A review by jon3535
The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis by George Stephanopoulos

4.0

George Stephanopoulos takes us on an exclusive inside look of the Situation Room, one of the most infamous rooms in the White House. Established during President John F. Kennedy’s administration, the Situation Room was created to enhance communication and streamline the sharing of information with the President and other key staff. It operates 24/7, serving as a centralized hub for intelligence gathering and sharing, as well as a space for the highest-ranking official to make the most difficult decisions. As Stephanopoulos aptly describes, “the decisions made in the Situation Room are inherently the most challenging ones to make, because any easy solution would have already been found by someone at a lower level.”

Stephanopoulos delves into how Presidents have responded to crises by utilizing or neglecting the Situation Room. It’s an intriguing read, offering insights into how each administration has approached leveraging the Situation Room to stay informed and make the most difficult decisions. Examples include managing the aftermath of 9/11, executing missions to eliminate terrorists, and managing the pandemic.

I was particularly drawn to this book in light of the upcoming Inauguration, eager to gain an inside look at how a President manages a crisis. Throughout history, there have been many great leaders who have made the most of the Situation Room. However, during the Trump administration, it was often overlooked or even disregarded.

“This book examines crisis management in the modern presidency. During the Trump administration, the President was the crisis to be managed.”

The interviews within the novel provide a vivid portrayal of life within the Situation Room and the various challenges faced under different administrations. We can only hope that the Situation Room will remain apolitical and driven by its original mission during Trump’s second administration, as it served as a stronghold of truth during his first. Time will tell, and history will undoubtedly be made.