This is an incredible book that reads like a novel. The characters are not fleshed out at all, presumably because the author assumes they are all in the news and known to the readers. What I am struck by is that the dialogue of the main character is so real that I can hear the intonation and inflection of his voice. Many of the quotes are public knowledge and documented so that realism is injected into the narrative without effort on the author’s part to make them believable. I’m glad I read it now, with the perspective of the last few month’s developments so I know the characters more. All in all, a remarkable book.
Excellent summary, review, and conversation starter. Thank you for keeping the focus on the book! Exactly what this page is for. If you do not have a comment about the book itself, please continue to scroll. We will remove and ban any user that cannot adhere to our rules and guidelines. Thank you! (And I can’t wait to read Fear but I haven’t picked it up yet.)
Ah ok! Now I get what all the hype and comment wars are about (well I don’t get it really but you know what I mean haha) thanks. Not a book for me because I wouldn’t know one person from another but I’m glad my curiosity is satisfied thank you ?
I would never absolutely knock back a book. But it’s just not something that would hold any interest for me, I even had to sit for a minute and work what the letters WH meant haha Politics and stuff just seem to go right over my head, I would be hard pressed to remember the name of my Prime Minister. Although to be fair we seem to be going through them at a rate of knots recently hahah
I eagerly listened to Fear a few days after it was released. The general reader/listener, like me, has no way to verify what is reported in such a book. I have read or listened to many of Woodward’s White House books so I lean toward believing him, but I have only emotion to go on. All that having been said, I believe most of this to be reported in this book just as it was reported to Woodward. Most things in this book were reported in MSM as leaks before Woodward reported them, so I wasn’t shocked by anything. It won’t sway any of President Trump’s lovers or haters. Only those on the fence are in play.
Rock Conner I agree. I am reading Fear, if it wasn’t written by Mr Woodward I would not have purchased it. His veracity is beyond reproach. I still do some fact checking on my own
I am almost finished. While the characters are not fleshed out, there are interesting details and background to many situations we know about from news reports. A must read.
I’m currently reading it. One thing that stands out is the style of writing in which dialogue between people is not always in quotes. The writing style and editing decisions are not my favorite. I believe he’s a good reporter but part of me wonders how he got some of the quotes. Or in other words, unless things were recorded, wouldn’t a lot of it be a gist of what was said. If I asked you about a conversation from a year ago, you couldn’t give me a word for word. But it’s written like a novel in some areas and not like a written documentary.
I’ve listened to some of it. Nothing I didn’t already know, at least so far. It’s well written, factual, kind of dry in the way you would expect a fact based expose to be. Woodward earned his credentials and is one of the most respected journalists in the industry. He is completely believable.
I enjoyed it but if you have followed the news the last year or so the tales are familiar. I was really expecting some revelatory info…I found it difficult to establish what exactly were the exact quotation from unnamed sources, his parenthetical approach in a few paragraphs was less than clear I felt.
I liked it. If you are a news junkie, you already know the facts in this well written book. What I got was a view of the language and personality of the White House gang that creates it’s own chaos and crisis.
This is an incredible book that reads like a novel. The characters are not fleshed out at all, presumably because the author assumes they are all in the news and known to the readers. What I am struck by is that the dialogue of the main character is so real that I can hear the intonation and inflection of his voice. Many of the quotes are public knowledge and documented so that realism is injected into the narrative without effort on the author’s part to make them believable.
I’m glad I read it now, with the perspective of the last few month’s developments so I know the characters more. All in all, a remarkable book.
I totally agree with your assessment, I liked the book, felt it was very well written and very believable.
Have a copy but it’s in a queue with 3 other books
I’m in the same situation. I need to read faster!
Just got mine from Amazon …anxious to read it…but not till after Thursday, I guess. ?
Just started it..
I’m on the wait list for it at the library ?
me too, but in the meantime I’m reading A Higher Loyalty by James Comey – also a very interesting behind the scenes look at characters that we know.
I thought it was excellent
I read the first chapter as I covered our copies. I would have taken it out, but all 4 of our copies have big hold lists. Looking forward to my turn.
Excellent summary, review, and conversation starter. Thank you for keeping the focus on the book! Exactly what this page is for. If you do not have a comment about the book itself, please continue to scroll. We will remove and ban any user that cannot adhere to our rules and guidelines. Thank you! (And I can’t wait to read Fear but I haven’t picked it up yet.)
What’s it about? I keep seeing it pop up on here but have no idea. I also have no idea who Bob Woodward is.
The entire title is Fear: Trump in the White House. That should give you an idea of content without giving anything away.
