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Moore Bush's Brain
Praise for Bush's Brain "Love him or hate him, Karl Rove is one of the most brilliant and successful political consultants of all time. In this riveting account, Wayne Slater and Jim Moore tell how he got there." --Paul Begala, CNN's Crossfire
"Bush's Brain isn't a hatchet job on George W. Bush. In fact, the two authors largely dispel the myth of Bush's supposedly deficient IQ. But, more importantly, they lay bare the story of how Karl Rove may be the most powerful man in America. It's a compelling story told by two veteran Texas journalists who don't need a briefing packet to understand the men they're writing about." --Philip Bruce, KCET/PBS Television, Los Angeles
The most powerful individual in the United States may not be George W. Bush. It is probably Karl Rove, the President's brilliant advisor. Who is this man and how did he acquire so much power? Having watched in awe for over fifteen years as they reported on the rise of Karl Rove, Moore and Slater expose the brutal and sometimes morally questionable, but invariably effective ways in which Karl Rove?and America's political system--actually operate.
"Bush's Brain isn't a hatchet job on George W. Bush. In fact, the two authors largely dispel the myth of Bush's supposedly deficient IQ. But, more importantly, they lay bare the story of how Karl Rove may be the most powerful man in America. It's a compelling story told by two veteran Texas journalists who don't need a briefing packet to understand the men they're writing about." --Philip Bruce, KCET/PBS Television, Los Angeles
The most powerful individual in the United States may not be George W. Bush. It is probably Karl Rove, the President's brilliant advisor. Who is this man and how did he acquire so much power? Having watched in awe for over fifteen years as they reported on the rise of Karl Rove, Moore and Slater expose the brutal and sometimes morally questionable, but invariably effective ways in which Karl Rove?and America's political system--actually operate.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 24, 2019
I first read this quite awhile ago. Being a political junkie, I en joy Political non fiction. This was a tough read yet I c an't say I didn't like it. It sure gives you a heck of alot of info about Karl Rove though.
I have never been A Rove Fan. I can clearly remember the Bush years and somehow whenever I saw Rove on the talk show circuit, I would think "sleezy". He made no secret that he'd do literally anything to get Bush into the White House and this book confirms it.
Still it is tough to read about someone you dislike so much. What really astounded me was the scorn he seemed to feel, not just for Democrats, but for some of the very people whose votes he needed t o secure. I did take to skimming after awhile because the whole book, well written as it was, was leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Kind of felt like I wanted to shower after reading this.
There are times I question why I read this stuff and why I'm a political junkie in the first place but if you are, you are. It's in you, in your blood. I have always held a rather obsessive interest in politics, more then the average person at any rate. This book shows the sleaze factor very well. I would recommend it to fellow Political junkies.
I have never been A Rove Fan. I can clearly remember the Bush years and somehow whenever I saw Rove on the talk show circuit, I would think "sleezy". He made no secret that he'd do literally anything to get Bush into the White House and this book confirms it.
Still it is tough to read about someone you dislike so much. What really astounded me was the scorn he seemed to feel, not just for Democrats, but for some of the very people whose votes he needed t o secure. I did take to skimming after awhile because the whole book, well written as it was, was leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Kind of felt like I wanted to shower after reading this.
There are times I question why I read this stuff and why I'm a political junkie in the first place but if you are, you are. It's in you, in your blood. I have always held a rather obsessive interest in politics, more then the average person at any rate. This book shows the sleaze factor very well. I would recommend it to fellow Political junkies.
October 25, 2008
What a sociopath. I wish the authors had delved more into Rove's childhood and the reasons why he chose to support the Republican Party even before he was in high school. He is one truly focused individual--too bad that entails destroying anyone, Democrat or Republican, who happens to stand his way because all he wants to do is win, win, win campaigns, and his modus operandi is attack, attack, attack.
October 26, 2008
A first rate look at Karl Rove. Should be required reading for political junkies.
July 12, 2014
I was disappointed with this book. Too much of it is devoted to descriptions of events on Texas political campaigns that seem very provincial to a non-Texan, and surprisingly little is devoted to the Bush presidential campaigns. More worryingly, the overall tone seems biased and lacking sufficient roots in facts - coming across as tabloid journalism rather than something that would stand up to scrutiny. In too many places in the book, the argument seems to be: "X happened, and X helped Rove's client. We have no proof or good evidence that Rove caused X but it's the kind of thing he does therefore it must have been him." I strongly suspect that the authors are right in their overall assessment of Rove, but the standard of argument is woeful.
And then there's the weeping and gnashing of teeth over the fates of some Democratic political operatives in Texas who served jail terms (I think for mis-use of state funds). Rove is blamed (despite the lack of evidence) for helping the prosecutors - because his candidates stood to gain from the Democrats demise. But the authors seem to feel that Rove's non-criminal supposed behaviour is far worse than the Democrats actual criminal behaviour. Of course, the authors may be right to believe that those Democrats sentences were unjust, but it gives the book a very biased air.
The bits on Bush are the best. But the sub-title "How Karl Rove made George W. Bush presidential" is completely mis-leading. If anything, the book reveals that W has some surprisingly presidential qualities and that Rove's influence, where effective, was actually to make him less presidential.
I'm not saying "don't read this" because the book is certainly worth-while, but readers are advised to keep their expectations of quality well managed.
And then there's the weeping and gnashing of teeth over the fates of some Democratic political operatives in Texas who served jail terms (I think for mis-use of state funds). Rove is blamed (despite the lack of evidence) for helping the prosecutors - because his candidates stood to gain from the Democrats demise. But the authors seem to feel that Rove's non-criminal supposed behaviour is far worse than the Democrats actual criminal behaviour. Of course, the authors may be right to believe that those Democrats sentences were unjust, but it gives the book a very biased air.
