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War

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War

By: Bob Woodward
Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
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About this listen

 Chosen by WATERSTONES as one of their BEST POLITICS BOOKS of 2024

Two-time Pulitzer prize winner Bob Woodward tells the revelatory, behind-the-scenes story of three wars – Ukraine, the Middle East and the struggle for the American presidency.

War is an intimate and sweeping account of one of the most tumultuous periods in presidential politics and American history.

We see President Joe Biden and his top advisers in tense conversations with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. We also see Donald Trump, conducting a shadow presidency and seeking to regain political power.

With unrivalled, inside-the-room reporting, Woodward shows President Biden’s approach to managing the war in Ukraine, the most significant land war in Europe since World War II, and his tortured path to contain the bloody Middle East conflict between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas.

Woodward reveals the extraordinary complexity and consequence of wartime back-channel diplomacy and decision-making to deter the use of nuclear weapons and a rapid slide into World War III.

The raw cage-fight of politics accelerates as Americans prepare to vote in 2024, starting between President Biden and Trump, and ending with the unexpected elevation of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president.

War provides an unvarnished examination of the vice president as she tries to embrace the Biden legacy and policies while beginning to chart a path of her own as a presidential candidate.

Woodward’s reporting once again sets the standard for journalism at its most authoritative and illuminating. Political Science Politics & Government Middle East War Thought-Provoking Russia Iran

Critic reviews

‘[Woodward] still doing what he does best: ferreting through Washington’s corridors of power'
‘The 81-year-old Watergate warhorse proves he still has his fastball. War bristles with scoops’
'A sober but alarming must-read' (Lloyd Green)
“This is harrowing, riveting stuff . . . Though he specializes in real-time suspense, Woodward doesn’t write cliffhangers. His impulse – his talent – is to impose an arc and a moral on the mess and sprawl of very recent history. This time around, his stated conclusions are unambiguous: 'Donald Trump is not only the wrong man for the presidency,' he writes, 'he is unfit to lead the country.' In contrast, 'Biden and his team will be largely studied in history as an example of steady and purposeful leadership.' Those judgments sound authoritative. They also sound wishful' (A.O. Scott)
'Legendary journalist Woodward compares the Biden and first Trump administrations with behind-the-scenes revelations. A critical read to understand the context of the past four to eight years of American politics, War delves into the psychology of two presidents who held the same office but starkly different views on government and what America is and should be, both at home and abroad' (Peter Aitken)
All stars
Most relevant
such an easy listen. some very worrying stories that are about to repeat themselves with no boundaries this time

such great in-depth stories and details you don't get anywhere else

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On the eve of the US 2024 election this book gives an insight into the response of a powerful US government. The diplomacy required to try and avert war although intense,is not always successful.
I am fearful of what will happen if the next US president is Donald J Trump. This book sheds light on what may soon be upon us.

Great book.

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An insightful appraisal of a moral, honest, experienced diplomat in very challenging times. Contrasting greatly with the policies of an amoral and shallow populist - pandering to the base instincts of the mob. Ultimately history will show which response will be the more successful? The jury is yet to decide!

Authenticity and first class reporting

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One of the bar recent historical books I’ve read. Really gread job and definitely recommend it

Amazing

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This is a very good book indeed. My observation for what it might be worth, is that readers should remember that Woodward along with his partner Bernstein made their names on the Washington Post - a Democrat leaning newspaper. Throughout this book Woodward walks a tight line but his Democrat bias cannot be hidden and ultimately reveals itself in the final passages. Such were the elements of pure chance in the early stages of Watergate one wonders if it would ever have surfaced if Woodward et al had been more even-handed and his Democrat bias grates a bit in this book from time to time. Nevertheless it gives a great 'close-up' picture of USA's influence in contemporary conflicts.

Very good - But....

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