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War

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War

By: Bob Woodward
Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
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About this listen

 Chosen by WATERSTONES as one of their BEST POLITICS BOOKS of 2024

Two-time Pulitzer prize winner Bob Woodward tells the revelatory, behind-the-scenes story of three wars – Ukraine, the Middle East and the struggle for the American presidency.

War is an intimate and sweeping account of one of the most tumultuous periods in presidential politics and 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.

With unrivalled, 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 group Hamas.

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 as Americans prepare to vote 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.©2024 Bob Woodward (P)2024 Simon & Schuster UK Political Science Politics & Government Middle East War Thought-Provoking Russia Iran

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Critic reviews

'A sober but alarming must-read' (Lloyd Green)
All stars
Most relevant  
An insightful appraisal of a moral, honest, experienced diplomat in very challenging times. Contrasting greatly with the policies of an amoral and shallow populist - pandering to the base instincts of the mob. Ultimately history will show which response will be the more successful? The jury is yet to decide!

Authenticity and first class reporting

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I loved it all; it was gripping throughout. The first book I have ever listed to by Bob Woodward and now I will be looking for more!

An outstanding book, with amazing in depth accounts and access to sources.

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Objective analysis of various troubling world events and the participants characters which unfortunately have contributed to them not being resolved. Reaffirms my belief that honest brokers are out there and fears of a Trump second term. Really absorbing!!

Objective analysis

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An essential listen for anyone into US politics or foreign policy. It’s honest and balanced with a structure and pace that makes it easy to access.

Utter brilliance

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Everything I’d expect from Bob Woodward. Well researched with great insights. Non biased succinct informative interesting and entertaining. Just what is needed as a guide through the steamy fog of American politics.
Throughly enjoyed and definitely recommended.

This book will be studied by historians in the future.

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such an easy listen. some very worrying stories that are about to repeat themselves with no boundaries this time

such great in-depth stories and details you don't get anywhere else

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Bob Woodward didn't disappoint with this book. I highly recommend it.
The narrator had a pleasant gripping voice.

Depth of research and behind the scenes knowledge

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This is a very good book indeed. My observation for what it might be worth, is that readers should remember that Woodward along with his partner Bernstein made their names on the Washington Post - a Democrat leaning newspaper. Throughout this book Woodward walks a tight line but his Democrat bias cannot be hidden and ultimately reveals itself in the final passages. Such were the elements of pure chance in the early stages of Watergate one wonders if it would ever have surfaced if Woodward et al had been more even-handed and his Democrat bias grates a bit in this book from time to time. Nevertheless it gives a great 'close-up' picture of USA's influence in contemporary conflicts.

Very good - But....

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typical colonialist centred view from the empire; describes the symptoms at length while refusing to address cause, ie NATO's expansion or Israel's illegal occupation of Gaza and on that subject, he adopts the official Israeli narrative which even Israeli newspapers questioned, refusing to refer to Israel's killing of at least 40000 Palestinians as a genocide.

I bought this book specifically to see what inside knowledge he had on middle eastern leaders' intimate meetings with US officials and in that regard, it did not disappoint and that is the only reason I would recommend this book.

Other than that, it left me with the sense that America is actually run by unapologetic zionists; a point of a view his take confirms.

how Zionist the author is.

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It deliberately downplays key events, leaning towards a pro-Israel stance, while ignoring the ICC and world leaders’ genocide convictions. It also seems designed to shape perceptions ahead of the post-2025 political landscape. The reality is, “Genocide Joe” isn’t just a passive, out-of-touch old man—he’s a committed Zionist, and that stance has profoundly reshaped the world as we know it. Zelensky’s role in these events also warrants deeper discussion, given his leadership and the complexities he navigates.

Good but long on the bad bits and short on the good bits

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