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2.71 AVERAGE
2.71 AVERAGE
Talk about hype far exceeding the reality. While I did learn some things about foreign relations and foreign policy, I did NOT learn anything I didn't really already know about the current administration. Big surprise - Trump doesn't know anything about foreign policy or diplomacy, he makes decisions on a whim (usually to benefit himself), and he changes his mind on those issues just as quickly.
This is a painfully detailed, at times minute-by-minute rehashing of Bolton's time vying for a position and then working in the Trump White House. I am amazed that Bolton could remember so much very specific detail about all of these things, but then the Ukraine scandal happens and he can only "recollect" that maybe he talked to certain people about certain things.
Oh, I did also learn that Bolton is a pompous ass who thinks he knows all and all others are idiots. No, I did not buy this. Not ever a consideration. Library loan.
This is a painfully detailed, at times minute-by-minute rehashing of Bolton's time vying for a position and then working in the Trump White House. I am amazed that Bolton could remember so much very specific detail about all of these things, but then the Ukraine scandal happens and he can only "recollect" that maybe he talked to certain people about certain things.
Oh, I did also learn that Bolton is a pompous ass who thinks he knows all and all others are idiots. No, I did not buy this. Not ever a consideration. Library loan.
I grabbed the version that was posted free online, because John Bolton isn't getting any of my money. Even if that hadn't been the case, I'm glad I didn't pay for it, because it's really pretty terrible.
We already know how bad Trump is, and Bolton provides a few more examples. But the book also tells us this -- John Bolton is an asshole. How anyone could work with this insufferable, smug, snide person for more than a day or two is beyond me. The most fictional part of the book, most likely, is when John Kelly says of Bolton “He seems like a nice guy to me.” There really isn't any evidence in the book that Bolton is a nice guy.
The writing is pretty poor and it's clearly a lightly-adapted collection of journal entries. There are a couple of places where the editing could have been improved, and additionally, some typos in this ebook version. I'd forgive them if the author was less insufferable.
We already know how bad Trump is, and Bolton provides a few more examples. But the book also tells us this -- John Bolton is an asshole. How anyone could work with this insufferable, smug, snide person for more than a day or two is beyond me. The most fictional part of the book, most likely, is when John Kelly says of Bolton “He seems like a nice guy to me.” There really isn't any evidence in the book that Bolton is a nice guy.
The writing is pretty poor and it's clearly a lightly-adapted collection of journal entries. There are a couple of places where the editing could have been improved, and additionally, some typos in this ebook version. I'd forgive them if the author was less insufferable.
informative
medium-paced
Does John Bolton listen to Taylor Swift??
Challenged myself to read more non-fiction books. Picked this up after the 2020 elections and indeed I feel like I’ve learnt a lot about US administration/defence policies, not to mention a better glimpse at Trump’s conduct and behaviours during his presidency.
Now I wonder, is it somehow coincidental? Ironic? That I’ve finished this book on the day Capitol Hill was breached, with Trump amongst it all affectionately calling these seditious thugs “very special”? Articles of impeachment... 2.0?
Much to think about.
Challenged myself to read more non-fiction books. Picked this up after the 2020 elections and indeed I feel like I’ve learnt a lot about US administration/defence policies, not to mention a better glimpse at Trump’s conduct and behaviours during his presidency.
Now I wonder, is it somehow coincidental? Ironic? That I’ve finished this book on the day Capitol Hill was breached, with Trump amongst it all affectionately calling these seditious thugs “very special”? Articles of impeachment... 2.0?
Much to think about.
Light on details that we didn’t already know about President Trump’s disastrous first term and his inability to resist acting criminally, John Bolton’s “The Room Where It Happened” is a bloated diary for the former National Security Advisor to air his grievances and accuse seemingly everyone in the administration of being incompetent - except for himself of course. And his defence for not testifying in the Trump impeachment trial is utterly laughable. Bob Woodward’s “Fear” is a much better, more insightful book.
A lot of inside information on relations with other countries. I found this book slow and somewhat rather boring not because it might have been but more that I dont know all the political going on with other countries. I did learn a lot about our country leader at this time and how he makes radical decision because he feels like it will make him look good. Even if those decisions are deals with terriost.
Okay you guys, it is sort of hard rating non-fiction books as it is, but this was.... wow this was something else.
I didn't really go in thinking I'd agree with John Bolton and his world views but... damn. This guy. This guy is a despicable, horrible, arrogant, self-centered piece of shit. He is completely without any self-reflection, incapable of understanding the consequences of his actions and I cannot believe I went out of this disliking someone's political approach more than Trump's, but here we are.
Never mind that this book was sold on the premise that it had some juicy deets, which it didn't, by the way. There was just so much spite in it, it was metaphorically dripping from the pages. Every other sentence was interrupted with an "unlike Obama", which was just... so pointless 99% of the times it happened. I'm here to read about the Trump administration, I don't give a shit what Obama may or may not have thought six years ago during his desicion making, mr. John Bolton. And when he wasn't raging against Obama he was throwing shade at General Mattis to such a degree I nearly squirmed with second hand embarrassment. Hard to believe these guys are in their 70's, to be honest. Having already read [b:Rage|53317913|Rage|Bob Woodward|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597575057l/53317913._SY75_.jpg|81657197] by Bob Woodward, which details Mattis' side of the story, it makes John look like an obsessed and spiteful ex in retrospect.
Anyway... Besides Obama and Mattis, John also hates Europeans, Iran and climate politics, amongst other things. He spends a lot of time detailing how much he hates agreements between nations and how much he loves breaking them. He never really explains what he wants to do after all these acts (that have taken years and a lot of negotiation to write and agree upon) are broken though. Consequences doesn't apply to John, you see.
There are a lot of things I can say about this book, which I suppose has its value in that it carefully details the depravity of the mind that sought to cut USA away from all her allies, but nothing of it is positive. It is quite telling that not once, not once across these some 600 pages, does John spare a single thought to the people of either USA or any other country. The countries are just pieces on a boardgame, insignificant beyond their ability to be pushed around.
I'll end all this by giving you some of my favourite quotes:
"Kelly had also told me that, in the course of the Pompeo negotiations, Paul said I was "the worst fucking decision" Trump had made. Kelly replied, "He seems like a nice guy to me," which set Paul off on another tirade. It all made me proud." John loves it when people call him names, especially names that colour him as someone who delights in bringing pain and destruction. Don't have to be a psychologist to raise a worried eyebrow at that.
Not to forget, John pulled USA out of the Paris Agreement with this as the extent of his understanding of climate change:
"[While talking] basically all we did was produce carbon emissions that simply contributed to global warming, which the Europeans professed to be concerned about."
"Trump also unsigned the Paris Agreement on climate change, a move I supported. That deal had all of the real-world impact on climate change of telling your prayer beads and lighting candles in church (which someone will try to forbid soon because of the carbon footbrint of all those burning candles)."
Again, John claims that the Paris Agreement has no substance, but won't detail as to why it does not. This is a common theme for all the agreements that he wants USA to pull out of. He simply just doesn't like it, is all. I mean, he complains the entire time that Trump is a dimwit, that he doesn't understand how to negotiate or to conduct himself as the president of the United States, yet John Bolton insists on pulling out of every and all agreements.... well who the fuck do you think have to negotiate new deals then, Mr Bolton sir? Trump?? Because it sure isn't you, because the second you're out of one deal you just move on to the next.
And of course, John has the maturity of a six year old:
"Marcon opened their bilateral meeting by talking about a "European army," as he had been doing publically earlier, which a large number of other Americans were fully prepared to let the ungrateful Europeans have, without us."
There are of course a bunch more, but I don't really want to spend more time and effort on this book than I already have. One thing is for sure thought, it was really chilling to read the account of a bunch of man-children trying to run one of the most powerful countries in the world like it was their little G.I Joe playdolls. With no grace and no empathy, it all reeked of something pathological.
I didn't really go in thinking I'd agree with John Bolton and his world views but... damn. This guy. This guy is a despicable, horrible, arrogant, self-centered piece of shit. He is completely without any self-reflection, incapable of understanding the consequences of his actions and I cannot believe I went out of this disliking someone's political approach more than Trump's, but here we are.
Never mind that this book was sold on the premise that it had some juicy deets, which it didn't, by the way. There was just so much spite in it, it was metaphorically dripping from the pages. Every other sentence was interrupted with an "unlike Obama", which was just... so pointless 99% of the times it happened. I'm here to read about the Trump administration, I don't give a shit what Obama may or may not have thought six years ago during his desicion making, mr. John Bolton. And when he wasn't raging against Obama he was throwing shade at General Mattis to such a degree I nearly squirmed with second hand embarrassment. Hard to believe these guys are in their 70's, to be honest. Having already read [b:Rage|53317913|Rage|Bob Woodward|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597575057l/53317913._SY75_.jpg|81657197] by Bob Woodward, which details Mattis' side of the story, it makes John look like an obsessed and spiteful ex in retrospect.
Anyway... Besides Obama and Mattis, John also hates Europeans, Iran and climate politics, amongst other things. He spends a lot of time detailing how much he hates agreements between nations and how much he loves breaking them. He never really explains what he wants to do after all these acts (that have taken years and a lot of negotiation to write and agree upon) are broken though. Consequences doesn't apply to John, you see.
There are a lot of things I can say about this book, which I suppose has its value in that it carefully details the depravity of the mind that sought to cut USA away from all her allies, but nothing of it is positive. It is quite telling that not once, not once across these some 600 pages, does John spare a single thought to the people of either USA or any other country. The countries are just pieces on a boardgame, insignificant beyond their ability to be pushed around.
I'll end all this by giving you some of my favourite quotes:
"Kelly had also told me that, in the course of the Pompeo negotiations, Paul said I was "the worst fucking decision" Trump had made. Kelly replied, "He seems like a nice guy to me," which set Paul off on another tirade. It all made me proud." John loves it when people call him names, especially names that colour him as someone who delights in bringing pain and destruction. Don't have to be a psychologist to raise a worried eyebrow at that.
Not to forget, John pulled USA out of the Paris Agreement with this as the extent of his understanding of climate change:
"[While talking] basically all we did was produce carbon emissions that simply contributed to global warming, which the Europeans professed to be concerned about."
"Trump also unsigned the Paris Agreement on climate change, a move I supported. That deal had all of the real-world impact on climate change of telling your prayer beads and lighting candles in church (which someone will try to forbid soon because of the carbon footbrint of all those burning candles)."
Again, John claims that the Paris Agreement has no substance, but won't detail as to why it does not. This is a common theme for all the agreements that he wants USA to pull out of. He simply just doesn't like it, is all. I mean, he complains the entire time that Trump is a dimwit, that he doesn't understand how to negotiate or to conduct himself as the president of the United States, yet John Bolton insists on pulling out of every and all agreements.... well who the fuck do you think have to negotiate new deals then, Mr Bolton sir? Trump?? Because it sure isn't you, because the second you're out of one deal you just move on to the next.
And of course, John has the maturity of a six year old:
"Marcon opened their bilateral meeting by talking about a "European army," as he had been doing publically earlier, which a large number of other Americans were fully prepared to let the ungrateful Europeans have, without us."
There are of course a bunch more, but I don't really want to spend more time and effort on this book than I already have. One thing is for sure thought, it was really chilling to read the account of a bunch of man-children trying to run one of the most powerful countries in the world like it was their little G.I Joe playdolls. With no grace and no empathy, it all reeked of something pathological.
2.5 stars. He’s delusional, this whole book is f-ing nuts.
I picked up this book because I can't resist a good "inside account." Let me start out by saying that this is an incredibly weighty book, and the material is oftentimes dry and difficult to get through. If I had read a hardcopy of this book, I wouldn't have been able to make it very far, but because it was on audiobook, I was able to keep it on in the background of my day and tune out the boring parts.
I thought he did a pretty good job of keeping his perspective fair and his criticism of Trump relatively factual and unemotional. I think we all understand to some extent the way that Trump made decisions and operated while he was in office, but this gives an even greater understanding of some of the ways he thought through issues and made decisions accordingly. I don't know that it revealed anything particularly eye-opening about Trump's character, but as a Psych nerd, I enjoyed dissecting the workings of his mind as he sat in meetings with international leaders and how he responded to the information of his advisors.
If anything, I think it confirmed my understanding that Trump made most of his presidential decisions according to what would 1) be in his own personal interest and 2) what would make him look best in the eyes of the country and the world.
Overall, I thought it was a good and fair political memoir, however, I'm absolutely no expert and can't speak to how accurate his account truly was. I also think the book suffered from Bolton's lack of critique of his own decisions while serving. He, unsurprisingly, lauds his expertise and never gives any hint that he made poor decisions. I think of Condoleeza Rice and the way she's spoken about her time serving President George W. Bush; she's upfront and honest about the things she would have done differently, and I think that makes her incredibly trustworthy and noble, as opposed to Bolton, who seemed to have thrown his hands up in several situations with Trump, and thought Trump was just going to do whatever he wanted to do. Perhaps this was the case- and given the way that Trump couldn't seem to view complex matters differently than an adolescent makes Bolton's position understandable. Still- could Bolton have done things differently to persuade Trump while in office? Could he have held a stronger position and advocated more effectively for what he thought Trump should do? These are questions I wish he would have explored.
I thought he did a pretty good job of keeping his perspective fair and his criticism of Trump relatively factual and unemotional. I think we all understand to some extent the way that Trump made decisions and operated while he was in office, but this gives an even greater understanding of some of the ways he thought through issues and made decisions accordingly. I don't know that it revealed anything particularly eye-opening about Trump's character, but as a Psych nerd, I enjoyed dissecting the workings of his mind as he sat in meetings with international leaders and how he responded to the information of his advisors.
If anything, I think it confirmed my understanding that Trump made most of his presidential decisions according to what would 1) be in his own personal interest and 2) what would make him look best in the eyes of the country and the world.
Overall, I thought it was a good and fair political memoir, however, I'm absolutely no expert and can't speak to how accurate his account truly was. I also think the book suffered from Bolton's lack of critique of his own decisions while serving. He, unsurprisingly, lauds his expertise and never gives any hint that he made poor decisions. I think of Condoleeza Rice and the way she's spoken about her time serving President George W. Bush; she's upfront and honest about the things she would have done differently, and I think that makes her incredibly trustworthy and noble, as opposed to Bolton, who seemed to have thrown his hands up in several situations with Trump, and thought Trump was just going to do whatever he wanted to do. Perhaps this was the case- and given the way that Trump couldn't seem to view complex matters differently than an adolescent makes Bolton's position understandable. Still- could Bolton have done things differently to persuade Trump while in office? Could he have held a stronger position and advocated more effectively for what he thought Trump should do? These are questions I wish he would have explored.
I'm not entirely sure how John Bolton turned an insanely interesting experience of historically inept executive leadership into a poorly written and rather dull attempt to highlight how great he was as NSA...not recommended one bit!