Duty

Interesting, well worth reading. Talks about the successes and failures as Secretary of Defense. Gives a great insight on the challenges of running a large organization.

It brought tears to my eyes. Made me proud that we have such a leader in America. Thank you Bob Gates.

Interesting, but rather self-serving. Sad for our young men and women in our services. I certainly appreciate his (Gates) personal caring for the troops. On a professional note, I would give him a lot more credit as Secretary had he been able to attack & arrest the horrible money waste within Defense.

Great book about the the fight behind the wars. Gates is the soldiers secretary

Compelling, important and powerful in its clarity, intensity, commitment and description of the frustration that Secretary Gates felt but rarely conveyed. Clearly, he performed his duty and did so with honor, high competence, motivated by a fundamental ethic of always placing his Country, his/our soldiers before his own needs and ego. A great history and a great personal story that all can learn from and, hopefully, be motivated to emulate. Thank you Secretary Gates for your book, and thank you for your service. T. Wolf, Boulder, CO.

As a memoir, I found this insightful and balanced in what Secretary Gates accomplished, and in areas that, looking back had come up short or made the wrong choice. It reinforces that our legislative branch is a mess. Self-serving, egocentric, narcissistic, political pawns who over rate themselves and contribution to the nation. As a veteran (peacetime) I'd like to think that the Secretary always has our back. A veteran -- whether on active duty, discharged, retired or in the reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount of up to, and including, his life.

At once poignant, heartfelt, sincere, frank, self deprecating, and almost thoroughly gracious. The only criticisms I could come up with are the glowing reviews of two Secretaries of State I never would have hired but certainly would have fired; the glossing over in two paragraphs or less both Tunisia and Ben Ghazi; and recommending Bloomberg for anything but perpetual point man in Helmand, let alone a cabinet position. After those, this was such a great read, and historically significant work I would recommend any student of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, or global geopolitic give it a read. In fact, if it were up to me I'd require SecDefs to write one, and make this required reading in high school government across America. This old sergeant salutes you sir.

A great insight into the inner workings of the Secretary of Defense and the President's office (both Bush and Obama) and all the international dealings.

Thank you Secretary Gates!!!

Great book