Sara Saleh reviews a political biography of the world's most powerful man, George W. Bush
DEAD CERTAIN: The Presidency of George W. Bush
By Robert Draper
In this political narrative based on six hour-long interviews with President Bush himself, as well as 200 other sources that include Laura Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of Defence Donald H. Rumsfeld and senior adviser Karl Rove, Draper draws a portrait of an optimistic, proud and confident commander-in-chief, who stubbornly dismisses any doubt as an impending sigh of weakness.
The book controversially explores the so-called haphazard policy-making process, including domestic policy as well as the Iraq War and the implications behind its instigation.
President Bush, who has a net worth estimated at $8 million to $21 million, does allow himself moments of candour as he admits to Draper about a "few" of his administrations abroad - but always accompanied with an acquitting justification.
Bush also confesses his fascination with freedom, and in this book talks of his future plans to build a "Freedom Institute," similar to a think tank where young leaders from abroad can learn about democracy.
Despite this trove of anecdotes, Draper fails to go beyond and answer deeper questions. He overlooks the obvious by ignoring questions of failure, lack of fear and the mother of them all - The Bush-Cheney relationship.
Many aspects of Bush's presidency are neglected, but the reader is given a personal account, submersed in many a colourful detail, which makes confident connections between Bush's personality and how it affects his decision-making - a process which has worldwide impact.
The book is not a revelation different from its predecessors in the field, but its intimacy with the President is an advantage that may be worth looking into.
