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shoelessmama's review
4.0
I'm not sure that there was anything particularly shocking in this book as touted in the description. I found it to be a very straight forward account, which I appreciate. There wasn't a ton of opinion here as much as a laying out of events and reporting of the pov's of the people involved. I honestly expected more about Trump and leading up to the election than there was- but I found this book more fair due to the amount of information given. The second half was heavy on the disagreements and strife within the democratic party which I hadn't been expecting, but found interesting, nonetheless. I really appreciated the inclusion of the GOP conference meetings on 1/5/21 and 1/11/21... it was nice to hear from the republicans who spoke in their own words and the difference in rhetoric before and after 1/6. Since I listened to this I really hope the hard copy has transcripts of what I listened to and that it wasn't just a bonus for the audio.
This book is a nice lead in to watching the Jan 6 Hearings, even though I'd already watched 5 hearings before reading this. It offered clarification for me on a few things and gave background on some of the players I hadn't had before.
This book is a nice lead in to watching the Jan 6 Hearings, even though I'd already watched 5 hearings before reading this. It offered clarification for me on a few things and gave background on some of the players I hadn't had before.
canada_matt's review
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
5.0
While the 2024 US Presidential Election is still a while way, the mid-term congressional elections for 2022 are just around the corner. This makes it the perfect time to sink my teeth into this book by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns. Martin and Burns provide the reader with an insightful piece that explores the doomed final year of the Trump Administration—complete with scandals and riot—before turning to examine the first year or so of the Biden White House. With a number of first hand accounts and interviews, the authors provide the reader with a scintillating read, at least for those who enjoy the subject matter.
There is no doubt that the Trump Administration, and 45th president himself, transformed American politics into an embarrassing circus. The authors use the opening chapters of the book to explore the final year of that doomed Administration, riddled with lies, panic, and an inability to cope with the COVID outbreak. Crazy home remedies splashed across the headlines of major news outlets, with The Donald spouting his odd-ball comments at every turn. He used this to catapult him into the 2020 presidential election, where he was sure he would win, no matter his opponent. Democrats had another idea and, after much cat-fighting of their own, chose a viable candidate in Joe Biden, longtime politicians in DC and former vice-present. The gloves came off and, as many will know, things did not turn out well for the Republicans in the White House, or either congressional house.
While rhetoric flew and people spewed rigged elections, the Biden team had to prepare to take over the White House, looking to create a sold group that could take America out of the quagmire it found itself and return things to stable ground. Biden and his closest associates found the transition period tough, as they tried to appease many they met on the campaign trail, while ensuring that they did not lose their base. Clinging to the smallest of majorities in the House of Representatives and a virtual tie in the Senate, which could be broken by VP Kamala Harris, Biden had to walk carefully in who he chose for senior roles.
While the riots of January 6, 2021 rocked the Capitol, lawmakers began to see just how crazy things could get under Trump and how fresh ideas might be the answer. Biden’s early attempts at reunifying the country fell short, both because many of the electorate still fell for the lies of rigged elections and fake results, but also because of the razor-thin majorities both Houses gave him. With two senators who appeared ready to wear the Democrat hat only when it suited them, Biden had to ensure he compromised, but even that was not enough. While the Republicans were in a Trumpian Civil War, the Democrats were imploded just as much, having stretched themselves too thin and trying to be too inclusive.
As the authors recount the struggles for any sort of meaningful legislation, Biden was beginning to show cracks on his own. His memory gaffes could only accentuate his age and many wondered if he would be a place keeper for the next star within the Democratic Party. Who that could be was anyone’s guess, as VP Kamala Harris was not shining on her own, though some feel this was because she was not given anything with which she could do so. As the authors point to many weaknesses, they remind the reader that neither party appeared ready to effectively lead America further into the 21st century. Age, infighting, and an inability to see America’s needs over their own, politicians turned to protecting themselves and leaving America to the dogs.
Building on the issues that both parties possess, the authors depict an America that is ready for change and newness, though without a light to guide them. Can this solely be because of the Trump years? Certainly not, though many of his decisions resonate throughout the tome’s narrative. Could Biden have been the elder statesman on paper but really not a man able to lead the country out of peril and into a new Promised Land? It would not be a stretch to profess that. However, change is coming, immediately in the form of mid-term congressional elections, which are sure to reflect the electorate’s beliefs in how things have been run, as well as though who have yet to toss aside the yoke of falsehood and panic. One thing is for sure; it will be a hell of a ride up to the 2024 election, with primaries paving the way for what could be the fight of a lifetime. I’m ready for it and can only hope I have to stomach to handle the drama.
Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns do a fabulous job at laying out the groundwork for what is sure to be a raucous next few years, offering not only insight into the end of the Trump Era, but also how wobbly things appeared to be when Biden took the reins. Instability is the name of the game and, through a number of well-crafted chapters, the authors weave a tale of despair, worry, and outright nonsense as politicians sought to define themselves or hide in the shadow of a man whose only interest is in himself. The arguments were strong and portrayed both parties as troublesome, while pulling no punches about how Biden has not been the saviour many had hoped he would be. There are fissures in the Democratic Party, large enough that they ought not be able to withstand the onslaught in November 2022, but there is still hope that 2024 is not lost. Exploring things from many angles and discussion so many actors whose roles are pivotal to understanding the larger story, both authors shone and left me wanting more on the subject. As I read the news and see how troubling things are getting South of the Canadian border, I can only wonder how rocky a road it will be for the next while. As a lover of all things political, I am ready, popcorn in hand!
Kudos, Messrs. Martin and Burns, for a stellar piece of work, I cannot wait to read more by you and on this subject matter.
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acton's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
My short comments: I have seen Jonathan Martin on news shows, and always found him interesting. This book is an eye-opening look into not only the disaster the US experienced in January, but the political intrigues that lead to some deplorable behavior on the part of some politicians who are not helping us move away from a very dark period. Simply trying to ignore the former president will not make it all go away.
adkwriter15's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I've been reading a lot of recent political science lately, and a lot of it tends to end with Trump and (because I've been focusing on this) really zero in on changes in the Republican Party. While, obviously, the stuff going on over there is pretty seismic, we are now two years into Biden's term and things have not gone to either party's full plan. I really appreciated that this book took the end of Trump's presidency as the center of a ripple, but one that has had major effects on both parties that didn't just stop when Biden got elected. It not only showed how events have caused schisms within the Republican Party but also among the Democrats as well. It also was very frank about how these schisms and other things have caused trouble and even failure within the Democratic Party, which isn't something I've seen touched on as yet in my more recent reading. The authors interviewed numerous people for this book on both sides, as high up as party leaders and even Trump. There are changes afoot in both parties as generations change and politics become increasingly combative, and this book gives you a decent snapshot of what that means and looks like in today's politics. On the writing side, it was just superbly written (and sourced!) and flowed incredibly well--not something you can say for all nonfiction, but a definite plus here.
mattlopez3's review against another edition
3.0
Why did I read this? I guess journalism is the first draft of history...books by journalists are the second draft of history? But some of this stuff really just happened a year ago. In a way this is the equivalent of me reading a romance novel -- predictable characters, plots I already know, the thing to pick up and read because it passes the time. As politics/history books go, this wasn't particularly revelatory. In fact I kept thinking about how cherry picked it ultimately was. The broad strokes are probably all good and correct but each page is so source-driven and specific. It's a book comprised of the people who decided to talk to them. It feels incomplete. But also is it really necessary to get any more detailed or "true" accounting of, say, the 2021 infrastructure bill negotiations? I don't think so.
On the other hand, I appreciated how clear-eyed and blunt they were about Jan 6 and the threat Donald J. Trump represents to democracy and the USA. Often times those sections pierced my self-imposed "try to forget about it" armor. So thanks a lot, Alex and J-Mart!
On the other hand, I appreciated how clear-eyed and blunt they were about Jan 6 and the threat Donald J. Trump represents to democracy and the USA. Often times those sections pierced my self-imposed "try to forget about it" armor. So thanks a lot, Alex and J-Mart!