FEAR by Bob Woodward

As soon as this book was released, I put my name on the library queue because, well, he's Bob Woodward. I admit that I have not read everything he has written, but I admire him immensely. He is the dictionary definition of thoughtful and intelligent with quite a bit of courage thrown in for good measure. This is not a tell-all book with salacious details designed to create sales. It is much more serious in it's content and format than several others that attempt to accomplish a similar purpose, namely: to explain our current politics.

It is fascinating to get a more complete and behind the scenes look at events that have been headlines for months or even years. This bit of realism will ring true to even the most seasoned skeptic. But the main draw of the book for me is that it delves into the most basic tenets of complicated foreign policy and economic theory in a way that is highly educational. These two areas are not my strong suits, but I am much more well informed than before I read this book. The reason that these things are explained in such plain language and simple ideas is that Woodward is chronicling the efforts of advisors and White House staff to explain these things to our current president in clear and basic outlines. I hope they are somewhat heartened by the fact that I learned something, because they have had their share of frustration.

I have never seen Woodward as a partisan fellow; he is much too wedded to journalistic integrity to veer in any particular direction. He is the embodiment of what journalists used to be before our dial-a-slant news atmosphere.

I don't imagine that a staunch supporter of this administration would enjoy the book too much, because Woodward does not bend over backward to sanitize the narrative. I do think the information is one of the most truthful and objective sources of information that can be found. It is highly readable and for some of us, highly informative. If you want it right away, you will need to buy it. On the other hand, there is one less person in line for it at the library now!