Peril

By: Bob Woodward, Robert Costa

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

The transition from President Donald J. Trump to President Joseph R. Biden Jr. stands as one of the most dangerous periods in American history.

But as #1 internationally bestselling author Bob Woodward and acclaimed reporter Robert Costa reveal for the first time, it was far more than just a domestic political crisis. Woodward and Costa interviewed more than 200 people at the center of the turmoil, resulting in more than 6,000 pages of transcripts—and a spellbinding and definitive portrait of a nation on the brink.

This classic study of Washington takes readers deep inside the Trump White House, the Biden White House, the 2020 campaign, and the Pentagon and Congress, with eyewitness accounts of what really happened. Intimate scenes are supplemented with never-before-seen material from secret orders, transcripts of confidential calls, diaries, emails, meeting notes and other personal and government records, making Peril an unparalleled history. It is also the first inside look at Biden’s presidency as he began his presidency facing the challenges of a lifetime: the continuing deadly pandemic and millions of Americans facing soul-crushing economic pain, all the while navigating a bitter and disabling partisan divide, a world rife with threats, and the hovering, dark shadow of the former president.

Phenomenal reporting

A great read, the details in this book are astounding. Seeing this moment in time from so many important perspectives, I am astounded at what hasn't been seen or said about what happened during the Trump disaster.

The Greater Peril

Peril, as a word, is defined as imminent danger. This is a book of episodic reports, brief evocative word pictures of former President Trump’s management (his discombobulation) of his duties as chief executive of the United States. At the same time, it is a story of the present President Biden’s coming into being as a contestant for the presidency against Trump, and how he, Biden, manages his executive office affairs. The uniqueness of the book is that side by side we get to see each man and how each operated and brings about his governance. The book reveals that President Biden does not always make the best decisions. Spoiler, though. President Biden handles our national interests more strategically and in a caring manner. Trump just does not give a hoot about the health of the nation or for that matter any individual. The knowledge we obtain from a full read is that Trump, is not smart, knows nothing about government, how it operates, or our constitution, and additionally, does not have the ability to think through an issue, assemble facts, conceptualize a meaning of those facts, and then test the premise discernable from those facts against known premises. Trump has no ability. Should you read this book? Without reading this book you may not master Trump’s comparative stupidity.

Entertaining!

I rated this book ***** solely for entertainment value. Story seems a bit contrived (?). Good read.

Very good. Very scary.

Very interesting to hear insights as to what was actually going on behind the publicly-known events reported in the media. I have no doubts about the accuracy and thoroughness of the events and accounts presented in this book. There were a few points where I felt that the narrator's emotional tone was less neutral than I'd have liked it to be. The book isn't remotely manipulative or pandering, but so much information (outside of this book) surrounding Trump is so saturated with partiality that even the barest hint puts my guard up.

On the other hand, Trump has normalized so many things that would have been utterly scandalous for past presidents, that I'm not sure I trust my own sense of which behavior merits unequivocal condemnation.

A great listen for anyone who lived through it, even if you're not particularly political.

Sobering

First hand accounts of the 2020 election and the aftermath was well presented. It took the listener into the rooms and halls where the events took place. An eye opening display of how the country is still reeling from the Trump presidency and a warning that it could happen again. One thing for certain, politics is a dirty, nasty business. Things that are carried out for pure power is despicable.