Work Hard, Study...and Keep Out of Politics! Adventures and Lessons from an Unexpected Public Life

by James A. Baker III

A revelatory memoir by the former secretary of state and White House chief of staff describes his behind-the-scenes witness to numerous political machinations, in an account in which he discusses the Iran-Contra scandal, the Reagan assassination attempt, and the 2000 election in Florida. 100,000 first printing.

Genres: Politics, Biography, History, Nonfiction, Memoir, Presidents

480 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

James 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.

Reviews

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Thomas Radigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Salvatore DiMartino · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Dylan Jeremiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kathleen Hanes · Rating 2 out of 5]

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!)

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Pejman Yousefzadeh · Rating 2 out of 5]

http://www.chequer-board.net/story/20...

[Brenden]

Work Hard, Study...and Keep Out of Politics! Adventures and Lessons from an Unexpected Public Life by James Baker III (2006)

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 5 P's