This provocative work provides an analysis of George Bush's tenure of the White House while also making a valuable contribution to the study of the presidency in a wider sense. Clearly and cogently written, the starting-point of the book is that all presidents are entitled to be judged on their own terms. Bush, it is argued, saw his role as that of a 'guardian' in contrast to the 'activist' model that so dominates the literature on the presidency.

Drawing on extensive interviews with senior White House staff, the author explores Bush's background and experience, considers his organization of his office, outlines his limited agenda, discusses his strategies for 'preventing bad laws' and reviews his contribution to the ending of the Cold War. The budget crisis of 1990 and the Gulf War receive particular attention as defining events, demonstrating the strengths and weaknesses in Bush's approach to presidential leadership.