Robert Michael Gates
Auteur van Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War
Over de Auteur
Fotografie: Wikimedia Commons (Official U.S. Dept of Defense Portrait)
Werken van Robert Michael Gates
From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insider's Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War (1996) 232 exemplaren
A Passion for Leadership: Lessons on Change and Reform from Fifty Years of Public Service (2016) 129 exemplaren
Exercise of Power: American Failures, Successes, and a New Path Forward in the Post-Cold War World (2020) 94 exemplaren
Understanding the New US Defense Policy Through the Speeches of Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense: Speeches and… (2008) 1 exemplaar
From the Shadows 1 exemplaar
Tagged
Algemene kennis
- Officiƫle naam
- Gates, Robert Michael
- Geboortedatum
- 1943-11-25
- Geslacht
- male
- Nationaliteit
- USA
- Geboorteplaats
- Wichita, Kansas, USA
- Opleiding
- College of William & Mary (B.A.|History|1965)
Indiana University (M.A.|History|1966)
Georgetown University (Ph.D.|Russian and Soviet History|1974) - Beroepen
- Director of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (1991-1993)
United States Secretary of Defense (2006-2011)
intelligence analyst
military officer (United States Air Force|second lieutenant)
Deputy Director of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (1986-1989)
Deputy United States National Security Advisor (1989-1991) (toon alle 7)
President of Texas A&M University (2002-2006) - Organisaties
- Republican Party
Alpha Phi Omega
Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout)
Ronald Reagan administration (1986-1989)
George H. W. Bush administration (1989-1993)
George W. Bush's cabinet (2006-2009|Secretary of Defense) (toon alle 9)
George W. Bush administration (2006-2009)
Barack Obama's cabinet (2009-2011|Secretary of Defense)
Barack Obama administration (2009-2011)
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Besprekingen
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Misschien vindt je deze ook leuk
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Statistieken
- Werken
- 6
- Leden
- 1,185
- Populariteit
- #21,690
- Waardering
- 3.9
- Besprekingen
- 27
- ISBNs
- 39
Unfortunately, where his speech was perfect and well edited, his book was equally forthright, and I felt very balanced - - but somehow the editing part was missing.
If you love politics, I definitely think this should be on your list. I just don't really love reading about politics and wars all that much. It would really have been interesting to discuss the book with someone else.
I found Gates' comparisons of Bush and Obama to be fascinating. Also, Gates' characterization of Obama did make me see Obama in a better, more positive light as he made some very tough decisions in foreign policy - - often taking stances against his own White House staff/advising team. It also somewhat reinforced a belief I have that the American people and even the Congress don't really understand all the factors that come into these military decisions so often the stances we take are misinformed.
Gates is likable as a narrator, and I sympathized with his plights, but he also repeats over and over again how much he cares about the troops. He did have some good proof points that illustrates that he DOES care about them, and he did many things to help them - - but you know, when it's your own memoir, it starts to sound like you are saying "I am so wonderful; look how much I care" over and over again. I think he was trying to show his motivations, but after awhile it got a little old.
All in all, I would recommend this book if you:
1) Like reading about politics
2) Really want to know what happened in Iraq and Afghanistan
3) Enjoy hearing the inside scoop from people who were actually THERE - - and Gates most certainly was
For me, I'll admit I'd prefer to read a novel as a general rule, and because this was long winded and a bit of a slog, I only could give it 3 stars.… (meer)