This is the memoir of Robert Gates, who served as Secretary of Defense under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama from 2006-2011. The book has been in the news a lot lately for its so-called startling revelations about President Obama's relationship with the military.

Most of the book is flattering to both President Obama and President Bush. He is also a big fan of Hillary Clinton.

I was curious about why write it now. I ended up believing that Gates wrote it at the time he thought it would help the active duty troops the most to reveal this stuff.

anyone curious about what the deal is in Iraq and Afghanistan, that is the majority of the book.

the part about the Bin Laden raid. It really angered me that Gates did not think getting that guy was important. It is why my nieces were deployed in the first place.

One of my nieces is dead in part because of her military experience with a higher ranking officer. So, there is that element of anger in me as I read about the Defense Secretary and Presidents who deployed her.

the fact that President Obama and Jack Lew (then Director of OMB, not Treasury Secretary) would give their words and then go back on them.

I call that lying and it seems to be a pattern - "If you like your plan/doctor, you can keep it/him/her" Period.

cry really about what a waste in Iraq. Gates does not seem to think we should have gone in there in the first place. It has strengthened Iran more than done anything for the U.S. in the long haul.

like some of the Generals at the Pentagon and at the White House are nuts. They are planning for future wars instead of fighting the one at hand. As a family member of service members, I don't appreciate their attitude. What a bunch of pompous jerks!

I know a certain Major who is a complete narcissistic ass.

seems to be pretty honest and fair. I don't agree with a lot of what he says, but I respect him for all that he did.

most of it was pretty dull. You can go to Barnes and Nobles store and peruse it for an hour and probably get the most exciting stuff. I don't enjoy reading about budget haggling.

I come away thinking Congress is full of idiots. Well, that is not a big shock or revelation.

I was surprised to learn that Hillary Clinton cannot abide Susan Rice and I was surprised to see that Gates loves and respects Hillary so much.

I don't like reading how we have to kiss Karzai's hindquarters in Afghanistan after all this country has done for him and his country and how we have to tippy toe around their sensitive Afghans. That was pretty nauseating and I guess I am not evolved enough to think we owe them anything after we got rid of their rubbish/Taliban women haters. But, that's just me.

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Created Jan 23, 2014 at 10:50am • Submit your own review...