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rpych2's review
4.0
Woodward’s third book on the Trump presidency may have been the best one of the bunch, but also the most terrifying. The in depth stories of the January 6th insurrection and the events leading up to it were sickening even though they were also illuminating. The fact that months later Trump still believes the election was stolen from him is hilarious and asinine, but also a bit alarming. We knew from the first two books (and the last four years) that he’s unhinged, but this book took it to a new level.
I also enjoyed the parts about the Biden campaign and early in his administration. I’m not a Biden fan either, I didn’t vote for him in the Democratic primary, but holy crap am I glad he won the general. The stories about his Covid response were the best in my opinion, because the stark contrast is apparent.
This one may be more of a must read than the other two books, because January 6th was one of the darkest days in American history and understanding the events of it and the lead up is really important.
I also enjoyed the parts about the Biden campaign and early in his administration. I’m not a Biden fan either, I didn’t vote for him in the Democratic primary, but holy crap am I glad he won the general. The stories about his Covid response were the best in my opinion, because the stark contrast is apparent.
This one may be more of a must read than the other two books, because January 6th was one of the darkest days in American history and understanding the events of it and the lead up is really important.
barbaraskalberg's review against another edition
2.0
I guess it just isn't possible to write these books without leaning hard one direction or the other. Politically, I'm really pretty right smack in the in the middle of the isle and I just want unbiased reporting which is a little like asking for unicorns and rainbows every morning. This certainly has the ring of truth (for the most part), but so one-sided. Several mentions of Trump's verbal missteps, but only a wink and a nod mention of the need to keep Biden from "going off-script" when there are SO MANY examples to choose from there. Lots of time spent on the January 6 insurrection, but glossed over the nightmare fallout from the way the pullout in Afghanistan was handled and hardly any mention at all of the absolute disaster the border situation almost immediately became with the Biden administration’s policy changes. I am not a Trump fan, but I don't appreciate the one-sidedness of the reporting.
jmclincoln's review against another edition
3.0
DNF. It was just more than I could handle. So tired of this series. Ready for it to be canceled.
tomas_1961's review
4.0
This would have made such a good fictional thriller. Unfortunately, this all happened. This orange, bloviated, lecherous pathological person actually "served" as this county's President and Woodward and Costas have spelled out why this can not happen again to us. Our democracy has been harmed to within an inch of its life. And sadly, we still have millions of people who are either too stupid or weak that believe all that this con man tried to sell us. A good, but all too scary read.
jyaremchuk's review against another edition
4.0
Well-written and researched (of course), and not the same retread info from so many news articles. Actually new (and disturbing) information
brendatucci's review against another edition
4.0
Every now and then I need to scratch that political nerd itch. This guy nailed it.
Spoiler alert, Trump is a lunatic and Biden is a well intentioned while socially naive and nice old man.
Biggest takeaway from this book was that I felt bad for Mike Pence for the first time in my life. Kinda sorta. He knew what he signed up for.
Spoiler alert, Trump is a lunatic and Biden is a well intentioned while socially naive and nice old man.
Biggest takeaway from this book was that I felt bad for Mike Pence for the first time in my life. Kinda sorta. He knew what he signed up for.
ryanpfw's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like I’ve read eleventy-three books on the Trump presidency and the aftermath of 1/6, because who doesn’t love a dumper fire, amirite?
This one felt off from Woodward’s prior two books on this topic. I think that Trump finally stopped answering the phone led the narrative to feel disconnected. We rushed through events where other books on this topic really spent their time and walked us through it. Perhaps we didn’t need that, and perhaps I would have hated it as I’ve read it so many times already, but it was notable here. The transition to the early days of Biden was unexpected, if well done and advertised.
This was about the Peril of the return of Trump, but we spent twenty well done pages on Joe Manchin. The focus of the first two books was laser focused on Trump so it just seemed disconcerting.
One star removed for an identity problem, but still strongly recommended.
This one felt off from Woodward’s prior two books on this topic. I think that Trump finally stopped answering the phone led the narrative to feel disconnected. We rushed through events where other books on this topic really spent their time and walked us through it. Perhaps we didn’t need that, and perhaps I would have hated it as I’ve read it so many times already, but it was notable here. The transition to the early days of Biden was unexpected, if well done and advertised.
This was about the Peril of the return of Trump, but we spent twenty well done pages on Joe Manchin. The focus of the first two books was laser focused on Trump so it just seemed disconcerting.
One star removed for an identity problem, but still strongly recommended.
toniatales's review against another edition
5.0
5 Stars |
“Peril remains.”
As a soon-to-be political science student, Bob Woodward is someone I greatly admire. I truly think that very few journalists have accomplished the amount that he has during his career. In his book, Bob Woodward provided detailed insight into what the state of our nation was between the events leading up to the 2020 election and the beginning of President Biden’s term.
I whole heartedly believe in the idea that history repeats itself, which is why I think it’s crucial to study historical events. However, it’s also important to focus on the present, and to study modern events that are not yet documented in history textbooks in order to know how to tread into the future. By analyzing the mistakes and victories of previous administrations, one is able to gain an understanding of how our nation can come together after a tragedy.
Even in the face of uncertainty, we can heal, adapt, and grow, which is something that all future leaders need to comprehend. However, it’s also important for us to understand that not every person, not every candidate, is capable of handling the amount of power that comes with their position. Power in the wrong hands can lead to disasters, and in the words of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, “Presidents are not kings.”
“Peril remains.”
As a soon-to-be political science student, Bob Woodward is someone I greatly admire. I truly think that very few journalists have accomplished the amount that he has during his career. In his book, Bob Woodward provided detailed insight into what the state of our nation was between the events leading up to the 2020 election and the beginning of President Biden’s term.
I whole heartedly believe in the idea that history repeats itself, which is why I think it’s crucial to study historical events. However, it’s also important to focus on the present, and to study modern events that are not yet documented in history textbooks in order to know how to tread into the future. By analyzing the mistakes and victories of previous administrations, one is able to gain an understanding of how our nation can come together after a tragedy.
Even in the face of uncertainty, we can heal, adapt, and grow, which is something that all future leaders need to comprehend. However, it’s also important for us to understand that not every person, not every candidate, is capable of handling the amount of power that comes with their position. Power in the wrong hands can lead to disasters, and in the words of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, “Presidents are not kings.”
colers12's review
4.0
Another great (and frightening) read by Bob Woodward- this book took a dive into both the Trump White House, Biden's campaign and the Biden White House. I honestly am amazed at the level of detail Woodward has always been able to amass for his books - the sources run deep and he clearly is a trusted journalist and author for so many people to give him such insight.