a major position of responsibility and they simply “follow staff direction” then you are heading for trouble, or a tenure that accomplishes little. Mattis is, in my opinion, 100% correct on that point. .
I took some good value from the book, but would repeat the criticism that the book had two separate areas of focus, and for me that was a negative. Author Guy Snodgrass is retired military, and he definitely took this opportunity to even the score with a few administrative rivals. He also did not hero worship Mattis, pointing out what he considered to be deficiencies, but at times it appeared that he might have been settling a score or two with the General himself. I will be looking for more on Mattis, a fascinating figure, but this was a good start.
September 10, 2020
This book provides a fascinating inside look at OSD during SEC (R) Mattis’s tenure. While sometimes I found it challenging to determine if I was reading an objective analysis or a personal opinion, the perspective remained informative of the inner works of both OSD and, most likely, many cabinet staffs.
The balanced review of Mattis was enlightening as my experience has been to only read positive reflections.
It is clear, through the book and experientially, that OSD and the nations remains in a state of ever changing strategy that attempts to keep pace with a White House driving the often uncommunicated changes.
I hope that Mattis writes a book soon that encapsulates his experience as SECDEF to compliment this book and provide a more complete perspective.
The balanced review of Mattis was enlightening as my experience has been to only read positive reflections.
It is clear, through the book and experientially, that OSD and the nations remains in a state of ever changing strategy that attempts to keep pace with a White House driving the often uncommunicated changes.
I hope that Mattis writes a book soon that encapsulates his experience as SECDEF to compliment this book and provide a more complete perspective.
November 11, 2019
If the author wants to continue working in DC / politics / around the military, publishing this book wasn’t wise. He comes across as blameless, always pointing the finger at others for any mistakes. Also, he rarely praises his co-workers - continually putting down those he worked with and for. Snodgrass’ departure from the military wasn’t his choice and the book seems to be his cathartic, personal journey.
March 3, 2020
Absent a definitive account written by General Mattis of his time as SECDEF, this book does offer some good insight into what went on behind the scenes. However, you do have to sift between the political finger pointing and other emotionally charged statements that the author continuously falls back on for narrative. Quick read and interesting enough to keep my attention but not something I would rush out and label as have to read... I’d just wait until the General does publish his memoirs.
March 30, 2020
A great look at the chaos that reigned during the early days of the Trump administration while General Mattis attempted you keep a steady ship in the pentagon while calming our allies. This should be read as a companion to General Mattis book “Call Sign Chaos”.
October 5, 2024
This was an insightful look into Trump's Whitehouse through the eyes of Mattis's speech writer. While he aims to be apolitical, Snodgrass struggles to hide his disapproval of Trump's rhetoric and behavior during his 4 years as C in C. No matter your affiliations, we have a scary 4 years ahead of us.
January 22, 2020
Nothing earth shattering (especially for those also inside the org he describes). Though I’m sure Mattis did not appreciate sharing details of collective discomfort etc. What most stood out was his grievances against Faller and Sweeney (which ring VERY true for anyone who also worked with them) but has effect of making whole thing read like work of a disgruntled employee.
July 12, 2020
Sigh. This was okay, I guess. I have to say though, I'm getting really tired of hearing story after story of people who were shocked--shocked, I tell you--that the man who promised to act like a leopard during his campaign is, in fact, acting like a leopard, and is, in fact, eating your face. This man told you who he was, and you found that acceptable, and you chose to serve him. The people who are writing these memoirs are not upset that he's acting the way he is; they're upset that now they have nothing to hide behind, and that history will remember them for their service to a despot. Way to own the libs man, 4d chess, etc, etc.
Also, for someone who served in the Navy for 20 years, the author is incredibly naïve about military bureaucracy and office politics. He again acts like he is shocked, shocked I say, when the slightest rude thing happens at his office, and shakes his narrative head at other people's "poor leadership" while not scrutinizing his own dynamics. I gotta say, if you've been in the Navy for 20 years and this is the most toxic work environment you've ever been in, you haven't been listening to, or have been actively ignoring, your female sailors. And by the shameful way he dismisses the Tailhook scandal early on in the book, I can't say I'm surprised by his complete ignorance and lack of reflection. Considering the way he gleefully recounts how Mattis called female colleagues "little girls," it seems like every female in the Navy is better off not having this guy in command.
