"Plan of Attack" is the definitive account of how and why President George W. Bush, his war council, and allies launched a preemptive attack to top...
read full description
reviews
Sep 13, 2007
Timothy R.
rated it: 
My favorite memory of this book has nothing to do with what's written. When I was going through security at the Frankfurt airport a guard took my book off the X-ray conveyor belt and said in English, with a thick German accent, "Plan of Attack. It's not a real plan, is it?"
0 comments
like
(6 people liked it)
Jan 02, 2011
Erik
rated it: 
I've read at least seven of Bob Woodward's instant history books so far. Like sugar candies, they go down easy, but are not satisfying.
Read Woodward with caution. His background raises an eyebrow. He comes out of Naval Intelligence, having been, among other things, General Alexander Haig's briefer. His contacts there, and with the very figures he relies on for his insider accounts of events qualify his objectivity and his candor. Were he to be open, frank and honest, he would lo More...
Read Woodward with caution. His background raises an eyebrow. He comes out of Naval Intelligence, having been, among other things, General Alexander Haig's briefer. His contacts there, and with the very figures he relies on for his insider accounts of events qualify his objectivity and his candor. Were he to be open, frank and honest, he would lo More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 21, 2007
Daniel
rated it: 
This book was good when I first read it, but later when I read Suskind's "One Percent Doctrine" and saw subsequent interviews with the official involved, I felt betrayed by the sensationalism that Woodward made of the situation. The characters and events are not so cut-and-dry as he makes them. Unfortunately, Woodward traded accurate journalism for cheap entertainment. That said, it still has some value, as long as one can tell the fact from the fluff.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 14, 2008
Chelsea
rated it: 
This book by Mr. Woodward focuses on the planning and debates at the high-level of the US Government, and the eventual decision by President Bush (younger) to go to war with Iraq in March 2003. It seemed to be an easy read, but the beginning was a little tough as the author introduced tons of names of US Govt characters - people I was not familiar with and will probably never hear of again.
Surprisingly though, Mr. Woodward didn't slam President Bush as much as he did VP Cheney, SECD More...
Surprisingly though, Mr. Woodward didn't slam President Bush as much as he did VP Cheney, SECD More...
May 12, 2011
Bill
rated it:
I picked this up at my local county public library book sale. A "steal" at $1.00 per a foot of books! So far it is quite good. Woodward remains one of the best authors when it comes to telling this type of story. ….
Finished this as events continue to heat up in the Middle East. I think some interesting comparisons might be made between the run-up to the war in Iraq and demands for greater intervention in Libya, Syria...or whatever country it is this week.
More...
Nov 12, 2009
Rusty
rated it:
First off, let me warn readers of occasional bad language, particularly of the "F" word.
As I read the book, I was alternately angered and saddened that our leaders could be involved in the tragedy that has been the Iraq war. Bob Woodward is usually attacked as a shill for the left, maybe rightly so, but after reading "The Agenda" about Clinton's first year in the White House, it is difficult for me to see him as other than a reporter of the facts - you know, " More...
As I read the book, I was alternately angered and saddened that our leaders could be involved in the tragedy that has been the Iraq war. Bob Woodward is usually attacked as a shill for the left, maybe rightly so, but after reading "The Agenda" about Clinton's first year in the White House, it is difficult for me to see him as other than a reporter of the facts - you know, " More...
Mar 31, 2009
Ben
rated it:
The only reason this book didn't get one star was because the behind-the-scenes accounts were kind of interesting. Of course, people present themselves in the best possible light when interviewed. The endless dialogue could've been summed up to one page:
Bush: What's our war plan for Iraq?
Gen. Franks: Long build up, long war. 18-24 months.
Rumsfeld: Make it shorter.
Franks: OK.
Bush: What do we have on Iraq intel?
Tenet: Nothing.
Bush: Saddam's craz More...
Bush: What's our war plan for Iraq?
Gen. Franks: Long build up, long war. 18-24 months.
Rumsfeld: Make it shorter.
Franks: OK.
Bush: What do we have on Iraq intel?
Tenet: Nothing.
Bush: Saddam's craz More...
