The Great Rift: Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, and the Broken Friendship That Defined an Era

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Friendships are defined by more than longevity. They are strong when they can weather turmoil. The friendship of Dick Cheney and Colin Powell seemed built to last but was frayed by ideological differences and bureaucratic warfare. The two men were on divergent career paths as Cheney buckled down after youthful indiscretions to work in government and Powell worked his way through the Army from scrappy beginnings. Their paths intersected during the second term of the Reagan Administration. Cheney would write the minority report of the Iran-Contra affair, while Powell took the position of national security advisor, which carried its own stigma in the wake of the scandal. The friendship began there but would blossom during George H. W. Bush’s administration, where Cheney was secretary of defense and Powell was chairman of the joint chiefs. The men were thoroughly in sync on policy and practice, but as they went their separate ways during the 1990s, a change set in that would have both men on opposing sides during the George W. Bush Administration.

The Great Rift is a thoroughly enjoyable narrative exploring the lives of two powerful men. The reader may know the end of the story going in, but the journey leading up proves fascinating. James Mann carves a niche in biography/history with his latest release, a book not to be missed this year.


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Author James Mann
Star Count /5
Format Hard
Page Count 432 pages
Publisher Henry Holt and Co.
Publish Date 2020-01-14
ISBN 9781627797559
Bookshop.org Buy this Book
Issue April 2020
Category History
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