This book is a good humanizing effort for a man who has been effectively canonized by the American military, and offers some good insight into his personality. But for the life of me, I could not bring myself to relate to or care about anything the author did. The majority of the country did not want to get on board with this leopard, but the Great Men of American bureaucracy, like this author, decided to drag us there anyway, and then they wasted paper on books like these about how the leopard hurt their feelings and then ate their face.
Also, for someone who served in the Navy for 20 years, the author is incredibly naïve about military bureaucracy and office politics. He again acts like he is shocked, shocked I say, when the slightest rude thing happens at his office, and shakes his narrative head at other people's "poor leadership" while not scrutinizing his own dynamics. I gotta say, if you've been in the Navy for 20 years and this is the most toxic work environment you've ever been in, you haven't been listening to, or have been actively ignoring, your female sailors. And by the shameful way he dismisses the Tailhook scandal early on in the book, I can't say I'm surprised by his complete ignorance and lack of reflection. Considering the way he gleefully recounts how Mattis called female colleagues "little girls," it seems like every female in the Navy is better off not having this guy in command.
This book is a good humanizing effort for a man who has been effectively canonized by the American military, and offers some good insight into his personality. But for the life of me, I could not bring myself to relate to or care about anything the author did. The majority of the country did not want to get on board with this leopard, but the Great Men of American bureaucracy, like this author, decided to drag us there anyway, and then they wasted paper on books like these about how the leopard hurt their feelings and then ate their face.
January 15, 2020
Book starts off strong but then turns into a how I got screwed over book. Good read but really struggled to stay engaged at the end.
November 26, 2019
A decent but overly-forgiving account of Jim Mattis's time in the Trump administration from a reputable first-hand source. Worth reading for the unique insider perspective not offered elsewhere, but be prepared to occasionally roll your eyes at the level of deference Mattis receives despite his own off-putting behavior.
November 17, 2019
Commander Guy M. Snodgrass (USN, Retired) provides a mixed bag with his memoir, "Holding the Line: Inside Trump's Pentagon with Secretary Mattis", capturing his time as a speechwriter during the tenure of Secretary of Defense Mattis. Fred Kaplan categorizes the work as, "a weirdly schizophrenic book--half swooning hagiography, half bitter critique." I would say this holds true but the manner to which he approaches the work is respectful throughout. Anyone serving in the DoD can glean valuable insight and catch a rare glimpse behind the curtain as to what it means to serve on a senior staff at the heart of the U.S. Government.
The biggest question I had throughout the book was, "Would this book be written should Captain or Admiral Snodgrass still be in uniform?" A common theme throughout the book was his desire to tone back his hallmark career as a fighter pilot, TOPGUN instructor, and speechwriter for greater family time and a less chaotic work schedule. His desire to command a wing was overlooked as he found himself as one of a handful of select officers destined to command the future nuclear fleet. One can't ignore his career seemed riddled with high profile jobs of someone who has put a tremendous amount of effort into the naval service. What I struggled with was his initial commitment to join OSD as I couldn't help but imagine this billet would be extremely useful for the development and exposure of someone looking to serve longer than the 20 year mark, or at least had the aspirations to try. I also struggled to understand the warning he received early in the book that working for Secretary Mattis would be at a breakneck pace, and still went along willingly.
I wrestled with this dichotomy throughout the book, his desire to tone back his career, but his acceptance to progress with a high impact billet such as speechwriter for the Secretary of Defense. The retention of high caliber personnel in the military becomes more pronounced when he makes mention of the CNO, Adm. Richardson, who was quoted as saying, "Future leaders are merely the best of what's left as people make the decision to seek greener pastures in the private sector." Seemed like a self-fulfilling prophecy as he transitioned to a GS-15 position with two highly lucrative job offers when he decided to leave OSD's front office when things go awry and the job offers dissolve.
My initial thought was Commander Snodgrass did in fact desire to stay in uniform, but as the pages turned I spent more time thinking his plan was to position himself to transition from a high visibility billet within the Pentagon. I can't fault anyone for planning for the future, but it seemed on one hand he wanted a quieter, slower pace, but when posed with the question to join the SECDEF's staff, he was all in.
