War

 I just concluded War (Bob Woodward, 2024, 448 pages), and it is an absolutely great book.

This is my first time reading Bob Woodward, whom I have known a little bit because of the Watergate case, in which his work was fundamental. I think it is also impressive that he is now 81 years old and keep writing such great pieces as this book War.

Something else that is also a “first timer” for me in relation to this book is the fact that it talks about some fresh history. I hadn’t before read books that summarizes and expands on stories that are almost still evolving, when the book is printed. For someone that has been fascinated by politics, and have been an avid reader of news like me, it is very interesting to contemplate facts that I have recently closely followed, but now by the perspective of many of the main characters themselves.

For this book is based in over four hundred interviews with staff and advisors for Biden, Trump, Kamala Harris, Zelensky, Netanyahu, etc. All the main figures behind-the-scenes of the most critical events of our recent world history. And it brings some new pieces of information that would be almost impossible to get otherwise.

For example, how the Biden’s administration failure in Afghanistan exit informed the strategy for leading and containing Russian invasion strategy. Or how the US intelligence managed to get all details for the Russian plans six months before February 22^nd 2022. Or how Zelensky and other European leaders first failed to acknowledge those intel details. Or how Trump kept his discourse of stolen election after the January 6^th, to later be nudged to refocus his rhetoric towards the 2024 presidential campaign. Or how Trump had several private calls with Putin after leaving the presidency. Or how Biden and Jake Sullivan acted when the intel revealed a 50% chance of nuclear bombing by the Russians in the Autumn of 2022. And more. Much more.

If international relations and politics are something for you, there will be zero regrets in taking your hands on this book as soon as possible. It won’t help us poor mortals influencing things in any way, but it you give a glimpse over intentions and who to trust and not trust with regards to our common global destiny. Highly recommendable title.