The Book: What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception by Scott McClellan

We read so you don't have to but you'll want to

The critics fuss about the lack of “new stuff,” but for political junkies like me it’s loaded.

He has lots of detail and background on scenes, like what the White House was doing exactly where and when Katrina struck, the setup and disagreement over The Famous Silhouette Shot of George Bush from the plane overlooking New Orleans.

Like what went on behind the scenes on September 11, 2001.

I've always heard it's a sign of good writing when you can write like you speak. You can hear Scott McClellan's voice echo every single word. He speaks from the heart, thoroughly disillusioned and honest.

He was floored by the discovery Karl Rove had lied to him, and so did Bush resulting in McClellan's realization that McClellan had misrepresented truth to the media.

As much as I loathe him, George Bush does come off as more of a person with perhaps a smidgen of feelings for those he has caused to die and wound. He visits Walter Reed sometimes, and is upset by the mayhem and destruction he encounters, surprisingly.

He is still hardhearted George, unable to accept or hear any opinion which may be different from his which led to his downfall. He is driven to establish democracy in the Middle East. (Why? In his simplistic way, did he think he was playing little boys games, that it would be easy to crash and burn a land, kill residents, set up a new way to govern and think citizens would like you? Why is his way "the best way"? Who appointed George Bush, God? But I digress.)

Like the Emperor With No Clothes, Bush has his circle filled with "yes people" who came to believe in the mission and never questioned it. (Or if they did, they kept mum.) (Hello, President-Elect Obama: Reminder!)

McClellan faults the "perpetual campaign" begun by Clinton aides for creating the monster Washington has become: Always spinning. Always vying for the goal for the team at the cost of cohesive victory. The selling of the Iraq War is described. Colin Powell was the only one of the leadership team who tried to slow down the attack on Iraq. (Only 4,207 American soldiers now dead, 30,832 wounded "officially," more than 100,000 "unofficially," and 1,288,426 Iraqis have died as a result of Bush's invasion, but this is not in the book.)

As it dozes with the bailouts, the press fell asleep at the wheel before the Iraq War began, accepting in a baby spoon whatever the Bush administration fed it, McClellan says.

On pages 157-158 he sings the praises of the "liberal media" (or what's left of it), that it works for the common good of the minority, seeking to represent it unlike the centrist, conservatives presidents and congresses who, beginning more or less with Gerald Ford, have presided with their pro-business and narrow minded methods and legislation.

Karl Rove is portrayed as the Machiavellian monster that we abhor and admire. Cheney is his secretive self, sometimes "off message." Only all good things said about Andy Card.

A highly recommended book. Where is Scott McClellan now? I know he makes a mother proud.