The Unraveling: Reflections on Politics without Ethics and Democracy in Crisis

by Bob Bauer

Part memoir, part rumination on the declining moral compass of the American political class, The Unraveling is the first book to place restoring political ethics at the center of the renewal of American democracy. Politics is a brutal game, but Bauer asks where does the line fall between the “hardball” of politics and attacks on the very foundation of democracy? Looking back on 46 years in the political arena, Bauer tries to better grasp what has gone wrong and to understand what shaped his own decisions and actions. He offers anecdotes, perspectives, and insights that are vitally relevant in our world today, including efforts in 2020 (and 2024) to stop one president from overturning democratic elections, and the struggles with social media, such as Meta, to combat disinformation in a post-truth politics. He writes about the various personal experiences along the way—the highs, the lows, and the absurd. Bauer presents a smart and serious look at our political culture and the role that he has played in shaping it. The Unraveling will be essential reading for anyone interested in American politics of the last 50 years--and the next.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History

256 pages, Hardcover

Published June 18, 2024

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an interesting look at political maneuvering throughout the years from an insider, a former White House counsel among other positions. If you are a left-leaning reader, you will enjoy it more than if you are right-leaning. Since I am the former, I thought it was pretty fascinating -- but also depressing -- that our government throughout the years has been filled with petty, power-hungry politicians who care more about themselves than their constituents or democracy. While some of the writing is dry, Bob Bauer definitely is knowledgeable, and I appreciated when he admitted his mistakes on certain issues. Bauer covers ground from early Colonial times to present day. I admit I am terrified if a certain ex-president gets re-elected, but it is so interesting to see how our country's political history is cyclical in nature. I just hope common sense prevails in our lifetime.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Rowman Littlefield Publishers for the ARC and the opportunity to review this book.

[Mr. Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can also see this review, along with others I have written, at Mr. Book's Book Reviews.

Mr. Book just finished The Unraveling: Reflections On Politics Without Ethics And Democracy In Crisis, by Bob Bauer.

This book was published in June 2024.

The author has had a long career as a lawyer in Democratic Party politics, both representing candidates, political committees and also served as counsel during Clinton’s impeachment and as White House Counsel under Obama.

This memoir doesn’t give any real inside information on anything that Bauer handled in his career. The reader won’t learn anything that isn’t already known. While he covered many different topics about politics, he didn’t have anything new to say about any of it. It wasn’t a bad book, it was just one that adds nothing to the conversation.

I give this book a B.

Goodreads requires grades on a 1-5 star system. In my personal conversion system, a B equates to 3 stars. (A or A+: 5 stars, B+: 4 stars, B: 3 stars, C: 2 stars, D or F: 1 star).

This review has been posted at Mr. Book’s Book Reviews, and Goodreads.

Mr. Book finished reading this on December 7, 2024.

[Rahat · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who delve into the intersection of law and politics regularly, Bob Bauer's book is a must read. He offered candid reflections on his decades of experience, which acts as a guide for the lawyer today navigating the at-times treacherous world of politics. I appreciated his insight and the explanation of his thought-process behind some very difficult issues that he had faced in his career.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Unraveling is a great read for anyone interested in the legal profession or politics. Bauer is an incredible writer, and his ability to derive meaning and useful lessons from his personal successes and failures is a true gift of talent. Coming in at just over 200 pages of content, this is a quick, albeit dense read.

[John Egan · Rating 2 out of 5]

An excellent, highly relevant topic but just a bit of a snoozer. It didn’t feel highly personal and the only notable anecdote was the author falling in the pool while throwing a ball to the first dog.
The book did help crystallize my thinking on Trump’s threat to democracy.

[Dan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolute Trash

This isn't an unbiased look at our Republic, its a left wing anthem that takes no responsibility in their parties failures. Both parties have long lists of failure. Shameful that an attorney penned this. He by his own words cannot objectly represent the law.

[Izzy Rosen]

Had the chance to write about The Unraveling for Open Letters Review:

https://openlettersreview.com/posts/t...

[Jackie Theaker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Difficult reading, often needed to read a sentence 3 times to get probable meaning. Luckily, Major did not bite the author.