Commander Snodgrass does provide gems of wisdom with his work, and for those interested in the behind the scenes meetings with members of the President's staff, there's plenty to digest. One cannot overlook his career, talent, and hard work put towards the success of the Secretary, both in the office and on the road, countlessly traveling the globe working through time zones and jet lag.
The most valuable lesson was one given by Secretary Mattis,
"Bus, never forget that we all have an expiration date. Every day that passes brings you one day closer to the end of your tenure. Especially in a political job. You never know when the end will come, so make the most of the time you have."
My favorite quote, which I think any person, in or out of uniform can relate to was:
"Always treat people well on your way up the ladder, as they'll be the same people you see when you inevitably come back down."
This book was a very quick read, easy to digest, and enjoyable. I understand the embodiment of both the good and the bad as any good chronicler successfully captures. A mentor once told me, "If you don't tell your story, someone else will." Commander Snodgrass tells his story, and that's probably something anyone reading this work should keep at the forefront, this is his story.
I give "Holding the Line" 4/5. Think it's an honest reflection about his time as a speechwriter and he does his best to accurately portray the people, events, and encounters that occurred around him creating one of the most developmental experiences of his career. If anyone has read the NDS, one can't argue--the guy has talent, and a book--that's more than I can say I've done.
The biggest question I had throughout the book was, "Would this book be written should Captain or Admiral Snodgrass still be in uniform?" A common theme throughout the book was his desire to tone back his hallmark career as a fighter pilot, TOPGUN instructor, and speechwriter for greater family time and a less chaotic work schedule. His desire to command a wing was overlooked as he found himself as one of a handful of select officers destined to command the future nuclear fleet. One can't ignore his career seemed riddled with high profile jobs of someone who has put a tremendous amount of effort into the naval service. What I struggled with was his initial commitment to join OSD as I couldn't help but imagine this billet would be extremely useful for the development and exposure of someone looking to serve longer than the 20 year mark, or at least had the aspirations to try. I also struggled to understand the warning he received early in the book that working for Secretary Mattis would be at a breakneck pace, and still went along willingly.
I wrestled with this dichotomy throughout the book, his desire to tone back his career, but his acceptance to progress with a high impact billet such as speechwriter for the Secretary of Defense. The retention of high caliber personnel in the military becomes more pronounced when he makes mention of the CNO, Adm. Richardson, who was quoted as saying, "Future leaders are merely the best of what's left as people make the decision to seek greener pastures in the private sector." Seemed like a self-fulfilling prophecy as he transitioned to a GS-15 position with two highly lucrative job offers when he decided to leave OSD's front office when things go awry and the job offers dissolve.
My initial thought was Commander Snodgrass did in fact desire to stay in uniform, but as the pages turned I spent more time thinking his plan was to position himself to transition from a high visibility billet within the Pentagon. I can't fault anyone for planning for the future, but it seemed on one hand he wanted a quieter, slower pace, but when posed with the question to join the SECDEF's staff, he was all in.
Commander Snodgrass does provide gems of wisdom with his work, and for those interested in the behind the scenes meetings with members of the President's staff, there's plenty to digest. One cannot overlook his career, talent, and hard work put towards the success of the Secretary, both in the office and on the road, countlessly traveling the globe working through time zones and jet lag.
The most valuable lesson was one given by Secretary Mattis,
"Bus, never forget that we all have an expiration date. Every day that passes brings you one day closer to the end of your tenure. Especially in a political job. You never know when the end will come, so make the most of the time you have."
My favorite quote, which I think any person, in or out of uniform can relate to was:
"Always treat people well on your way up the ladder, as they'll be the same people you see when you inevitably come back down."
This book was a very quick read, easy to digest, and enjoyable. I understand the embodiment of both the good and the bad as any good chronicler successfully captures. A mentor once told me, "If you don't tell your story, someone else will." Commander Snodgrass tells his story, and that's probably something anyone reading this work should keep at the forefront, this is his story.
I give "Holding the Line" 4/5. Think it's an honest reflection about his time as a speechwriter and he does his best to accurately portray the people, events, and encounters that occurred around him creating one of the most developmental experiences of his career. If anyone has read the NDS, one can't argue--the guy has talent, and a book--that's more than I can say I've done.
February 1, 2023
HOLDING THE LINE by Guy M. Snodgrass is the story of the Department of Defense under General James Mattis during the early years of the Donald Trump administration.
