So it’s readable? I was considering it the other day, but it sounded like it was going to be propaganda.
It’s actually quite a good read.
The interesting thing is that Woodward seems very focused on capturing the internal struggles between the generals, Obama’s staff, and Obama. He does it well, but without realizing how weak, cynical and shallow it makes the Obama side look in comparison to the flawed, conflicted and very genuine heroes on the military side.
It’s almost made worse by Woodward’s style, which observes from multiple sides to get answers and perspective. It inadvertently illustrates how two-faced the Obama crew is. There are some good insights into how systemically broken the Pentagon bureaucracy is.
Even though it’s not his intention, you can’t help but feel like the entire military / political system has fallen apart, except for a few real, semi-rogue players.
Obama, even through somewhat kid glove coverage, comes across as a self-centered fool who pretends at thoughtful introspection, but fails to do more than endlessly analyze and ponder. He views Afghanistan as nothing more than a loose end that could unravel him politically. He is situationally clever, but has zero ability to think strategically. His ability to take complicated situations and puzzle out solutions is non-existent. It’s rather astonishing. He’s completely out of his league.
It is very readable, and I think it gives some important insight into just how this crew operates. I get no comfort whatsoever from knowing it is Axelrod, Gates and Donilon now advising the President on just about everything.