Decision Points by George W. Bush

About the Book: President George W. Bush describes the critical decisions of his presidency and personal life. Decision Points is the extraordinary memoir of America's 43rd president. Shattering the conventions of political autobiography, George W. Bush offers a strikingly candid journey through the defining decisions of his life.

In gripping, never-before-heard detail, President Bush brings readers inside the Texas Governor's Mansion on the night of the hotly contested 2000 election; aboard Air Force One on 9/11, in the hours after America's most devastating attack since Pearl Harbor; at the head of the table in the Situation Room in the moments before launching the war in Iraq; and behind the Oval Office desk for his historic and controversial decisions on the financial crisis, Hurricane Katrina, Afghanistan, Iran, and other issues that have shaped the first decade of the 21st century.

President Bush writes honestly and directly about his flaws and mistakes, as well as his accomplishments reforming education, treating HIV/AIDS in Africa, and safeguarding the country amid chilling warnings of additional terrorist attacks. He also offers intimate new details on his decision to quit drinking, discovery of faith, and relationship with his family.

A groundbreaking new brand of memoir, Decision Points will captivate supporters, surprise critics, and change perspectives on one of the most consequential eras in American history—and the man at the center of events.

First line: It was a simple question. "Can you remember the last day you didn't have a drink?" Laura asked in her calm, soothing voice.

My thoughts: I decided to read this book to hopefully understand President Bush's perspective on things. I was attracted to this one because of the way it was written, each section focusing on specific decisions and the history leading to those decisions. I liked that it was written in an easy to understand way.
As I read I found his decisions to be well considered and intelligent. Thinking back I know I didn't always agree with his policies and the same thing was true as I read of them in this book, but by the end of each part I feel that I understood how he made his decisions and why it made sense at the time. The glimpses into his private family life were at times very moving.

This was a facinating look into the life of a president. Just think of the job any president has, the burdens he holds on his shoulders. Each president has to bear these burdens, run the country, help others, and keep his family close. This helped me see how Bush did all that.