TPR Recommends... The Vulcans

Tomorrow, we look at a book which highlighted the greatest perceived divide of the last decade - that of Islam and the West. Whenever we reflect on that period, it can be remarkable just how much personalities have come to the define the debates and the events - be it Bush, Cheney, Rice or Rumsfeld, the personalities often linger longer in our minds that the policies themselves. In light of this, here are TPR's pick of the best books to understand the key figures in the American cast of the War on Terror.


This book is effectively the best summary available on what this recommends section is about. James Mann profiles the history of six key figures in Bush's inner circle - Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Colin Powell, Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Armitage and Condolleezza Rice - charting their careers back to the Nixon administration and forming one of the most lasting group biographies of the team that redefined America's role in the post-9/11 world. Purchase here.


Not often does a memoir reference one of the most mocked linguistic moments in a politician's career. In only one of the many unconventional elements of Donald Rumsfeld, he has done exactly that (for anybody who doesn't remember, this video is worth a watch). Rumsfeld's career at the top of U.S. Government began in the Nixon administration, making it all the more remarkable that the former wrestling champion was still at the very top of government when President Bush finally accepted his resignation in 2006. To TPR's mind, the best memoir from a member of Team Bush available to date. Purchase here.


Okay, I've cheated - Sir Christopher Meyer is not American. However, from 1997-2003 he was Britain's ambassador to the United States and lived just down the road from the White House. When this book was published in 2005, it was attacked by the Labour government and slated by many MPs who urged him not to publish it. However, it reads credibly and remarkably engaging for a diplomatic memoir. One of the most accessible insights into one of the most interesting times. Purchase here.

Next week, we'll be continuing our author-specific recommends sections as we look at books by Peter Oborne.