I feel that Bush's leadership is just now starting to get its due. He was influential by being a quiet leader; not jumping the gun in China, not being an active player in the Soviet Union, but standing up to aggression with regards to Iraq. This collection of essays is great material to hear directly from people that worked in the administration and had hands-on experience in shaping America's stance during the Bush years.

I really like Jim Baker's essay on Bush's principles, it was succinct and straight-forward. If anyone wants a great starting point for how to understand Bush, I would recommend that they begin there. Just as influential is Zelikow and Rice writing about the reunification of Germany. After being such a pain to the international system, so much could have gone wrong. Instead, Bush's steady hand guided Europe to a more cohesive unit.

Bush has unfairly been viewed in the shadow of President Reagan. Yes, he would probably not be there without #40, but #41 was his own man (kinder, gentler?) This book makes the argument that Bush was the right man at the right time. Whereas Reagan's ramping up of the Cold War, SDI, "evil empire" talk was good for shutting down the conflict, Bush's subdued persona helped when needed.

There is a lack of material to date on the Persian Gulf War, but the essays in the book a) recognize some work need to be done, and b) put Bush squarely in the context of his time. He fought totalitarianism, almost died because of it, and worked to protect it from growing again. The debate about Saddam will not rest, but at least historians can see how his decisions fall in line with his history and the trajectory of history to that point.

Valuable resource for a president who one can hope scholarship will continue to build.