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A World Transformed
"The most important book yet written about the end of the Cold War."
- The New York Tmes Book Review
"Among the finest expositions of modern American foreign policy. . . . An excellent book."
-Eugene V. Rostow, The Wall Street Journal
It was a pivotal administration in the history of American foreign policy--for during George Bush's presidency a series of international events took place that had a profound impact on the course of America and on the future of world diplomacy.
In A World Transformed , Mr. Bush and his national security advisor, Brent Scowcroft, provide a fascinating account of a president and an administration faced with unprecedented obstacles and unrivaled opportunities as they forged a foreign policy at the end of the Cold War. Solidarity comes to power in Poland. East and West Germans dance on the wall that separated them for half a century. And on Christmas Day, 1991, the hammer-and-sickle flag descends from the Kremlin for the last time.
It is also a candid analysis of a new chapter in foreign affairs, when the United States led an international alliance to confront the threat presented by Saddam Hussein and presented a dynamic response to the Tiananmen crisis. Balanced and intelligent, A World Transformed offers a landmark treatise on American foreign policy and international diplomacy from two of its principal architects.
"Reveals not only a wealth of detail about the main lines of foreign policy at the highest level during a most portentous period of our history, but also of the truly admirable characters of the men who made it."
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
"In a strong new book, the ex-president recalls
dangerous days. . . . It should leave little doubt how lucky we were that we had such a seasoned hand on the tiller at a time when foreign policy really counted."
-Michael R. Beschloss, Newsweek
- The New York Tmes Book Review
"Among the finest expositions of modern American foreign policy. . . . An excellent book."
-Eugene V. Rostow, The Wall Street Journal
It was a pivotal administration in the history of American foreign policy--for during George Bush's presidency a series of international events took place that had a profound impact on the course of America and on the future of world diplomacy.
In A World Transformed , Mr. Bush and his national security advisor, Brent Scowcroft, provide a fascinating account of a president and an administration faced with unprecedented obstacles and unrivaled opportunities as they forged a foreign policy at the end of the Cold War. Solidarity comes to power in Poland. East and West Germans dance on the wall that separated them for half a century. And on Christmas Day, 1991, the hammer-and-sickle flag descends from the Kremlin for the last time.
It is also a candid analysis of a new chapter in foreign affairs, when the United States led an international alliance to confront the threat presented by Saddam Hussein and presented a dynamic response to the Tiananmen crisis. Balanced and intelligent, A World Transformed offers a landmark treatise on American foreign policy and international diplomacy from two of its principal architects.
"Reveals not only a wealth of detail about the main lines of foreign policy at the highest level during a most portentous period of our history, but also of the truly admirable characters of the men who made it."
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
"In a strong new book, the ex-president recalls
dangerous days. . . . It should leave little doubt how lucky we were that we had such a seasoned hand on the tiller at a time when foreign policy really counted."
-Michael R. Beschloss, Newsweek
624 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
36 people are currently reading
609 people want to read
About the author
George H.W. Bush
75 books37 followersGeorge Herbert Walker Bush, from 1976 formerly directed the central intelligence agency to 1977, served from 1981 as vice under Ronald Wilson Reagan and from 1989 as the 41st president of the United States to 1993; Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, and he in response initiated the Gulf War of 1991.
Barbara Bush, First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993 as the wife of George Herbert Walker Bush, president, actively promoted literacy.
Bush held a multitude of political positions, including the 43rd in the Administration.
Dorothy Walker Bush bore George to Prescott Bush, senator of Massachusetts.
Following the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Bush at the age of 18 years in 1942 postponed going to college as the youngest naval aviator in history. He served until the end and then attended Yale University. Graduating in 1948, he moved his young family to western Texas and entered the oil business to attain a millionaire before the age of 40 years in 1964.
He founded his own oil company, and politics quickly involved him, who served as a member of the House of Representatives among other positions. He ran unsuccessfully in 1980, but party chose him as the nominee, and people subsequently elected them. During tenure, Bush headed task forces of Administration on deregulation and on fighting drug abuse.