Jan 29, 2009
Barbara
rated it:
I have read 3 of the books this author wrote about Pres Bush and the Iraq War. I was thirsty for any insight for what may have been going on in Bush's mind during this period. As might be expected, there was some overlap between the 2 books. I found Mr. Woodward to be open minded and even respectful as he began these books but could sense his feelings of frustration and unbelief as more and more revelations came out. I too felt frustration and disbelief. Could this (Bush) person who I voted
More...
Aug 17, 2011
I had a pretty empty feeling after reading it. It's BUSH as 'the man' who made the decision- the dream come true for Cheney + Rumsfeld, for the termination of Saddam Hussein. Tommy Franks is the tool- very good at his job, but with no opinion except to do as his bosses say. But it's basically- after 9-11 they felt that they had to eliminate all threats- and they felt that Saddam was an enemy of America's interests(oil, safety of Israel, middle East as US allies). Prince Bandar (on behalf o
More...
Apr 24, 2008
Emiliano
rated it:
Mirrors and probably authenticates the numerous books regarding the War in Iraq and the missteps of this administration to take America there.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 22, 2008
Ty
rated it:
Fantastic book. It's disturbing enough to be led to the slaughter, but to be taken there by a self-serving idiot is terrifying.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 01, 2007
Chris
rated it:
Good stuff that confirmed my suspicions and verified my disappointment/anger towards the current administration.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 19, 2009
Harald
rated it:
Hm well yeah. Surely it's a well done piece of journalism, but it's pretty 'darn' boring as well. He might as well had called it "war, because I feel like it". The plan of the attack of the Bush adminstration seem to have founded of nothing more then the urge to attack, based on paranoia, tunnel-vision and just plain stupid assumptions.
- does saddam have WMD's?
- we don't have conclusive evidence, but he needs to be taken down, because he has played us for fools More...
- does saddam have WMD's?
- we don't have conclusive evidence, but he needs to be taken down, because he has played us for fools More...
Jan 12, 2012
James
rated it:
As Bush et al forced the US into its attack on Iraq, I was caught up in the coverage in a way I wouldn't normally do. All for naught. The lead-up was a charade, but you know that. Frustrating and I haven't allowed myself get that caught up since. Reading this book reinforced that view. What surprises me is how much we aren't told in the moment, or so it seems. Perhaps I wasn't paying as much attention as I thought. Not sure.
Woodward had lots of access to the principals involved and t More...
Woodward had lots of access to the principals involved and t More...
Jul 11, 2011
Jason
rated it:
Bob Woodward again provides a very detailed account of the leadup to the Gulf War - and posits a number of interesting questions and points. The focus is on the Bush Jnr administration; starting from when he first came to power, through to the final decision and announcement to go to war.
This is a very interesting read and provides an update on how the USA managed to get itself into this war. Woodward portrays each of the characters in an interesting light - trying to portray them equa More...
This is a very interesting read and provides an update on how the USA managed to get itself into this war. Woodward portrays each of the characters in an interesting light - trying to portray them equa More...
Dec 02, 2009
David
rated it:
Read this book for a polictical science class. I found the almost romantic like imagery hilarious. Look for lines like, "Donald Rumsfeld entered the room, his broad shoulders jetting out..."
Though honestly it did give a very good understanding of what really went on in the Bush administration before the Iraq war. It scared me too, since you think of the government as this all powerful being that clear objectives but really you see that America was lead by a frat boy who was More...
Though honestly it did give a very good understanding of what really went on in the Bush administration before the Iraq war. It scared me too, since you think of the government as this all powerful being that clear objectives but really you see that America was lead by a frat boy who was More...
Oct 26, 2008
Will
rated it:
How much of what the White House interviewees told Woodward was true? How much was spin? It remains clear from this telling that plans were afoot very early to invade Iraq, and the ploy of saying that "there is no plan on my desk" was pure spin. Colin Powell seems to be a voice of caution.
It has a mixed message on who is actually in charge. On one hand people say that Bush always has the final word, and is referred to as "the Man" by White House folk, but decisions More...
It has a mixed message on who is actually in charge. On one hand people say that Bush always has the final word, and is referred to as "the Man" by White House folk, but decisions More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 04, 2007
Louis
rated it:
This book is about the history of the events, internal debates and conversations within the Bush administration that lead up to the decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003. In many ways, this is a follow on to Woodward's previous book, BushAtWar?. It is interesting that in the reader's note, he says that as of March 2004 he spent over a year researching and interviewing people, which implies that he started work on the book before the war began in March 2003. Granted, this did not indicate incredi
More...
