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Following the worst terrorist attacks in American history on September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush pledged to bring those responsible to justice, especially the mastermind, Osama bin Laden. After failing to capture Bin Laden in Afghanistan, George W. Bush shifted his attention and that of his country to Saddam Hussein and Iraq, neither of which had anything to do with the 9/11 attacks (as history has proven). Bush, Jr. wanted a war in Iraq, and with the help of others in his administration, he succeeded in waging one regardless of the cost of human lives or his country’s treasury. George W. Bush’s Iraq War lasted eight and a half years, killed tens of thousands of people, and cost the United States trillions of dollars. In Terry Jastrow’s new novel, THE TRIAL of GEORGE W. BUSH, past evil deeds are exposed and reckoned with in a most unexpected way. At a time when America’s political leadership has alienated itself from the rest of the world, the scales of justice respond in a trial at the International Criminal Court in which former president Bush is accused of War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity. This fascinating trial brings together eyewitness testimony from a former Secretary of State, the Commander of the U.S. Central Command that oversaw military operations, an American counter-terrorism expert, and a female Iraqi blogger who read from the blogs she wrote while Bush’s war was destroying her country. After the trial filled with contentious testimony and covered by an overzealous media, a captive worldwide public awaited the determination of Bush’s fate. Will he be found guilty or not? The surprising verdict is revealed in this fascinating—and politically resonant—new novel.
What They're Saying...
“Terry Jastrow’s masterpiece of realistic fiction will inspire some, anger others, and is sure to provoke water cooler conversation across our divided nation. Whatever your position on the legitimacy of the war in Iraq, this is a book you’re going to want to read.”
~ Michael Scharf, Dean of Case Western Reserve University School of Law Author of “Enemy of the State: The Trial and Execution of Saddam Hussein”
“Terry Jastrow’s debut novel – simultaneously fictional and historically compelling – pulsates a throbbing plot and quintessential questions of the criminality of the Iraq War. With precision and passion, rare intelligence and a journalistic integrity, THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH delivers Bush to The Hague’s ICC (International Criminal Court) to be tried for war crimes. Fast and furious, THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH resonates as we realize that we do not have the freedom to attack other countries because we disagree with their form of government or we need their resources for our own benefit – or do we? Spectacular.”
~ The Review Broads
“The way the book is written is extremely realistic. The reader will feel like he is in the courtroom. The tension is clear and even frightening at times. The trial leads to an unexpected conclusion that you will have to read to discover.”
~ Mystery Suspense Reviews
“THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH is a political novel based on real events and opens with former President Bush’s kidnapping in Scotland, where he confronts a court of international law in an indictment over his illegal war with Iraq.
“As court proceedings involve a savvy prosecutor, a talented Iraqi attorney, and a president forced to defend the notion that his actions after 9/11 were not intended to support a personal vendetta, readers are treated to a cast of characters who range from real political figures such as Condoleezza Rice to fictional political and legal figures who raise many questions, from the legal authority of an American president to wage a war that violates international law to its presence and pressures upon political systems in other countries.
“By now, it should be clear that THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH is no ordinary political thriller. The kinds of questions it raises, its careful ability to toe the line between real facts and higher-level thinking and questions, and its mix of intrigue with court proceedings place it on the level of John Grisham, but with a deeper attention to political detail and broader ethical and moral considerations that make it especially intriguing for political-minded readers.
“As bloggers, regulators, political personalities and special interests coalesce in the courtroom, readers are treated to a tense exploration of American choices, rights, and challenges in a story which is hard to put down.
“Readers of both political and legal thrillers are in for a real treat with such a mix and its close attention to fictional and nonfiction detail and the kinds of ethical questions raised by high- level political decisions.”
~ D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH takes a very clever and original premise and delivers on it. The novel presents the idea that presidents should be held criminally liable for the loss of lives in an unjust war. Though the book is fiction, it reads like fact. You are caught up in the events and the ethical dilemma they present. A rare novel that chews as much as it bites off— and then some.”
~ Peter Lefcourt, best-selling author of The Deal and The Dreyfus Affair
“[T]he trial itself is engrossing. The issues of weapons of mass destruction – and the failure to find any – are addressed, as are the unintended consequences of the war, that we are still dealing with today. Media reactions are credibly portrayed as well.”
~ Hilary Williamson, BookLoons
“Terry Jastrow’s debut novel – simultaneously fictional and historically compelling – pulsates with a throbbing plot and quintessential questions of the criminality of the Iraq War...[w]ith precision and passion, rare intelligence and a journalistic integrity.”
~ Ava Reads
“Those who will most appreciate THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH will be of two types: political partisans who believe that justice was not done in the Iraq War and those who enjoy legal procedurals.”
~ Miriam Downey, the Cyberlibrarian
“Jastrow’s new novel is a riveting review of a controversial and sad period in American political affairs— the war in Iraq. Jastrow’s method of competing arguments reminds the reader of Socrates. The book is an engrossing drama well worth contemplating. Bravo!”
~ Tom Dine, foreign policy expert on European and Middle East affairs and former President, Radio Free Europe
“The story is an interesting mix of both fact and fiction and the author does so very skillfully... Overall, I thought the book was fascinating and if you enjoy legal or political dramas I think you’ll feel the same way. In the end, the story made me think, which is probably what the author’s goal was in the first place.”
~ In Our Spare Time blog
“How do I describe this novel? Riveting. Complex. Confusing. And Brilliant.”
~ Wonder of Words blog
“I find Terry Jastrow’s novel so intriguing in that it reads like a nonfiction book. It’s so well written and believable, I could hardly wait to find out what happens. I absolutely agree with all the wonderful comments the book is receiving. Clever as it is...are you sure this is fiction? So well done.”
~ Priscilla Presley
“It’s a very well-written courtroom drama, one that may look back with 20/20 hindsight... Well done first novel.”
~ Mystery Suspense Reviews
“If hindsight is 20/20, what is foresight? A question posed existentially in a fascinating new book, THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH, written by Terry Jastrow. While the prosecution has the advantage of hindsight, the defense is restricted to foresight, and the reader must reconcile the two. The question becomes, what would you have done given the same circumstances? It’s a seductive question that makes the book a must-read. There is also a shock on the last page.”
~ Bob Dowling, former Publisher and Editor in Chief, Hollywood Reporter
“Realistically, George W. Bush’s decision to invade Iraq will never lead to a war crimes trial. Yet by exploring this provocative ‘what if’ the considerably researched THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH is a thought-provoking read.”
~ Tim Gebhart
“Carefully researched and brilliantly argued, this is compelling, infuriating, and cathartic.”
~ Lou Aronica, New York Times best-selling author
“Readers who like legal fiction would enjoy THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH. And the
first chapter with the abduction would also appeal to those who like Tom Clancy novels.”
~ Amy Nickless
“I really liked THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH. This novel starts off strong and doesn’t lose momentum for one moment.”
~ Jay Snook, The Good Men Project
“This story is a great what if idea. What if Bush was held accountable for everything that happened when he invaded Iraq? Would he be found justified? Would he be sentenced? The possibilities are endless... a great concept.”
~ J Bronder Book Reviews
“Terry Jastrow’s brilliant, biting novel is a must-read for anyone who cares about international peace, war crimes past and future, and how justice can be delivered in unexpected ways. If you think you know how this story ends, start reading now!”
~ Sarah Lovett, co author (with Valerie Plame) of NY Times bestseller Blowback “Not since A Few Good Men has the tension, consequences and gotcha moments of a take-no-
prisoners trial been captured so expertly. ”
~ Michael Wisner, editor The Piper
“Terry Jastrow’s terrific new novel, THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH, poses questions that need to be asked and debated. I won’t stop thinking about it for weeks, maybe months. It is the must-read book of the summer.”
~ Catherine Bell, star of JAG, Army Wives and Hallmark’s The Good Witch “The plot of THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH by Terry Jastrow grabbed me from the
start...Jastrow has done a remarkable job, and if the topic interests you, this is a must-read.”
~ Men Reading Books blog
“Terry Jastrow’s THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH is a masterful blend of fact and fiction. A powerful story that entertains and edifies. Can the president of the United States ultimately do whatever he wants? Was Bush’s maverick decision to go to war with Iraq a foreshadowing of things to come? A perfect book for these unsettling times.”
~ Terri Hanauer, film and theatrical director/screenwriter