I am indebted to the professionals at the National Archives and Records Administration for their assistance on this book. I am grateful to Alan Lowe, director of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, and Supervisory Archivist Shannon Jarrett for making this project a top priority. Archivists Brooke Clement, Matthew Law, and Jodie Steck tracked down thousands of documents and photographs that helped refresh my memory and confirm details in my account. Sarah Barca, Tally Fugate, Peter Haligas, Neelie Holm, Bobby Holt, Elizabeth Lanier, David Sabo, and Ketina Taylor helped as well. I also thank the Presidential Materials staff of the National Archives in Washington—especially Nancy Smith, John Laster, and Stephannie Oriabure—who made many important, highly classified documents available for my use.
Many trusted friends contributed to this book. I am particularly grateful to those who reviewed the full manuscript: Steve Hadley, Josh Bolten, Andy Card, Blake Gottesman, Karen Hughes, Condi Rice, and Dana Perino, who also provided invaluable advice on publicity. Pete Wehner read much of the book in its early stages and made insightful comments. Brent McIntosh and Raul Yanes carefully reviewed the final draft. Many others made suggestions on key chapters, including Dan Bartlett, Ryan Crocker, Mark Dybul, Gary Edson, Peter Feaver, Joe Hagin, Mike Hayden, Keith Hennessey, Joel Kaplan, Eddie Lazear, Jay Lefkowitz, Brett McGurk, and Hank Paulson. They are responsible for many of the book’s strengths and none of its flaws.
Part of publishing a book as a former president is undergoing a declassification review. I was fortunate to have three capable lawyers help me navigate the process: Bill Burck, Mike Scudder, and Tobi Young. I am grateful to Bill Leary and his professional staff at the National Security Council, which helped expedite the review process. I also thank the dedicated men and women at the Central Intelligence Agency who helped check key facts.
Those who enjoyed the photo section can thank Emily Kropp Michel, who—along with the NARA team—sorted through many of the four million photographs digitally archived at the Bush Presidential Library. They received valuable guidance from Eric Draper, my chief photographer for all eight years, and former White House photographer Paul Morse.
The decisions I describe in this book would not have been possible without the service and support of many dedicated people over my fifteen years of public service. I thank Dick and Lynne Cheney for eight years of friendship. I appreciate the outstanding, selfless men and women who served in my Cabinet and on my White House staff, as well as on my campaigns and in the Texas governor’s office. Laura and I will always be grateful to the fine agents of the Secret Service, the military aides who were always at my side, the incredibly generous White House residence staff, the doctors and nurses of the White House Medical Unit, the crews of Air Force One and Marine One, and the great team at Camp David. On behalf of Barney, Spot, and Miss Beazley, I extend special thanks to Dale Haney, Sam Sutton, Robert Favela, Cindy Wright, Robert Blossman, and Maria Galvan.
I am fortunate to be surrounded by a great team in Dallas, led by my talented and capable chief of staff, Mike Meece. I am grateful to Blake Gottesman and Jared Weinstein, two former personal aides who took months out of their lives to help me set up my office. Everyone in the Office of George W. Bush contributed to this book: Mike Meece, Brian Cossiboom, Logan Dryden, Freddy Ford, Ashley Hickey, Caroline Hickey, Caroline Nugent, David Sherzer, and Justine Sterling. I also thank Charity Wallace, Molly Soper, and Katie Harper for taking good care of Laura.
Aside from writing this book, I have spent the past eighteen months working to build my presidential center at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. I thank Mark Langdale for overseeing the endeavor, SMU President Gerald Turner for his close partnership, and Jim Glassman and Stacy Cinatl for their leadership at the George W. Bush Institute. I am particularly grateful to Don Evans, Ray Hunt, and Jeanne Johnson Phillips for all they have done to make the project a success.
I often tell people that I don’t miss the politics of Washington, but I do miss the people. I am grateful to my many friends in Congress, fellow world leaders, and even members of the press corps.
Finally, I thank the men and women of the United States military. While I dedicated this book to Laura, Barbara, and Jenna, nobody did more to inspire me than those who wear the uniform of this country and their families. Their achievements will rank alongside those of the greatest generations in history, and the highest honor of my life was to serve as their commander in chief.
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AARP
Abbas, Mahmoud, Chapter 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4
Abdullah, King of Saudi Arabia, Chapter 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4
Abizaid, Gen. John, Chapter 8.1, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5
abortion issue, Chapter 4.1, 4.2
Abrams, Elliott
Abu Abbas
Abu Dhabi
Abu Ghraib scandal
Abu Nidal
Acheson, Dean
Adame, Yesenia
Adams, John, Chapter 3.1, 6.1, 14.1
Adams, John Quincy
Adger, Sid
adoption, Chapter 1.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3
Afghanistan war
America’s commitment to Afghanistan
battle plan, Chapter 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5
bin Laden’s escape, Chapter 7.1, 7.2
address to Congress on
assessment of
decision to undertake
farewell trip to Afghanistan, Chapter 7.1, 7.2
casualties and families of the fallen, Chapter 7.1, 7.2
coalition for, Chapter 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5
government for Afghanistan, Chapter 7.1, 7.2
insurgency, Chapter 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5
invasion of 2001, Chapter 7.1, 7.2, 7.3
liberation of Kabul and Kandahar
micromanagement, avoidance of
nationbuilding mission
Pakistani tribal areas
Pakistan’s role, Chapter 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4
post-invasion troop levels
rebuilding effort
review of strategy in 2008
roots of terrorist presence in Afghanistan
Russia’s assistance with, Chapter 7.1, 7.2
second-guessing and criticism regarding
“silent surge” of 2006
Africa, Chapter 11.1, 11.2
visits to, Chapter 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4
Malaria Initiative, Chapter 11.1, 11.2, 11.3 See also AIDS policy
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)
Agris, Joe
Aguirre, Eduardo
Ahmadinejad, Mahmoud, Chapter 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4
AIDS policy
ABC prevention strategy, Chapter 11.1, 11.2
Bush daughters’ involvement
African visits and, Chapter 11.1, 11.2, 11.3
Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Chapter 11.1, 11.2, 11.3
goals of
International Mother and Child HIV Prevention Initiative
international support
as key element of Bush foreign policy
managers for, Chapter 11.1, 11.2
President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Chapter 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11.8, 11.9
war on terror and, Chapter 11.1, 11.2
Air Force One, Chapter 5.1, 5.2
airline security
Alexander, Lamar
Alito, Samuel, Chapter 3.1, 3.2, 10.1
Allbaugh, Joe, Chapter 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 10.1, 10.2
Allen, Vice Adm. Thad, Chapter 10.1, 10.2
Allison, Jimmy, Chapter 1.1, 1.2