Guy M. (Bus) Snodgrass served as the Chief Speechwriter and Communications Director for Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis during the first two years of the Trump Administration. Snodgrass had been in tough situations before. This was probably the worst.
Mattis was totally devoted to the US Military. His job was to protect the United States, uphold the Constitution, and build and support the best military he could. He believed the military was underfunded and needed to be improved. Military members were supposed to be nonpartisan and he worked to maintain that in an administration that demanded loyalty only to itself. He put in extremely long hours at the Pentagon and expected his staff to do the same. He recognized that he was obliged to support the President, not an easy job with Donald Trump.
Snodgrass’s job was to support Mattis by providing the information he needed to get his message across by writing speeches that would sound like what Mattis would say. He worked with a team that attempted to maintain good relationships with other departments and countries.
At the beginning of his service, Mattis had others with whom he could work, especially Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and National Security Advisor H. R. McMaster. They were referred to as “The Adults in the Room. By the time Snodgrass left, they were gone, replaced by Trump puppets.
It didn’t take too long for Snodgrass to realize that Trump had his own agenda and he didn’t care who or what was damaged by his actions. Allies were shocked when Trump withdrew the US from established and relationships treaties. He complained they were not paying their fair share of the costs and didn’t realize that a strong Europe protected the US and was a good investment for the US. When he and his team wrote speeches relating to Trump for Mattis to deliver, they built a scenario that made Trump look good.
One big problem was that Trump didn’t listen to what he was told in his briefings. He had his own agenda. There were times when he would go off-script and contradict the points that he was supposed to be presenting, often to the shock of both the US representatives and those of other countries. But Mattis often slowed or ignored some of his actions.
For people who really cared about the US military, it was a very difficult road to travel and Snodgrass paid the price.
Guy M. (Bus) Snodgrass served as the Chief Speechwriter and Communications Director for Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis during the first two years of the Trump Administration. Snodgrass had been in tough situations before. This was probably the worst.
Mattis was totally devoted to the US Military. His job was to protect the United States, uphold the Constitution, and build and support the best military he could. He believed the military was underfunded and needed to be improved. Military members were supposed to be nonpartisan and he worked to maintain that in an administration that demanded loyalty only to itself. He put in extremely long hours at the Pentagon and expected his staff to do the same. He recognized that he was obliged to support the President, not an easy job with Donald Trump.
Snodgrass’s job was to support Mattis by providing the information he needed to get his message across by writing speeches that would sound like what Mattis would say. He worked with a team that attempted to maintain good relationships with other departments and countries.
At the beginning of his service, Mattis had others with whom he could work, especially Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and National Security Advisor H. R. McMaster. They were referred to as “The Adults in the Room. By the time Snodgrass left, they were gone, replaced by Trump puppets.
It didn’t take too long for Snodgrass to realize that Trump had his own agenda and he didn’t care who or what was damaged by his actions. Allies were shocked when Trump withdrew the US from established and relationships treaties. He complained they were not paying their fair share of the costs and didn’t realize that a strong Europe protected the US and was a good investment for the US. When he and his team wrote speeches relating to Trump for Mattis to deliver, they built a scenario that made Trump look good.
One big problem was that Trump didn’t listen to what he was told in his briefings. He had his own agenda. There were times when he would go off-script and contradict the points that he was supposed to be presenting, often to the shock of both the US representatives and those of other countries. But Mattis often slowed or ignored some of his actions.
For people who really cared about the US military, it was a very difficult road to travel and Snodgrass paid the price.
November 12, 2019
As a military officer, CDR Guy ‘Bus’ Snodgrass, USN (Ret) swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies (foreign and domestic) and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same. He promised to obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over him according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Military Officers are often cautioned against talking out of school as if we have no right to discuss unclassified conversations that happen behind closed doors. Any such action is likely to be interpreted as disloyalty or betrayal to the President, the officers appointed over us, our service, or even our nation.
It takes a lot of courage, especially in today’s politically charged climate, to voluntarily serve as the one to pull back the curtain and expose to the public the mysterious world of the United States Secretary of Defense - as well as his perceived relationship with Commander in Chief.
