With no-holds-barred candor, the straight-talking former ambassador to the United Nations takes readers behind the scenes at the UN and the U.S. St...
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Nov 11, 2007
Barron
rated it: 
Best line:
"His deputy perm rep, Adam Thomson, in one discussion, said plaintively, 'But that's the way we do things at the UN,' Which was not an argument to make to me. Behind his back, staffers at UKUN called Thomson, the son of a British diplomat, 'Harry Potter' because of his resemblance to the character from the series of children's books. Sadly, thereafter, I could never look at or listen to Thomson without immediately thinking Harry and all his little friends."
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"His deputy perm rep, Adam Thomson, in one discussion, said plaintively, 'But that's the way we do things at the UN,' Which was not an argument to make to me. Behind his back, staffers at UKUN called Thomson, the son of a British diplomat, 'Harry Potter' because of his resemblance to the character from the series of children's books. Sadly, thereafter, I could never look at or listen to Thomson without immediately thinking Harry and all his little friends."
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Aug 09, 2011
Wow. John Bolton is an unbelievably angry man. 'Surrender Is Not An Option' is surely the most polemical of any memoir I've read coming from the Bush Administration - and it'll take a great deal of effort for any of Bolton's former colleagues to match his utter disdain for liberalism, multilateralism, Europeans (especially, if somewhat surprisingly, the British), the UN, Democrats, centre-ground Republicans, and pretty much anyone who Bolton has found in his crosshairs throughout his life.
John More...
John More...
Oct 12, 2008
Kenny
rated it: 
Bolton says, in great detail, what I have long suspected about the United Nations: "There is no doubt that the one-nation-one-vote principle--as fraudulent an analogy to real democracy as has ever been made--completely dominates the UN program, budget, and management decision-making, almost entirely to the detriment of the United States."
Accordingly, he condludes that "only one UN reform is worth the effort, and without it nothing else will succeed: Voluntary contribut More...
Accordingly, he condludes that "only one UN reform is worth the effort, and without it nothing else will succeed: Voluntary contribut More...
Oct 18, 2011
Joe
rated it:
John Bolton is notoriously feisty, and his time at the UN was notoriously feisty as well. As a journalist who covered his entire time here, I found it fascinating to read this account of what was actually going on in the meetings I spent many hours waiting outside of. The strengths and weaknesses of Bolton's tenure are all on display in his writing here. On the one hand, he has a commanding mastery of the issues, an unflinching willingness to call it as he sees it, and an ability to press ahead
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Jul 01, 2009
Kenneth
rated it: 
According to goodreads, this book is 366 pages. It's closer to 500. Aside from that, this book is hard to read. There's a lot of policy detail, and I struggled to get through it. It's an important book in illustrating the problems within the U.N., and the problems within the bureaucracy of the United States. While he can be self-serving, he's not afraid to name names. It's a book more Americans need to read if there is ever to be change.
Just don't try reading it all at once.
Just don't try reading it all at once.
Mar 03, 2011
Scott
rated it:
Mr. Bolten is a well spoken person who has proven an effective attorney and diplomat. His ideas may not jive with everyone but his perspective of the State Department and the UN are important for everyone to consider whether conservative or liberal, a US citizen or a citizen of the world.
Sep 13, 2009
Jessi
rated it: 
John Bolton rambles arrogantly through this dry account of part of his career. Constantly throwing in useless anecdotes to demonstrate his charm and influence with members of the Bush administration, this needlessly thick account is full of exclamation points and too many acronyms to keep track of. A Cliff's Notes version may have be worth looking into for a look into some foreign policy decisions made during the presidency of George W. Bush, but this book was simply awful.
Aug 30, 2009
Tal
rated it:
Interesting and shows how ineffective the UN actually is but a difficult read at best.
Feb 25, 2008
Stephen
rated it:
While this is rather dense material, Mr. Bolton's detailed account of his time as the US Permanent Representative to the United Nations makes for excellent reading material. Earlier chapters on his time as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control are also quite good. An illuminating portrait of both of George W. Bush's Secretaries of State is painted.
Nov 16, 2009
John
rated it:
Excellent read. Bolton is very, very, good at what he does. To think that Hilary is doing the job now is scary. You get some insight into what goes on at the UN, Colin Powell, and Condi Rice. None very flattering. Bolton does not come across as an ideologue, but a man who knows his job and does it well.
Mar 31, 2009
Anthony
rated it:
One man's perspective of what it was like in the first term of Bush's white house. Intersesting to hear the thoughts of Colin Powell and Donald Rumsfeld, and Bush himself. Brings into focus what a difficult world it is, as we see what it's like up close and personal with China, North Korea, Iran.
Aug 25, 2008
Whennen
rated it:
We pay 27% of the bill, at least we are on the security council. Good book, def a memoir. Shows what happens when we are more worried about feeling good than getting the job done and when people who are in charge of projects do not have to pay the consequences when goals are not met.
Feb 13, 2008
Bill
rated it:
Bolton, former US ambassador to the United Nations, is a true believer in the conservative ranks. It's a great read about how the UN runs from the perspective of someone who doesn't think it runs well at all.
Dec 26, 2007
Nathan
rated it:
Financial Times review says it better than I can:
Bolton writes badly, cannot tell a story and has no interesting new ideas. Other than that, highly recommended.
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Jan 03, 2008
Steve
rated it:
If you are a political wonk, especially a conservative one, you'll like this one. A bit too esoteric for me, but informative. Definitely not a page turner.
Aug 28, 2008
Alexandra
rated it:
A behind the doors look at the UN from an American perspective. John Bolton turns dry facts into readable information.
Sep 10, 2010
Rachel
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I decided to shelf this book for the time being; I may revisit again. Just could not get interested in it!
Jan 07, 2012
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