One Bullet Away by Nathaniel Fick

Fick graduated from Dartmouth (classics major) and joined the Marines in search of adventure, since “there was no longer a place in the world for a young man who wanted to wear armor and slay dragons.” Fascinating account of his training as a Marine officer, deployment in Afghanistan and then to Iraq, where his reconnaissance battalion helped spearhead the invasion. Well-written and insightful.

Longitudes & Attitudes by Thomas Friedman

mostly a collection of Friedman’s NYT columns following Sept 11, but also includes a diary he kept during that time. Insightful, thought-provoking and well-written. (also see From Beirut to Jerusalem).

Boy Genius by Carl Cannon

About Karl Rove. Whatever you think of Rove or the Bush administration, Rove has had an enormous impact on Texas politics during the last 20 yrs and on Bush’s success. This book is an interesting, quick read that describes Rove’s strategies and tactics which, while successful, often demonstrate a nasty “whatever it takes to win” mentality.

Bush at War by Bob Woodward

Interesting perspective on the goings-on in the Bush Administration from Sept 11 through late 2001.

From Beirut to Jerusalem by Thomas Friedman

Friedman was pulitzer-prize winning NYT correspondent in Beirut and then Jerusalem beween 1979 & 1989. Excellent book on the dynamics of that part of the world.

All too Human by George Stephanopolous

Interesting insider's view of the Clinton White House. Well-written and it came across as pretty honest.