Bush on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President

Justin A Frank , Md

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With the Bush administration in permanent crisis, a renowned Washington psychoanalyst updates his portrait of George W.'s public persona—and how it has damaged the presidency.

Insightful and accessible, courageous and controversial, Bush on the Couch sheds startling new light on George W. Bush's psyche and its impact on the way he governs, tackling head-on the question few seem willing to ask: Is our president psychologically fit to run the country? With an eye for the subtleties of human behavior sharpened by thirty years of clinical practice, Dr. Justin A. Frank traces the development of Bush's character from childhood through his presidency, identifying and analyzing his patterns of thought, action, and communication. The result is a troubling portrait filled with important revelations about our nation's leader—including disturbing new insights into:

  • How Bush reacted to the 2006 Democratic sweep in Congress with a new surge of troops into Iraq
  • His telling habits and coping strategies—from his persistent mangling of English to his tendency to "go blank" in the midst of crisis
  • The tearful public breakdown of his father, George H. W. Bush, and what it says about the former president's relationship to his prominent sons
  • The debacle of Katrina—the moment when Bush's arrogance finally failed him

With a new introduction and afterword, Bush on the Couch offers the most thorough and candid portrait to date of arguably the most psychologically damaged president since Nixon.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Psychological Profile: The book aims to provide a psychological profile of President George W. Bush, offering insights into his personality, behaviors, and decision-making processes.

  2. Father-Son Relationship: Expect discussions on Bush's relationship with his father, former President George H.W. Bush, and how this relationship may have influenced his psyche and leadership style.

  3. Impact of Family Dynamics: The book may explore how Bush's family dynamics and upbringing contributed to his personality traits, including any potential psychological influences from his family background.

  4. Leadership Style: Frank likely analyzes Bush's leadership style from a psychological perspective, examining how his personality traits influenced his approach to governance and decision-making.

  5. Handling of 9/11 Crisis: Expect insights into Bush's psychological response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and how his personality influenced his actions and decisions during this critical period.

  6. Communication Style: The book might discuss Bush's communication style, including any psychological factors that contributed to his rhetoric, public speaking, and interactions with the media.

  7. Decision-Making Processes: Frank may delve into Bush's decision-making processes, exploring how psychological factors played a role in key policy decisions, such as the Iraq War.

  8. Stress and Coping Mechanisms: The book might address how Bush coped with stress and the psychological pressures of the presidency, examining his coping mechanisms and reactions during challenging times.

  9. Impact on Policy: Expect discussions on how Bush's psychological makeup influenced specific policy initiatives and decisions, both domestic and foreign, during his presidency.

  10. Public Perception: The book likely examines the public perception of President Bush and how his psychological profile may have contributed to varying opinions and reactions from the American people.

Language English
ISBN-10 006143065X
ISBN-13 9780061430657
No of pages 247
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher Harper
Published Date 23 Oct 2007

About Author

Author : Justin A Frank, Md

2 Books

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