In 1988,, Bush launched a successful campaign to succeed and to defeat challenger Michael Dukakis. Foreign policy drove Bush, who conducted successful operations in Panama and Persia at a time of world change; the Berlin wall fell in 1989, and the Soviet Union dissolved two years later. Domestically, Bush reneged on a campaign promise of 1988 and raised taxes amidst a struggle with Congress. In the wake of economic concerns, he lost the election of 1992 to Bill Clinton, a Democrat.
Bush fathered George Walker Bush, the 43rd, and Jeb Bush, governor of Florida. Upon the death of Gerald Rudolph Ford in 2006, the oldest Bush lived.
Barbara Bush, First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993 as the wife of George Herbert Walker Bush, president, actively promoted literacy.
Bush held a multitude of political positions, including the 43rd in the Administration.
Dorothy Walker Bush bore George to Prescott Bush, senator of Massachusetts.
Following the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Bush at the age of 18 years in 1942 postponed going to college as the youngest naval aviator in history. He served until the end and then attended Yale University. Graduating in 1948, he moved his young family to western Texas and entered the oil business to attain a millionaire before the age of 40 years in 1964.
He founded his own oil company, and politics quickly involved him, who served as a member of the House of Representatives among other positions. He ran unsuccessfully in 1980, but party chose him as the nominee, and people subsequently elected them. During tenure, Bush headed task forces of Administration on deregulation and on fighting drug abuse.
In 1988,, Bush launched a successful campaign to succeed and to defeat challenger Michael Dukakis. Foreign policy drove Bush, who conducted successful operations in Panama and Persia at a time of world change; the Berlin wall fell in 1989, and the Soviet Union dissolved two years later. Domestically, Bush reneged on a campaign promise of 1988 and raised taxes amidst a struggle with Congress. In the wake of economic concerns, he lost the election of 1992 to Bill Clinton, a Democrat.
Bush fathered George Walker Bush, the 43rd, and Jeb Bush, governor of Florida. Upon the death of Gerald Rudolph Ford in 2006, the oldest Bush lived.
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May 21, 2018
President George H. W. Bush has stated on many occasions that he doesn't plan to write a memoir. Given that Bush is 90 years old, it seems unlikely that he'll do so, even if he reverses his stand. But in 1998 he wrote a book with his National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft about the major foreign policy decisions they made during their four years in office. These events were Tienanmen Square, Desert Storm, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In one of the lighter sections of the book, President Bush talks about The Scowcroft Award, given every year to an Administration official who fell asleep in a meeting and did the best acting job of trying to appear they were awake the whole time.
Reading about these events that occurred only 25 years ago, one is reminded about how much chaos and uncertainty there was on the world stage in those four years. Nearly every day there was another country moving toward independence from the Soviet Union, Germany moving toward reunification, and shifting borders between countries. After the great personal diplomacy and treaties between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, relations were better between the US and the USSR than they had been at any point in the histories of the two countries. Bush and his team performed a high-stakes high wire act between supporting these breakaway republics and not antagonizing our new Soviet Allies.
In hindsight, the reunification of Germany was seamless and almost inevitable, but it didn't appear that way to those in power at the time. Everybody in government of all of the allied countries underestimated the speed of the dissolve of East Germany. Some of our allies were wary of German reunification, partially because of the history of German aggression (this was only 40 years after WWII), but mainly because of the unresolved issue of Germany's border with Poland.
Each chapter in the book is made up of alternating sections: one written by Bush, the next by Scowcroft. Sometimes this was a little jarring and stopped the good narrative flow, but it was interesting to get the participants' differing perspectives. Bush's style was a lot more readable than Scowcroft's. Another thing I found interesting was how Bush referred to foreign leaders. He'd talk of phone calls with Margaret (Thatcher), inviting Francois (Mitterand) to Kennebunkport, and trying to reach Mikhail (Gorbachev) during the attempted coup against him. In all the books I've read by world leaders, nobody has referred to his colleagues by first name.
Some sections of the book were more interesting than others, but overall it provided a good insight into the diplomatic efforts of the Bush Administration and a real fly-on-the-wall feeling of the tumultuous early '90's.
In one of the lighter sections of the book, President Bush talks about The Scowcroft Award, given every year to an Administration official who fell asleep in a meeting and did the best acting job of trying to appear they were awake the whole time.
Reading about these events that occurred only 25 years ago, one is reminded about how much chaos and uncertainty there was on the world stage in those four years. Nearly every day there was another country moving toward independence from the Soviet Union, Germany moving toward reunification, and shifting borders between countries. After the great personal diplomacy and treaties between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, relations were better between the US and the USSR than they had been at any point in the histories of the two countries. Bush and his team performed a high-stakes high wire act between supporting these breakaway republics and not antagonizing our new Soviet Allies.
In hindsight, the reunification of Germany was seamless and almost inevitable, but it didn't appear that way to those in power at the time. Everybody in government of all of the allied countries underestimated the speed of the dissolve of East Germany. Some of our allies were wary of German reunification, partially because of the history of German aggression (this was only 40 years after WWII), but mainly because of the unresolved issue of Germany's border with Poland.
Each chapter in the book is made up of alternating sections: one written by Bush, the next by Scowcroft. Sometimes this was a little jarring and stopped the good narrative flow, but it was interesting to get the participants' differing perspectives. Bush's style was a lot more readable than Scowcroft's. Another thing I found interesting was how Bush referred to foreign leaders. He'd talk of phone calls with Margaret (Thatcher), inviting Francois (Mitterand) to Kennebunkport, and trying to reach Mikhail (Gorbachev) during the attempted coup against him. In all the books I've read by world leaders, nobody has referred to his colleagues by first name.
Some sections of the book were more interesting than others, but overall it provided a good insight into the diplomatic efforts of the Bush Administration and a real fly-on-the-wall feeling of the tumultuous early '90's.
November 9, 2025
A World Transformed
While this book is a dense read, it a marvelous and profound look behind the scenes at some of the most momentous events in US and world history. It is of course impossible to prove a counter-factual, but the end of the cold war that happened on President Bush’s watch, may have saved us all. We were and are blessed that the events detailed in this tome happened and that we had such enlightened leadership. We can have it and I hope for more of the same in the future.
While this book is a dense read, it a marvelous and profound look behind the scenes at some of the most momentous events in US and world history. It is of course impossible to prove a counter-factual, but the end of the cold war that happened on President Bush’s watch, may have saved us all. We were and are blessed that the events detailed in this tome happened and that we had such enlightened leadership. We can have it and I hope for more of the same in the future.
February 20, 2020
A charming valuable read
This book felt very realistic to me. It didn’t feel self congratulatory but instead showed how a team can navigate a major change in a positive way. This book really hammers home my belief that things could have been so much worse if they hadn’t been handled calmly as the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact collapsed.
This book felt very realistic to me. It didn’t feel self congratulatory but instead showed how a team can navigate a major change in a positive way. This book really hammers home my belief that things could have been so much worse if they hadn’t been handled calmly as the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact collapsed.
January 22, 2019
This book was definitely out of my comfort zone for reading. Never the less I found myself so interested in the various pieces of this crazy story. I was in grade school when the events in this book were taking place. I remember skits on SNL and various pop culture jokes and references that we repeated but had no idea what they meant. I do remember thinking things like the unification of Germany and Desert Storm seemed to happen rather quickly, and it appears that really was the case. It was very interesting to get a behind the scenes glimpse at the president's perspective while this was all going on. Imagine, all the diplomatic work that went into the unification of Germany. I had no idea how much negotiating went into something like that happening. So merely a month later, Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait! **Sigh**....the work is never done. If I were in that situation, I can't imagine the level of frustration I would feel. I was also interested in President Bush's perspective on the rationale behind the US backing Kuwait. I remember alot of controversy about his decision, and also the feeling that it was in large part his decision to enter the conflict. Based on this book, it appears that was the case. He was very passionate about the fight for several reasons, and congress as a whole didn't really support this. This was a dense book, but I found to be relatively easy to get through. I found the different perspectives given by President Bush and Brent Scowcroft really helped me to understand more about the various roles in the Executive Branch, and really how important diplomacy is. (Slightly scary given the current presidency.....).
