Colin Powell

"Colin Powell is the most effective general officer we've had since George Marshall."
H. NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF
General Colin Powell embodies the fulfillment of the American Dream. Born in Harlem to a wonderfuly supportive family of Jamaican heritage, and raised in the poverty-ridden South Bronx, Powell's discipline and determination drove him to become the highest-ranking military official in the nation. Now, after 120 interviews with family, colleagues, and General Powell himself, Washington insider Howard Means traces the extraordinary life of the man behind the medals.

YA-- A timely biography, and an inspiring account. It is superb reading for YAs, as Powell is a glowing example of a man worthy of their respect and admiration. Means provides a lengthy index and appendixes to round out the picture of this exemplary military leader.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In a laudatory, well-written biography, a Washingtonian magazine senior editor explains why President Bush jumped General Powell over 30 senior officers to make him both the youngest chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the first African American to hold that post. Means details the family background, upbringing and education of this Harlem-born son of Caribbean immigrants, his two Vietnam tours, his rise through the ranks, his virtuoso mastery of Pentagon politics as Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger's military assistant, his tenure in the White House as President Reagan's national security adviser and finally his role in the planning and execution of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Means so admires Powell's accomplishments, character and personality that he finds it hard to say anything negative about the general, but he does criticize his subject for advising President Bush to call an early cease-fire in the Gulf War. He suggests that probable career options available to Powell in the near future include command of NATO forces and possible entry into national polities. This stirring biography depicts the general as a shining role model, a man who combines the skills of a soldier, politician and diplomat. 50,000first pKnting;first serial to Washingtonian magazine.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.