I believe CDR Snodgrass wrote this timely account of his experiences for the right reasons. He does not appear to be motivated by politics, greed, or self-interest. In writing this book, he held true to the oath of office he swore to as an active-duty Naval Officer. He recognized there was a story that needed to be shared. Snodgrass is an intelligent and talented writer. It is no wonder that the best and brightest in our Department of Defense have actively sought him out to serve as a speechwriter on their special staffs. Thank you Bus, for writing this book and for sharing your story.
I would really like to know what Former Secretary Mattis thinks about this account. Perhaps someday he will read it and provide his own criticism.
[Note: I pre-ordered a hardcover copy months ago but couldn’t wait to sit down and read the book. Instead, I downloaded the audiobook version from my local library. I was happily surprised to hear the author himself providing narration. It was great to have Bus accompanying me on my commutes all week. Both versions are highly recommended by me. ]
Military Officers are often cautioned against talking out of school as if we have no right to discuss unclassified conversations that happen behind closed doors. Any such action is likely to be interpreted as disloyalty or betrayal to the President, the officers appointed over us, our service, or even our nation.
It takes a lot of courage, especially in today’s politically charged climate, to voluntarily serve as the one to pull back the curtain and expose to the public the mysterious world of the United States Secretary of Defense - as well as his perceived relationship with Commander in Chief.
I believe CDR Snodgrass wrote this timely account of his experiences for the right reasons. He does not appear to be motivated by politics, greed, or self-interest. In writing this book, he held true to the oath of office he swore to as an active-duty Naval Officer. He recognized there was a story that needed to be shared. Snodgrass is an intelligent and talented writer. It is no wonder that the best and brightest in our Department of Defense have actively sought him out to serve as a speechwriter on their special staffs. Thank you Bus, for writing this book and for sharing your story.
I would really like to know what Former Secretary Mattis thinks about this account. Perhaps someday he will read it and provide his own criticism.
[Note: I pre-ordered a hardcover copy months ago but couldn’t wait to sit down and read the book. Instead, I downloaded the audiobook version from my local library. I was happily surprised to hear the author himself providing narration. It was great to have Bus accompanying me on my commutes all week. Both versions are highly recommended by me. ]
December 30, 2019
With the Trump Administration, there has been a plethora of books about inside the White House. Even one has recently come out from an anonymous source. However, what drew me to Holding The Line was this was more about General Mattis whom I’ve taken a liking to. His work ethic, results as a General, and all the idiosyncrasies have made his life an important study. I hoped to learn more about Mattis and this failing administration in the process.
The book dives deep into Mattis as Secretary of State and the work that was taking place. The author, the speechwriter for Mattis, gives great insights into the chaotic times at the Pentagon. Most time was spent doing damage control with our allies as Trump’s tweets hit the web daily. Two meetings that the author highlights show how incompetent Trump is as a President and shows his low IQ in the process. Having to have a PowerPoint presentation with all pictures shows how sad our state of affairs actually is. It’s surprising to me that Mattis lasted as long as he did under these conditions. You wonder what he could have accomplished under a real President.
Mattis was a tough boss, pushing his team hard which I fully expected. What I was surprised at was his poor leadership skills in working with his subordinates. I’m hoping this was due to the stress. However, he left the author resign when he could have certainly stepped in. In fact, the worst part of the book was the ending where it seemed rushed with few details. I really was hoping for a dialogue between the author and Mattis when the resignation was submitted. It left me hanging. If Mattis truly didn’t intervene, it shows a great weakness. In fact, the book just shows that Mattis is truly human and has faults like all of us.
Finally, reading this book worries me more about the future of the United States. Trump is clearly clueless, and our allies have been treated poorly. It will take decades to fix what he has broken. If he wins another term, which I think he will, this country will be on a path of falling behind rising powers like China and Russia. One can only hope that he doesn’t win another election.
The book dives deep into Mattis as Secretary of State and the work that was taking place. The author, the speechwriter for Mattis, gives great insights into the chaotic times at the Pentagon. Most time was spent doing damage control with our allies as Trump’s tweets hit the web daily. Two meetings that the author highlights show how incompetent Trump is as a President and shows his low IQ in the process. Having to have a PowerPoint presentation with all pictures shows how sad our state of affairs actually is. It’s surprising to me that Mattis lasted as long as he did under these conditions. You wonder what he could have accomplished under a real President.