In closing, George Bush gives some telling remarks regarding his thoughts about the role of the President. "There should be no question that we must face future challenges head on, without reverting to the isolationism and protectionism of the earlier part of the century. Our nation can no longer afford to retire selfishly behind its borders as soon as international conditions seemed to recede from crisis." Hmmmm
In closing, George Bush gives some telling remarks regarding his thoughts about the role of the President. "There should be no question that we must face future challenges head on, without reverting to the isolationism and protectionism of the earlier part of the century. Our nation can no longer afford to retire selfishly behind its borders as soon as international conditions seemed to recede from crisis." Hmmmm
September 7, 2021
“A World Transformed” an account of the major foreign policy challenges confronted by the United States in the years 1989-1993 as seen by President George H. W. Bush and his National Security Advisor, Brent Scowcroft. It focuses on the continuing relationship and interactions with Mikhail Gorbachev and the steps taken to assemble the coalition that reversed the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Although many players play their parts in this drama, the main characters are Bush and Gorbachev. Gorbachev was a crucial factor in the management of the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union and also played a major supporting role in the Kuwait crisis, in many ways helpful, in others not. Related issues included the reunification of Germany and the coup in the Philippines.
The format of the book is that the background is narrated without specific attribution, followed by text provided by the two authors.
This is an “insiders’ book”. Bush and Scowcroft share their impressions of world leaders, such as Helmut Kohl, Francois Mitterrand, Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Brian Mulroney. Insights are shared concerning respect for leaders who took political risks in support of their nations’ interests, such as Kohl, strong allies, think of Thatcher and Major, those who became personal friends and political confidants, most prominently Mulroney, and the adversary with whom Bush shared friendship, Gorbachev. Then there are those called out as not being helpful with King Hussein of Jordan in that spotlight.
A sense that emerges is that the great affairs of nations are managed by people, people with political needs, personal strengths and weakness, families and emotions. Readers get a glimpse of how precedent weighs on decisions. Bush and Gorbachev share their disappointments with Yalta. Bush “asked Borden Gray to look into how Lyndon Johnson had handled Congress at the time of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1964. Johnson had worked hard to get individual member of Congress, and Congress itself, to go on record in support of what he was doing in Vietnam.” (p.371) He “had in mind the bombing pauses that Johnson and Nixon were pressured into calling during the Vietnam War. Instead of bringing peace, they gave the enemy a chance to regroup. I was determined not to repeat the mistake.” (p.454) Speaking of the President, Scowcroft recalled that “Still vivid in his mind was the image of Lyndon Johnson during Vietnam, hunched over aerial charts selectin individual targets for air strikes.” (p. 466)
By the end of my reading, I concluded that “A World Transformed” is an essential aid to understanding the crucial and necessary role George H. W. Bush played in managing the end of the Cold War.
The format of the book is that the background is narrated without specific attribution, followed by text provided by the two authors.
This is an “insiders’ book”. Bush and Scowcroft share their impressions of world leaders, such as Helmut Kohl, Francois Mitterrand, Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Brian Mulroney. Insights are shared concerning respect for leaders who took political risks in support of their nations’ interests, such as Kohl, strong allies, think of Thatcher and Major, those who became personal friends and political confidants, most prominently Mulroney, and the adversary with whom Bush shared friendship, Gorbachev. Then there are those called out as not being helpful with King Hussein of Jordan in that spotlight.
A sense that emerges is that the great affairs of nations are managed by people, people with political needs, personal strengths and weakness, families and emotions. Readers get a glimpse of how precedent weighs on decisions. Bush and Gorbachev share their disappointments with Yalta. Bush “asked Borden Gray to look into how Lyndon Johnson had handled Congress at the time of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1964. Johnson had worked hard to get individual member of Congress, and Congress itself, to go on record in support of what he was doing in Vietnam.” (p.371) He “had in mind the bombing pauses that Johnson and Nixon were pressured into calling during the Vietnam War. Instead of bringing peace, they gave the enemy a chance to regroup. I was determined not to repeat the mistake.” (p.454) Speaking of the President, Scowcroft recalled that “Still vivid in his mind was the image of Lyndon Johnson during Vietnam, hunched over aerial charts selectin individual targets for air strikes.” (p. 466)
By the end of my reading, I concluded that “A World Transformed” is an essential aid to understanding the crucial and necessary role George H. W. Bush played in managing the end of the Cold War.
