The China Diary of George H. W. Bush

“Living in History*”: Bush, World War II, and the Use of Historical Analogies in the Gulf Crisis

“…71 Also on August 5, Bush reiterated in his diary the importance of World War II's lesson about collective action, writing: "It has been the most hectic 48 hours since I have been President … the enormity of Iraq is upon me now … the bottom line is that the West is together." 72 In the August 6 NSC, the goal of liberating Kuwait was clear. As Darman noted, it was key for Saddam to be ejected from Kuwait: "you have to get this guy out of there."…”

“…Likewise, Saudi Arabia agreed to accept U.S. forces, and Bush gave an order to send the 82nd Airborne. 75 For the next several months, the "this will not stand" objective would remain stable. Bush repeatedly stressed in private and public the unacceptable nature of the status quo continuing.…”

“…Thatcher commented in her memoirs: "I had always liked George Bush." Bush, Diary, August 6, 1990; "Telcon with Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain," December 24, 1990, H.W. Bush Presidential Library, Memcons and Telcons; Thatcher (1995, 820).…”

“…The analogy countered the sentiment that "[t]here is little the U.S. can do in a situation like this," 113 and dictated that the United States could and should have a role-and a leadership role. 114 Relatedly, the metaphor affirmed that this was not just a matter of "gee,…”

“Better Angels of Our Nature”: Warmth and Optimism in Presidential Leadership

“…(Carter 1975) Keeping Faith (Carter 1982) Turning Point (Carter 1992) White House Diary (Carter 2010) 19771978*, 1980*, 1981 Where's the Rest of Me? (Reagan 1965) An American Life (Reagan 1990(Reagan ) 1981(Reagan , 1985(Reagan 1981(Reagan , 1982(Reagan , 1983(Reagan , 1984(Reagan , 1985(Reagan , 1986(Reagan , 1987(Reagan , 1988 Bush (41) All The Best (Bush 1999, 1990, 1991, 1992 My Life (Clinton 2004) 1993, 19971993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 Decision Points (Bush 2010(Bush ) 2001(Bush , 2005(Bush 2001(Bush , 2002(Bush , 2003(Bush , 2004(Bush , 2005(Bush , 2006(Bush , 2007(Bush , 2008 Obama Dreams From My Father (Obama 1995) The Audacity of Hope (Obama 2006(Obama ) 2009(Obama , 2013…”