Mattis was a tough boss, pushing his team hard which I fully expected. What I was surprised at was his poor leadership skills in working with his subordinates. I’m hoping this was due to the stress. However, he left the author resign when he could have certainly stepped in. In fact, the worst part of the book was the ending where it seemed rushed with few details. I really was hoping for a dialogue between the author and Mattis when the resignation was submitted. It left me hanging. If Mattis truly didn’t intervene, it shows a great weakness. In fact, the book just shows that Mattis is truly human and has faults like all of us.
Finally, reading this book worries me more about the future of the United States. Trump is clearly clueless, and our allies have been treated poorly. It will take decades to fix what he has broken. If he wins another term, which I think he will, this country will be on a path of falling behind rising powers like China and Russia. One can only hope that he doesn’t win another election.
June 19, 2020
This is an interesting behind the covers view of the Department of Defense, and of former Secretary Mattis' leadership.
Part of what sells the book is its biographical nature with regard to Secretary Mattis. Commander Snodgrass clearly views Mattis as heroic. And he is a major player in the book, both in fact and also because the Mattis connection amplifies sales.
One of the messages that came through to me --and I'm certain it was not intended -- is that Mattis was not a strong leader. Clearly Mattis didn't demonstrate loyalty to his team, he didn't attempt to understand what was going on more than a level down in his organization, and he did nothing to encourage diversity of ideas or personnel.
On the other hand, Secretary Mattis was, for the entirety of his assignment, an adult in the room. For this, he got huge range of motion from the press. And, when finally he couldn't ethically reconcile his continued service to the Trump regime, he left with his honor more-or-less intact.
Warning -- spoiler follows:
Commander Snodgrass, to my relief, left in disgust for the way he was treated by Mattis' dysfunctional direct reports. Had the Secretary invested but a few minutes in his subordinate's issues, the Department could have held on to a competent employee a bit longer. But don't let this imply that the book is a complaint -- far from it. Commander Snodgrass doesn't sound like the sort of person who'd complain; he just reports the facts as he sees them.
Part of what sells the book is its biographical nature with regard to Secretary Mattis. Commander Snodgrass clearly views Mattis as heroic. And he is a major player in the book, both in fact and also because the Mattis connection amplifies sales.
One of the messages that came through to me --and I'm certain it was not intended -- is that Mattis was not a strong leader. Clearly Mattis didn't demonstrate loyalty to his team, he didn't attempt to understand what was going on more than a level down in his organization, and he did nothing to encourage diversity of ideas or personnel.
On the other hand, Secretary Mattis was, for the entirety of his assignment, an adult in the room. For this, he got huge range of motion from the press. And, when finally he couldn't ethically reconcile his continued service to the Trump regime, he left with his honor more-or-less intact.
Warning -- spoiler follows:
Commander Snodgrass, to my relief, left in disgust for the way he was treated by Mattis' dysfunctional direct reports. Had the Secretary invested but a few minutes in his subordinate's issues, the Department could have held on to a competent employee a bit longer. But don't let this imply that the book is a complaint -- far from it. Commander Snodgrass doesn't sound like the sort of person who'd complain; he just reports the facts as he sees them.
December 28, 2019
First, this is a must-read book, but not so much for the perspectives on the various contemporary characters, but to give light to how challenging it can be for career military officers (with their associated ethical lens) can struggle to align themselves with politically-elected/appointed leaders who are charged to lead the military.
While the author exhibits a strong military ethic, and therefore values those same values in Mattis, Snodgrass (the author) only hints at the role of how misalignment with senior-level logic results in a loss of personal influence.
That loss of influence clearly happened with Snodgrass relative to Mattis (and his two staff leads), and with Mattis relative to Trump and members of the National Security Council.
All three main characters demonstrated consistency with their logic and resultant actions, but the reader must discern these themes as the author does not specifically point these out.
The main themes are less interesting, with Trump being portrayed as impulsive and irrational, Mattis portrayed as noble but rigid, and the author portrayed as the hero and then the victim.
I loved this book. I highly recommend it for any military member or student of Pentagon politics. There is a wealth of wisdom here, but the reader should read with a wide lens to get the most from it.
While the author exhibits a strong military ethic, and therefore values those same values in Mattis, Snodgrass (the author) only hints at the role of how misalignment with senior-level logic results in a loss of personal influence.
