Peril

Embarrassingly lightweight for the most part.Four page chapters about anecdotes about Joe Biden deciding to run for president- that is not what i bought this book for & not what it was advertised to be about.Dont waste your time- the four important occurrences were reported on news programs, this not what i expect from a respected journalist.I dont think I'm even going to bother to finish it.

Woodward has created another extraordinary insight into the life of the US presidency under Trump and following his election defeat. Once again, he records extracts from genuine memos, Senate reports, meetings, interviews and conversations with the most senior people in federal and state governments and the US military. “Peril” is the story of a truly frightening and scary period in modern history and will probably be studied by historians for many years to come.He, with Costa, weaves this remarkably thorough research together, to lead the reader through some of the most dangerous and uncertain times in recent American history. The result is the best blow-by-blow description of the events of the storming of the Capital that I have read. It includes eye-witness accounts of Trump’s behaviour and attitude whilst watching the storming from the Oval Office balcony and on television. Interviews with Senators, their staff and the police show in terrifying detail just how frightening this was.Woodward explains in intricate detail why General Milley and all the Chiefs of Staff of the military became so concerned about Trump’s increasingly unstable behaviour. They and others in the government were deeply worried that the President would use his executive powers to authorise military (probably nuclear) action against another country, or against fellow Americans in direct contravention to the Constitution. And they feared he might be planning a coup, to destroy the US democracy and create a Trump dictatorship.If you think this is far-fetched read this book and take note of the high-ranking Generals, Washington officials, and politicians from both sides of the aisle who shared these fears. And also discover so much more about the events of the transition of power, and exactly why Biden pulled out of Afghanistan the way he did.

A lot of the events in the book have been written elsewhere.However there are little additions and quotes from the Trump administration that make most reasonable people even more aware of just what a disaster Trump was.Hearing how his closest team, and even his family, distanced themselves from him whilst "the crazies" like Powell and Guliani filled the gap makes astounding, and concerning read.How people supported, and still support Trump I have no idea.

Although well-written Woodward's right leaning sympathies spoil this book making some of the narrative seem unfamiliar to those who watch anything but right-wing media. And some of the omissions are inexcusable. Don't expect the promised 'shocking truths'. The Jan 6 events and the period until the inauguration are lent a milky haze which would leave readers in future generations wondering why the incident shocked people worldwide and bears no resemblance to the bodycam footage. It doesn't hold a patch to 'I alone can fix it' by Carol Leonnig. As in his previous books, the writer is clearly protecting his republican sources in hope of another over-priced book.

How could half of the US population even begin to trust this person? The inside story of a man who is manifestly unfit to hold this most important office in world affairs if this account is to be believed; and the evidence presented against him is overwhelming.

A captivating read, written with a good pace. The book jumps from Trump to Biden, and keeps the reader engaged. The book ends reminding the reader of the lingering peril: Trump has unfinished business.

At the time of writing, I’m about two thirds of the way through the book. It is a fascinating insight to the last twelve months or so of the Trump administration. I’ve read both of Woodward’s previous books on the Trump presidency, this one is written in a different way but is well worth reading (as were the other two).

I love reading Woodward's books. This one with Costa another great expose of the Trump White House and lawless lawmakers. Highly re4commended for all Americans to read as a great help to understanding the threat to our democracy by Trump and his sycophants