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2.71 AVERAGE
2.71 AVERAGE
Honestly, I only got through the chapter on Venezuela before I gave up in despair.
3.5 stars - If you would have told me a year ago that I would buy and read a book by John Bolton, the National Security Advisor to the current president, I would have laughed at you. Yet here we are.
John Bolton, who worked for Reagan and both Bush administrations spent only 453 days in The White House like many of his colleagues and their brief tenures. He describes in detail what daily life is like trying to keep the president in line and let’s just say it’s horribly chaotic. He punctuates his observations with numerous sources and with a great sense of sarcasm.
This book surprised me in so many ways. Like, I know things had to be bad at The White House but WOW. Bolton and his staff are constantly on their toes, playing damage control more than getting things accomplished.
Another thing that surprised me is that a lot of the time people actually HELP him write those tweets. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of the time he runs them by no one, but if he showed ME a tweet, I would go full on grammar police on him.
There were many moments that were so absurd that my jaw would drop - every single conversation with Kim Jong Un, thinking that Finland was part of Russia, or that Venezuela was basically part of the United States.
About the halfway mark, this books gets in the weeds. Whew. I found myself skimming pages as Bolton philosophized about policies, laws, treaties, agreements, etc.
Also, I know you can probably guess my political leanings from this review, but I will say, Bolton chastises the president about being too soft when he doesn’t want to kill innocent Iranians and I found myself agreeing with Trump’s choice. Bolton can be pretty harsh.
This book was still super interesting and illuminating, even at 3.5 stars. No matter your political leanings, give this one a read. And be sure to VOTE!
John Bolton, who worked for Reagan and both Bush administrations spent only 453 days in The White House like many of his colleagues and their brief tenures. He describes in detail what daily life is like trying to keep the president in line and let’s just say it’s horribly chaotic. He punctuates his observations with numerous sources and with a great sense of sarcasm.
This book surprised me in so many ways. Like, I know things had to be bad at The White House but WOW. Bolton and his staff are constantly on their toes, playing damage control more than getting things accomplished.
Another thing that surprised me is that a lot of the time people actually HELP him write those tweets. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of the time he runs them by no one, but if he showed ME a tweet, I would go full on grammar police on him.
There were many moments that were so absurd that my jaw would drop - every single conversation with Kim Jong Un, thinking that Finland was part of Russia, or that Venezuela was basically part of the United States.
About the halfway mark, this books gets in the weeds. Whew. I found myself skimming pages as Bolton philosophized about policies, laws, treaties, agreements, etc.
Also, I know you can probably guess my political leanings from this review, but I will say, Bolton chastises the president about being too soft when he doesn’t want to kill innocent Iranians and I found myself agreeing with Trump’s choice. Bolton can be pretty harsh.
This book was still super interesting and illuminating, even at 3.5 stars. No matter your political leanings, give this one a read. And be sure to VOTE!
I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.
This is Book #27 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated political books of the summer, I chose to leap on the John Bolton memoir before reviews filled Goodreads and other platforms I frequent. Written based on his time working inside the White House, Bolton not only brings first-hand knowledge of events, but also offers insights into what he witnessed during his time as National Security Advisor. With a long history of work within various Republican administrations, John Bolton was not a man wet behind the ears when being considered for a position in the Trump Administration. His experience and hawkish approach to international politicking surely caught the attention of Trump and some of those within his inner circle. Bolton hit the ground running, explaining that every day in the Trump White House is fraught with chaos and ever-changing views on hot button issues. Bolton sought to steer the president in a few directions that would follow policy to support those views that arose in the campaign, at times doing anything to reverse the Obama trajectory. From America’s role in the Syrian civil war to Russian involvement on world events, Bolton showed how Trump’s opinions would change with the blowing of the wind, wanting America out of military involvement and yet not letting its greatest adversary to think it weak. This Russian sentiment baffled me throughout, as Trump would speak poorly about Putin and yet relied on him to win his seat in the Oval Office. Bolton also explores issues with China at length, clashing with one of the world’s economic superpowers at every turn, and yet Trump offered them the chance to keep him in power by ‘helping’ with the 2020 election (a la Putin 2016). Dismantling NATO and contemplating destabilising the leftist Venezuelan autocrat also played heavily on Trump’s agenda while Bolton was National Security Advisor, with many offhand and somewhat outlandish ideas coming up regularly before POTUS could be talked away from the ledge. Bolton spends much time throughout the book exploring the Trump view at finally getting some concrete progress with the North Koreans, with in-depth discussions of their two summits and the ‘love affair’ the media explored through the flowery diplomacy that took place, yet nothing substantial came to pass. Of equal interest and importance is the means by which Trump sought to dismantle the nuclear weapons treaty with Iran that had been negotiated during the Obama Administration. Trump seemed keen to change the rules and make sure America came out on top, while making sure that many new how horrible Obama was as POTUS (second only to Bush 43, whom Trump appeared to loathe even more). Bolton is happy to offer blunt views of Trump and those in the know, at times sharing views with other Cabinet officials as they watched the continued implosion of all things Trump. Bolton also sheds light on the constant sentiment that Trump is one who holds firm views of people, fleeting as the interactions change from day to day, including a strong dislike for some of America’s greatest allies, while praising those who are firmly in the column of ‘enemies of the state’. Bolton provides some insight into the Ukrainian interactions that fuelled the fire towards impeachment, offering his own ideas from the facts he knew. That Bolton and Trump eventually fell out is of no shock to anyone, as those who refuse to be sycophants are apt to become, but the recent vilification of anything Bolton might have to say only furthers my belief that there are hard truths in this book that many who nurse from the presidential teat would have us deny as a new round of false news. This book is full of detail and great narrative that will be ideal for those who want some additional insights into how the Trump White House ran things, both from an international and domestic perspective. I’d recommend this to those who enjoy all things political, as well as the reader who has no trouble hearing truths that may run counter to the POTUS circus.
