The Quiet Man: The Indispensable Presidency of George H.W. Bush - Softcover

George H. W. Bush is much too modest to brag about what he accomplished as the forty-first president of the United States. As a result, the conventional wisdom about his presidency misses many of his greatest achievements. Now this unique insider account by former chief of staff John H. Sununu finally gives this indispensable president full credit for the positive impact he had on the United States and the world.

Though Bush is rightfully remembered for orchestrating one of the largest, most effective military campaigns in history--the first Gulf War--Sununu argues that this success overshadowed many of his other significant accomplishments. Most important was Bush's calm and capable leadership during the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Bush's domestic accomplishments were equally impressive. During his single term in office, he passed more domestic legislation than almost any other president, which included strengthening civil rights, breaking a twelve-year logjam to enact environmental protections, passing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and negotiating the 1990 budget agreement that generated federal surpluses and a decade of economic growth.

As chief of staff, Sununu was an active participant in and a front-row observer to the most significant events of the Bush presidency. He reveals policy conflicts and clashes, as well as inside alliances among the diverse personalities in and out of the White House.

John H. Sununu served three terms as governor of New Hampshire and was cochairman of George H. W. Bush's 1988 presidential campaign, as well as his chief of staff from 1989 to 1991. Prior to becoming governor, Sununu was associate dean of the College of Engineering at Tufts University and president of the JHS Engineering Company. After leaving the White House, he was the conservative host of CNN's Crossfire and won a Cable Ace Award. He lives with his wife, Nancy, in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire.