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"Work Hard, Study . . . and Keep Out of Politics!"
White House chief of staff twice over, former secretary of state, past secretary of the treasury, and campaign leader for three different candidates in five successful campaigns—few people have lived and breathed politics as deeply or for as long as James Baker. Now, with candor, down-home Texas storytelling, and more than a few surprises, Baker opens up about his thirty-five years behind the scenes.
Beginning in 1975 with the Ford administration, in a job procured for him by friend and tennis partner George H. W. Bush, Baker was in the thick of American politics. He recounts the inside story of Ford’s rejection of Reagan as a running mate in 1976 with the same insight he has into Reagan’s rejection of Ford four years later. When the White House was plunged into turmoil after the Reagan assassination attempt, he was there, and his stories take readers deeper into those chaotic days. Baker was on hand for the George H. W. Bush campaign’s battle over running mate Dan Quayle and, more recently, he was again on the front row as George W. Bush fought it out in Florida. Spellbinding and frank, his stories are the ones between the lines of our history books.
In this new edition, Baker also responds for the first time in print to the George W. Bush administration’s reaction to the Iraq Study Group Report, written with his input. Baker is very qualified to comment on the political operation of the current administration, and his new writing for this paperback brings the full weight of his experience to bear.
Beginning in 1975 with the Ford administration, in a job procured for him by friend and tennis partner George H. W. Bush, Baker was in the thick of American politics. He recounts the inside story of Ford’s rejection of Reagan as a running mate in 1976 with the same insight he has into Reagan’s rejection of Ford four years later. When the White House was plunged into turmoil after the Reagan assassination attempt, he was there, and his stories take readers deeper into those chaotic days. Baker was on hand for the George H. W. Bush campaign’s battle over running mate Dan Quayle and, more recently, he was again on the front row as George W. Bush fought it out in Florida. Spellbinding and frank, his stories are the ones between the lines of our history books.
In this new edition, Baker also responds for the first time in print to the George W. Bush administration’s reaction to the Iraq Study Group Report, written with his input. Baker is very qualified to comment on the political operation of the current administration, and his new writing for this paperback brings the full weight of his experience to bear.
496 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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243 people want to read
About the author
James A. Baker III
15 books15 followersJames Addison Baker III (born April 28, 1930) is an American attorney and governmental official.
Baker served as the Chief of Staff in President Ronald Reagan's first administration and in the final year of the administration of President George H. W. Bush. Baker also served as Secretary of the Treasury from 1985–1988 in the second Reagan administration, and Secretary of State in the George H. W. Bush administration. He is also the honorary chair of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
Baker served as the Chief of Staff in President Ronald Reagan's first administration and in the final year of the administration of President George H. W. Bush. Baker also served as Secretary of the Treasury from 1985–1988 in the second Reagan administration, and Secretary of State in the George H. W. Bush administration. He is also the honorary chair of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 21, 2016
I am not exactly a political animal. I used to pay attention to the national political scene back when I was in college as I suppose many young people do and I also followed it pretty closely thereafter because it had sort of become a habit. These were the years of Reagan-Bush-Clinton, approximately 20 years during which I followed along pretty closely. However, the older I’ve become, the less I have come to identify with any particular party. I have formed opinions on issues but today I classify myself as a die-hard unaffiliated voter. For me most of politics has become a spectator sport (up until this current election that is). I am more interested in the behind-the-scenes strategies and tactics than the actual candidates etc.
So this book was a very nice read for me. James A Baker III was mostly a behind-the-scenes kind of guy, at least in his early career, and had an incredible view of US national level politics for a long time. He served four US Presidents as Campaign Manager, Chief of Staff, Secretary of the Treasury, and Secretary of State. Ford, Reagan, Bush 1, Clinton, and Bush 2 have all called on him for special projects, foreign envoys, etc. One must always be skeptical of a political person’s autobiography of course but it seems like there is a lot of honesty in this one for the author does eat a fair share of humble pie. I liked the way he described the major events that he was involved with from an insider’s perspective. I also liked the way he detailed how politicians in his day could disagree politically but still remain cordial to one another and even friends. The Ronald Reagan/Tip O’Neil example is only one of many. Sadly it seems those days are past.
