portlandcat's review against another edition
2.0
There’s a good ghost writer behind this book, but it nevertheless amounts to little more than a 500+ page rant which might be moderately interesting if any of it was even a little surprising.
juliana_aldous's review against another edition
1.0
This book should be titled, "I'm Throwing Away My Shot."
The whole world wanted to know what Bolton had to say during the Impeachment hearing, but instead, he chose to wait and publish this collection of notes far after the fact.
While reading it, I thought, "Wow. I can't believe this jackass was able to publish this while the President is still in office." He, of course, goes on to explain why he is able to publish this book in the last part of the book by including his review of a book by Robert Gates. Because he is nowhere near concise. About anything. And that is the summary of my review.
I read the entire book, but I can't tell you much of what happened in the room except that he is a warmongering clown, the President is a big baby clown, and this entire administration is a car full of dangerous clowns.
And here we are in a constitutional crisis, with over 130,000 Americans dead, an economy in shambles and our foreign policy and place in the world diminished.
Thanks a lot, Bolton. Thanks for leaving your notes for future historians.
The whole world wanted to know what Bolton had to say during the Impeachment hearing, but instead, he chose to wait and publish this collection of notes far after the fact.
While reading it, I thought, "Wow. I can't believe this jackass was able to publish this while the President is still in office." He, of course, goes on to explain why he is able to publish this book in the last part of the book by including his review of a book by Robert Gates. Because he is nowhere near concise. About anything. And that is the summary of my review.
I read the entire book, but I can't tell you much of what happened in the room except that he is a warmongering clown, the President is a big baby clown, and this entire administration is a car full of dangerous clowns.
And here we are in a constitutional crisis, with over 130,000 Americans dead, an economy in shambles and our foreign policy and place in the world diminished.
Thanks a lot, Bolton. Thanks for leaving your notes for future historians.
abrswf's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating information from a smarmy jerk
This isn't a well written book, and Bolton's smug self satisfaction radiates from every word. I found particularly grating his celebration of his bureaucratic infighting, his complete disrespect for the press, his apparent disinterest in the safety of everyday Americans, his eagerness to thrust us into war, and his willingness to abandon basic principles of honor and decency in the name of "realpolitik". But he really was deep inside this completely corrupt, incompetently run administration, and his disclosures about Trump, which are carefully documented, are damning. So read this, but hold your nose.
This isn't a well written book, and Bolton's smug self satisfaction radiates from every word. I found particularly grating his celebration of his bureaucratic infighting, his complete disrespect for the press, his apparent disinterest in the safety of everyday Americans, his eagerness to thrust us into war, and his willingness to abandon basic principles of honor and decency in the name of "realpolitik". But he really was deep inside this completely corrupt, incompetently run administration, and his disclosures about Trump, which are carefully documented, are damning. So read this, but hold your nose.
larissalee's review against another edition
1.0
Did not buy - only checked out via library. That said, this man has betrayed his country by failing to speak up when speaking up mattered. This book is little more than an ego stroke for himself and a backhanded slap at an administration he left on bad terms.
rmsst62's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a bore. It's not particularly well written to the point where I feel like Bolton refused to have it edited or proofread because he's the smartest guy there is.
I'm ashamed to admit it but I couldn't even finish this book which is only the 2nd time that's ever happened, the first being War and Peace for obvious reasons. Although I plan on giving War and Peace another chance. Not this book.
Update: I finished the book. It did get better towards the end. The last chapter talks about Ukraine which is probably what most folks are looking to read about. If so, just skip to the end.
Although I will say the rest of the book provided some good insight into Trump's erratic decision making that gave all of the news about the Zelensky call a different framing.
I'll give it one more star.
I'm ashamed to admit it but I couldn't even finish this book which is only the 2nd time that's ever happened, the first being War and Peace for obvious reasons. Although I plan on giving War and Peace another chance. Not this book.
Update: I finished the book. It did get better towards the end. The last chapter talks about Ukraine which is probably what most folks are looking to read about. If so, just skip to the end.
Although I will say the rest of the book provided some good insight into Trump's erratic decision making that gave all of the news about the Zelensky call a different framing.
I'll give it one more star.
tamaralgage1's review against another edition
5.0
Having just finished this book, I am compelled to give it a 5* Rating. I am not a student of political science with a Master/PhD in foreign diplomacy. So for me, it was very informative to see an inside view of the foreign relationships and potential impact on our country … as well as our allies. There is a quote I read someplace other than this book that says "Don't just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it." This book has severed to broaden my understanding and highlight how much I have yet to learn. For anyone that reads this book, keep a notepad nearby. I found myself taking notes of conflicts in regions I will want to read more about in the future.
In the summary of this book, the author noted the difference between a leader that has a personal policy that guides their decisions vs. decisions that are guided by their impact the leaders personal affairs and political future. Some may not agree with the authors opinion on how things should be handled. But, this book does not leave any room on his stance on a variety of subjects. Well worth the read ….
In the summary of this book, the author noted the difference between a leader that has a personal policy that guides their decisions vs. decisions that are guided by their impact the leaders personal affairs and political future. Some may not agree with the authors opinion on how things should be handled. But, this book does not leave any room on his stance on a variety of subjects. Well worth the read ….
rick2's review against another edition
DNF. Got about a quarter of the way through. School starts in a week. There are actual books out there worth my time. This doesn’t appear to be one.
The part of the book I did read was mediocre. It’s a matter of opinion but mine is right. There’s absolutely no speculation on Trump family tattoos. I bet Melania had one but got it removed. You KNOW Ivanka has some bird silhouettes somewhere, I’m guessing top left shoulder. Eric has a dragon across his back with his father‘s face on it. Don Jr has half a barbed wire arm band that he gave up on “cuz it makes me ouchie.” And Barons‘s been giving himself prison tattoos late at night under the covers. he’s gonna look like that guy from Prison Break if his father wins another four years.
The part of the book I did read was mediocre. It’s a matter of opinion but mine is right. There’s absolutely no speculation on Trump family tattoos. I bet Melania had one but got it removed. You KNOW Ivanka has some bird silhouettes somewhere, I’m guessing top left shoulder. Eric has a dragon across his back with his father‘s face on it. Don Jr has half a barbed wire arm band that he gave up on “cuz it makes me ouchie.” And Barons‘s been giving himself prison tattoos late at night under the covers. he’s gonna look like that guy from Prison Break if his father wins another four years.
pygmymetal's review against another edition
1.0
Couldn’t finish this book. It dragged and over and over again he would depict himself as the smartest person who knew better than anybody. We’ve got that with Trump I don’t need it from anybody else
adamhecktman's review against another edition
5.0
With the exception of the dated, cliché, and unnecessary dig at Chicago politics in the epilogue, this book gives a first-hand account of exactly what a sh*t show the White House is and why it is so extremely dangerous.