Known and Unknown (Abridged): A Memoir Audiobook

" If you like revisionist history, you will enjoy this book. While it was difficult to swallow some of his retelling, the book provided intering insights into how his mind works and helps explain why we are where we are today. "

" This memoir written by Donald Rumsfeld, our country's secretary of defense during the Geo. W. Bush years, is well worth reading through to the very last page of a very long book. Mr. Rumsfeld's service to his country covers decades ... he is a truly dedicated public servant as opposed to a polished politician. Having a son in the ARMY who served in Iraq from 2006-2007, I fully appreciate Mr. Rumsfeld's dedication to fully supporting and equipping our men and women in uniform during the months and years following 9/11... He was the right man for the right job at the right time in our country's history ... he is a man of integrity, toughness, and creative thinking. His analysis of the run-up to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the amazing preparation that went into the execution of both wars is fascinating. He is extremely honest about the weaknesses and mistakes made during both, but also sets the record straight about many misconceptions that were promoted mainly by the media. I pray that we continue to have men like Mr. Rumsfeld to lead our country in the years to come. "

" Very insightful and documenting. I was glad to start seeing books from the Bush Administration written by the players themselves, so I started with this one. Rummy is a bit on the arrogant side, so you have to take that into consideration, but I don't feel as though his arrogance was at the forefront in this book. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in political as well as American history, because the book covers a lot of behind-the-scenes action from the 1950s all the way into the George W. Bush presidency. "

" As a republican, I enjoyed this book. I've always respected Mr. Rumsfeld and enjoyed reading about his life and time in office. "

" Interesting review of a decade of turmoil from the flawed, outspoken, but determined and forceful ex-SECDEF. The NY Times, in typical and unfair political hegemony gives the book short shrift, reviewing it (scathingly) in a Thursday publication. Rumsfeld's attitudes and opinion can be, (and should be) thoroughly questioned and judged, (by credentialed historians, not by Michiko Kakutani) but one comes away wondering what his ivory tower detractors would have done if assigned to make the decisions that he was forced to make in perilous times. "

" Much of the time covered in Rumsfeld's book is a time we lived through, and I found this very interesting. "

" It is a long read but very well written. I read a lot of history, biographies and found I really enjoyed this book. It gives you a behind the scenes look at different administrations from Nixon to GW Bush. One fact I appreciate is that Secretary Rumsfeld did not turn it into a political ideology based book but kept it as a recount of his life and really a history based book. If you enjoy history then I would highly recommend this book. "

" I only skimmed this book...to many details I was lost in his writing.. "

" A positve look at what he did, admitting mistakes made, but still selective on picks. "

" Rummy should have Secretary of State. If he was, we would have been more successful in Iraq and sooner. "

" While interesting and fairly well written, I found it extremely biased. His story was also very political and much less personal than I would have liked to see. All of this is understandable in a memoir. "

" Always admired Rumsfeld. Great book. "

" Well worth the time to read. "

" This was a very good book. I listened to the audiobook, read by the author. I think I enjoyed his recollections of the 60s and 70s more than the more recent things. "

" Very interesting and clever. However like with any book written by a politician one is wondering what parts of it are true :) "

" Having lived through the events described in this book made it very interesting. I actually listened to this while riding on the back of Paul's motorcycle on an 1800 mile trip. "

" Fascinating life and mind. Book is full of finger pointing, especially during Bush years. "

" It was a good insight into a long civil servant's career. It was very long but interesting if you are into that sort of thing. At times I felt like it became more of a confession, but overall a good read. "

" Another fantastic memoir. Very highly recommended. "

" While interesting and fairly well written, I found it extremely biased. His story was also very political and much less personal than I would have liked to see. All of this is understandable in a memoir. "

" This was a great account of much of the history that has occurred in my lifetime by a remarkably talented man who was there in the middle of it.<br/><br/>I gained some valuable insights.<br/><br/> "

" This is a thick book. I cannot wait to ready what he has to say. This was over 700 pages, most of it was interesting. Some of it was boring. I did get tired of reading what he or others should have done. Overall, this was a decent book. "

" Very interesting and clever. However like with any book written by a politician one is wondering what parts of it are true :) "

" Even if you hate the guy, this is an excellent insiders view of the White House and many other aspects of the government. From pre-Nixon all the way to W's second term. It's amazing what this man has seen and done. "

" I only skimmed this book...to many details I was lost in his writing.. "

" This autobiography is well done about one of the most brilliant executives in history. Mr. Rumsfeld moved some of the largest bureaucratic organizations in the world just by his sheer personality. He always left organizations better than when he found them. "