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skitch41's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
selketjewett's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
There were parts of this that I really loved and resonated with and I feel like I learned a lot from reading it. However some of the metaphors in the second half of the book were almost egregiously tortured.
leowilko's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.75
Even though I didn't enjoy it as much as his first memoir, I liked the writing, stories and conclusions. A very thoughtful assessment of politics in the US and the wider world, which is still very topical. I particularly enjoyed the parts where he explains the process of social media companies taking on so much power, and the anecdotes of his Obama years sprinkled throughout. I feel the parts about ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º and ðŸ‡ðŸ‡° could be a little shorter.
duparker's review against another edition
3.0
While not the most uplifting book, it certainly is interesting and well written. The first hand account of a Government official seeing the impact of a Presidency change on the wider world was interesting. it is also fascinating to see how people around the globe react to the change in the American governance.
jenniferstringer's review
4.0
Rhodes shows how authoritarian governments are using the very things the US has perfected (social media and capitalism) against us to the detriment of democratic values. Russia, with its army of tech pushing Google searches and social media to towards the most divisive and vitriolic, and China threatening to stop spending if US institutions insist on supporting Hong Kong or democracy in general (i.e. canceling an entire season of basketball in China when coach tweeted his support of Hong Kong protestors - he quickly apologized, and countless other ways China refuses access to markets); these countries are very strategically using our own innovations against us. Just how long we allow this to happen and what can be done about it depends on how long we continue to fight among ourselves and become more unified in our vigilance. I can't say I'm all that hopeful.
bentohbox's review
4.0
Sometimes this felt a bit naive, and maybe that was Rhodes trying to connect with his audience. Also, there was a lot of American exceptionalism tied in with the well-placed self-flagellation that reads a bit oddly.
However, the book itself was quite well done, and tied together perspectives on authoritarianism across the world effectively. Rhodes is also obviously a very good writer, which shows especially in the final section.
However, the book itself was quite well done, and tied together perspectives on authoritarianism across the world effectively. Rhodes is also obviously a very good writer, which shows especially in the final section.