'Work Hard, Study...and Keep Out of Politics!': Adventures and Lessons from an Unexpected Public Life

by James A. Baker III

Book Overview

A revelatory memoir from one of the great political minds of our time. The real inside story of why Gerald Ford did not ask Ronald Reagan to be his running mate in 1976-and why Reagan did not pick Ford in 1980; the battle over Florida 2000; the aborted White House job switch that inadvertently opened the door to the Iran-Contra scandal; the Bush campaign's wish that Dan Quayle would offer to resign from the ticket in 1992; the White House turmoil...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399153772
• ISBN13: 9780399153778
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Work Hard, Study and Keep out of Politics

The product came thru timely and as expected. I ordered three books to get free shipping, but they all came from different sources with additional shipping.

Memoir of one of our most dedicated public servants

This book is a fascinating read about James Baker's public service from the 1970's through his term as Secretary of States and the projects he took on the 1990's. While James Baker was never elected, he served under Presidents Ford, Reagan and Bush (41) from the end of the cold war. His experience as white house chief of staff, Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of State were during some fascinating years in recent US history and should be read as a great first-hand perspective by anyone interested in US politics. In the era of today's bitter partisan politics, James Baker shows how Republicans and Democrats, while strongly disagreeing, were able to work through some important decisions and create a climate that looks refreshingly civil. Although liberal Democrats will disagree with many of Baker's positions there are leadership and management lessons for anyone who is interested in public service. His mantra of the 5 P's (Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance) was demonstrated time and time again in his life and should serve as a lesson to all of us - public servants or private entrepreneurs. Throughout this book James Baker shows the character that we hope to find in all public servants and he never forgets to mention the influence of his friend, family and faith in his life. The book is an inspirational novel with great stories and lessons and I will recommend it to many of my friends.

Very Good Book!!

I really enjoyed this book and I learned a lot, too. This book is more than the story of James Baker's life and career. It is also part history, taking you inside of the White House of four presidents and offers great lessons on how to successfully negotiate with people. I always liked James Baker as a member of President Reagan's "Troika" and I loved reading about the inner workings of the Reagan White House. But, I learned a lot about the campaigns and the Ford and Bush administrations, too. I have to negotiate with people at work all of the time and I'm not great at it, but thanks to this book, I'm going to be better at it. I also enjoyed reading about James Baker's wife and children. It was sad to read of the loss of his first wife, but inspiring to read about how he was able to survive through the help of his friends and family. I also enjoyed reading about the 2000 election recount in Florida. What a story that is! James Baker comes across as a very down to earth man and I learned a lot from reading his story. This is a good book!

An accomplished man

If you enjoy politics, you will like this book. If you are a Republican, you will love this book. James Baker is a remarkably talented and highly successful man. This book takes you through his life as a Marine, Lawyer, Politician, Campaign Manager, Chief of Staff, Treasury Secretary, Sec. State, Troubleshooter and Wise Man. It is also personal with reflections as a son, husband, father and friend. In all of these diverse roles, he demonstrated many qualities: character, honesty, toughness, kindness, generosity, loyalty and impressive productivity. Of all the stories in politics, I was struck by two. The first involved Dan Quayle; Baker felt that when Bush 41 ran for reelection, Dan was a drag on the ticket and if he had graciously offered to resign in favor of a better Veep, Bush 41 may have won reelection. Dan refused to take the hint and the rest is history. Quayle's wife, Marilyn scores a contemptuous footnote because she sneered dismissively at Bush 43's frat boy presidential qualifications. The second story involved Al Gore. Baker did not take kindly to Gore's attack on his and Bush 41's integrity during the 92 reelection bid. Gore made wild unsubstantiated charges regarding Saddam Hussein, a bank and Bush/Baker. Payback came by way of Baker's role in the 2000 Florida recount. The book has a lot of humor. One story relates to a picture that he gave Gorbachev after Iraq invaded Kuwait. It showed Saddam on one side and a condom on the other. The inscription read: "For the prick who did not know when to withdraw." Baker says Gorby laughed uproariously. Other fascinating anecdotes abound, both personal and professional. I enjoyed this book very much and my respect for Jim Baker, which was high to begin with, has grown immeasurably.

A must read for anyone who seeks a career in Public Service

For anyone thinking about about government service as a career, this is the book to read. This should become a text book for university political science departments. James A Baker, one of the most experienced men in the history of public service,effectively and distinctly covers his career in a way that the reader feels that they are a part of this fasinating trip through the history of the last 30 years. The great thing about the book is that Baker is a humble person who acknowledges those individuals with whom he worked during this period. The reader not only gets a great perspective of history unfolding but also of a great man who, as he tells his story, credits those who were significant in the process. This is a book to understand recent history and the challenges of living and working in Washington D.C. , as Baker will instruct the reader how he feels one should navigate through the shoals of the politics of our nations capital. Finally, this is a well written book that is fun to read and one that should accompany a long airplane ride.