Praise for Bush's Brain "Love him or hate him, Karl Rove is one of the most brilliant and successful political consultants of all time. In this riveting account, Wayne Slater and Jim Moore tell how he got there." —Paul Begala, CNN's Crossfire "Bush's Brain isn't a hatchet job on George W. Bush. In fact, the two authors largely dispel the myth of Bush's supposedly deficient IQ. But, more importantly, they lay bare the story of how Karl Rove may be the most powerful man in America. It's a compelling story told by two veteran Texas journalists who don't need a briefing packet to understand the men they're writing about." —Philip Bruce, KCET/PBS Television, Los Angeles The most powerful individual in the United States may not be George W. Bush. It is probably Karl Rove, the President's brilliant advisor. Who is this man and how did he acquire so much power? Having watched in awe for over fifteen years as they reported on the rise of Karl Rove, Moore and Slater expose the brutal and sometimes morally questionable, but invariably effective ways in which Karl Rove?and America's political system—actually operate. Political consultants are nothing new in American politics; they are the big guns called in to work on a campaign or deal with the occasional crisis, then dismissed for another day. Not so with White House Senior Advisor Karl Rove. Due to his close personal relationship and unlimited access to George W. Bush, as well as his control of the information that reaches the president, this "permanent consultant" occupies a unique spot in Bush's inner circle and in history. "His influence marks a transcendent moment in American politics: the rise of an unelected consultant to a position of unprecedented power," write authors Moore and Slater. Since Rove is ultimately responsible to Bush only, not to American citizens, he is not required to work openly. As a result, Rove is hardly a household name, despite his considerable clout. This intriguing and important book seeks to remedy this by offering a comprehensive look at this behind-the-scenes political guru. "Karl Rove matters to all Americans, many who have never even heard his name. While the president chafes at the description of Rove as 'Bush's Brain,' he can hardly deny that every policy and political decision either goes through, or comes from, the consultant," write the authors, leading them to pose the question, "Who really runs this country?" Rove has been involved with the Bush family for nearly 30 years and has worked on every one of George W.'s campaigns. In great detail, the book shows how Rove led Bush, a "reluctant political warrior," all the way to the White House. The portrait of Bush and Rove's relationship is fascinating. Though opposites in many respects, they are an unusually effective political team. But where Bush seemed to fall into politics, Rove has been preparing for his current job all of his life, and Bush has served as a vehicle for Rove's considerable ambitions, the authors contend. "Without Karl Rove, there would be no President George W. Bush," they write. Moore and Slater look deeply into Rove's past to offer copious evidence of his political genius, his tenacity, and his remarkable success rate in getting his clients elected. The facts also portray Rove as unethical, vindictive, and a chronic abuser of power. Loaded with revealing anecdotes and inside information, this is essential reading for anyone looking to understand not only the Bush administration, but how politics really work. --Shawn Carkonen The second, and more substantial, of the recent books about Bush's longtime political partner, Karl Rove. ( Austin American Statesman ) Should force questions about having a win-at-all-costs political operative shaping White House policy as our nation moves toward war over the world's protests. ( Austin American Statesman ) Bush's Brain is also attracting attention for its stark claim that Rove has become America's "co-president". ( The London Times ) "If you want to understand the president's underlying motives, read the new book on his guru, Karl Rove, Bush's Brain . Penned by two crack Texas reporters, it discloses that in 1994 Mr. Rove, a hired gun for Philip Morris, persuaded the gubernatorial candidate George W. Bush to make tort reform a priority." ( The Wall Street Journal , March 6, 2003) "Its authors dispel the convenient myth of Bush's sub-standard IQ and describe instead an able but reluctant politician made to fit the role created for him - a creation of Rove's ambition." ( Ecologist , July 2003) Here is a book whose publication date had the best of timing, as the President has been in the center of the news with his twin wars on terrorism and Iraq. Citizens are wondering what makes him tick, this man "with the soft voice. . . who governs hard." How did he get to be so politically powerful when he seemed to be such a reluctant candidate? The authors, James Moore, an Emmy Award-winning newscaster, and Wayne Slater, B