In 'The World as It Is', Ben Rhodes takes readers behind the scenes of the Obama administration, offering an intimate look at the complex realities of global politics. His reflections reveal the art of negotiation and the weight of decision-making during pivotal moments in history. With a blend of personal anecdotes and sharp insights, Rhodes challenges conventional wisdom about leadership and diplomacy. This captivating narrative not only chronicles a presidency but also questions the very nature of power and policy in a fractured world. Dive into this insider's perspective and discover how the echoes of the past shape our present crises.
By Ben Rhodes
Published: 2019
"In a world of rapid change, the power of empathy and understanding can guide us toward a more hopeful future."
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From one of Barack Obama’s most trusted aides comes a revelatory behind-the-scenes account of his presidency—and how idealism can confront harsh reality and still survive. “The closest view of Obama we’re likely to get until he publishes his own memoir.”—George Packer, The New Yorker NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE GUARDIAN For nearly ten years, Ben Rhodes saw almost everything that happened at the center of the Obama administration—first as a speechwriter, then as deputy national security advisor, and finally as a multipurpose aide and close collaborator. He started every morning in the Oval Office with the President’s Daily Briefing, traveled the world with Obama, and was at the center of some of the most consequential and controversial moments of the presidency. Now he tells the full story of his partnership—and, ultimately, friendship—with a man who also happened to be a historic president of the United States. Rhodes was not your typical presidential confidant, and this is not your typical White House memoir. Rendered in vivid, novelistic detail by someone who was a writer before he was a staffer, this is a rare look inside the most poignant, tense, and consequential moments of the Obama presidency—waiting out the bin Laden raid in the Situation Room, responding to the Arab Spring, reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran, leading secret negotiations with the Cuban government to normalize relations, and confronting the resurgence of nationalism and nativism that culminated in the election of Donald Trump. In The World as It Is, Rhodes shows what it was like to be there—from the early days of the Obama campaign to the final hours of the presidency. It is a story populated by such characters as Susan Rice, Samantha Power, Hillary Clinton, Bob Gates, and—above all—Barack Obama, who comes to life on the page in moments of great urgency and disarming intimacy. This is the most vivid portrayal yet of Obama’s worldview and presidency, a chronicle of a political education by a writer of enormous talent, and an essential record of the forces that shaped the last decade. Praise for The World as It Is “A book that reflects the president [Rhodes] served—intelligent, amiable, compelling and principled . . . a classic coming-of-age story, about the journey from idealism to realism, told with candor and immediacy . . . His achievement is rare for a political memoir: He has written a humane and honorable book.”—Joe Klein, The New York Times Book Review
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“In a world of rapid change, the power of empathy and understanding can guide us toward a more hopeful future.”
The World as It Is
By Ben Rhodes
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Ben Rhodes is an accomplished author and former Deputy National Security Advisor for President Barack Obama. He is renowned for his insightful reflections on foreign policy and politics, drawing on his experiences in the White House and his deep understanding of global affairs. Rhodes is the author of several notable works, including 'The World as It Is: A Memoir of the Obama White House' and 'After the Fall: Being American in the World We’ve Made.' His writing style is characterized by its clarity, thoughtfulness, and a personal touch, often blending personal anecdotes with broader political analysis.
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