About the Author

Bob Woodward is Assistant Managing Editor at THE WASHINGTON POST. His Pulitzer Prize-winning Watergate reporting is said to have set the standard for modern investigative reporting. Over the last 22 years he has authored or co-authored seven No 1 internationally bestselling books.

Reviews

Meticulous is the best word to describe Woodward's detailed description of the planning behind the 2003 American invasion of Iraq. Woodward (All the President's Men) has written another investigative piece that is worthy of his reputation. Richard Poe's reading is superb-compelling yet skillful. Based on over 75 interviews with several of the key players, including Secretary of State Colin Powell, CIA director George Tenet, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and President George W. Bush, this work brings the listener deep into the world of planning a modern "regime change." Having gained unprecedented access to the Bush administration, Woodward paints an interesting picture of the behind-the-scenes workings of the overthrow of Saddam Hussein by mixing interviews, official records, and gossip. Recommended for all libraries.-Scott R. DiMarco, Herkimer Cty. Community Coll., NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

While researching this book, Woodward (All the President's Men; Bush at War) interviewed more than 75 individuals and spent three and a half hours over the course of two days with George W. Bush himself. The resulting account of the decisions made before and following the start of the Iraq war has raised hackles on both sides of the political spectrum. While many conservatives see it as a smear on the administration, many liberals feel Woodward has handled the situation with kid gloves (a criticism that is only reinforced by the fact that Plan of Attack is at the top of the President's reading list on his Web site). Reading in first person as Woodward, veteran actor and audiobook reader Gaines does a superb job of conveying this important information in a mature yet charged manner. His voice is smooth and measured, and his timing, modulation and emphasis are perfectly suited to both the material and to Woodward's narrative voice. Because it is done so well, Gaines's delivery becomes transparent-a window through which we can view Woodward's text without distraction. Simultaneous release with the S&S hardcover. (Apr.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.