Angler: The Cheney Vice Presidency

Angler: The Cheney Vice Presidency examines Dick Cheney's eight years as Vice President through extensive research and hundreds of interviews with government officials. The book chronicles Cheney's unprecedented influence on national security, foreign policy, and executive power during the George W. Bush administration. Based on Washington Post reporter Barton Gellman's Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation, the book draws from conversations with key figures including Condoleezza Rice, Karl Rove, and multiple Justice Department officials. The narrative reconstructs critical moments of decision-making within the administration between 2000-2008. The reporting focuses on Cheney's methods of operating within the executive branch and his relationships with other power centers in Washington. Central to the account are questions about national security policies, the expansion of executive authority, and the internal dynamics of the Bush White House. The book's lasting significance lies in its examination of how institutional power can be exercised through indirect influence and careful positioning rather than formal authority alone. The detailed portrait of Cheney's vice presidency raises broader questions about checks and balances in American government.

Readers consider this a detailed investigation into Dick Cheney's unprecedented power as Vice President. Based on hundreds of online reviews, the book reveals previously unknown aspects of Cheney's role in the Bush administration. Readers appreciated: - The extensive research and documentation - Clear explanations of complex policy decisions - Neutral tone that lets readers draw their own conclusions - New information about Cheney's influence on counterterrorism and executive power Common criticisms: - Dense writing style can be dry - Too much focus on policy minutiae - Some readers found it biased against Cheney - Occasional repetition of points Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) Library Thing: 4.1/5 (200+ ratings) One frequent reader comment notes that while the book can be "exhausting in its detail," it provides crucial insights into how executive branch power expanded after 9/11. Multiple reviews mention the book helped them understand Cheney's philosophy regardless of their political views.

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Dead Certain: The Presidency of George W. Bush by Robert Draper An inside account of Bush's White House years based on interviews with the president and his inner circle, revealing the decision-making processes during critical moments.

The One Percent Doctrine by Ron Suskind An examination of how Cheney's risk-calculation philosophy shaped America's response to terrorism and influenced foreign policy decisions after September 11.

Bush at War by Bob Woodward A detailed look at the Bush administration's initial response to 9/11 and the internal debates that led to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

🔸 Barton Gellman won the Pulitzer Prize for his reporting at The Washington Post before writing this book, and later won another for his coverage of NSA surveillance programs. 🔸 The title "Angler" refers to Cheney's Secret Service code name, chosen because of his love of fly fishing – a hobby he maintained throughout his political career. 🔸 Dick Cheney's influence was so extensive that he had his own "shadow national security council," which sometimes operated independently of official channels. 🔸 The book reveals that Cheney personally drafted executive orders for President Bush to sign, often without the knowledge of relevant cabinet members or agency heads. 🔸 During the interview process for this book, over 200 people within the Bush administration spoke to Gellman, many of them breaking years of silence about internal operations.