After the Fall

Being American in the World We've Made

De: Ben Rhodes

Narrado por: Ben Rhodes

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Vital reading for Americans and people anywhere who seek to understand what is happening ‘after the fall’ of the global system created by the United States” (New York Journal of Books), from the former White House aide, close confidant to President Barack Obama, and author of The World as It Is
 
At a time when democracy in the United States is endangered as never before, Ben Rhodes spent years traveling the world to understand why. He visited dozens of countries, meeting with politicians and activists confronting the same nationalism and authoritarianism that are tearing America apart. Along the way, he discusses the growing authoritarianism of Vladimir Putin, and his aggression towards Ukraine, with the foremost opposition leader in Russia, who was subsequently poisoned and imprisoned; he profiled Hong Kong protesters who saw their movement snuffed out by China under Xi Jinping; and America itself reached the precipice of losing democracy before giving itself a fragile second chance. 

The characters and issues that Rhodes illuminates paint a picture that shows us where we are today—from Barack Obama to a rising generation of international leaders; from the authoritarian playbook endangering democracy to the flood of disinformation enabling authoritarianism. Ultimately, Rhodes writes personally and powerfully about finding hope in the belief that looking squarely at where America has gone wrong can make clear how essential it is to fight for what America is supposed to be, for our own country and the entire world.

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Praise for The World as It Is

“A classic coming-of-age story, about the journey from idealism to realism, told with candor and immediacy . . . [Ben Rhodes’s] achievement is rare for a political memoir: He has written a humane and honorable book.”—The New York Times Book Review

“More than any other White House memoirist, Rhodes is a creature of the man he served.”—The New Yorker

“Insightful, funny, and moving, this is a beautifully observed, essential record of what it was like to be there.”—Samantha Power

Insightful and far-ranging

Mr. Rhodes provides insights on the most current political questions of the moment from an insider’s well-reasoned viewpoint. I especially appreciated that the author narrated. I’ve seen/heard Mr. Rhodes often so having someone else narrate his first book on audible was disappointing. Not one presents a book like the author! I recommend this engrossing story of interviews with people trying to do the “right thing” for their countries by shining a light on corruption.

Ben's insights give cause for serious reflection

It's always a hard thing to be self-reflective. There are always things that, with the benefit of hindsight, we would have done differently in life. This is no different for the U.S. as a country. Ben's book comes at this hard reality directly. While one may or may not agree with Ben's politics, I think it is hard to contradict some of his conclusions about how some actions of America have not had the positive results that were intended. Ultimately, his story ends with an promising eye to the future, with the promise of what America should be still being the world's greatest hope for global prosperity. This is a worthwhile read or listen.

Important read, but not my fav

I really like Ben in Pod Save the World, but his reading was pretty dry and mechanical. this made it hard to focus in sections. He is a very thoughtful writer and the topic is very important. I wish I had gotten a hard copy because I think it would have made it easier for me to absorb is writing and the content.

An important book

In beautiful prose Ben has written a very important book that is illuminating, sad and powerful. Like the author, I’ve been left shaken by not only the Trump administration, but the alarming trend around the world toward nationalism and authoritarianism. I so appreciate his exploration of this dark path by way of talking to freedom activists in Hungary, Russian and Hong Kong. That technique is a very effective way to highlight the problem and to show how the United States contributed to the rise through pursuing the invasion of Iraq and causing the 2008 financial crisis.
Ben mirrors my own feelings of anger and sadness about where we find ourselves, and he’s clearheaded that those of us who want our country to remain a democratic one are going to have to work hard to save it. This book really impacted me and I truly appreciate Ben putting his thoughts in print.

Lays it out

Ben saw things & remembers, pulling together how we got to where we are today. Only question is where will things go from here, now, 11/7/24? It’s been a long unraveling but well laid out. Excellent narration also.