America: Our Next Chapter: Tough Questions, Straight Answers

Senator Hagel offers a clear headed and candid assessment of where America stands today and where it needs to go, particularly on the international front. Readers may find his analysis jolting in comparison to the timidity of other officials, but those who know Hagel will find his remarks as standard. In listening to an interview of author Stephen Covey recently, I noted Covey's assessment that those who come from an agrarian experience are more likely to face the reality of people and events. That fits with Hagel and his upbringing in Nebraska. While many of Hagel's assessments parallel my own (Congress has failed in its responsibility to be a co-equal branch of government, the use of mercenaries in Iraq is unacceptable, we need a universal service program to instill interest in our duties as citizens) he stops short of making the hard recommendation that what we really need to accomplish those things is to go back to a lottery Draft (or to threaten President Bush with Impeachment). Hagel also offers a blunt critique of the difficulties our political process is inflicting on the ability of government to function efficiently and confront the large scale problems of our nation. The Senator strongly hints that a revision of that political process is near with either the creation of a third party or the re-constitution of an existing party. Would that more of our Federal elected officials operate with his perspective that his oath is to ". . .America, not to a President or a political party or a policy." His absence from the Senate will be a loss from that organization, but I expect his presence in a new administration, regardless of which party gains the Presidency in 2008. I strongly recommend his book for its unique insider perspectives and unflinching assessment of the reality of our circumstances. [...]

I'm a Northeast Democrat - someone who disagrees with many of Senator Hagels positions, but I would vote for him for President and would HIGHLY recommend him for a position in either party's cabinet in the next administration. If we cannot have him as President, we need him as Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense. I will be voting for the Democrat in the next election, but I truly believe that had he been the Republican nominee - he would be getting my vote. This is one book both nominees should read.

This is the man who should be president. It's sad that he won't be part of the Senate after this election cycle. How is it that a man so respected on both sides of the aisle who is known worldwide for his quiet, thoughtful diplomacy can be so misunderstood in his own country? This book tells what really happened when the legislature voted for the war resolution. Hagel apologizes for voting for it and regrets that our lawmakers didn't do all they could have to put the brakes on the war in Iraq. He concedes that Iraq isn't ours to win and that it is now up to the Iraqis to decide what to do with their freedom. He suggests how we can deal with Iraq honorably and that we cannot go it alone. It is in the best interest of all countries in the Middle East to help provide security and that our allies, especially in Europe have a vested interest in a stable Iraq. Hagel rightly concludes that most of the problems in the world have to do with poverty, especially terrorism. He tells it straight and will probably anger a lot of people because face it, the truth hurts. There's a lot of work to be done to bring this world together in peace and knowing the hard facts about how we find ourselves at this juncture will make it a little easier to do what we have to do. I hope the next president will offer him a cabinet position as either Secretary of Defense or State. We would do well to heed his warnings and implement his sound solutions.

Senator Hagel is brilliant in his new book, America: Our Next Chapter. The Senator has an uncanny ability to discuss and explain the difficult challenges and issues of our time... both domestically and abroad. Senator Hagel is masterful in his ability to write, lay out and formulate the conclusions he comes to based on the unique story that is his life. His discussion on Iraq and American's standing in the world, drawing from his service as young man in the Vietnam War, is captivating and adds a much needed perspective to the current debate on America's international affairs. The Senator also has the most clear view of the partisan gridlock that Washington has become and artfully sums up the necessity to find common interests to solve the grave, imminent issues of entitlements, Social security, and an enormous national debt. A highly recommended read.

As a Nebraska resident I feel uniquely connected to Hagel's new book, which I read in almost one sitting. Hagel brings real "straight talk" - sometimes incendiary, sometimes compassionate, but always brillaint and thought provoking, to his vision for America. Although he is embraced by democrats and reviled by the Rush Limbaughs of the world, it is important to remember that the retiring Senator is who he is: a man of largely consistent, conservative values - not of a neoconservative, often self-contradicting ideology. He has been vilified by the likes of Cheney for his outspoken attitude toward the Iraq disaster, but in actuality is closer to the Republican and Reagan ideal of keeping a strong America - both militarily and economically- and retaining its position of the leader of the free world. These thoughts echo throughout his book. Those who know intimately know Chuck know that he is actually quite shy and soft-spoken, contrary to the media's portrayal of him, and that his harsh words come not from an outspokeness but from deep-rooted convictions and the pressure he feels to do the right thing. Although he appears to many to be "basicallly a democrat" - in many cases, as in those of my peers, I find he persuades just as many democrats to become independents or Republicans in the Reagan tradition - which is quite contrary to the Bush era. The Bush administration has been concerned with its place in history. I feel like this book will be a marker of a man who dared to speak the truth in a time plagued with remarkable deceit on the account of the government. While he is unpopular in much of the U.S. Republican constituency, historians will give him credit for years to come as one of the greatest senators of the era - in much the same vein as Harry Truman. Give 'em Hell, Hagel.