That loss of influence clearly happened with Snodgrass relative to Mattis (and his two staff leads), and with Mattis relative to Trump and members of the National Security Council.
All three main characters demonstrated consistency with their logic and resultant actions, but the reader must discern these themes as the author does not specifically point these out.
The main themes are less interesting, with Trump being portrayed as impulsive and irrational, Mattis portrayed as noble but rigid, and the author portrayed as the hero and then the victim.
I loved this book. I highly recommend it for any military member or student of Pentagon politics. There is a wealth of wisdom here, but the reader should read with a wide lens to get the most from it.
November 19, 2019
This is a very well written and readable account by an insider in the Trump administration. Navy Commander Guy Snodgrass was selected as a speech writer for SecDef Mattis, so he had a lot of first-hand experience in the day-to-day operation of Mattis's department. However, if you're expecting a lot of juicy revelations, you won't find them here. Perhaps the most surprising fact -- to me anyway -- was that National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, an army officer who had gained notoriety for being something of a warrior scholar and someone who advocated speaking truth to power, "grated on Mattis as few people could, routinely calling over to the Pentagon in a panic because of turmoil in the West Wing." Snodgrass adds, "The woes I heard described during numerous phone calls from McMaster, while significant, didn't warrant the agitation his voice conveyed." It sounds like McMaster didn't live up to his vaunted reputation.
If there is a weakness to Snodgrass's book, it's that he spends a bit too much time lamenting the negative impact his time as a speechwriter for Mattis had upon his own career.
If there is a weakness to Snodgrass's book, it's that he spends a bit too much time lamenting the negative impact his time as a speechwriter for Mattis had upon his own career.
July 12, 2020
I admit to being a Mattis fan, which drew me to this book. I have read Call Sign Chaos and loved it, I have a statue of Mattis on my desk at school/work, and I’m planning on continuing with No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy. The fact that this took me a month to read is not an indication of the book, but rather my determination to give it my undivided attention and highlight sections and take notes.
This was a fantastic read and very enlightening. It is NOT a “Trump expose” book. It’s a look at Mattis ad Secretary of Defense, a story about Commander Snodgrass’ experiences, and an inside look at the Pentagon during the Trump presidency during Mattis’ time there. It was very interesting and quite unique, especially since Mattis won’t comment on his time as SECDEF.
I’m also currently reading a collection of Mattis’ speeches as SECDEF, which I assume was written by Snodgrass. I will also be reading “Trump’s Generals” next, hoping it might be a quasi-companion book to Holding the Line.
This was a fantastic read and very enlightening. It is NOT a “Trump expose” book. It’s a look at Mattis ad Secretary of Defense, a story about Commander Snodgrass’ experiences, and an inside look at the Pentagon during the Trump presidency during Mattis’ time there. It was very interesting and quite unique, especially since Mattis won’t comment on his time as SECDEF.
I’m also currently reading a collection of Mattis’ speeches as SECDEF, which I assume was written by Snodgrass. I will also be reading “Trump’s Generals” next, hoping it might be a quasi-companion book to Holding the Line.
July 7, 2022
In spite of numerous high level repudiations of this book upon its arrival in the marketplace, CDR Snodgrass has written a balanced memoir of a tempestuous and dangerous time in our nation’s history, without specifically calling out the reason and cause of the danger and tempestuousness.
This is an important book containing information vital for all voters and citizens, especially those who enjoy the fruits of freedom this nation, its security, and prosperity provide.
My concern is the people who need this information most are least likely to encounter it.
Worth reading, and following up with the references the author does provide.
There’s a huge value in following the rabbit holes of understanding civic and political, including foreign affairs, current events and history. This book is a worthy member of that set.
This is an important book containing information vital for all voters and citizens, especially those who enjoy the fruits of freedom this nation, its security, and prosperity provide.
My concern is the people who need this information most are least likely to encounter it.
Worth reading, and following up with the references the author does provide.
There’s a huge value in following the rabbit holes of understanding civic and political, including foreign affairs, current events and history. This book is a worthy member of that set.
January 28, 2020
This is an interesting and extremely well written account of the inner workings of the Secretary of Defense's personal staff. The author provides insight on leadership styles and interpersonal dynamics. His accounts of the briefings to President Trump are fascinating, more for their similarities to Trump's public persona, in other words his behavior in the presence of these senior government officials is identical to that in front of the cameras. The author refrains from patting himself on the back and making himself the hero, which is the failing of so many recent autobiographies. He comes across as having been a loyal and hard working foot soldier who got ground up in the politics and spit out. I suspect there are many like him in this current administration.