June 25, 2024
A World Transformed by George H. W. Bush and Brent Scowcroft is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the current world order and the pivotal international events that shaped it. This insightful book provides a detailed account of the diplomatic and strategic maneuvers that led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall, offering readers an insider's perspective on these monumental historical moments.
The authors, with their firsthand experiences and deep involvement in global politics, bring a unique and authoritative voice to the narrative. The chapters dedicated to the Gulf War are particularly compelling. They offer a fascinating context for understanding the complexities and challenges faced by the United States during this crisis. It's interesting to read these chapters with the hindsight of the invasion of Iraq in the 2000s, under Bush 43. Many of the concerns that Bush 41 had during the Gulf War crisis—such as the potential for regional instability and the importance of coalition-building—proved to be prescient and highly relevant in later years.
Bush and Scowcroft's reflections on their decisions and the geopolitical landscape of the time provide valuable lessons and insights that remain pertinent today. Their emphasis on diplomacy, international cooperation, and strategic foresight underscores the complexities of global leadership and the importance of thoughtful, measured approaches to international relations.
Overall, A World Transformed is a captivating and informative read that not only illuminates the past but also offers crucial insights into contemporary international affairs. It is highly recommended for history enthusiasts, students of political science, and anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of global diplomacy and the events that have shaped our modern world.
The authors, with their firsthand experiences and deep involvement in global politics, bring a unique and authoritative voice to the narrative. The chapters dedicated to the Gulf War are particularly compelling. They offer a fascinating context for understanding the complexities and challenges faced by the United States during this crisis. It's interesting to read these chapters with the hindsight of the invasion of Iraq in the 2000s, under Bush 43. Many of the concerns that Bush 41 had during the Gulf War crisis—such as the potential for regional instability and the importance of coalition-building—proved to be prescient and highly relevant in later years.
Bush and Scowcroft's reflections on their decisions and the geopolitical landscape of the time provide valuable lessons and insights that remain pertinent today. Their emphasis on diplomacy, international cooperation, and strategic foresight underscores the complexities of global leadership and the importance of thoughtful, measured approaches to international relations.
Overall, A World Transformed is a captivating and informative read that not only illuminates the past but also offers crucial insights into contemporary international affairs. It is highly recommended for history enthusiasts, students of political science, and anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of global diplomacy and the events that have shaped our modern world.
December 16, 2023
A Fairly Good Book from Two Real Statesmen
This is a review of the abridged audiocassette version of this work
This book has a number of things going for it. One is that it was written by the authors, it is not a ghost written book as so many recent books "written• by ex high level officials are. Secondly the book is written by two real statesmen who were worthy of the name, again unlike the bulk of the recent batch that has lost all touch with reality (assuming they had any to begin with). Thirdly, they provide a serious history including, very importantly, why they did what they did along with the policy process itself. For example, when they discuss why they did stopped short of overthrowing Hussein during the first Gulf War they provide a well the reasons they did so in some detail. If leaders following them (Bush Jr.) had read this book they would have understood the dangers of going all the way and overthrowing Hussein instead of just keeping him "boxed
inn.
All and all a decent memoir, as seen by these two authors on the foreign policy of the period along with why policies taken were and how policies were implemented and what problems/benefits there were. All and all a four star book for the reader interested in the topic.
With respect to the performance of the audiobook it is fairly good (it is read by the authors) but not spectacular or dramatic. Then again this is not a fiction book hence this is not an issue of great importance.
This is a review of the abridged audiocassette version of this work
This book has a number of things going for it. One is that it was written by the authors, it is not a ghost written book as so many recent books "written• by ex high level officials are. Secondly the book is written by two real statesmen who were worthy of the name, again unlike the bulk of the recent batch that has lost all touch with reality (assuming they had any to begin with). Thirdly, they provide a serious history including, very importantly, why they did what they did along with the policy process itself. For example, when they discuss why they did stopped short of overthrowing Hussein during the first Gulf War they provide a well the reasons they did so in some detail. If leaders following them (Bush Jr.) had read this book they would have understood the dangers of going all the way and overthrowing Hussein instead of just keeping him "boxed
inn.