Sep 17, 2007
Nathan
rated it:
Plan of Attack, Woodward's account of the Bush administration's lead-up to the Iraq war, is not a good book for people looking for signs of conspiracy or evil on the part of Bush cronies. It is, however, a good documentation of this administrations lack of preparedness and general ineptitude in launching the Iraq invasion. Voices of dissent are articulated in the book, most notably the objections of Colin Powell and General Tommy Franks. The latter, the leader of our invasion of Afghanistan who
More...
May 30, 2010
Riley
rated it:
Plan of Attack is a good example of the failings of the all-access books Bob Woodward has been writing for four decades. It's really an embarrassment that a top-shelf journalist would have missed as much as Woodward did in the lead up to the invasion of Iraq. Woodward's account is interesting, but more for what isn't there than what is. The frame of debate he presents is narrow indeed -- from Colin Powell's hesitations to Dick Cheney's certainties.
Sep 26, 2009
Eric
rated it:
Woodward's method depends heavily on priviliged access to sources in the know, and reading his books, you can always tell who talked--they come off best.[return][return]This beholden-ness to special sources weakens his writing, but less so here than in Bush at War. Read Bush at War next to his latest book--can these possibily be the same people? What ever happened to the Harvard Business School President? What ever happened to all that competency?
Apr 30, 2011
Mike
rated it:
Woodward does a great job with this. He's done extensive research and interviews including Bush himself. The book confirmed what I had already suspected. Now that I've finished, I have to say it was interesting, but nothing really stands out. Woodward's reporting and writing were stellar, but my comment about Plan of Attack, parallels one made by a reader of another book I've just finished, Absolute Power, about the Clinton-Reno Justice Department, "There's nothing really new here."
Oct 10, 2010
Greg
rated it:
Unfortunately, it didn't take long for me to realize this was abridged and it definitely impacted my enjoyment. It was quick and choppy and I'm confident when expanded from 6 to 14 CDs, a more complete picture is painted. Brief as it was, I enjoyed learning a bit more about these events though most was not new to me. I like Woodward's style and, for the most part, objectivity, in presenting accounts of recent history.
Oct 15, 2008
Blake
rated it:
Bob Woodward's series on the Bush Administration are good reads for anyone interested in a factual and well documented/sourced account of the Bush Administration at war. Plan of Attack deals with the lead up to and invasion of Iraq (later books deal with the post-invasion aftermath). One strong warning, while I consider this book and this series essential for anyone who wishes to understand the war in Iraq, don't read this book if you couldn't care less about how your government makes sausage.
More...
Jul 08, 2009
Russ
rated it:
Woodward does an amazing job of not making you feel like he's a covert publicist for one of the political parties. Very objective and insightful information that will make you think differently about all the garbage you read in the main stream media.
Jan 06, 2008
Jack
rated it:
This is an extremely good history of the intrigues and issues surrounding the bush administration's decision to invade Iraq. It's well written, meticulously researched, and it manages for the most part to characterize without editorializing.
The book's biggest problem is not really Woodward's fault: people who closely follow the news probably know much of its subject material already. There's MUCH more detail and specifics on the factions and rivalries within the Bush administration More...
The book's biggest problem is not really Woodward's fault: people who closely follow the news probably know much of its subject material already. There's MUCH more detail and specifics on the factions and rivalries within the Bush administration More...
Sep 30, 2011
Robert
rated it:
It is so impossible to know what is happening at any given time. It is nice to be able to recover at least some of the real facts. Very interesting.
Sep 25, 2010
Mike
rated it:
Neutral and informative. I'm amazed at how the author describes the inner workings of the decision of going to Iraq without coming across too biased.
Sep 11, 2010
Jerry
rated it:
Much more critical of the administration than Bush at War. It's amazing -- while I was reading this book, I was thinking back to where I was when all of these events were going on. Woodward draws readers back to that time and the behind the scene decision making quite well. His style is for the most part smooth flowing.
Jul 28, 2011
Patrice
rated it:
Not critical enough. You get the feeling Woodward doesn't want to be too hard on the White House so he won't lose his access.
