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What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception | 
 enlarge | Author: Scott Mcclellan
Publisher: PublicAffairs
Category: Book
List Price: $27.95
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Rating:  192 reviews
Sales Rank: 931
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st. EDITION
Pages: 368
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.3
ISBN: 1586485563
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.931
EAN: 9781586485566
ASIN: 1586485563
Publication Date: May 28, 2008
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Product Description
Scott McClellan was one of a few Bush loyalists from Texas who became part of his inner circle of trusted advisers, and remained so during one of the most challenging and contentious periods of recent history. Drawn to Bush by his commitment to compassionate conservatism and strong bipartisan leadership, McClellan served the president for more than seven years, and witnessed day-to-day exactly how the presidency veered off course. In this refreshingly clear-eyed book, written with no agenda other than to record his experiences and insights for the benefit of history, McClellan provides unique perspective on what happened and why it happened the way it did, including the Iraq war, Hurricane Katrina, Washington's bitter partisanship, and two hotly contested presidential campaigns. He gives readers a candid look into who George W. Bush is and what he believes, and into the personalities, strengths, and liabilities of his top aides. Finally, McClellan looks to the future, exploring the lessons this presidency offers the American people as we prepare to elect a new leader.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 187 more reviews...
READ IT FOR WHAT IT IS. October 2, 2008
D. Blankenship (The Ozarks)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I really dislike tell all books, and tell all books concerning politics in particular. After reading this one, my opinion of this genre has not changed all that much. I will state from the start though, that I am probably one of the most apolitical humans on the face of the earth. My only interest in our current political process, as opposed to our history in this area, is that I hold both the extreme right and the extreme left in extreme contempt. My opinions of George Bush, his administration, et al, are of little consequence here, and I certainly am not going to bore you with my pontifications in that area. That being said....
I did find this book interesting in that it gives a good view on one man's view, and I emphasize, "one man" of the political process in our nations capital at this time. I found the workings of the Bush administration, congress, the press and all those associated with the entire process fascinating. There was interesting bits and pieces scattered throughout the book. I am certainly not going to summarize the happenings of this entire affair. If you don't know what happened, and where it led, and is possibly leading, then you have probably been living under a rock. If you believe ever word McClellan has written, well then, you have a problem. On the other hand, I do get the feeling that the author tried his best to come across in a truthful manner, addressing the situation as he saw it. I feel he is sincere in his personal assessment of the situation.
The book is rather poorly crafted and is so repetitive throughout that it makes you want to scream at times. Scott McClellan portrays himself as misled Boy Scout, and perhaps he was. I find it difficult to fully believe that a man that can reach his high position was as blind and naïve as he claims. Perhaps this is true though. There again, on the other hand, he does not cast full blame on anyone but himself in this area. In some eyes he is certainly a little turn coat weasel, but I feel an honest weasel, never the less.
I actually enjoyed this read despite the poor writing, which does become rather boring at a certain point. Overall this is a pretty light weight read and I personally doubt if it is going to be used as a source document my many historians in the future when picking this particular era apart.
For a quick read of one man's perceptions, for some political tidbits and some insight this is a good read. I of course feel in has to be countered with other works that are sure to come out in the near future, but fear that we will have to wait at least fifty years or so to be able to truly evaluate just "what happened. I am giving this one four stars because it did have some value as to information but knocking off at least one star due to poor quality of the writing. Where were this man's editors?
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
 Bunk!! September 30, 2008
T. Reen (San Jose, CA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
A bunch of bunk! Doesn't deserve the one star - (wouldn't accept the review without it). Just a "ain't George great" or "he's not such a bad guy" apology for 'The Shrub'. A waste of my money.
insightfull September 30, 2008
Michael Bryden (Trinidad & Tobago)
As someone who has not read any political books before, I found this to be a good insight to the machinations of American politics and the Bush Whitehouse in particular.
 McClellan September 26, 2008
Moira E. Mccaffrey
I found this book to be well written and engaging. I finished it with a heightened respect for McClellan and a lurking question of who he will vote for in 2008.
McClellan came to Washington with a great deal of respect for Bush and trust in his ability to transform Washington. However, his disillusion with the administration finally reached its zenith beginning with the Plame/Wilson controversy. He was misled by Rove and Libby regarding their involvement in the Plame affair and, as a result, his reputation became tarnished for his role in defending them as press secretary. He recounts that he finally resigned after being "burned internally one too many times" (p. 298).
In the introduction he writes a passage that sums up his views nicely. "I thought the mentality of political manipulation had largely been a product of our predecessor in the Clinton White House and that the leader I placed great hope in, George W. Bush, was dead set on changing it. He chose not to do so. Instead, his own White House because embroiled in political maneuvering that was equally unsavory, if not worse, much of it related directly to his most controversial decision as president - the decision to invade Iraq. (p. 4).
The Bush administration is know for its secrecy and yet this book is written in a very self-reflective and candid tone. His criticisms of Bush are tough but not cruel, critical but not acerbic. What Happened is a compelling book that helps to shed light on the inner machinations of the administration.
Heard About It But Better To Read September 25, 2008
Samantha L. Sayre (WV United States)
I had heard so much about this book, but it was taking its time making it up to the top of my stack. I found it fascinating to walk through the recent events from Scott McClellan's eyes. To find out what he said he knew when he said he knew it. To hear what he believes about each of the participants in the events. It was interesting to me to see how he views President Bush now compared to how he viewed him before going to Washington with him. His comments on Dr. Condi Rice were really enlightening. I never dreamed that anyone would think things about her. I enjoyed how he wrote about how the White House works and the interactions with the press. I just wish he would have went into the media personalities like Chris Matthews, David Gregory, Helen Thomas, Andrea Mitchell and Jonathan Alter. I would have liked more details on the day to day work and also about 9/11 and the meetings afterwards. I didn't find this book to be extremely political. In my opinion, I didn't think he was slamming the Republicans. Mr. McClellan was very protective of them. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for some insight into the White House.
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