War Book Review

Title: War
Author: Bob Woodward
Genre: Nonfiction, Politics
Published: 2024
Pages: 370
Goodreads Rating: 4.44
Rating: 10/10

“‘History is unfair’. Zelensky added. ‘We are not the ones who have started this war. But we are the ones who have to finish it.’”

War provides an intimate and illuminating view into one of the most tumultuous periods in global politics and American history. Follow President Biden and his top advisers as they deal with tense, chaotic, and seemingly never-ending conflicts. Prepare to feel a deep patriotism as you get a glimpse into President Biden’s approach to managing the war in Ukraine and his struggle to contain the bloody Middle East conflict. Woodward, once again, gives you a fresh perspective on the harsh world of the presidency. 

Pros:
Shocking insights
Woodward includes some fascinating insights into the details and conversations behind some of the biggest moments over the past four years. Learn about how the pandemic isolation impacted Putin, how close we were to a massive Middle East war, and what Trump said to Republican politicians following the January 6th insurrection. 

Appreciation and respect
I have such a deep appreciation for the U.S. Intelligence, Lloyd Austin, Antony Blinken, and Jake Sullivan. These are the unsung heroes of the American government. The president’s advisors proved to be selfless, genuine, and resilient individuals who worked tirelessly for America and her allies. 

Fresh perspective
I am still working through my feelings about Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Given what these two countries did for America and her allies, I’m at a crossroads. They are certainly not innocent… Qatar’s World Cup human rights violations and Saudi Arabia’s murder of Jamal Khashoggi show that they are not irreproachable. But they do deserve serious credit for their efforts to support Israel. 

Cons:
Repetitive
This is likely due to his use of ghost writers… but there were times when the same background information or context was in multiple chapters. To be fair, at times it was nice to be reminded of particular details. 

Overall…
I highly recommend War. It was insightful, illuminating, and shocking. Having insider details about the biggest moments over the past four years is much appreciated!