Ah ok! Now I get what all the hype and comment wars are about (well I don’t get it really but you know what I mean haha) thanks. Not a book for me because I wouldn’t know one person from another but I’m glad my curiosity is satisfied thank you ?
@Jessica it’s probably a great book to consider to learn what’s been going on in the WH
I would never absolutely knock back a book. But it’s just not something that would hold any interest for me, I even had to sit for a minute and work what the letters WH meant haha Politics and stuff just seem to go right over my head, I would be hard pressed to remember the name of my Prime Minister. Although to be fair we seem to be going through them at a rate of knots recently hahah
@Jessica I hear you
I eagerly listened to Fear a few days after it was released. The general reader/listener, like me, has no way to verify what is reported in such a book. I have read or listened to many of Woodward’s White House books so I lean toward believing him, but I have only emotion to go on. All that having been said, I believe most of this to be reported in this book just as it was reported to Woodward. Most things in this book were reported in MSM as leaks before Woodward reported them, so I wasn’t shocked by anything. It won’t sway any of President Trump’s lovers or haters. Only those on the fence are in play.
Rock Conner I agree. I am reading Fear, if it wasn’t written by Mr Woodward I would not have purchased it. His veracity is beyond reproach. I still do some fact checking on my own
Isn’t it difficult to separate the book from the politics?
Somewhat, but a critique of a book doesn’t have to focus on the subject to be valid.
I am almost finished. While the characters are not fleshed out, there are interesting details and background to many situations we know about from news reports. A must read.
Following
Oooooohhh! ????????????
Came in the mail yesterday and hubby grabbed it first.
Just finished it. Thought is was careful, meticulous, and essentially fair. How about others?
Found it to be very readable and measured in tone. Agree with your assessment.
That is how I feel. Husband read it first. Skipped Afghanistan. Too much.
Following
I’m currently reading it. One thing that stands out is the style of writing in which dialogue between people is not always in quotes. The writing style and editing decisions are not my favorite. I believe he’s a good reporter but part of me wonders how he got some of the quotes. Or in other words, unless things were recorded, wouldn’t a lot of it be a gist of what was said. If I asked you about a conversation from a year ago, you couldn’t give me a word for word. But it’s written like a novel in some areas and not like a written documentary.
He does have recordings which he says he will release if pressed to do so and if the recordees agree.
I understood he had dozens of taped conversations.
I’ve heard that there were recordings he made, but that means he was in on every conversation?
@Corey don’t know…and I’ll start reading it Friday…so maybe will get a better then.
Maybe that’s why it’s not in quotes?
@Robbie this is what I started to think is that the unquoted dialogue was someone telling him a gist and not an exact quote.
Very well documented on his resources
nice discussion, enjoyed reading posts and peoples reactions and opinions.
In a couple days
I am, but still reading.
Not yet
Not yet!
Still reading
I haven’t been able to get one, but will.
Haven’t gotten it yet.
Have it but haven’t read it yet.
I’m in the queue at the library .
I’m ready
I’ve listened to some of it. Nothing I didn’t already know, at least so far. It’s well written, factual, kind of dry in the way you would expect a fact based expose to be. Woodward earned his credentials and is one of the most respected journalists in the industry. He is completely believable.
I felt the same. Skipped over some parts but got the gist of it.
I really want to read it, but trying to find myself in the right mindset first.
What do you mean?
I mean the political climate is exhausting right now and I need to build up some energy before jumping into it.
Knocked it down a star because it was GO all the time and no breathing room. Otherwise, I liked.
I enjoyed it but if you have followed the news the last year or so the tales are familiar. I was really expecting some revelatory info…I found it difficult to establish what exactly were the exact quotation from unnamed sources, his parenthetical approach in a few paragraphs was less than clear I felt.
Started today!
I listened to it on Audible. It was matter of fact. Insightful and not surprising.
I liked it. If you are a news junkie, you already know the facts in this well written book. What I got was a view of the language and personality of the White House gang that creates it’s own chaos and crisis.
Not nearly as enjoyable as Omarosas book
Really? How was her book? I don’t actually know anyone else who read it.
@Patsy lotsa insider stuff about what we already hear. More interesting than Woodward’s book as she has known Trump a lot longer.
I had the opposite thought. It was difficult for me to get through her book. Do you think it’s writing style or content?
Does she do her own narration? There’s something about her voice that grates on me like fingernails on a chalkboard. Don’t think could take it.
Yes, she narrated.
Didn’t read it, yet.
Started it yesterday. Of course, Trump will say it’s Fake News. Give it a rest and stay off Twitter