Reviews
"Senator Byrd draws on a lifetime of experience to offer a guiding hand to our country's next Commander in Chief. His unfailing faith in God and country provides an example of the best we should hope to find in our leaders as well as any of our fellow citizens." ---President Jimmy Carter, In this book-length letter to the next president, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) draws on his 56 years of experience in Congress to offer advice, admonition and encouragement. With frequent references to past presidents, especially his personal favorite, Harry Truman, Byrd claims that his passion for the Constitution is only rivaled by his love for his wife. He presents a readable, if slight, survey of past presidencies and a scathing evaluation of the "greatest crisis" in the nation''s history brought about by the "failings" of the Bush administration: the buildup to the war in Iraq and the president''s bungled handling of Hurricane Katrina''s aftermath. Chapter headings such as "Bring Back the Fireside Chat" and scads of references to Emerson, Jefferson and Thoreau provide a rich philosophical context to Byrd''s political thought, even as much of his advice feels familiar and anodyne: "Build Your Presidency Around Accountability." The book''s detailed analysis of the great power and responsibility of the executive branch is timely, and prospective presidents and concerned citizens would be well-advised to read Byrd''s book. (July), Senator Byrd draws on a lifetime of experience to offer a guiding hand to our country's next Commander in Chief. His unfailing faith in God and country provides an example of the best we should hope to find in our leaders as well as any of our fellow citizens." --President Jimmy CarterFew people are better qualified to advise the next President of the United States than Senator Robert Byrd. In this book, he draws on his vast knowledge and experience with complex issues in both domestic and foreign policy, and offers remarkable insights and extraordinary wisdom about the immense challenges our next President will face here at home and in our ties with other nations. It's a book that will appeal to every citizen who cares about our country as well." --Senator Edward Kennedy"From one of the most respected and revered voices over the last half-century comes wise and insightful advice not only for our next president but for all of us. This treasured work deserves high critical praise and should reach the widest audience." --Doris Kearns Goodwin"This is a moving and insightful book that should be read by all of us -- even if we won't be the next President! I highly recommend it." --Andrei Cherny, author, The Candy Bombers, Looking back on a long line of presidents, men of divergent dispositions facing divergent circumstances, Byrd finds among them common ground in spiritual faith and--as the nation aged--a long history of succession and the personal limitations of its leaders. Byrd points to ample lessons from the Bush administration, starting with the war in Iraq. Among his sound advice to Mister or Madame President: restore confidence in government, repair the trampled image of the U.S. abroad, accept responsibility for decisions, acknowledge mistakes, respect checks and balances. At 90 years of age, after 9 terms as Democratic senator from West Virginia under 11 presidents, Byrd offers a long view of the best and worst impulses of those who have served as president, looking back on the Vietnam War, the cold war, and the civil rights movement. Readers who enjoyed Madeleine Albright's Memo to the President Elect (2008) will appreciate another perspective on presidential leadership.-- Vanessa Bush, Looking back on a long line of presidents, men of divergent dispositions facing divergent circumstances, Byrd finds among them common ground in spiritual faith and-as the nation aged-a long history of succession and the personal limitations of its leaders. Byrd points to ample lessons from the Bush administration, starting with the war in Iraq. Among his sound advice to Mister or Madame President: restore confidence in government, repair the trampled image of the U.S. abroad, accept responsibility for decisions, acknowledge mistakes, respect checks and balances. At 90 years of age, after 9 terms as Democratic senator from West Virginia under 11 presidents, Byrd offers a long view of the best and worst impulses of those who have served as president, looking back on the Vietnam War, the cold war, and the civil rights movement. Readers who enjoyed Madeleine Albright's Memo to the President Elect (2008) will appreciate another perspective on presidential leadership.- Vanessa Bush, "Senator Byrd draws on a lifetime of experience to offer a guiding hand to our country's next Commander in Chief. His unfailing faith in God and country provides an example of the best we should hope to find in our leaders as well as any of our fellow citizens." --President Jimmy Carter "Few people are better qualified to advise the next President of the United States than Senator Robert Byrd. In this book, he draws on his vast knowledge and experience with complex issues in both domestic and foreign policy, and offers remarkable insights and extraordinary wisdom about the immense challenges our next President will face here at home and in our ties with other nations. It's a book that will appeal to every citizen who cares about our country as well." --Senator Edward Kennedy "From one of the most respected and revered voices over the last half-century comes wise and insightful advice not only for our next president but for all of us. This treasured work deserves high critical praise and should reach the widest audience." --Doris Kearns Goodwin "This is a moving and insightful book that should be read by all of us -- even if we won't be the next President! I highly recommend it." --Andrei Cherny, author, The Candy Bombers, In this book-length letter to the next president, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) draws on his 56 years of experience in Congress to offer advice, admonition and encouragement. With frequent references to past presidents, especially his personal favorite, Harry Truman, Byrd claims that his passion for the Constitution is only rivaled by his love for his wife. He presents a readable, if slight, survey of past presidencies and a scathing evaluation of the "greatest crisis" in the nation's history brought about by the "failings" of the Bush administration: the buildup to the war in Iraq and the president's bungled handling of Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. Chapter headings such as "Bring Back the Fireside Chat" and scads of references to Emerson, Jefferson and Thoreau provide a rich philosophical context to Byrd's political thought, even as much of his advice feels familiar and anodyne: "Build Your Presidency Around Accountability." The book's detailed analysis of the great power and responsib