All and all a decent memoir, as seen by these two authors on the foreign policy of the period along with why policies taken were and how policies were implemented and what problems/benefits there were. All and all a four star book for the reader interested in the topic.
With respect to the performance of the audiobook it is fairly good (it is read by the authors) but not spectacular or dramatic. Then again this is not a fiction book hence this is not an issue of great importance.
March 4, 2022
Last President of the Cold War. A lot to unpack here. Recommended to me for the Desert Storm stuff but very interesting overall. Recommended for my international relation focused friends.
November 17, 2023
A fascinating read by the 41st President, George H.W. Bush. Recommend for those that want the behind the scenes end of the Cold War from the American perspective at the very top.
October 17, 2025
AN outstanding inside look at the Bush Presidency by two of the most honorable people in the twentieth century.
May 13, 2016
One of the best political memoirs I've ever read. Not self-serving, and quite honest about the challenges they faced and the mistakes they made. It was also interesting to see a joint memoir that gave a sense of policy making at two slightly different levels of the process.
I came away from this book with a lot of respect for these two elder statesmen. Their signature style as foreign policy decision makers was to be restrained, respectful, and multi-lateral, as well as cognizant of the interests and histories of other states and leaders. One of their best strategies was to avoid gloating about the misfortunes of the Soviet Union during the period of collapse. Bush could have easily touted the fall of the USSR and the liberation of Eastern Europe for political gain, but he avoided this because he knew that humiliating the USSR could undermine Gorbachev and empower the reactionary conservatives (esp the military), who could easily return US-USSR relations to the Cold War. The US had to be restrained on certain issues, such as support for the independence of the Baltic states, for fear of pushing the Soviets away from their program of reform and non-confrontation. Moreover, the US achievement in facilitating but not driving . The Bush team and its European allies managed to give the Germans the space they needed to reunite by changing the nature of NATO and keeping steady pressure on Gorbachev to acquiesce to a united Germany in NATO. This required a tremendous about of empathy with Soviet concerns about their national security. If the US had approached the reunification of Germany in a hostile or triumphant way, the Soviets could have wrecked the whole process. The face of Europe would be dramatically different today if that had happened. The Bush administration's handling of the decline of the USSR and the unification of Germany should go down in history as one of the great achievements of statecraft in American history. It's truly remarkable that this went down without major bloodshed.
This book also has a fascinating account of the decision to kick Saddam out of Kuwait. Bush certainly had a geopolitical/economic interest in doing this, but he (especially) and Scowcroft also genuinely viewed Iraq through the prism of setting precedents for the post Cold War world. The US had to pursue genuine diplomacy and shows of force before using force in order to support the norm of violence as a last resort. The US had to put together a broad team of allies, get the approval of Congress, and get a UN resolution to support the principles of multilateralism, balanced government at home, and international law. The US also managed to get the Soviets to go along, which created a temporary hope that FDR's old superpower 5 policemen idea might live again in the 1990's. Lastly, the US had to avoid compromise with Saddam and get him out of Kuwait in order to solidify the principles of non-aggression among states. It's clear that Bush had strong moral convictions about Saddam and that he genuinely (and somewhat rightly) saw this case as similar to HItler's aggression in WWII. My only disappointment in this section was that he and Scowcroft didn't honestly grapple with their message to the Iraqi people to challenge Saddam and the failure to back them when they did. They also kind of gloss over Safwan and their general failure to think harder about the end state of the war, including their assumption that Saddam was doomed to fall.
Lastly, when you read this memoir you wonder what the heck happened to the son of Bush. These guys really considered almost all angles and acted with great respect for the limits of American power and the necessity of meaningful diplomacy and coalitions, despite the constraints they put on our actions. One of the great what-ifs of US foreign policy is what if Bush had made Scowcroft his NSA or Sec. of State. The presence of an experienced, outspoken realist might have changed the course of this administration's response to 9/11 considerably.
