Known and Unknown: A Memoir Audiobook

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Discover the enhanced e-book edition of Known and Unknown offering an unprecedented reading experience for a memoir by a major public figure. For web-connected readers, it features more than 500 links to never-before-available original documents from Donald Rumsfeld's extensive personal archive. It includes State Department cables, correspondence, and memoranda on topics such as Vietnam, Watergate, the days following 9/11, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and much more. Available in ePub and Adobe Reader.

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"Audible book. Excellent read. Of course, one needs to keep in mind that biographies are biased and leave the whole story out and autobiographies are often outright lies. Rumsfeld narrates his own book, does a superb job, and his views on many major events and his relationships with powerful people is highly interesting, captivating and is a look at history of the last 50 years as he presents it. It's a look behind the white (house) curtain. He can certainly not be as humble as he presents himself. To validate the events will take the reading of several other books. I recently finished W's auto biography titled George Bush which was narrated by him. It will be interesting to read the autos of Cheny and Kissenger. And to read some opposing points of view. Wherever they converge, Rumsfeld has definitely been a major player in American politics since the '70s. Seems like he's always been around in politics in my lifetime. Last year's read of a book by a former Bush speechwriter (need to look up the title) castigated nearly everyone in the W Bush administration except Rummy. He genuinely liked him..all in all, what a guy, good or bad. When I mentioned he book to friends, most responded with distain and often expletives at the mention of his name. Rummy thought very highly of president Ford, had positive thing to say about Nixon, Johnson and others, without being supportive of all their actions. The book is traveled through the presidencies, wars and the major national events of our time. The president Ford years and Viet Nam loss were covered from the perspective of someone close to the scene. Exhaustive detail. Rumsfeld lays the analysis of decisions before the event, during the event and after the event. Thus, he sets the stage to reconcile and justify most all that he is involved in. Hindsight helps structure, in his defense, how what happens next goes down, good or bad, making him look ok to good to great, rarely bad. During most of the political scene since the '60s, he was there. A workaholic for sure, his 15 hour days seemed to have a negative impact on his family. Rumsfeld is differential to W Bush, always referring to him as Mr. President. He states that Bush has the courage of his convictions, rarely second guesses, seems to respect Bush a lot. Rumsfeld makes compelling arguments in support of the Afganistan and Iraq wars. He makes a point that the US must not only defend, but must be on the offensive toward terrorists, which he defines as mostly Islamic fundementalist radicals who are out to unite the world to their philosophy. Let's face it, like them or not, agree with their actions or not, most high level positions in the US are very bright, capable and accomplish many good things, far more than bad, and each have their supporters and distractions. We are so offer split nearly 50 / 50, usually along party lines over these individuals and events. Reading well written books that cover many events that shape our nation should focus on the actions and history without being overly judgmental of the author. After all, could any of us do much better as president, secretary of defense, cabinet member or congressperson? A difficult and seemingly impossible job. The book was packed with substantial depth of people and events, opinions and actions defended with strong arguments and justifications and represented his strong point of view very effectively. I'd definitely read it again, especially the audio version, but would prefer, and recommend the abridged version."

— Gale (4 out of 5 stars)