So this book was a very nice read for me. James A Baker III was mostly a behind-the-scenes kind of guy, at least in his early career, and had an incredible view of US national level politics for a long time. He served four US Presidents as Campaign Manager, Chief of Staff, Secretary of the Treasury, and Secretary of State. Ford, Reagan, Bush 1, Clinton, and Bush 2 have all called on him for special projects, foreign envoys, etc. One must always be skeptical of a political person’s autobiography of course but it seems like there is a lot of honesty in this one for the author does eat a fair share of humble pie. I liked the way he described the major events that he was involved with from an insider’s perspective. I also liked the way he detailed how politicians in his day could disagree politically but still remain cordial to one another and even friends. The Ronald Reagan/Tip O’Neil example is only one of many. Sadly it seems those days are past.
April 5, 2020
Not a rags-to-riches story, but James Baker's life story is no less fascinating. Coming from a rich family of lawyers, Baker himself joined the profession but could not join the family firm so he went to another. For the first forty years on his life he stayed in private legal practice as his late grandfather advised (the book title is a quote from him), but his wife's unexpected death from cancer made him want to change his life, and he entered politics because of that.
He had been a longtime George H. W. Bush associate, and describes how his various political campaigns went, until Bush became Reagan's vice President and Baker would serve as chief of staff in the Reagan White House, later moving to Treasury and getting involved with the world financial system, as well as international diplomacy when Bush actually became President. He even became involved with the 2000 Florida election recount, maintaining that Bush had been the winner all along, and how the Gore campaign unsuccessfully tried to change things and ultimately lost in court.
Baker was one of many players during the Reagan/Bush era; his story is definitely one of the important ones.
He had been a longtime George H. W. Bush associate, and describes how his various political campaigns went, until Bush became Reagan's vice President and Baker would serve as chief of staff in the Reagan White House, later moving to Treasury and getting involved with the world financial system, as well as international diplomacy when Bush actually became President. He even became involved with the 2000 Florida election recount, maintaining that Bush had been the winner all along, and how the Gore campaign unsuccessfully tried to change things and ultimately lost in court.
Baker was one of many players during the Reagan/Bush era; his story is definitely one of the important ones.
July 4, 2021
I read this book after reading Secretary Baker's first book, The Politics of Diplomacy. While the first book covered his years as Secretary of State and his undeniable role in ending the Cold War and bringing peace to the Middle East, this book takes a more personal look at his private life, his role as Secretary of Treasury and Chief of Staff under President Reagan and his relationship with George H. W. Bush. Overall, i found it to be a fascinating read.
August 27, 2021
What a great book! The way he goes about his business and the framework with which he approaches everything are absolutely wonderful lessons for anybody trying to embark on any Enterprise. This is one of the reasons why he is in the elite of the Chiefs of Staff and why he is a great Statesman and political strategist.
January 3, 2018
Great insights into the back stage of modern American politics that Baker was present for. Hard to read at times but great for any political/history junkie.
February 14, 2016
Steve Fiffer is a friend and he autographed this copy for me -- excellent. Good read. Informative. Steve is a great writer -- look into his THREE QUARTERS, TWO DIMES, AND A NICKLE -- the single book where he (finally!) writes about himself. Powerful, strong character with a tough medical history (and a great mother who is a dear friend of mine!)
April 20, 2008
In some ways, I was disappointed by this book--not by the writing but by the emphasis on the past rather than more recent events. I really wanted to know more about Baker's role in the 2000 election aftermath. All in all, the man is a politician, albeit a fairly decent one.
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January 18, 2010Work Hard, Study...and Keep Out of Politics! Adventures and Lessons from an Unexpected Public Life by James Baker III (2006)
July 26, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews