1.) Although I am sure that W had some help here, it is very much in his voice. I would turn to YouTube throughout the book to relive particular moments or speeches and it felt very in tune with voice.
2.) One of the big lessons from Romney's loss is that conservative's need to make voters know that we care about them. W understood this a long time ago. Many mocked compassionate conservatism, but it got results and was a policy priority. Major initiatives included AIDS relief in Africa and immigration reform that respected the place of hard-working illegal immigrants in the country.
3.) W is really likeable. He adores his mom. He gives a ton of credit to staffers for things that go well and takes responsibility for the administration's failures. At one point, he tells the story of a Yale professor, who made an impression on W in college, remarked that W was an unremarkable student and that he didn't leave an impression. W's reply was that irregardless of how the professor felt, W would never forget the professor. How could people hate this guy?
4.) The chapter on September 11th and W's connection with U.S. troops is heartbreaking. So human. Brought tears to my eyes more than once.
5.) My favorite picture in the book is a picture of W in his pickup with his dog and "buddy" Barney. RIP. See below.
RECOMMENDATION: Must read if you are interested interested contemporary politics, presidential history, September 11th and the war on terror, and politics generally. The book is very readable and won't anger friends on the Left.*
*Won't be using stars in my reviews of books or movies or whatever. Ratings will be something like "Must [consume] for everyone", "Must [consume] for everyone interested in X,Y,Z", "Only [consume] if you're interested in X,Y,Z", "Eh, whatever", and "You should probably just watch Man on Fire. Denzel is really good in that." Ratings are subject to revision.
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