Presidential Command Power, Leadership, and the Making of Foreign Policy from Richard Nixon to George

"A revelatory account from a Washington insider of how modern presidents have succeeded - and failed - in making foreign policy. An important contribution in the wake of recent American experiences abroad, and an essential book for the new administration, here is a fascinating, in-depth look at what actually happens in the Oval Office From a respected expert who has held high-level positions in several governments." "Illuminating the qualities of personal leadership - character, focus, determination, persuasiveness, and consistency - that determine a president's ability to guide his staff, Peter W. Rodman makes clear how these qualities shape policy and determine how this policy is implemented." "Rodman offers an original and telling survey of modern presidential policy-making, challenging many conventional accounts of events as well as standard remedies. This is a vivid story of larger-than-life Washington personalities in action, an invaluable guide for our new president, and a deeply insightful primer on executive leadership."--BOOK JACKET.

Peter W. Rodman was a senior fellow in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. He served as deputy assistant to the president for National Security Affairs, as director of the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff, as special assistant to Henry Kissinger in the White House, and, most recently, as assistant secretary of defense of international security affairs (2001–2007). Rodman is the author of More Precious Than Peace. He died in August 2008.