With Colin Powell, what you see is what you get. Karen DeYoung''s exhaustive biography of the former secretary of state reveals
a man who prioritized loyalty and military values. The respect shown Powell over the years is a reflection of his deep-rooted strength of conviction, subdued yet commanding personality, and sense of decency. A career soldier who served two tours of duty in Vietnam and commanded the 1991 Persian Gulf War victory, Powell dealt in the power of the chain of command. How that served – or, late in his career may have disserved – him and his country is at the crux of this book. DeYoung, an associate editor at The Washington Post, flexes her considerable
reportorial muscle as she whisks you past every security
checkpoint, and into the midst of sensitive and historic meetings at the highest levels of government. getAbstract highly recommends this fascinating and riveting look at an American hero who played the game as best as he could – even though the other guys made the rules.