Obama's Wars

By: Bob Woodward

Narrated by: Boyd Gaines

Length: 15 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Working behind the scenes for 18 months, Bob Woodward has written the most intimate and sweeping portrait of President Obama making the critical decisions on the Afghanistan War, the secret war in Pakistan, and the worldwide fight against terrorism. Drawing on internal memos, classified documents, meeting notes, and hundreds of hours of interviews with most of the key players, including the president, Woodward offers an original, you-are-there account of Obama and his team in this time of turmoil and uncertainty.

©2010 Simon and Schuster Audio; 2010 Bob Woodward

Distressed at where we are going...

As one would expect from Woodward, Obama's Wars painted a generally positive picture of the president as he pursued his strategy for Pakistan and Afghanistan. I'm left with an impression of the president as a man trying to find the solution to all the related problems and balance the contradictions. My thought is that he would like a solution that makes everyone happy. He likes a thorough study and will sacrifice time for precision. Obama has lots of faith in himself and making things happen in what could very well be an unreasonable amount of time. He is a good poker player and I’m not convinced he was not playing poker with his entire national security team. He keeps his cards close.

The vast majority of the book involves the dynamics between the players in national security in Washington and team members in theater. The picture painted is of a dysfunctional national security team plagued by conflicting world views, broadly different experiences and loyalties, interpersonal rivalries, and competing agendas.

The president alone crafted objectives on a time line driven by the election cycle. They can be achieved with lots of luck, but the time doesn't have room for Clausewitz's “fog” and “friction.” I'm betting that by now the time line has been wrecked. I think the president's political advisers will push him to exit sooner than later. Meanwhile, General Petraeus' hands are tied by time, resources, and a strategy that limits his use of what he know works.

I can't imagine this administration using the word “victory” with regard to military entanglements (you won't see “counterinsurgency” either— It is perceived as taking too much time and resources). Instead what we will see are nuanced terms (new ones are best) crafted to keep the president's “base” and subsequently the electorate in the president's court. Messaging remains all important and “victory” may be perceived negatively by those wanting to give “peace a chance.”

Whiskey foxtrot tango

What made the experience of listening to Obama's Wars the most enjoyable?

It's always intresting to peal back the layers and see the truth underneath. Woodward again has produced a very good work.

Who was your favorite character and why?

General Patreus very much reminded me of General McCarther with all the grand standing. A man more interested in his public image than anything else

What about Boyd Gaines’s performance did you like?

The narrator gives a good sense of the people involved.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

How the US Military works against the President in its own interest

Great read. Terrible accents

Standard Woodward. Well researched. Well ordered.

Awful accents. Just horrifying how bad his South Carolina accent is. And the Dutch, oh my gosh, horribly embarrassing. Was also very weird who the narrator chose to use an accent for and who didn’t. It was like he was trying to discredit those people or those conversations.

Woodward Does a Service

First, read this book if you like Obama and if you don't. The insights are worth the effort for those who are news junkies and those who are just interested in what has taken place in the country. I might say that the book is best thought of as an essay on the lonliness of command. For listeners - listen for the patterns and insights that will be gained - the impressions are most informative. The writing is Bob Woodward, the reading of Boyd Gaines is very good - over all there is insight here for those willing to take time. Draw your own conclusions about Obama.

fascinating process to a difficult decision

a terrific and insightful listen. although obama made a thoughtful
and narrow choice, he acted rationally based upon the information available to him. regardless of his options and his ultimate choice, the jury will be out. let's hope for the best

Important Events. Who's in Charge?

While I found the subject interesting, the description was tedious. The meetings were endless (as I'm sure they needed to be) but someone needs to make a decision. And ultimately the decisions were made based on a combination of facts, hunches and politics. Makes me a little nervous. As for the production. This was the worst narration I've ever heard in an audio book. Whoever authorized the pace of reading aught to have to listen to it. Again. I put it on double speed and still had time to analyze the day between sentences.

Excellent

Would you consider the audio edition of Obama's Wars to be better than the print version?

Woodward delivers the goods, as always. Inciteful and informative without being partisan.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Obama's Wars?

The discussion of the situation in Pakistan

Which character – as performed by Boyd Gaines – was your favorite?

Hillary Clinton

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The raid on OBL's compound

Any additional comments?

Thanks

Obama's Wars

A reviling look into how Obama's administration is handling the wars and the tensions that exist between the Military and the administration. Well written and well narrated!

Absolutely Fascinating

it's incredible to see the decision making process in real time and it gives a citizens a little insight into exactly what happens in the halls of power. This also highlights the limits of the Presidency, the effect egos and selfishness have on National Policy, and the way single track minds can influence the outcome of world affairs....it's all In here and plays out like a dramatic movie more than a history book

Worth the listen

I'll admit, prior to reading this book, I didn't understand what was taking the president so long to decide on how to handle Afghanistan. This book very clearly explains the process that Obama forced our military and political leaders through. He very clearly and rationaly set the agenda and did his job. Of course there are always many sides to every story, so it is difficult to know whom to believe. As an independant voter I am no Obama supporter. However, if what was written in this book is true, then I have a new respect for our president and his handling of our troop deployment to Afghanistan.