George Stephanopoulos (1) (1961–)

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. It was outstanding!
The author, whom I have admired for a long time, is one of the pre-eminent political reporters of the current times. His experiences have led him to be ultra-qualified to analyze and report on political matters. And, he is funny to boot!
Stephanopoulos takes us deep into the history of the White House Situation Room. The room where the big decisions are made that will affect people world-wide. Starting with Kennedy, carrying through every president to Biden, the author offers insights and information about the decisions made in this little, unassuming room. The Kennedy assignation, the Vietnam War, the crazy exploits and meltdown of Nixon, the attempted hostage rescue in Iran, the takedown of Osama Bin Laden, and the January 6th insurrection. They are all covered here. Along with interviews with the people who were in the room, and the people responsible for the overall operation logistics of the room.
You get a real feel of being in the room. The struggles, disasters, and triumphs of the President's making the decisions. You can see which President's rose to the occasion, and which were found lacking.
I read the entire book in two sittings. I just could not put it down. It was just that good. Now I am going to let it sit for a short time, then go back and read it again. There's so much information in it, one reading just doesn't do it justice. That's the mark of a really, really good book!… (mehr)

4876. All Too Human A Political Education. by George Stephanopoulos (read 8 Nov 2011) The author was with Bill Clinton from 1991 to 1996, and thus went through two campaigns and at times he was in a very influential position in the first Clinton administration. I found this book extremely readable and felt I was living through the pressure-cooker years as they were being lived by the author. I also found the account very persuasive and full of information which I felt was being told frankly and to some extent baring the author's inmost feelings. Though the book is 12 years old I felt it was very pertinent and revealing even as to today's world. I was struck by the fact that many of the issues facing the Clinton Administration are similar to today's issues, though the Republicans today are even ;less reasonable than were the Republicans in 1995. Clinton was being pilloried by liberal Democrats even as Obama is today. So I did not have the feeling that I was reading mere history rather than an insight into the White House of the 1990's. The account of the years 1995 and 1996 is a bit hurried, compared to the full recital of earlier years. I can certainly see why the author was burned out by the constant crises he was living through. A most worthwhile and revealing book,… (mehr)