I have never hidden my dislike of the current American administration, particularly the ringleader of the shenanigans. While I understand that media outlets will offer their own spin on events, I have come to appreciate those on the inside who offer up books about the events they witnessed. Some would call it smear campaigns or falsehoods to trip up POTUS, though I wonder how many people could have colluded with such a similar narrative, as well as what purpose it would serve to exert such energy to bring down a man who seems able to do it on his own. Bolton is by no means a Democrat seeking to dismantle the GOP machine, which only makes some of his views all the more insightful. He offers praise where it is needed and critiques things that seem to lack the insight to keep America from running amok (alas, we are well past that). Bolton does come across as a know-it-all at times, feeling that he is the smartest man in the room and all others should bow to his intellect, which is seen in many tongue-in-cheek sentiments expressed in most chapters, as well as in recollected conversations with others. While that may be the case, Bolton’s views are steeped in some well established views of international politics and diplomacy, something that adds to the flavouring of the book and leaves the reader to wonder why someone would purposely skew things that can be substantiated so effectively. With thorough chapters that explore many insightful areas that are sure to pique the interest of the politically minded individual. While some may call Bolton too close to Trump, it is this closeness that offers the reader some of the many views from behind the curtain. Why would someone like Bolton want to find himself on the outside with this book, upsetting POTUS, thereby making him an enemy of the administration? Knowing Trump’s penchant for such things, Bolton’s better off pissing from outside the tent inwards and letting the truth ‘hang out’.
Kudos, Mr. Bolton, for such a refreshing book about the inner workings of Trump’s Administration. I could not ask for anything more!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
This is Book #27 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated political books of the summer, I chose to leap on the John Bolton memoir before reviews filled Goodreads and other platforms I frequent. Written based on his time working inside the White House, Bolton not only brings first-hand knowledge of events, but also offers insights into what he witnessed during his time as National Security Advisor. With a long history of work within various Republican administrations, John Bolton was not a man wet behind the ears when being considered for a position in the Trump Administration. His experience and hawkish approach to international politicking surely caught the attention of Trump and some of those within his inner circle. Bolton hit the ground running, explaining that every day in the Trump White House is fraught with chaos and ever-changing views on hot button issues. Bolton sought to steer the president in a few directions that would follow policy to support those views that arose in the campaign, at times doing anything to reverse the Obama trajectory. From America’s role in the Syrian civil war to Russian involvement on world events, Bolton showed how Trump’s opinions would change with the blowing of the wind, wanting America out of military involvement and yet not letting its greatest adversary to think it weak. This Russian sentiment baffled me throughout, as Trump would speak poorly about Putin and yet relied on him to win his seat in the Oval Office. Bolton also explores issues with China at length, clashing with one of the world’s economic superpowers at every turn, and yet Trump offered them the chance to keep him in power by ‘helping’ with the 2020 election (a la Putin 2016). Dismantling NATO and contemplating destabilising the leftist Venezuelan autocrat also played heavily on Trump’s agenda while Bolton was National Security Advisor, with many offhand and somewhat outlandish ideas coming up regularly before POTUS could be talked away from the ledge. Bolton spends much time throughout the book exploring the Trump view at finally getting some concrete progress with the North Koreans, with in-depth discussions of their two summits and the ‘love affair’ the media explored through the flowery diplomacy that took place, yet nothing substantial came to pass. Of equal interest and importance is the means by which Trump sought to dismantle the nuclear weapons treaty with Iran that had been negotiated during the Obama Administration. Trump seemed keen to change the rules and make sure America came out on top, while making sure that many new how horrible Obama was as POTUS (second only to Bush 43, whom Trump appeared to loathe even more). Bolton is happy to offer blunt views of Trump and those in the know, at times sharing views with other Cabinet officials as they watched the continued implosion of all things Trump. Bolton also sheds light on the constant sentiment that Trump is one who holds firm views of people, fleeting as the interactions change from day to day, including a strong dislike for some of America’s greatest allies, while praising those who are firmly in the column of ‘enemies of the state’. Bolton provides some insight into the Ukrainian interactions that fuelled the fire towards impeachment, offering his own ideas from the facts he knew. That Bolton and Trump eventually fell out is of no shock to anyone, as those who refuse to be sycophants are apt to become, but the recent vilification of anything Bolton might have to say only furthers my belief that there are hard truths in this book that many who nurse from the presidential teat would have us deny as a new round of false news. This book is full of detail and great narrative that will be ideal for those who want some additional insights into how the Trump White House ran things, both from an international and domestic perspective. I’d recommend this to those who enjoy all things political, as well as the reader who has no trouble hearing truths that may run counter to the POTUS circus.
I have never hidden my dislike of the current American administration, particularly the ringleader of the shenanigans. While I understand that media outlets will offer their own spin on events, I have come to appreciate those on the inside who offer up books about the events they witnessed. Some would call it smear campaigns or falsehoods to trip up POTUS, though I wonder how many people could have colluded with such a similar narrative, as well as what purpose it would serve to exert such energy to bring down a man who seems able to do it on his own. Bolton is by no means a Democrat seeking to dismantle the GOP machine, which only makes some of his views all the more insightful. He offers praise where it is needed and critiques things that seem to lack the insight to keep America from running amok (alas, we are well past that). Bolton does come across as a know-it-all at times, feeling that he is the smartest man in the room and all others should bow to his intellect, which is seen in many tongue-in-cheek sentiments expressed in most chapters, as well as in recollected conversations with others. While that may be the case, Bolton’s views are steeped in some well established views of international politics and diplomacy, something that adds to the flavouring of the book and leaves the reader to wonder why someone would purposely skew things that can be substantiated so effectively. With thorough chapters that explore many insightful areas that are sure to pique the interest of the politically minded individual. While some may call Bolton too close to Trump, it is this closeness that offers the reader some of the many views from behind the curtain. Why would someone like Bolton want to find himself on the outside with this book, upsetting POTUS, thereby making him an enemy of the administration? Knowing Trump’s penchant for such things, Bolton’s better off pissing from outside the tent inwards and letting the truth ‘hang out’.
Kudos, Mr. Bolton, for such a refreshing book about the inner workings of Trump’s Administration. I could not ask for anything more!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
Man, there are too many details and it is hard to read and follow. Stopped after around 120 pages.
Good to read to get some kind of picture of what Trump might be like, though obviously Bolton is going to make himself sound better and have his own biases. Read it with a grain of salt, but aside from some lines where he's obviously painting Trump in a bad light, it isn't anything we haven't heard before.
The interesting thing about decided to read/listen to a book without doing any further research than "it's a bestseller" and "the cover looks alright" is that you get to read something you otherwise wouldn't have.
Unfortunately for me, this time it definitely wasn't a hit. I listened through 1 hr 55 min of Bolton's book, and kept wondering if it was setting up for something, or if it actually was as absurd as it seemed.
Bolton is extremely self-aggrandizing, and pats himself on the back constantly. Many of the words he chose to describe certain things seem to leave loopholes in case he wants to back-pedal, and in general he seems like the sleazy, pompous politician that is hard to listen to for too long.
His weird backing and excusing of Trump simply grosses me out to the point where I definitely won't finish this book out of my own free will.
Dnf.
Unfortunately for me, this time it definitely wasn't a hit. I listened through 1 hr 55 min of Bolton's book, and kept wondering if it was setting up for something, or if it actually was as absurd as it seemed.
Bolton is extremely self-aggrandizing, and pats himself on the back constantly. Many of the words he chose to describe certain things seem to leave loopholes in case he wants to back-pedal, and in general he seems like the sleazy, pompous politician that is hard to listen to for too long.
His weird backing and excusing of Trump simply grosses me out to the point where I definitely won't finish this book out of my own free will.
Dnf.
John Bolton doesn't care what you think. That's one inescapable conclusion from reading The Room Where It Happened. He offers more of an explanation of his actions in the Trump administration than a defense. You can take it or leave it.
Some of the details gave me new insights into how President Trump approaches foreign policy, so I'm glad I borrowed the audiobook from the library. But other parts of the book were less insightful, thus the three-star rating.
Some of the details gave me new insights into how President Trump approaches foreign policy, so I'm glad I borrowed the audiobook from the library. But other parts of the book were less insightful, thus the three-star rating.
Ugh, John Bolton - you should have testified. While this book has some shocking revelations, he is such a boring writer, I was wishing the book was over. Also he can't help but take shots at the Democratic party, and the free press - it just came across as someone who is convinced they are always right, and not open to any criticism. Glad it was written, wished this could have come out DURING the impeachment trial (not that it would have made much of a difference in the final outcome), but like I said - terrible writer.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I got to chapter 4. Somewhere in chapter 1 of the e-book I wondered "Am I near the end yet?" He is detailed but not writing for the layman, he writes for political insiders, political analysts and the D.C. power crowd.