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.
Thanks. I figured it would be the story of the noble Obama, as the oceans recede, valiantly struggling to end all war, beginning with an illegal, immoral, racist, sexist, etcist* conflict started by George Bush’s master and brain Dick Cheney to make his oil buddies rich, all the while surrounded by incompetent military-industrial-complex, evil, foolish, ickypoo generals who just can not understand HIS brilliance and honor.
* I think I just invented that word.