March 21, 2020
Having served in the Army at the bottom of the food chain, it's pretty fascinating to learn how the Pentagon operates at the highest levels. This book is an especially interesting perspective from an insider who gives us a look at the first two years of the Trump Administration from a SECDEF office standpoint.
The title can be a little misleading if you think the entire book will be about Trump and Mattis's relationship. The author reflects on his personal bouts with bureaucracy and frayed relationships. However, you do come to understand why the Trump and Mattis partnership ultimately didn't work out. I think Mattis would've enjoyed a much longer tenure under a different president. Read the book and decide for yourself!
The title can be a little misleading if you think the entire book will be about Trump and Mattis's relationship. The author reflects on his personal bouts with bureaucracy and frayed relationships. However, you do come to understand why the Trump and Mattis partnership ultimately didn't work out. I think Mattis would've enjoyed a much longer tenure under a different president. Read the book and decide for yourself!
June 6, 2021
Insight and perspective into Jim Mattis’ tenure as Secretary of Defense. Snodgrass functioned as Mattis’ director of communications and speechwriter. He served alongside Mattis for about 18 months combined as a military officer and civilian. The snapshots he provides help the reader understand the climate and culture of the presidential administration at the time. It also showed how Mattis led through the difficult circumstances he faced. I appreciated the quotes from various leaders that help inform the author on how to act and lead through different challenges and adversities, as is typical for many military authors. Overall, a great book on leadership challenges that military officers face when serving on Capitol Hill.
March 6, 2023
I personally really enjoyed this book, although it is not for everyone.
It's interesting to see the perspective from someone who has worked directly under Mattis and dealt with Trump's policy from the perspective of Sec Def's team.
Mattis' own book "Call Sign Chaos" stayed very apolitical avoiding undermining the current president and avoided talking about himself, especially anything the public didn't already know about.
Bus manages to describe his time under Mattis and how the team scrambles to serve POTUS's policy, often over tweets. Bus stayed apolitical/fair without losing his own perspective. It's something that I appreciate since both Mattis and Bob Woodward gives so much to fairness that I felt a lack of personal perspective.
It's interesting to see the perspective from someone who has worked directly under Mattis and dealt with Trump's policy from the perspective of Sec Def's team.
Mattis' own book "Call Sign Chaos" stayed very apolitical avoiding undermining the current president and avoided talking about himself, especially anything the public didn't already know about.
Bus manages to describe his time under Mattis and how the team scrambles to serve POTUS's policy, often over tweets. Bus stayed apolitical/fair without losing his own perspective. It's something that I appreciate since both Mattis and Bob Woodward gives so much to fairness that I felt a lack of personal perspective.
March 27, 2020
Very interesting book written by Gen. Mattis's main speech writer during Mattis's time as Secretary of Defense under the Trump administration. The book is essentially an autobiography of Snodgrass combined with a short biography of Gen. Mattis. It gives some interesting insights into the problems and reasons that Mattis resigned under an inconsistent and chaotic administration as other experts were shown the revolving door. The author is factual and comes across as both disappointed and sad at the inability of Mattis to remain as "the only adult in the room" under increasing pressure to declare "loyalty" to the President. Overall, an important document for this time in history.
July 16, 2021
As new books are currently being published and released which are exposing the insanity and treasonous aspects of Donald J. Trump, this is an excellent, early exposé of Trump's stark unfitness for the office of the president.
Written from a Department of Defense point of view by a retired U.S. Navy officer who was an assistant to then SECDEF Mattis. It details Mattis' growing frustrations with Trump's absurd and dangerous mishandling of nation security and defense matters.
This is an good read, indeed, as it reveals the early structural damage that would lead to the inevitable collapse of the Trump administration.
Written from a Department of Defense point of view by a retired U.S. Navy officer who was an assistant to then SECDEF Mattis. It details Mattis' growing frustrations with Trump's absurd and dangerous mishandling of nation security and defense matters.
This is an good read, indeed, as it reveals the early structural damage that would lead to the inevitable collapse of the Trump administration.
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