Robert M. Gates
Robert M. Gates (Robert Michael Gates) was born on September 25th, 1943 and is currently 82 years old. Robert M. Gates was born in Wichita, KS, USA. Gates attended the College of William & Mary where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, Indiana University Bloomington where he received a Master of Arts in the history of Eastern Europe and the south Slavs and Georgetown University where he received a Ph.D. in Russian and Soviet history.
Robert M. Gates was a former leader in the United States government who served in the role of Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011 and CIA director from 1991 to 1993.
During this time, he was known for a strong focus on real problem-solving as opposed to adhering to strict policy. Gates was also known for calm decision-making and steady leadership.
Earlier, Robert M. Gates worked in the National Security Council before he became CIA deputy director. After he was appointed CIA director, he led the agency during a time of high global tension and many changes on the world stage.
In 2006, he replaced Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense and developed a reputation for listening to his colleagues and juniors, and improving and adapting the way the military worked.
He was for the surge in Iraq, which helped lower violence. Working under Obama, he ended combat operations in Iraq. He also supported the cancellation of the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy that had forced lesbian and gay service members to hide their sexual identities.
With the tightening of the federal budget, Robert M. Gates faced issues with funding and pushed for wasteful spending cuts. He put an end to inefficient and expensive weapons programs so that he could keep the military strong despite reduced funding.
Following his retirement, Gates became president of the Boy Scouts of America.
Robert M. Gates published his first work,
From the Shadows, in 1996.
In the work, he explains his perspective on the Cold War as a CIA insider. He went from a beginner analyst to become CIA Director and went on to serve under four presidents.
Drawing from hard lessons and insider knowledge, he showcases how the US used hidden ways to beat communism. He explains risky choices, bold plans, and many covert wars.
Robert shares his views on the policies and leaders of the agency as he reveals the details of the shadow battles of the KGB and the CIA. He also writes about global tension, surprise predictions, and secret talks.
In his 2014 published work
Duty, Robert Gates writes a memoir of his time serving as Secretary of Defense during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
He tells of being drawn back into it when he thought he was retired from politics. He also takes his readers behind the scenes to show the hard choices in the Pentagon, the tough talks he had with presidents, and the battles with Congress.
Gates speaks of momentous events such as the Bin Laden raid, the big debates, and the leaders he interacted with.
In 2020, he published
Exercise of Power as an exploration of the use of American power following the end of the Cold War.
According to Gates, the US went from being a strong world leader to becoming a country often seen as divided and confused. He believes that power is not all about threats and force but sometimes also about intelligence, diplomacy, technology, and smart communication.
He shares his perspectives on American presidents and shows where he believes they failed and succeeded. He also urges leaders to use power wisely and learn from the past.
Robert M. Gates: Lists & Other Mentions
- Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War: New York Times: #1 Nonfiction Best Seller in 2014.
- Exercise of Power: American Failures, Successes, and a New Path Forward in the Post-Cold War World: New York Times: 100 Notable Books Selection in 2020.
Related Authors
Fans of Robert M. Gates also enjoy these authors:
- John Grisham, author of the Jake Brigance Series.
- Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch Series.
- C.J. Box, author of the Joe Pickett Series.
- David Baldacci, author of the Amos Decker Series.
- Bill Bryson, author of the Bill Bryson Travel Books.
Robert M. Gates: F.A.Q
When was Robert M. Gates Born? How old is Robert M. Gates?
Robert M. Gates was born on September 25th, 1943. Robert M. Gates is currently 82 years old.
Where was Robert M. Gates Born?
Robert M. Gates was born in Wichita, KS, USA and is American.
What was the first book Robert M. Gates wrote?
The first book written by Robert M. Gates was From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insider's Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War, published in 1996.
What was the most recent book Robert M. Gates wrote?
His most recently released work was Exercise of Power: American Failures, Successes, and a New Path Forward in the Post-Cold War World on June 16th, 2020.
What is the most popular book by Robert M. Gates?
Based on the number of readers on Book Notification, the most popular Robert M. Gates book is
Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War. Here are his most popular books and their average ratings:
- Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War (8.00)
Are there upcoming new books by Robert M. Gates?
Robert M. Gates does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.
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How many books has Robert M. Gates written?
Robert M. Gates has written 5 books excluding contributions to anthologies. All of his books are Non-Fiction Books.