The War Within: A Secret White House History (2006–2008)

The War Within: A Secret White House History (2006–2008) is a non-fiction book by Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward that was released by publisher Simon & Schuster on September 8, 2008. It is the fifteenth book written by Woodward, the fourth in a series of books about President George W. Bush and his administration's foreign policy including Bush at War, Plan of Attack, and State of Denial. The book discusses the debate within the administration about the controversial Iraq "surge" strategy implemented in 2007. Simon & Schuster editor Alice Mayhew said in an official statement that "There has not been such an authoritative and intimate account of presidential decision making since the Nixon tapes and the Pentagon Papers. This is the declassification of what went on in secret, behind the scenes." Writing the book The author spoke extensively with officials from every level of the federal government. He conducted 150 interviews, spending three hours with Bush in the Oval Office. Politico called the Bush administration's cooperation with Woodward "remarkable". Before its publication, Woodward posted key excerpts and points of synopsis on The Washington Post's website. Press Secretary Ari Fleischer has said, "The message got down to everybody: 'Talk to him'". Bush had decided to speak to Woodward despite the fact that he had declined Woodward's requests for his previous book State of Denial. The New Republic has also stated that General David H. Petraeus provided off the record information for the writing. Statements in the book