Other memoir writers should emulate this book's focus on a couple of big issues (end of the Cold War, Gulf War, unification of Germany) rather than every little thing they did. That allowed the reader to stay with a certain policy, crisis, or issue for a longer period and learn a lot rather than skip around from topic to topic. They are also clear and concise writers. The book drags in certain areas (a lot of detail about the decline of the USSR) but overall Bush and Scowcroft convey a lot of important info about this crucial time period. I recommend it to memoir enthusiasts and any scholar of US foreign policy or modern international history.
I came away from this book with a lot of respect for these two elder statesmen. Their signature style as foreign policy decision makers was to be restrained, respectful, and multi-lateral, as well as cognizant of the interests and histories of other states and leaders. One of their best strategies was to avoid gloating about the misfortunes of the Soviet Union during the period of collapse. Bush could have easily touted the fall of the USSR and the liberation of Eastern Europe for political gain, but he avoided this because he knew that humiliating the USSR could undermine Gorbachev and empower the reactionary conservatives (esp the military), who could easily return US-USSR relations to the Cold War. The US had to be restrained on certain issues, such as support for the independence of the Baltic states, for fear of pushing the Soviets away from their program of reform and non-confrontation. Moreover, the US achievement in facilitating but not driving . The Bush team and its European allies managed to give the Germans the space they needed to reunite by changing the nature of NATO and keeping steady pressure on Gorbachev to acquiesce to a united Germany in NATO. This required a tremendous about of empathy with Soviet concerns about their national security. If the US had approached the reunification of Germany in a hostile or triumphant way, the Soviets could have wrecked the whole process. The face of Europe would be dramatically different today if that had happened. The Bush administration's handling of the decline of the USSR and the unification of Germany should go down in history as one of the great achievements of statecraft in American history. It's truly remarkable that this went down without major bloodshed.
This book also has a fascinating account of the decision to kick Saddam out of Kuwait. Bush certainly had a geopolitical/economic interest in doing this, but he (especially) and Scowcroft also genuinely viewed Iraq through the prism of setting precedents for the post Cold War world. The US had to pursue genuine diplomacy and shows of force before using force in order to support the norm of violence as a last resort. The US had to put together a broad team of allies, get the approval of Congress, and get a UN resolution to support the principles of multilateralism, balanced government at home, and international law. The US also managed to get the Soviets to go along, which created a temporary hope that FDR's old superpower 5 policemen idea might live again in the 1990's. Lastly, the US had to avoid compromise with Saddam and get him out of Kuwait in order to solidify the principles of non-aggression among states. It's clear that Bush had strong moral convictions about Saddam and that he genuinely (and somewhat rightly) saw this case as similar to HItler's aggression in WWII. My only disappointment in this section was that he and Scowcroft didn't honestly grapple with their message to the Iraqi people to challenge Saddam and the failure to back them when they did. They also kind of gloss over Safwan and their general failure to think harder about the end state of the war, including their assumption that Saddam was doomed to fall.
Lastly, when you read this memoir you wonder what the heck happened to the son of Bush. These guys really considered almost all angles and acted with great respect for the limits of American power and the necessity of meaningful diplomacy and coalitions, despite the constraints they put on our actions. One of the great what-ifs of US foreign policy is what if Bush had made Scowcroft his NSA or Sec. of State. The presence of an experienced, outspoken realist might have changed the course of this administration's response to 9/11 considerably.
Other memoir writers should emulate this book's focus on a couple of big issues (end of the Cold War, Gulf War, unification of Germany) rather than every little thing they did. That allowed the reader to stay with a certain policy, crisis, or issue for a longer period and learn a lot rather than skip around from topic to topic. They are also clear and concise writers. The book drags in certain areas (a lot of detail about the decline of the USSR) but overall Bush and Scowcroft convey a lot of important info about this crucial time period. I recommend it to memoir enthusiasts and any scholar of US foreign policy or modern international history.
December 1, 2025
Arguably, the most important geopolitical event since World War II is the breakdown and breakup of the Soviet Union and its satellite Empire.
