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The World as It Is cover art

The World as It Is

By: Ben Rhodes
Narrated by: Ben Rhodes, Mark Deakins
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Summary

Random House presents the audiobook of The World As It Is by Ben Rhodes, read by Mark Deakins, with an introduction read by the author.

This is a book about two people making the most important decisions in the world. One is Barack Obama. The other is Ben Rhodes.

The World As It Is tells the full story of what it means to work alongside a radical leader, of how idealism can confront reality and survive, of how the White House really functions and of what it is to have a partnership, and ultimately a friendship, with a historic president. 

A young writer and Washington outsider, Ben Rhodes was plucked from obscurity aged 29. Chosen for his original perspective and gift with language, his role was to help shape the nation’s hopes and sense of itself. For nearly 10 years, Rhodes was at the centre of the Obama administration - first as a speechwriter, then a policymaker, and finally a multipurpose aide and close collaborator. 

Rhodes puts us in the room at the most tense and poignant moments in recent history: starting every morning with Obama in the Daily Briefing; waiting out the bin Laden raid in the Situation Room; reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran; leading secret negotiations with the Cuban government; confronting the resurgence of nationalism that led to the election of Donald Trump.

This is the most vivid portrayal yet of Obama’s presidency. It is an essential record of the last decade. But it also shows us what it means to hold the pen and to write the words that change our world.

©2018 Ben Rhodes (P)2018 Random House Audiobooks

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This is the time to listen to this book

As European, I am very annoyed, how things are developing in the US. The way how our good relationships are destroyed, I had thought impossible.

This book shows us that the opposite is possible, I sincerely look forward to the next elections.
Hopefully we can forget the present nightmare and repare the damage done.

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Insightful

An incredible insight into a Whitehouse where things actually worked.. Rhodes provides a perfect blend of policy details, and the impact that operating at the highest levels of government has on the individual (and those close to them).

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1 person found this helpful

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  • 28-06-18

Insightive, interesting and well written.

Really interesting read. Gives you a window into the Obama Whitehouse. Learnt plenty I was previously unaware of. Great narration too

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Familiar story, expertly told

Got the book because I love listening to Pod Save The World. It's a great listen, very well told and a fascinating insight into the intricacies of such a high profile job. Well done.

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Gripping inside of Obama presidency

Great inside of decision making and important of hope and positive mind set.
Best US président ever.

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Overall excellent

Some vaseline on the historical lens and broad brush coverage of politics and policy I did not always agree with (a deeper dive into extra-judicial killing by drone one of the more glaring omissions for me) particularly in the context of 'we were the good guys' but overall a very interesting, well paced, and entertaining look back at the Obama presidency. Rhodes writes well.

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A different perspective

Glad I picked this book as it gives an insight into the pressures at the highest level of the conflicting demands on decisions and a glimpse into the sewer of modern politics

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Gripping and informative

It seems so long ago, now, but it was nice to think back to a time of dedicated people trying to solve problems and ponder how this resulted in the garbage fire that followed the 2016 election.

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Fascinating Insight into The Obama Years

Ben Rhodes is a great writer, he brings the Obama years to life and the impact on-both the world and his own life. Great listen and read!

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Great book

A powerful narration. Reflective and introspective. I love how this book gives an internal point of view of many historic moments without slipping into self congratulatory window dressing. Instead it focuses on the thoughts and emotions of the protagonists of these moments.

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