The book is much better than any of the political commentaries made when it was first released. Strongly suggest reading it -- whether one is a confirmed Democrat (as I am) or a devoted Republican.

"What Happened" is more of an intimate look into an American presidential administration, with an honest assessment of the political problems within and without. It wasn't a smoking gun or a book full of any particular damning revelations against the Bush administration (just about everything in this book hyped as such was already known), but was rightfully critical of how certain things were handled by the administration. Most notably, the war in Iraq (including the selling of the war to the public, and the Plame-affair); and the communications response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The overlying theme of the book is that there is something seriously wrong with Washington, and has been for a while. After the ugly political atmosphere between Clinton-Democrats and Gingrich Republicans, Bush promised to change things, but then quickly fell right in line with the status quo by the 2002 mid-term elections. Needlessly politicizing serious matters (such as a war) serves to kill intelligent discourse on all sides, and ends up leading to grave consequences, not only for national security, but in damaging the people's faith in their government, faith that is seriously needed in times of crisis and danger. That is something with which a vast majority of the people in this country agrees, no matter what their political affiliation or leanings. In addition, it is something that politicians often embrace during campaigns, but rarely have the courage to embrace once in office.

As a registered Republican, this book did not make me want to suddenly join the Democratic party. But I appreciated the honest assessment of the problems plaguing American politics on both sides, and by pointing out the failure of the Bush administration to stand up against it, I hope that future administrations of either side might learn from it and finally do so.

The author spends a lot of time writing about his early life and the years leading up to the subject of the book. It's understandable, but the readers are primarily interested in how, in his opinion, the Bush White House got us into a needless war.

The book is interesting and thoughtful, but does not share much that we don't already know via assumptions and speculation. Still, if you're interested in certain Washington character flaws and evasiveness, it's worth a read.

This is a good book. Its not always an easy read (it can be tedious at points) but I'd say it was well worth reading, to get the inside scoop

I think Scott is kinder to Bush than he deserves, considering the facts laid out in the recent Bugliosi book The Prosecution of George W Bush For Murder

Very informative,well written,even enlightening ;but, just not that entertaining. I didn't have any trouble putting the book down and was almost relieved when I finished the book.

Excellent purchase price for this book which arrived in a very timely manner. It was purchased as a gift for my son.

I'm no fan of the Bush White House so I jumped on the chance to read this memoir of McClellan's time with the administration. It's eye opening, though not that surprising. The things those people will do. And it is written, no surprise here either, in a very clear and entertaining matter. A must for anyone who thinks they are a Republican or any one interested in current affairs.

This book was well-written and thoughtful. It helped me to see President Bush in a new light. Mr. McClellan makes an excellent point about the "permanent campaign" and it's toxic divisiveness.
However, I found this book disappointing in some ways. While I don't doubt his sincerity, the author stops short of explaining the motivations and actions of the more controversial GOP policies. It's as though, after a lifetime in politics, he's honestly incapable of being completely sincere and apolitical.

Michael Hirsh wrote, in Newsweek, a criticism of pundits, asking why the public should acquire this information from McClellan and not the media.
Hello?
"Why do we have to hear this from him?"--because HE WAS THERE. Scott McClellan's THE person to hear it from! And thanks to him for writing the book! His report is far more measured and thoughtful than anything, so far, written by "pundits."

This book was well-written and thoughtful. It helped me to see President Bush in a new light. Mr. McClellan makes an excellent point about the "permanent campaign" and it's toxic divisiveness.
However, I found this book disappointing in some ways. While I don't doubt his sincerity, the author stops short of explaining the motivations and actions of the more controversial GOP policies. It's as though, after a lifetime in politics, he's honestly incapable of being completely sincere and apolitical.

not as well written as George Tenet's book, but some good inside info as to the deception behind the "leak", and the drumming up of the reason to go to war with Iraq. Skipped over the chapter about his grandfather tho... wasn't much interested in that topic. Seemed to be more of a "filler" chapter to make the book a bit larger. All in all, some good inside info into our current administration.

not as well written as George Tenet's book, but some good inside info as to the deception behind the "leak", and the drumming up of the reason to go to war with Iraq. Skipped over the chapter about his grandfather tho... wasn't much interested in that topic. Seemed to be more of a "filler" chapter to make the book a bit larger. All in all, some good inside info into our current administration.

I read this book mostly out of curiosity. I'm glad I did. It's nice to see someone who has a conscience and says that perhaps he was in error, but due to the fact that he was misled. Mr. McClellan appears to be a responsible type, who realized he was used, and has come out to publicly set the record straight. There are those who would take the Mafia approach and claim that Mr. McClellan should have kept things to himself to protect those above him, although they were doing things to mislead the American people. He chose not to take this road and showed us all that mistakes had been made, and we are still paying for them. Others who were around him at the time continue to be deceptive. Mr McClellan should be proud of what he has done.

This is an incredibly frank account of the inner workings of the Bush Whitehouse. This is not from some anti-Bush liberal but a member of the inner circle. Scott McClellan was a loyal "Bushie" from almost the beginning in Texas. His account of systematic deceit which he calls (but did not coin) "the permanent campaign" is telling and alarming.
The book is not a "settle the score" account from a disgruntled employee. In fact, McClellan spends a lot of time defending Bush as a person, his policies and many of his actions. He does not, however, pull any punches when it comes to the activities of coordinated spin, misrepresentations, and out-right lies to the American people, which he was a participant in. Lies which, among other things, landed the US in a costly and unnecessary war in Iraq.
McClellan explains the actual rational the President had for war (and it had little to do with terror or WMDs or anything Bush sold to the American people).
I believe this book will be the definitive answer to many of the questions future historians have about "What Happened" during this disastrous time in our history.
Everyone who cares about America should read this book.

This essence of this book was covered brilliantly by Frank Rich in "The Greatest Story Ever Sold" - early on in this book McClellan talks of how he witnessed hazing in his college fraternity (and by witnessing it condoned this behavior until the authorities blew the whistle). THEN he came clean!

Since he spends a lot of time talking of himself he points out other incidents where he is in a position to effect change and just stands by - naivete? or clueless? or just blindsided by events.

Now comes his being on the scene for all Valerie Plame scandal, the entry of the US into the war on Iraq and other major gaffes of this administration - for many years he has known and worked with W - once again he stands by the wayside as these horrifying events occur and says nothing, until someone else blows the whistle - the result? This poorly crafted book. Future readers won't be able to know what the heck is going on in his book as there is little context and serious omissions.

There are other books that tell the story much better - I paid the Kindle price but it was not worth even that!

More lying liars and the lying lies they tell. Only wish there were a way to give zero stars; I've already expended too much energy on this garbage.

What Happened ---- nothing new!

I have followed public affairs and political matters since my youth, which is well behind me. I read memoirs of public officials and commentary by keen and recognized observers. I voted for President Bush and would do so again given what I saw and see in his opponents. I take this position while fully recognizing the many, many lapses in competence that President Bush has displayed. Hence, the desire to gain insight form someone who was up close and personal was strong.

However, virtually nothing in Mr. McClellan's book added to the body of knowledge all ready in the public domain. Rather Mr. McClellan delivered a repetitious regurgitation of his own concept as to how a president should govern. It comes across as an unedited plaint with not an original thought or insight to offer.

Looking at the illustrations in the book, including the cover, one frequently can read vexation in the presidents face as he cornered by Mr. McClellan almost as if the president is thinking how can I escape this pest!

After reading the book I can understand his apparent frustration.

What is clear is that Mr. McClellan never understood what the ultimate fate was for virtually all press secretary's, or front men for those of a certain level of power in every walk of life. He actually thought he was a "player" and he never was and from his presentation never will be.

In the end I found the book sad and non-informative.

Scott McClellan was part of the Bush White House from day one, and was the president's Press Secretary between 2003 and 2006. In this book he reveals much of the deception practiced there, focusing on two issues, the "sale" of the war in Iraq on false premises and the deliberate outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame.

But McClellan is a Texas Republican and believes in George W Bush, so you have to take much of what he says with a pitch of salt. Even if he is more critical than any previous Bush insider, he still plays down the faults. In the background there is a sense of "the Democrats did this stuff too, we just failed in our attempt to be better than them".

Not everyone would agree with that opinion.

On the war, McClellan claims Bush had a dream from the beginning of overthrowing Saddam to create a domino wave of democracy spreading through the Middle East. But instead of presenting that vision to the American people Bush and his people chose instead to use Weapons of Mass Destruction as an excuse for war. Since there were no WMD, the later change to the democracy issue looked like a bait and switch, which McClellan claims, could have been avoided had Bush been more honest about his motives from the beginning.

While McClellan claims Bush wanted to work through the United Nations, there isn't a single mention in this book of the UN arms inspectors under Hans Blix, who wanted to keep working, but were stopped by the American invasion of Iraq. Obviously had they been given that chance, the proven lack of WMD would have made going to war much harder.

McClellan goes into great detail on the Plame affair, in which he twice told the Washington press corps that specific top officials had assured him they not leaked the name of the CIA agent. He describes how both the Vice President's chief of staff Scooter Libby and Bush's top aid Karl Rove out and out lied to him. McClellan is at his strongest here, and his story is very credible. What he leaves unclear is how much Dick Cheney or George Bush were behind the illegal exposure of an agent. But there are slight hints (very slight) that both, especially Cheney, were somehow involved.

What isn't in this book is any description of the Bush administration's war on civil liberties. Abu Ghraib is mentioned (and deplored) only once in passing, and the word "Guantanamo" is conspicuous by its absence. It's hard to believe the White House Press Secretary didn't have to deal with these issues during a five year tenure, and while McClellan comes across as a decent person with strong ethics, this omission is curious.

But this is probably as critical an insider's view of the Bush White House and its abuses as we are ever going to get.

When I heard that the former White House press secretary had written a "tell all" book on his years with the Bush administration, I was interested in much the same way that rush hour drivers are interested in an accident on the other side of the freeway. I knew that McClellan had been press secretary through some of the most harrowing days of the Bush administration and felt a bit sorry for him because I believed that he had been lied to on numerous occasions by the President himself as well as the inner circle of the administration. I didn't expect the book to be enlightening but I found myself wanting to read about the carnage.

It was no surprise that this book was ruthlessly attacked by those within and close to the Bush administration. The book was mostly characterised as an angry response by a bitter former employee. At first, this actually made some sense to me. But then I thought about the interviews that McClellan had given around the time he resigned from his post. At that time, he seemed like a loyal Bushie who had simply reached burnout. So why would he change his tune a year or so later?

The reasoning became more apparent when I read the preface to "What Happened." According to the author, it wasn't until he began the process of reflection that the writing of a memoir requires that he began to formulate the views he chose to include in the book. This felt honest to me so, I decided to plunge in and see what he had to say.

The crux of this book, which I think is being left out of much of the discussion surrounding it, is the concept of the "permanent campaign" and it's negative effects on our government, society and citizens. McClellan recounts his political career prior to the White House and his years in the Bush administration from the perspective that we have gone horribly wrong in our approach to government. By treating every issue as if it were a campaign and making governing decisions entirely based on the way they will play to a particular political base, we have lost sight of the true function of government.

Although his writing isn't always as eloquent as I'd like it to be, I think Scott McClellan makes some very important points in this book. There are a lot of voices shouting for the end of bipartisanship and the removal of money from politics but, McClellan speaks to these issues with a unique inside viewpoint that gives his message and it's ability to add to the dialogue an added resonance. The fact that McClellan is, for the most part, a political conservative, helps to enforce his point that the "permanent campaign" reaches far beyond ideas of liberal or conservative, republican or democrat. It is, to steal a phrase from the Nixon era, a cancer on the heart of our political system.

D.T. Holt
http://igotalottosay.blogspot.com/

When I heard that the former White House press secretary had written a "tell all" book on his years with the Bush administration, I was interested in much the same way that rush hour drivers are interested in an accident on the other side of the freeway. I knew that McClellan had been press secretary through some of the most harrowing days of the Bush administration and felt a bit sorry for him because I believed that he had been lied to on numerous occasions by the President himself as well as the inner circle of the administration. I didn't expect the book to be enlightening but I found myself wanting to read about the carnage.

It was no surprise that this book was ruthlessly attacked by those within and close to the Bush administration. The book was mostly characterised as an angry response by a bitter former employee. At first, this actually made some sense to me. But then I thought about the interviews that McClellan had given around the time he resigned from his post. At that time, he seemed like a loyal Bushie who had simply reached burnout. So why would he change his tune a year or so later?

The reasoning became more apparent when I read the preface to "What Happened." According to the author, it wasn't until he began the process of reflection that the writing of a memoir requires that he began to formulate the views he chose to include in the book. This felt honest to me so, I decided to plunge in and see what he had to say.

The crux of this book, which I think is being left out of much of the discussion surrounding it, is the concept of the "permanent campaign" and it's negative effects on our government, society and citizens. McClellan recounts his political career prior to the White House and his years in the Bush administration from the perspective that we have gone horribly wrong in our approach to government. By treating every issue as if it were a campaign and making governing decisions entirely based on the way they will play to a particular political base, we have lost sight of the true function of government.

Although his writing isn't always as eloquent as I'd like it to be, I think Scott McClellan makes some very important points in this book. There are a lot of voices shouting for the end of bipartisanship and the removal of money from politics but, McClellan speaks to these issues with a unique inside viewpoint that gives his message and it's ability to add to the dialogue an added resonance. The fact that McClellan is, for the most part, a political conservative, helps to enforce his point that the "permanent campaign" reaches far beyond ideas of liberal or conservative, republican or democrat. It is, to steal a phrase from the Nixon era, a cancer on the heart of our political system.

D.T. Holt
http://igotalottosay.blogspot.com/

Scott McClellan makes me sick. Why did he not communicate his disappointments with the president and his staff while he was doing his job? What a hypocrite. He uses terms like 'propaganda' with no evidence. Even his colleagues are stunned and not sure what other motives Scott had for writing this. He's a traitor. He should have quit a long time ago, if he truly believed this. We found out now that he was fired, and he's getting back. The money he makes from this book should be donated to "Bite the Hand that Feeds You".

His editor is also an ultra liberal!!

President Bush went over every reason why he went to war, and weapons of mass destruction was only one of them. Clinton and his administration also believed they had weapons. They have found evidence of chemicals in Iraq.

An excellent read! Gives a great insight into the inner workings of the Bush Whitehouse as it participates in the "permanent campaign" of Washington. The great thing about this book it has the credibility of being written by a former Bush insider and loyalist.

We already know everything that Scott McClellan reveals and does not reveal in his book. In my opinion, the author is more of a Bush apologist, with an endearing fondness for Bush, although he does point out his human failings and admits that hindsight is better than foresight. There are intimations of Cheney's secret and paranoic personality and his large influence over Bush - and of Condie Rice's sycophantic attitude which helped to bring the Bush presidency down.

McClellan does not even approach the corruption in the Bush administration in terms of payback to the special interests that elected this administration. He does admit he was not included in many of the meetings of Bush and his cabinet and Cheney, where I imagine their true agenda was being hashed out, and in my opinion, McClellan was used as an unwitting mouthpiece to coverup the Bush/Cheney lies.

All in all, McClellan appears to be a reflective person who sees his own shortcomings and does know right from wrong, as opposed to his former boss. And he seems to have a balanced view of 'what happened' in hindsight, even offering some good suggestions on how to change the culture of deception in Washington. He also refers to the websight factcheck.org as a good source of revealing deceptive reporting and political ads.

I found this book to be amazingly informative. Well written, concise and I am sure correctin detail. Reading this has confirmed my view that the Iraq war should never have happened, there was no reason for it, and too many lives have been lost. I hope there will never be an administratio like this again in the White House. It is incredible what deception there has been, and who can trust anybody? I would recommend it as good reading to anyone believing in the truth.

I found this book to be amazingly informative. Well written, concise and I am sure correctin detail. Reading this has confirmed my view that the Iraq war should never have happened, there was no reason for it, and too many lives have been lost. I hope there will never be an administratio like this again in the White House. It is incredible what deception there has been, and who can trust anybody? I would recommend it as good reading to anyone believing in the truth.

I am enjoying this book and am actually surprised how informative it is about our political system!

I won't write a whole book review here, but this was an excellent read for someone on either side of the party line. I enjoy the fact that the book is written by Scott McClellan, former White House Press Secretary, who identifies himself and his up brining as relatively conservative. Then he goes on to describe the challenges in the White House (to put it lightly).

I would consider myself a democrat, but after reading this book, changed my view regarding Bush. Not my party, just my view. Yes, Bush is probably not the smartest president (ever), but he does seem like a genuinely nice person surrounded by people with individual agendas that led him in the wrong direction. This is not to make an excuse for a President who should be able to make an intelligent final deicision. Overall, it's a great read that's difficult to put down and gives excellent insight as to what led up to some unintelligent decisions.

At first I was surprised by how forgiving Scott McClellan was of Bush in his book. I also wondered why the White House treated the book as such a betrayal because it was not THAT incriminating. Then I began to wonder--perhaps McClellan wrote the book, conceding some degree of incompetence and deception in the White House, in the hopes of covering up the higher crimes that were and are being committed. For instance, the events of 9/11 and the many questions still surrounding that horrible day were not addressed at all in the book. I understand this is called, "speaking well of someone while pretending to speak ill." Finally, the White House pretends to be offended by the book to make it appear more legit. Hm.

At first I was surprised by how forgiving Scott McCLellan was of Bush in his book. I also wondered why the White House treated the book as such a betrayal because it was not THAT incriminating. Then I began to wonder--perhaps McCLellan wrote this book, conceding some degree of incompetence and deception in the White House, in the hopes of covering up the higher crimes that were and are being committed. I understand this is called,"speaking well of someone while pretending to speak ill." Finally, the White House pretends to be offended by the book to make it appear more legit. Hm.

This is an easy read with incontravertable details of life in the Bush White House. When you compare the descriptions of what went wrong with the actions of the current candidates, you will see they are in danger of making some of the same mistakes.

Sad but true. The author was overly kind to George W Bush. The book is a segment of history that needs to be said. 8 years of the worst president in the history of the United States. This makes for an interesting and informative period of deceipt. The author has nothing to gain by revealing what really is behind the lying and the mistakes that were made by the President. Great reading.

This book was very well written. It'll keep your interest whether you agree or not. It was one man's opinion on the inner workings of the White House. It was interesting to me to learn about the types of priorities that are set by our government.

I found this book to be the best at bringing together the various personalities and their hidden agendas that lead to the invasion of Iraq.
If anyone wants to read a first hand account of what these men created, I recommend Evan Wright's "Generation Kill". If you had any doubt
about which presidential candidate to vote for this November, these books should remove all doubt.

Seriously, this book is fluff. It's not much more than we already knew about the Bush White House, except it was written by McClelland. I would have liked this book better if I had waited for the paperback.

Now I understand why Scott wrote this book. Being a religious person and having been lied to by the Bush Inner Circle, he felt betrayed by the people he was trying to protect. I would have written the book also. Anyone who has not read this book is missing out on who Scott McClennan really is. Powerful book.

Larry Holland

Scott McClellan is from a very politically connected family in Texas and he went to Washington with stars in his eyes because of his belief in George W. Bush. This book chronicles how he changed from a fan to a critic. I think that he offers some insight into the workings of this flawed Administration and I believe that this introspection will make him a more astute politico. We will see What Happens in his future.

This book is amazing in its scope. It pretty much covers every gambit of the Bush administration during McClellan's time as press secretary. I only wonder one thing. Did they oust Valeria Plame unpurpose? and if they did, does it mean that McClellan knew all along but didn't want to roll Bush over? I feel that Scott might know a little more then he is letting on. I read this book on the Kindle and it was a superb experience.

There is not a lot "new" revealed in this book.

It's just that we learn more about what happened from the inside, the decisions made, and why they were made.

We see that decisions were made based on idealogy, but not what was best for the country.

We must be grateful to Scott McCellan. I really do not thing the Bush administration expected him to "spill the beans" but he had done a service for America by doing so.

Hopefully, we will learn from this book, the tragic mistakes of the last 8 years, and never elect a president based on fear but on future.

First, I must reveal contextual background information about myself. Number one, I am not a political junkie, nor do I devour political books hot off the press. I usually manage about one political top seller per year. Number two, for nearly eight years, I have watched in horror and disbelief as the Bush administration has waddled through the job of leading our country. I am not a fan of G.W. Bush. In my opinion, he has surpassed all my worst expectations as President. However, I remembered feeling a strange affinity for his press secretary, Scott McClellan. When I heard about McClellan's book I was curious. I was eager to understand the other side of Bush. Surely, redeemable qualities would emerge, if I just understood Bush's long-term goals and philosophies better.

McClellan, young, loyal, and slightly naïve, was the point man during Bush's bid for re-election and the downward spiraling events that followed the campaign, including Plamegate, endless war, and the Katrina debacle.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that McClellan provides a clear-eyed view of all-around failures of the Bush administration, the Democratic opposition, and the press. He asserts that systemic problems in Washington transcend personal flaws of any single politician. The book is interesting and easy to read from start to finish. The tone is hopeful, rather than accusatory. The most valuable lessons that I got from reading this book are verification and articulation of aspects of our political system that I have often pondered.

McClellan spends considerable time explaining his belief that inside Washington politics have become mired in an irreparable "campaign syndrome." He asserts that this decline began many years and administrations ago and has carried forward with momentum for both parties. He quotes Professor Hugh Heclo in describing the permanent campaign syndrome as a "nonstop process seeking to manipulate sources of public approval to engage in the act of governing itself (62)." Intense campaigns work and strategize to deal with incoming bombs, always seeking to put the best spin on each event while failing to look ahead at the larger picture or admitting to and learning from failures when they exist. He goes on to cite examples of the propaganda machine and spin doctors in both the Clinton and Bush administrations (62).

The "perpetual scandal culture" is another force shaping today's politics, a legacy of the Nixon administration (65). Rather than blaming the "liberal left media," he claims the problem is that the media, in general, overemphasizes controversy and focuses attention on winners versus losers rather than on results (158). The inclination is for critics to exploit trivia for political advantage while failing to address the really important issues.

A third force in politics today is the "scorched earth politics" of presidential campaigns that seek not just to defeat but to destroy the opposition, resulting in a winner-take-all attitude that spills over into Congress. The philosophy of politics-as-war leads to a culture of deception (70).

Throughout the book I sensed the conflict and irony of a man who suffered the loss of his own public and professional credibility as a cog in the political wheel yet still believes in Bush's innate goodness and special type of intelligence. McClellan wants to believe in his man and frequently explains to the reader his own thought processes when confronted with Bush's seemingly dishonest behavior. He lays much of the blame for Bush's less than bright reputation on the failure of his top advisors to push and question his ideas. McClellan is unabashedly forthright in acknowledging administrative mistakes like the disconnect between what the administration said was being done for victims of Katrina and what was in fact happening on the ground. He is also generous to the Washington machine, believing that most politicians are inherently good but trapped in an endless effort to manipulate public opinion.

"Every president wants to achieve greatness but few do, (131)" claims McClellan. Unfortunately President Bush may fail to achieve greatness not because of his intelligence, intentions, or character but because "he and his advisors confused the propaganda campaign with the high level of candor and honesty so fundamentally needed to build and then sustain public support during a time of war." I'm not sure that I understand Bush or his policies better for having read this book. But at least I understand his failings and expect other, more capable individuals will get caught in many of the same political traps that ensnared Bush.

Let me begin by stating I do not read many political memoirs. As a relative novice to the genre, I believe many people would be well-served by reading the final chapter of "What Happened." The remaining chapters are probably more valuable to political junkies than anyone else.

The book's focus is nominally on the lead-up to and fall-out from the Valerie Plame Affair and Scott McLellan's involvement in communicating White House involvement to the press. Obviously, he feels this is the axis upon which his reputation revolves. While many may be inclined to agree, perhaps more important is the book's continual reversion to the ideas of Permanent Campaign and Scandal Culture. These items, practiced by the US political and media establishments, respectively, are covered in greater details elsewhere (some sources are cited in this text), but McClellan's memoir serves as a decent summary and case study of the intersection of these two phenomena.

The text can be a tad preachy at times, and there are frequent instances of second-guessing, which is always easier after the fact (e.g. Bret Favre shouldn't have thrown an interception on his last pass...). However, it does offer very good insight to the day-to-day operations of the press secretary. At the end of the day, I am not sure whether the narrative is effectively connected to the message, but the message is very likable.

This book really opened my eyes to what has been going on in our federal government. It reassures us all of how we've been lied to and deceived.

This book was so highly publicized and Scott Mcclellan was interviewed on so many programs that my expectations were high. His presentation was no more than common speculation from before the book was written. Given all that has taken place his assurance that the president was not culpable,and had just been mislead by others is not believable. It begs the question why now? Is it that the Bush Administration is almost finished and I can financially gain from my so called revelations?

Scott McClellan is going to be hated by his fellow Team Bush cheerleader squad for ratting out his boss. But It's hard to believe that when he worked for Bush as Governor of Texas (overlooking the hundreds of death warrants signed) Bush was a compassionate uniter who set aside partisan differences to pass many successful bills that benefitted the people of Texas. Not just fat cat Texans, but the people who government is supposed to protect.

But when Bush came to Washington and 9/11 hit, a completely different leader emerged. One who put unqualified loyalists into jobs, etc. -- you know the story.

Scott's book was a real page turner to see the inside story from his role as an assistant and then Press Secretary -- what a Press Secretary knows and when he knows it, and particularly what doors are closed to the Press Secretary as a routine.

But of all the books I have read on the Bush presidency, the most important chapter was written by Scott in the last chapter. He gives the advice for what needs to be done to prevent the imperial, arrogant protect-the -president (not the presidency) at all costs, permanent campaign mentality in Washington D.C. from becoming worse with every succeeding administration. He states that cabinet level equivalent officers must be created, who will function as ombudsmen when important decisions affecting national treasure and blood (committing of troops) are made. Will the contemplated action do the greatest good for the greatest number? (Not just the Bush/Cheney/Halliburton fat cats). Have all interests been considered (not just special interests). What possible unforseen consequences could occur? Is there a less expensive way to achieve the same goal?

I just wish he had gotten out the message that wars wouldn't occur if taxpayers had to pay for them immediately and directly. Wars are enabled without the consent of the ultimate payers when Central Banks print money which are then spent by recovering alcoholics like George Bush who get a greater high from being drunk on power than from beer.

Go, Scott! You came out of with your integrity intact and I hope your courage and wisdom at a young age bring you much rewards in your next pursuits.

As another reviewer said, it reads like an 8th grade "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" paper. McClellan starts out suggesting it relates to the Permanent Campaign, but doesn't mention it much through the book, only to come back to it at the end. It would have been a much better book if it was title was "What Happened: How the Permanent Campaign Screwed the People of the US",
and if he'd written to that point the whole way through.

Instead it's just a blow-by-blow account without much analysis.

reinforces the knowledge that this last 8 years was a sham and probably the worst presidency ever!

I'm only half way through, and the first half has been brutal. So far it's all about McClellan and how fabulous he is, and how much he accomplished early in his life.

This audio book should have been narated by someone other than Scott McClellan. The monotoned/droning voice can quite literally put one to sleep, save for the subject matter. Even with his tread softly ceitique, this book illustrates what the American People have suspected all along...Felonious Activity by Bush and His Administration!!!

Responsible citizens should view this as a MUST Read/Listen!

My thoughts and feelings are not often split on very many books, but this is one of them. On one hand, my feeling are, "I'm supposed to feel sorry for this guy?" Besides feeling betrayed by a public figure, speaking for myself, I was waiting for the part that read, "I'm sorry." Isn't that the least he owes to oh, I don't know, our soldiers, their families, us? I did not see those exact words. Maybe I missed it in the midst of my frustration. What I read went something like this, "It can be difficult, even painful to look at OUR own mistakes." Our? Our? I also felt that Scott had a responsibility to tell the public the supposed "truth" the first time around. Ok, here is my other hand. It is heart warming to read about him talk about his grandfather in Chapter 3 and his family. I'm touched. Honestly I am, but when you carry the responsibility to stand up for what is right, especially in a paid position as high and as honorable as his, my trust is gone regardless of how touching his story is. Take page 129 for example. How am I supposed to believe what he writes, " The president and ... believed that the victory in Iraq could be achieved quickly and decisively and that the Iraqi people would then welcome and embrace freedom." Really? Is that the supposed "truth" NOW? You know, if letting God into your life allows you tell the supposed "truth" fine, I'm all for it. What I did not like is this, oh, where is the quote, "I unknowingly passed along false information." I don't believe that statement either. Unless he was on drugs, had a mental issue regarding memory, or had the incapability to research information, I do not buy it. This book bothered me and I thought I would like it. The only part I liked was reading about his family, but this was not a biography on his family either.

1. This rather disorganized book tries to defend much of the George W. Bush administration's early intentions. But the author was not privy to sensitive secrets, and was used only as a mouthpiece and manipulated pawn.

2. While identifying members of President Bush's inner circle, Mr. McClellan repeatedly makes statements about his exclusion from their information and confidence.

3. "The press secretary was excluded from 'strategy' meetings...and the daily 'communications meeting' in the Oval, which included the president, the vice president, Andy Card, Karl Rove, Condi Rice, and Karen Hughes (and later Dan Bartlett) also excluded the press secretary." [p.154.]

4. On the Bush-Cheney covert method: "The relationship between Vice President Cheney and President Bush has always been clouded in mystery to some extent. But it is a very close one. The two spend considerable time together in private meetings, their discussions largely kept confidential." [p. 137.]

5. "Cheney had greater power and influence than any other vice president in history, and no one really knew how extensively he wielded it. Being shut out from his thinking and from the ways he advised the president left a large black hole in my understanding of what was really going on inside the administration." [p. 155.]

6. HERE'S THE BOOK'S CRUX: While government is legally required to exercise detailed measures to assure disclosure and reporting, the GWB administration evaded and subverted accountability as much as possible at the top.

7. "The Bush administration lacked real accountability in large part because Bush himself did not embrace openness or government in the sunshine...that secrecy ended up delaying but not preventing the consequences." [p. 118.]

8. The reader may know key facts in Mr. McClellan's book that are already public knowledge.

9. What IS evident in Mr. McClellan's book is how press and public pressure gradually squeezed out truths the GWB administration tried its hardest to hide. Embarrassing truths, deceptions, lies, and crimes.

10. The book repeatedly shows GWB and his inner circle at no time came more than even semi-clean with the American people, and even then, only when forced by outside pressure and facts to do so. It's a hallmark of the GWB regime, and a severe warning to all who value Constitutional and democratic government.