Scowcroft and Bush directed the US and navigated NATO through this process. Their thoughts and relationship drove it to a largely peaceful process. Their thoughts Constructivist will enjoy seeing the background and the diplomat will enjoy seeing the methods used for a soft landing.
Must read for political science, history or management buffs.
Scowcroft and Bush directed the US and navigated NATO through this process. Their thoughts and relationship drove it to a largely peaceful process. Their thoughts Constructivist will enjoy seeing the background and the diplomat will enjoy seeing the methods used for a soft landing.
Must read for political science, history or management buffs.
June 16, 2014
I've been aware of this book for years but just got around to reading it.
I did so at this time because I had a veteran of the Persian Gulf War speak to my US History class and as a token of our appreciation, gave him this book. I grabbed a copy at my library and commenced reading.
This book does not flow well. There are sections by Bush, sections by Scowcroft, excerpts from Bushes diary and sections by both of them. Too much.
I can imagine Bush being the gracious fellow he is not wanting to hog all the attention so he had Scowcroft join him. Laudable but I think it hurt the overall project.
There is great detail in this book too which resulted in my skimming many parts.
The book Bush wrote chronicling his life of letter writing is much more enjoyable.
Among books by presidents looking back on their time in office I'd say LBJ's, Nixon's, Ford's, Carter's, Reagan's and Bush 43's were better. This book and Clinton's I'd put at the bottom of the pile.
I did so at this time because I had a veteran of the Persian Gulf War speak to my US History class and as a token of our appreciation, gave him this book. I grabbed a copy at my library and commenced reading.
This book does not flow well. There are sections by Bush, sections by Scowcroft, excerpts from Bushes diary and sections by both of them. Too much.
I can imagine Bush being the gracious fellow he is not wanting to hog all the attention so he had Scowcroft join him. Laudable but I think it hurt the overall project.
There is great detail in this book too which resulted in my skimming many parts.
The book Bush wrote chronicling his life of letter writing is much more enjoyable.
Among books by presidents looking back on their time in office I'd say LBJ's, Nixon's, Ford's, Carter's, Reagan's and Bush 43's were better. This book and Clinton's I'd put at the bottom of the pile.
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March 30, 2012I have a new found appreciation for George H.W. Bush and his foreign policy after reading this book. Some people fault him for not seeming to celebrate the fall of the Berlin wall or not charging into Baghdad after Saddam during the Gulf War. This book explains that these issues were a bit more complex than most in the public thought. As for the Berlin Wall, we were trying to support Gorbachev and improve our relations with the Soviets. Dancing on the wall might have set those efforts back.
As for Iraq and Saddam, it seemed it was tenuous enough just to begin the war. The Saudis and others may have accepted a deal with Saddam. Bush's reading of the climate in the area was that there wouldn't be support for taking the battle any further and that our goal wasn't regime change.
As for Iraq and Saddam, it seemed it was tenuous enough just to begin the war. The Saudis and others may have accepted a deal with Saddam. Bush's reading of the climate in the area was that there wouldn't be support for taking the battle any further and that our goal wasn't regime change.
May 24, 2013
President George Bush and his national security advisor Brent Scowcroft wrote an illuminating account of foreign policy decision-making during their time in office. Portions of their account rely on a revealing diary kept by President Bush. The sections of this book dealing with the Gulf War provide insights into high-level decision-making during wartime and are especially good for understanding American policy aims in the war, the politics of coalition building, the press of domestic political considerations on the making of strategy, the crafting of a coordinated information campaign, and the president’s role as Commander-in-Chief.
October 13, 2010
I read this book while I was living in Kuwait and found the insight into the Gulf War fascinating. Ever person who claims Bush went to Kuwait for oil should read this book and see how he struggled with his desire to help the Kuwaiti people amid the reluctance of the Arab countries and European leaders.
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June 16, 2009This started becuase I feel like I need to better understand the mentality of everyone I work for, and the framework upon which they base decsion making. But thus far its a great read.
Want to read
January 29, 2008A theory and pratice of oligachical collectivism
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January 18, 2010A World Transformed by George Bush (1998)
July 29, 2012
A very interesting recollection of US foreign policy through the end of the cold war.
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