The bits on Bush are the best. But the sub-title "How Karl Rove made George W. Bush presidential" is completely mis-leading. If anything, the book reveals that W has some surprisingly presidential qualities and that Rove's influence, where effective, was actually to make him less presidential.
I'm not saying "don't read this" because the book is certainly worth-while, but readers are advised to keep their expectations of quality well managed.
May 16, 2007
In decades and centuries to come, Karl Rove's name will replace Rasputin or Cardinal Richelieu's as the synonym for "power behind the throne". This book, co-written by two Texas journalists, provides a look at Rove's rise to power and the ways in which Karl Rove has helped to create one of the strongest and least accountable executive branches in United States history. In 2007, it's somewhat dated, given that it was written before most of the events in Iraq, before the re-election campaign of 2004, before Plamegate. Still, it's eerily prescient in some parts, and an interesting study on the compulsion to amass and exercise power. Worth a read for political junkies or people interested in the machinations of government.
May 4, 2016
Attack, attack, attack. That strategy is formally adopted by the republicans and embodied by Karl Rove who is chronicled as not looking to win, but to destroy opponents. Examples? Look at the endless attacks on Hillary Clinton going back to the Clinton presidency. All for naught except to beat into the publics head to dislike the Clintons. This continues with Attacks on Hillary's email and Benghazi which will end up wasting taxpayer money and government resources on political strategies. How many congressional hearings are enough to satisfy whether wrongdoing occurred? Two, five, eight - how about 10?
March 6, 2009
While George W. Bush, so far, seems content to ride off into the sunset of a sinecure retirement, the same cannot be said of Karl Rove, whose is now even more of a public figure, in residence as a commentator--where else?--on Fox News Channel.
Consequently, this political biography of America's premier Mayberry Machiavelli continues to have relevance even as Rove's former client and boss does not.
Consequently, this political biography of America's premier Mayberry Machiavelli continues to have relevance even as Rove's former client and boss does not.
October 15, 2007
this book is actually really interesting about karl rove and the relationship with george bush. i read this for class, but actually learned a ton of info.
April 3, 2008
Learn just how Rove goes about destroying his candidates oppo. And how much he can carry a grudge, despite how warm and friendly he appears on Fox.
June 30, 2008
Important book, but disappointing, especially given the hype around it.
Positives: Helps make sense of the slash-and-burn politics of the GWB administration by showing how they trace to strategies (whisper campaigns, Big Lies, ab/use of prosecution power to advance political goals) first honed by Rove in Texas state politics. Even at this late date, I found fresh reason for outrage and dismay. Also, the journalistic style makes it a quick and enjoyable read.
Negatives: In many instances in the book, there is not definitive proof of wrongdoing by Rove, just strong cause for suspicion. Unfortunately, the authors don't just come out and say so, and thus come across as "fudging" to make a more damning case. That, and the failure to include perspectives from Rove (who, it seems, mostly refused to comment) or his defenders, makes the book seem more like a "hatchet job" than if they had included these arguments and demolished them.
Also, the book has a strangely patched-together feel, with chapters duplicating each other and no real narrative arc. It's unclear whether this reflects two authors, a book adapted from several articles, or just mistrust that the reader will remember things from one chapter to the next.
The book makes clear that Rove is an evil genius. Unfortunately, the authors are not entirely worthy of their subject. A Rove bio by a great biographer (say, Robert Caro, chronicler of Robert Moses and LBJ) would be a must-read.
Positives: Helps make sense of the slash-and-burn politics of the GWB administration by showing how they trace to strategies (whisper campaigns, Big Lies, ab/use of prosecution power to advance political goals) first honed by Rove in Texas state politics. Even at this late date, I found fresh reason for outrage and dismay. Also, the journalistic style makes it a quick and enjoyable read.
Negatives: In many instances in the book, there is not definitive proof of wrongdoing by Rove, just strong cause for suspicion. Unfortunately, the authors don't just come out and say so, and thus come across as "fudging" to make a more damning case. That, and the failure to include perspectives from Rove (who, it seems, mostly refused to comment) or his defenders, makes the book seem more like a "hatchet job" than if they had included these arguments and demolished them.
Also, the book has a strangely patched-together feel, with chapters duplicating each other and no real narrative arc. It's unclear whether this reflects two authors, a book adapted from several articles, or just mistrust that the reader will remember things from one chapter to the next.
The book makes clear that Rove is an evil genius. Unfortunately, the authors are not entirely worthy of their subject. A Rove bio by a great biographer (say, Robert Caro, chronicler of Robert Moses and LBJ) would be a must-read.
July 3, 2015
Leaders hire good men and let them do their job, and that is what George W. Bush (and many others) did when he hired Karl Rove. I was skeptical of this book just from its title. My skepticism was right on target.
Moore and Slater have an obvious dislike for Karl Rove and George W. Bush. The writing style is weak, and many of their sources are suspect. In checking the end notes, one sees "anonymous" beside numerous quotes, and that does nothing to garner confidence in the material.
Moore and Slater would likely blame the current drought in California on Karl Rove if they could. The book, in some ways, reads like a second-class novel.
Moore and Slater have an obvious dislike for Karl Rove and George W. Bush. The writing style is weak, and many of their sources are suspect. In checking the end notes, one sees "anonymous" beside numerous quotes, and that does nothing to garner confidence in the material.
Moore and Slater would likely blame the current drought in California on Karl Rove if they could. The book, in some ways, reads like a second-class novel.
July 1, 2008
Interesting and fertile topic but ultimately disappointing. There's no "there" there. Very poorly written.
December 28, 2009
p 250- very interesting, though you've heard much of it already.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews