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angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t like politics. I can’t abide career politicians. But I can also admit when I’m wrong. This book is supposed to be a scathing examination on the Trump presidency, and while it did have critical points, I honestly didn’t come away from it feeling my opinion of Trump had been torched. It’s really engaging as much as a political read goes. And while many people look down on Trump for other reasons, I actually thought I enjoyed the idea that a “change agent” was put in the White House. However, Trump cannot admit when he’s wrong. That’s one of his major flaws. I absolutely see when I’m wrong. The major problem with Trump in the White House is it’s dangerous. You get to see how he nearly goes to war over Twitter. You get to see how he purposefully makes a decision in opposition to all of his advisors simply to “stir things up”. You get to see how he makes trade deals because like a 12-year-old he thinks “we’re getting ripped off”!
The major problems with the Trump presidency are presented as follows: he refuses to take advice from his advisors (many of whom he’s directly appointed), he lies constantly because he thinks that’s how you stir things up (and it’s frequently unnecessary), he dismisses and disrupts our relationships with our allies, he somehow thinks the United States is a dictatorship where he’s able to make any unilateral decision he sees fit, he sees everything in the concept of money and cost as opposed to relationships, he withholds information (which again works to his own detriment), he berates and belittles those working with him whenever they have a differing opinion, he fails to believe (even though he’s a consummate liar) that anyone else might be lying to him, and he does not see the “long game” in any decision. These are just a few of his faults laid out in the book.
Where was I wrong is innocuously watching a “change agent” take control of the most powerful position in the world. Like Martin Amis said, “You want to take the de facto world leader, the most power and influential position on the globe, and put someone in there who has the least experience possible?” Uh...I can see that for what it is. It’s a stupid proposition. A dangerous proposition. And it plays out in this book for the chaotic mess that it is.
The major problems with the Trump presidency are presented as follows: he refuses to take advice from his advisors (many of whom he’s directly appointed), he lies constantly because he thinks that’s how you stir things up (and it’s frequently unnecessary), he dismisses and disrupts our relationships with our allies, he somehow thinks the United States is a dictatorship where he’s able to make any unilateral decision he sees fit, he sees everything in the concept of money and cost as opposed to relationships, he withholds information (which again works to his own detriment), he berates and belittles those working with him whenever they have a differing opinion, he fails to believe (even though he’s a consummate liar) that anyone else might be lying to him, and he does not see the “long game” in any decision. These are just a few of his faults laid out in the book.
Where was I wrong is innocuously watching a “change agent” take control of the most powerful position in the world. Like Martin Amis said, “You want to take the de facto world leader, the most power and influential position on the globe, and put someone in there who has the least experience possible?” Uh...I can see that for what it is. It’s a stupid proposition. A dangerous proposition. And it plays out in this book for the chaotic mess that it is.
rynetry's review against another edition
5.0
Well researched, thought provoking and a fascinating look at one of the most regrettable eras in US politics.
nickedkins's review against another edition
3.0
I only knew of Bob Woodward from Watergate, so I was expecting a more serious book.
This is basically just gossip with zero analysis, but it's well-sourced gossip so it is compelling. Woodward's attempt to preserve the exact words of the speakers adds some extra colour, and is the most interesting aspect of the book.
This is basically just gossip with zero analysis, but it's well-sourced gossip so it is compelling. Woodward's attempt to preserve the exact words of the speakers adds some extra colour, and is the most interesting aspect of the book.
loveambreen's review against another edition
I will likely have to actually read this at some point because it's not always easy to follow as an audio book.
ttodd86's review against another edition
5.0
This book is well worth reading even if you have followed events in the Trump administration closely. I think its role as a historical record of events will only increase over time as others attempt to understand this period in American history.
tildahlia's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to this one over Christmas, usually after big meals with a full belly. Like many people, I have a morbid can't-look-away fascination with the horror that is the Trump administration, and this certainly gives plenty to be anxious about. There wasn't, however, a huge amount of new information and it was clear that most of the content came from just a handful of sources, so it had a relatively narrow view. It also missed the acerbic wit of Fire and Fury.
teokajlibroj's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting book, but it is surprisingly narrow. There is heavy emphasis on trade, Korea and Afghanistan, while almost everything else is ignored. There is barely any mention of the Muslim ban, tax cuts, the attempts to repeal Obamacare or filling the seat on the Supreme Court. The narrow focus is also quite repetitive, partly because Trump is so repetitive but I was getting tired of reading the same lines about South Korea again and again. This is a shame because the book is at its best when discussing domestic policy and the inner workings of the White House.
The number of sources also seems very limited as the book gives exhaustive detail from the viewpoint of about five men and we get next to nothing from other people. If you weren't one of Woodward's sources, you might as well not exist (Sean Spicer, Kellyanne Conway, Sarah Huckabee Sanders get less than a sentence). I did wonder if these sources were using Woodward because their accounts are clearly self-serving and presenting themselves in the best light, but Woodward takes them at face value. For example, the only viewpoint we get on the Mueller investigation is from Trump's lawyer, so the impression given is that it is a waste of time and going nowhere.
That being said, we do learn a lot in the book about Trump and his White House. Essentially, even his closest aides think he is an idiot and a liar. Trump is incredibly stubborn, once he gets an idea, no matter how stupid, no amount of facts or evidence will change his mind. He is childlike in his short attention span and tendency to repeat himself because he forgets everything that was always decided. His advisers see their role (so they claim) as controlling him and his terrible ideas.
There is no conclusion to the book, Afghanistan is discussed in minute detail but no conclusion is reached. The same goes for South Korea, it is a major part of the book but it ends before the summit between Trump and Kim. I don't know why Woodward decided to end the book when he did.
The number of sources also seems very limited as the book gives exhaustive detail from the viewpoint of about five men and we get next to nothing from other people. If you weren't one of Woodward's sources, you might as well not exist (Sean Spicer, Kellyanne Conway, Sarah Huckabee Sanders get less than a sentence). I did wonder if these sources were using Woodward because their accounts are clearly self-serving and presenting themselves in the best light, but Woodward takes them at face value. For example, the only viewpoint we get on the Mueller investigation is from Trump's lawyer, so the impression given is that it is a waste of time and going nowhere.
That being said, we do learn a lot in the book about Trump and his White House. Essentially, even his closest aides think he is an idiot and a liar. Trump is incredibly stubborn, once he gets an idea, no matter how stupid, no amount of facts or evidence will change his mind. He is childlike in his short attention span and tendency to repeat himself because he forgets everything that was always decided. His advisers see their role (so they claim) as controlling him and his terrible ideas.
There is no conclusion to the book, Afghanistan is discussed in minute detail but no conclusion is reached. The same goes for South Korea, it is a major part of the book but it ends before the summit between Trump and Kim. I don't know why Woodward decided to end the book when he did.
lulo49's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent factual recounting of terrifying dynamics. However, it made me even more fearful about the future of our republic.
dajoyofit's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating yet disturbing. Fascinating in that we get a better and clearer picture of events so far. Not quite how talk radio has painted things.
Yet very disturbing to see how divided Trump’s own party is and how the divisions in his administration are contributing to the chaos and breakdown.
Overall, it was refreshing to read an unbiased account. I thought BW was respectful in his reporting. I appreciated how his book avoided being sensational. It was a fair, respectful, and honest. Refreshing in these times.
Yet very disturbing to see how divided Trump’s own party is and how the divisions in his administration are contributing to the chaos and breakdown.
Overall, it was refreshing to read an unbiased account. I thought BW was respectful in his reporting. I appreciated how his book avoided being sensational. It was a fair, respectful, and honest. Refreshing in these times.