The long-hidden story of a family we thought we knew--and of a power-making apparatus that we have barely begun to comprehend. George W. Bush left office as one of the most unpopular presidents in American history. Russ Baker asks the question that lingers even as this benighted administration winds down: Who really wanted this man at the helm, and why did his backers promote him despite his obvious liabilities and limitations? This book goes deep behind the scenes to deliver an arresting new look at George W. Bush, his father George H. W. Bush, their family, and the network of figures in intelligence, the military, finance, and oil who enabled the family's rise to power. Baker offers new insights into lingering mysteries, from the death of John F. Kennedy to Richard Nixon's downfall in Watergate, and helps us understand why we have not known these things before.--From publisher description.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [499]-558) and index.

How did Bush happen? Poppy's secret Viva Zapata Where was Poppy? Oswald's friend The hit After Camelot Wings for W. The Nixonian Bushes Downing Nixon: The setup; The execution In from the cold

Poppy's proxy and the Saudis Poppy's web The handoff The quacking duck Playing hardball Meet the help The conversion The skeleton in W.'s closet Shock and... oil? Deflection for reelection Domestic disturbance.