Plain Speaking: A Reporter's Conversations with President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair's Conversations with Wife Cherie

A satire that delves into many aspects of the political arena. When it became clear that President George W. Bush was intent on invading Iraq, and he found a close chum and obedient ally in Britain's former Prime Minister Tony Blair, what struck the author was the incongruity of their relationship. How could two people whose only similarity appeared to be their ability to see things that were not there, get on and understand one another so well? Mr. Blair, presumably to impress on us just how chummy they had become, kept saying they were "standing shoulder-to-shoulder", even when they were sitting opposite one another. Linehan was privileged to learn at first-hand what they talked about when they met and in their frequent telephone conversations. Also fortunate to be given an insight into how Mr. Blair reported their exchanges to his wife Cherie, it occurred to the author that notes published on what took place might throw some light on how they reached decisions by which we have all, to a greater or lesser extent, been affected.