"Brilliant political operative Richard Perle is known for his neoconservative views and hard-line support for expanding America's military might. Making extensive use of interviews with Perle and his supporters and detractors alike, Weisman (Lone Star: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Dan Rather) illuminates many of the darker corners of this mysterious character. Portraying Perle sympathetically on at least a personal level, Weisman highlights his dedication to improving, as he sees it, the national defense of his country and the skill apparent in his proudest achievements: the Jackson-Vanik amendment forcing the Soviet Union to allow Jews to emigrate and the completion of the INF treaty drawing down Soviet nuclear missiles. Weisman also debunks the idea that Perle is primarily concerned with Israel's security, though at times he seems a little too eager to forgo in-depth analysis in favor of snappy comebacks. Weisman concludes: 'If Richard Perle is guilty of anything, it is of a sadly stupefying resolve,' a middle-of-the-road verdict that may be honest but is unlikely to either please Perle's most fervent fans or convert his opponents." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Interviewing colleagues, critics, and the subject himself, Weisman (a former producer for 60 Minutes, CBS Sunday Morning, and the CBS Evening News) has constructed a political biography of the influential neoconservative Richard Perle, whose name gained especial infamy amongst critics due to his prominent role in promoting the American invasion and occupation of Iraq. It is that activity that forms a major focus of the text, but Perle's earlier activities with the Project for a New American Century (oft cited as the central hub of foreign policy neoconservatism) and during the Reagan administration are not neglected. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)