2026 Reading Challenge
Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War

Questions About Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War

by Robert M. Gates

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Answered Questions (2)

Great book about a very good man. He was a man with a strong backbone. Strong backbones aren't found often in D.C.. What do you thing?
Laurell Dowling There is no question that Secretary Gates had a tough job. I think staying through two administrations started to take its toll. His style of writing …moreThere is no question that Secretary Gates had a tough job. I think staying through two administrations started to take its toll. His style of writing made him seem very arrogant. I really don't see that as having a strong backbone. Being able to move Congress to support different programs: such as giving the troops better equipment and better medical treatment were some of his greatest achievements.(less)
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Building a democratic government in Iraq for the US was building a new government in a region where never has been controlled under a stable government. It was like building something on nothing. US officials admitted that they did not know Iraq well enough. Therefore, how is this comparable to the US and its allies war in Afghanistan?
Laurell Dowling There was a part in the book where Gates talked about the US having too high of expectations for Iraq and Afghanistan. Trying to make both countries d…moreThere was a part in the book where Gates talked about the US having too high of expectations for Iraq and Afghanistan. Trying to make both countries democracies may be unrealistic. Maybe we should say we have victory when we can achieve a save environment for its citizens to live. (less)
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