War

By: Bob Woodward

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Bob Woodward delivers an eye-opening, behind-the-scenes narrative exploring the intricate dynamics of Ukraine, the Middle East, and the American presidency, offering unparalleled insights into political intrigue and global strategy from one of the most authoritative voices in political journalism today.

War is a “harrowing, riveting” (The New York Times) account of one of the most tumultuous periods in presidential politics in 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 ahead of the 2024 elections.

With unrivaled, 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 groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

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 leading up to the presidential election 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.

Critic reviews

"Having narrated the three previous presidential histories by Bob Woodward, Robert Petkoff is familiar with the author’s cadence and tone. His reading of WAR is crisp, confident, and streamlined. He reports on the Biden presidency, focusing on three conflicts that will change the world: the Ukraine conflict and how the superpowers stumbled into it; the Israeli–Hamas dispute and how Netanyahu misled the U.S.; and the 2024 election, in which Woodward concludes that Trump is “unfit to run the country.” WAR also traces signs of Biden’s deteriorating health as early as June 2023. The audiobook was frightening to listen to before the election, but hearing WAR now, after all the ballots have been counted, may prove even more terrifying to some listeners."

Interesting

This was my first book by this author, I’ll be looking at his others. Seemed balanced and that’s hard to say these days.

Well Narrated, Moderately Informative

This is a well narrated, seemingly genuine work of non fiction. There is a lot of “inside baseball”, but most of the larger story is in the public domain. Mister Woodward seems to be a great reporter. He clearly has his opinions which he has a right to. He has also studied the subject in depth. But, given that, the work is somewhat predictable. I am glad that I read it but will not reread without a specific reason.

Deep truths

Woodman is a consummate reporter. He writes so we are “in the room…” so great to have access to this book.

Woodward always delivers

In every book, Bob Woodward provides incredible context to world events. His journalistic integrity is unmatched. I will always get his books.

Investigative integrity

I really time analysis of a modern presidency. The good, the bad, and the unacknowledged.