Consequences: A Personal and Political Memoir chronicles John Tower’s political career, including his years as Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, his tense relationship with Richard Nixon, and his tenure as Ronald Reagan’s chief negotiator for the Strategic Arms Reduction talks in Geneva, Switzerland. John Tower never failed to speak his mind, and even issued a highly critical report of Reagan’s handling of the Iran-Contra scandal.
Tower’s book primarily focus on the failure to become confirmed as George H.W. Bush’s Secretary of Defense. Tower was not confirmed when controversial FBI report stated that Tower was a heavy drinker and a womanizer. In Consequences, Tower disputes these allegations. He does concede he drank too much in the early 1970s, and underwent two very difficult divorces. But by 1989, Tower felt overcome his personal troubles and felt he was fully qualified to be Secretary.
Consequences gives a detailed analysis of the political crossfire and media coverage of his nomination hearing. Tower places the blame of his failure to be confirmed on Senator Sam Nunn and other Senators who believed that Tower was an alcoholic. Tower gives a detailed and convincing argument that he would have been an excellent Secretary of Defense.