I was looking forward to learning details about the Bush administration, and while there was some information there it seemed to focus more on Cheney than I would have liked.
Good writing and not hard to read. ( )

Living through the Bush years, and having read many of the books written about the Bush Presidency, both by Administration insiders as well as by media pundants, I didn't expect to find much new in this book. But to my surprise, there was much I'd forgotten about, or never realized, which I learned or relearned after reading "Days of Fire". For example, with so much political opposition to taking action on limiting carbon emissions or believing in the global warming phenomenon, especially by the Republican Party, I was surprised to be reminded that during Bush's initial presidential campaign, he spoke of addressing global warming, and later in his second term, actually supported "Cap and Trade" legislation to limit carbon emissions.

Readers who were and remain Bush loyalists may not feel that he is described in the most flattering light in Peter Baker's book, but personally, I think he was described quite positively, especially considering how he left office as one of America's most unpopular Presidents. Dick Cheney's description however, would not be considered to be very positive. Cheney's description is consistent with how he's portrayed in Barton Gellman's book "Angler", or Jane Mayer's "The Dark Side". Baker describes how important Dick Cheney was to Bush's presidency, especially during his first term, and how Cheney's influence was lessened as Bush became more experienced and grew into his job. But it seemed that the bulk of the most criticized elements of the Bush Administration ended up being tied back to the advice and recommendations of "the most powerful Vice-President in American history", Dick Cheney.

"Days of Fire" covers the eight years of the Bush Presidency in detail, and despite the book's length, there wasn't that much extraneous material included. Baker takes the reader through a chronological review of the Bush years, covering how his most recognized policies and decisions were made. This includes his tax cuts, the response to 9/11, the decision to invade Iraq, the War in Afghanistan, his Democracy agenda, his general disdain for the Clinton Presidency, his No Child Left Behind program, the Medicaid Prescription Plan, his Supreme Court nominations, the Katrina response, the TARP and auto bailout programs, his position on North Korea and Iran, and his failed attempts at changing Social Security, tax reform, etc., all based on his thorough review of White House records and countless interviews with the Bush team, including Vice President Cheney.

Bush is presented in a sympathetic fashion, fiercely loyal to his team (which hurt him on occasion), and more in charge than many were inclined to believe. There's not a lot of analysis of the Bush policies, but more a complete review of what transpired. Most interesting to me throughout the book was the description of the influence of Cheney on the Bush Presidency, especially in pushing what ended up as being unpopular decisions, such as the Iraq war, "enhanced" interrogation techniques, eavesdropping, and in preventing or opposing other considerations including improved fuel economy for auto fleets, the bank bailouts, developing carbon reduction policies, and early troop withdrawals. ( )

Well written and well balanced. I did not learn anything startlingly new from it as I had followed the events pretty closely at the time. Based on my memory this seems to be a well researched, factual account. I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the Bush/Cheney Whitehouse better. ( )

Days of Fire is an interesting, fairly objective, narrative of the Bush presidency and the role and relationship of Dick Cheney and President Bush. It focuses on the events that overtook the Bush presidency and the actions of Bush and Cheney as they attempted to lead the country through the myriad of disasters - most of their own making.

There can be no doubt that Bush - immediately after 9-11, found his voice and guided the country effectively for the first year of the War on Terror. However, even the most ardent Bush supporter would have problems understanding the U.S. involvement in the Iraqi war. The disaster that occurred there - despite the surge that saved the war - would define his presidency.

The book treats Bush fairly, he comes off as well meaning and compassionate but with an unfortunate willingness to shoot from the hip without due consideration. It amazed me that almost all his policies seemed to change significantly throughout his eight years of presidency. The book however certainly doesn't hide the numerous mistakes made and how by being loyal to a fault he made things worse.

Cheney however comes to the Vice President's role fully formed - he is what he is and he won't be anything else - and as a result comes off as a cold hearted bastard.

It also was surprising to learn about the in-fighting between Bush's top aides and the agendas that were being fought for and how Bush was under-served by most of them.

Interesting and well written, certainly not the last word on the Bush presidency, but an important one, Days of Fire is a worthy read.

( )

Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House by Peter Baker, The New York Times White House Correspondent, is considered the definitive study of the Bush 43 administration. It is a long and difficult read but an important book that ought to be read. There are many very lengthy passages on the process as Bush was making decisions. He was deliberative and there is a lot of detailed discussions with his advisers, SecDef, Sec State etc. I don't know that you need to read these in great detail but it does give you a feel for how Bush made decisions and he was decisive. He was of great integrity and did what he thought was right despite the politics. In the end you come away with a personal feeling about Bush. He was of great humanity, kind, caring, sensitive to others and finally emotional. The sight of a wounded soldier brought tears to his eyes. Whatever you feel about his politics he is a great man. ( )