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Rage by Bob Woodward is the American journalist’s twentieth and latest book, published on September 15th, 2020 by Simon & Schuster. This eloquently written book outlines president Donald Trump’s response to the global pandemic, social unrest, economic perils, foreign affairs and much more, revealing some of what is going on in the commander-in-chief’s head.
The few beginning chapters outline Trump’s election and how we as a nation got here. It goes over Trump’s methodology of choosing cabinet members in 2016 and their thoughts on what he was saying and doing during their time involved in government. Woodward lets quotes explain how there wasn’t much synergy between Trump and the cabinet members. For example, how heads of state would find out they were fired through Twitter and what their reactions were behind the scenes.
It’s about halfway through the book when the coronavirus order of events starts. Woodward gives chronological information on what the government knew as it was coming in in January. The government had to deal with China “stonewalling” research and flat out denial to share what was happening in their country. Redfield, the head of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) wondered if “it was possible that a former journalist would get to the bottom of the new virus faster than the doctors?” Trump and Dr. Fauci both were saying to continue business as normal in late February. Trump was more focused on reelection and how the democrats were “politicizing it” and it’s “their new hoax” after the Russian investigation and impeachment didn’t get him out of office.
Overall, the book is impeccably written, Woodward explains every person’s background and role in the scheme of things. Someone who hasn’t watched the news or read recent articles can follow along and understand completely what is happening in America today and how we’ve gotten here. The intimate looks at Trump’s headspace will have people wondering if the news is being fair in its portrayal of him and if he’s a crazy genius, or just crazy. Oddly enough Trump is self aware of the readers and how they’ll perceive the book, saying “just be fair” to Woodward.
One criticism that readers had of the book however, was the fact that Woodward also knew the information coming out early on during the coronavirus pandemic that the average citizen didn’t know and he didn’t warn the public. Some say he held this information not because of national security but to sell more books. It wasn’t in the proper investigative journalism spirit, since coming out and telling the public might’ve saved lives, especially the lives of minorities which are disproportionately dying in comparison to caucasions.
