Scan barcode
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.
allysonwbrunette's review against another edition
5.0
I won’t get *too* political on here, but this book was alarming and frustrating to read (but also worthwhile). I’m sure some will argue that Bob Woodward is biased, which every author is to some extent, but Mr. Woodward is one of the most respected Presidential writers and researchers of the last 50 years. I devour books about current politics, but then I tend to get upset about what I’ve read after the fact. I can’t land on whether it is a habit that is bad for my general mental health, or one that simply means I’m healthily and calmly accepting the chaos and disorder of our current state of government. Regardless, I’ll probably keep reading current political event books.
nschilling10's review against another edition
4.0
Great look inside the Trunp white house pulling together many strands of eye witness testimony from multiple sources. Gives insight into trumps thought process, and how he constantly lies to himself. Also, how he makes policy based on campaign promises and whomever is closest to him that day.
It also makes you feel bad for poor Rince Prebius. But it's also funny that he actually thought he could get anything done in that administration, and that the administration members would behave like adults and not children.
It also tells you that the modern Republican party has no interest in solving the actual issues that plague everyday Americans. They convince Americans that certain problems exist and then solve them; it's an exercise in changing perceptions, not delivering on campaign promises.
This is another book that yet again proves Trump would make a great stand up comedian and not president. The Snake story gets me everything, especially reading it in his voice.
It also makes you feel bad for poor Rince Prebius. But it's also funny that he actually thought he could get anything done in that administration, and that the administration members would behave like adults and not children.
It also tells you that the modern Republican party has no interest in solving the actual issues that plague everyday Americans. They convince Americans that certain problems exist and then solve them; it's an exercise in changing perceptions, not delivering on campaign promises.
This is another book that yet again proves Trump would make a great stand up comedian and not president. The Snake story gets me everything, especially reading it in his voice.
pearljanecatmama's review against another edition
This is well written, but my brain just can't take anymore of the bloated Cheeto.