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clwils982's review against another edition
5.0
So, I felt a lot of RAGE listening to this book, so it was aptly named. I also listened to the other Woodward book about 45. I liked this one better. I guess bc of the virus? Anyway, I found this to be deeply... angering. Read it, listen to it, take it to heart. Then vote him out.
ben3845's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up Rage as a Bob Woodward fan — his storied history as a reporter that uncovered Watergate, legendary access, and fairness as a reporter make him a must-read author for me. Woodward wrote Rage at the beginning of COVID, in the midst of Trump’s reelection campaign, and during the summer of protests following George Floyd’s murder. It’s a sharp contrast from Fear, his first Trump Administration book, in that Trump agreed to 17 interviews over the course of this one, and none for Fear. The depth of access unfortunately further reveals the lack of depth in our 45th president, with the president bouncing around between attacks on the media and his opponents while Woodward presses about serious questions that could serve history if seriously answered. The coverage of the book led me to believe that it would focus more heavily on COVID than it did, but the rest of the content was still mostly compelling. I didn’t care much for the rehashing of the Mueller investigation or cabinet intrigue stories, but Woodward gives real depth to the Trump administration’s bizarre diplomacy efforts with North Korea. It’s interesting to re-examine the COVID storylines with a little perspective at this pandemic stage. I didn’t fully appreciate some of the failures of China’s response (Wuhan residents couldn't travel to Beijing, but could fly to London as the virus spread?) until reading this book. Modern political books are an acquired taste, but I’d put this one in the upper third of them if you enjoy the genre.
themorsecode's review against another edition
4.0
Worth reading for the hilarious private letters between Trump and Kim Jong-un alone. Woodward has unparalleled access to Trump and those close to him - with several on the record interviews with 45 himself. James Mattis comes across particularly well, portrayed as a thoughtful adult in the room when the US was spiralling close to potential nuclear war.
A pacey and compelling read, this won't change anyone's opinions on Trump - he comes across as ever a man with zero self-awareness and intellectual curiosity - but enjoyable all the same.
A pacey and compelling read, this won't change anyone's opinions on Trump - he comes across as ever a man with zero self-awareness and intellectual curiosity - but enjoyable all the same.
felitfelix's review against another edition
5.0
This is the very few characters that the only thing I feel on is absurdity. I enjoy the book though, giving us the insider view of an unprecedented presidency.
travers99's review against another edition
4.0
I read this through Audiobook and have spent nearly the whole book trying to construct a comprehensive review. I'm at a loss.
The writing, journalism and objective narrative in this book is fantastic. Hats off to the author for remaining so seemingly calm and responsive.
The muse can be summed up by the following quote "Trump blew what could be described as a frustrated raspberry".
The writing, journalism and objective narrative in this book is fantastic. Hats off to the author for remaining so seemingly calm and responsive.
The muse can be summed up by the following quote "Trump blew what could be described as a frustrated raspberry".
mildhonestbonsai's review against another edition
4.0
At first I didn't want to read this book because I felt like I wasn't going to get much of what I already don't know myself about this administration just by witnessing with what is going on. I will say that I don't regret reading the book since it gave me more insight of what I already knew. It also reminded me of other events that happened in this first term that I completely forgot since being in this pandemic felt like 2016 - 2019 was 100 years ago.
I will just leave this review with a passage from the book:
"A president must be willing to share the worst with the people, the bad news with the good. All presidents have a large obligation ato inform, warn, protect, to define goals and the true national interest. It should be a truth-telling to response to the world especially in crisis. Trump has, instead, enshrined in personal impulse as a governing principle of his presidency."
I will just leave this review with a passage from the book:
"A president must be willing to share the worst with the people, the bad news with the good. All presidents have a large obligation ato inform, warn, protect, to define goals and the true national interest. It should be a truth-telling to response to the world especially in crisis. Trump has, instead, enshrined in personal impulse as a governing principle of his presidency."
sfletcher26's review against another edition
4.0
I've been reading Bob Woodward books for about 10 years now. As the pre eminent chronicler of the American Presidency, and not being American, he has become my go to writer in my attempt to understand who each incumbent is, or at least wants to appear to be. His books are always interesting and alway make me think differently about the subject. In many ways this book is no different.
For the whole of the Trump Presidency I have had a picture of all the major players (including the Trumps, Kushner, Barr, Graham, Mattis and Bolton) and none if them have been particularly flattering. Each and every one of them have struck me as self-serving, hypocritical, egotists who have no compassion or sense of personal or corporate honour. This is a view fed by the media's view and my own personal prejudices and whilst its not completely inaccurate, Woodward shows that its not completely accurate either. Indeed Graham in particular, a man for whom I have nothing but scorn, seems marginally less contemptible in reality. Like Woodward though I will never be convinced that Trump is anything other than the wrong man in the job, out of his depth lashing out at anyone and everyone in his attempt to keep his head above water.
Not Woodward's best but still a book that's worth reading.
For the whole of the Trump Presidency I have had a picture of all the major players (including the Trumps, Kushner, Barr, Graham, Mattis and Bolton) and none if them have been particularly flattering. Each and every one of them have struck me as self-serving, hypocritical, egotists who have no compassion or sense of personal or corporate honour. This is a view fed by the media's view and my own personal prejudices and whilst its not completely inaccurate, Woodward shows that its not completely accurate either. Indeed Graham in particular, a man for whom I have nothing but scorn, seems marginally less contemptible in reality. Like Woodward though I will never be convinced that Trump is anything other than the wrong man in the job, out of his depth lashing out at anyone and everyone in his attempt to keep his head above water.
Not Woodward's best but still a book that's worth reading.
juliana_aldous's review against another edition
5.0
There is a bit more open editorializing in this book compared to other Woodward books, and I'm okay with that. At this point, and with so many inside books about US Presidents, he deserves to have a bit of say, especially at this time and with such a dangerous man in our highest office.
He sums up the book with this, "When his performance as president is taken in its entirety, I can only reach one conclusion: Trump is the wrong man for the job." We should listen to him. The 391 pages that precede that sentence are Woodward's case.
He sums up the book with this, "When his performance as president is taken in its entirety, I can only reach one conclusion: Trump is the wrong man for the job." We should listen to him. The 391 pages that precede that sentence are Woodward's case.