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The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

REVIEW: Inside the Presidency: ‘Decision Points’ by President George W. Bush

President Bush remarks on aviation security in November 2001.
Paul Morse via Wikimedia Commons
President Bush remarks on aviation security in November 2001.

Asking someone about the Presidency of George W. Bush generally elicits one of two responses. The most common reactions are either something along the lines of “Which Bush was that?”-in reference to his father, President George H.W. Bush-or commentary on the War on Terror, the most enduring issue of his tumultuous two terms.

Until Trump, Bush was one of the most controversial presidents in modern history. In 2010, Bush released his memoir, “Decision Points,” which describes various turning points and events in Bush’s public and private life from his own point of view. In his introduction, Bush explains his purpose. “In the pages that follow, I have done my best to write about the decisions I got right, those I got wrong, and what I would do differently if given the chance.” 

In 477 pages, Bush candidly describes various events and decisions from his point of view, including the 9/11 attacks, his decision to bail out the banks, and working to get education reform through a reluctant Congress. Many of the issues and conflicts of the early 2000’s are described in detail, making the book a good choice for students wishing to know more about the politics of the new millennium. 

As a writer, Bush uses a very conversational tone, which can make the book a laborious read for those who are used to more formal history. This produces an interesting and sometimes confusing combination of down-home Texan lingo and sentence structure with advanced financial or military terms. There are many photographs, however, which will satisfy the more visually stimulated (and perhaps Bush himself, as he once remarked that “One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures.”).

“Decision Points” is not a quick read. However, this is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Elaborating on each point enables Bush to fully flesh out his story, displaying the atmosphere of rationalism and decision making in his administration-a refreshing change from the soundbites and Twitter disputes that dominate today’s politics. 

For those looking to better understand the War on Terror or the Bush years as a whole, “Decision Points” is an excellent choice. The book helps show why Bush’s approval has jumped since he left office, and is a detailed look at one of the most consequential Presidencies in recent history.

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Rece Vining, Lead Editor
Rece Vining, a senior at Pleasant Valley high school, is an avid supporter of the arts, evidenced by his heavy involvement in music. As a bass, he sings in both the Chamber Choir and the Leading Tones jazz choir. In band, he plays the trumpet. Vining also participates in history bowl and tennis. In the warmer months, he can be found practicing on the tennis courts with his choir friends. Outside of school, he enjoys metal detecting and reading biographies. Also possessing an entrepreneurial spirit, he offers his used goods at a discount on his instagram account: @recesellsthings, in which eager customers can find hardcover books, model planes, and rechargeable flashlights. Although he does not yet know where he is going to school next year or what exactly he will be studying, he is certain he will not be majoring in math. Vining is excited to apply his writing skills and unique perspective to the Spartan Shield online.
Maggie Peterson, Business Manager
Maggie Peterson, a senior at Pleasant Valley High School, is the current Business Manager for the Spartan Shield Online. Because of her dedication to academics, Peterson was inducted into the National Honor Society. In addition to focusing her time on academics, Peterson has been actively involved in travel softball for Xtreme Havoc since she was a measly six years old. Her freshman year, Peterson experienced a severe back injury from softball that caused her to need an invasive surgery. “My favorite memory from high school is missing a month of school my freshman year to heal from my surgery,” Peterson says. With perseverance, her long-time commitment to this sport led her team to winning the 2019 USA Illinois State Championship. Her passion for the sport will continue as Peterson plans to continue softball at St. Ambrose University. She has decided to major in psychology with hopes to further her education in graduate school to study speech pathology. In her free time, Peterson can be found watching the Cubs as she is a “hardcore Cubs fan and always will be,” she says.   
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REVIEW: Inside the Presidency: ‘Decision Points’ by President George W. Bush