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A Year At The Circus: Inside Trump's White House
Welcome to the White House.
At the heart of Washington, there is a circus. It's raucous, noisy and full of clowns. Reporting on it is a daily cacophony. Four major stories can blow up and blow out before breakfast, and political weather systems are moving at warp speed. The one thing absent from the weather forecast is the tranquil eye of the storm. That we never see.
In A Year at the Circus: Inside Trump's White House, BBC North America Editor, Jon Sopel, takes you inside Trump’s West Wing and explores the impact this presidency has had on the most iconic of American institutions. Each chapter starts inside a famous Washington room, uncovering its history and its new resonance in the Trump era.
You are invited to step inside the Oval Office where Trump called for loyalty from FBI Director James Comey, and experience life as a reporter in the Briefing Room, where the tense relationship between the media and the President is played out. Guiding you through these rooms, Jon reveals the inner workings of the Trump White House and details the key moments and conversations that have unfolded within its walls.
From Kim Jong-un and Kavanaugh to Merkel and the Mueller Inquiry - this is your insider guide to the Washington Circus. Roll up, roll up ...
At the heart of Washington, there is a circus. It's raucous, noisy and full of clowns. Reporting on it is a daily cacophony. Four major stories can blow up and blow out before breakfast, and political weather systems are moving at warp speed. The one thing absent from the weather forecast is the tranquil eye of the storm. That we never see.
In A Year at the Circus: Inside Trump's White House, BBC North America Editor, Jon Sopel, takes you inside Trump’s West Wing and explores the impact this presidency has had on the most iconic of American institutions. Each chapter starts inside a famous Washington room, uncovering its history and its new resonance in the Trump era.
You are invited to step inside the Oval Office where Trump called for loyalty from FBI Director James Comey, and experience life as a reporter in the Briefing Room, where the tense relationship between the media and the President is played out. Guiding you through these rooms, Jon reveals the inner workings of the Trump White House and details the key moments and conversations that have unfolded within its walls.
From Kim Jong-un and Kavanaugh to Merkel and the Mueller Inquiry - this is your insider guide to the Washington Circus. Roll up, roll up ...
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2019
121 people are currently reading
499 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
January 1, 2020
An entertaining and worrying overview of the Trump White House and administration.
As mentioned in the book, and elsewhere, if what has happened over the last three years was a movie or TV script, it would get rejected as unbelievable. The more you read, the more concerning it is, that this man is the President of the USA.
Hopefully things will get better in 2020.
As mentioned in the book, and elsewhere, if what has happened over the last three years was a movie or TV script, it would get rejected as unbelievable. The more you read, the more concerning it is, that this man is the President of the USA.
Hopefully things will get better in 2020.
October 18, 2019
Jon Sopel’s style is effortless and thoroughly engaging. He balances detailed, intriguing narratives with tasty bite-sized nuggets of gossip and shocking anecdotes. Also a fantastic way to understand the inner workings of any White House.
September 26, 2021
An enjoyable summary of the Trump White House. The author takes an interesting approach by framing the narrative through each of the various rooms or places where the President may be found and the roles they have played in the history of the Presidency. However this book forms part of a wider gluttony of books on Trump, which on the whole do repeat a lot of the same information.
May 3, 2022
Wish you could do half stars as I'd do 3.5. Enjoyed it and liked the way each chapter was based around a particular room in the Whitehouse/in DC. Maybe would have enjoyed it slightly more at the time, feel like it felt a bit weird to read back through it especially right now
July 22, 2021
An absolutely brilliant guide not only to the general workings of The White House and the different positions of Office and how they all interact, but also a look at how Trump's White House did all of those things differently, giving a great picture of the administration. Whether you're a supporter of him or not, this book helps to show you just how unorthodox his approach to the presidency was. An easy read and a great showcase of modern politics.
October 3, 2019
An enjoyable, incisive and highly readable look into Trump's dysfunctional White House.
September 7, 2020
I enjoyed this insider's account of Trump's White House and Washington politics more generally. Taking the reader through the different rooms was good way of giving the account structure. Didn't learn anything new but it was useful to read it in context. It's still fairly terrifying, though.
October 22, 2023
Jon’s absolutely smashed it with this ngl
July 14, 2022
Another book about the insane behind the scenes of the Trump administration. What I really liked about it, though, was the historical perspective. The author explains what certain things (for example, the office of the vice president) actually mean and how they have evolved over time, as well as brings interesting and amusing stories from past administrations.
January 10, 2020
Entertaining journey through the Trump administration's various challenges and blunders so far. Jon Sopel vividly articulates the surreal working environment surrounding the White House since Trump's election victory in 2016. Whilst a close observer of US politics, I had no idea just how chaotic the reality of the administration actually is, with officials constantly in a state of panic as to what policy deviation he may initiate next (not to mention the tweets).
Essential reading for anyone that is looking for a whistle stop tour of the key moments in the Trump adventure to date. It also provides a very informative and historically insightful overview of the history of the various US federal government institutions and how they've evolved to the current day. This includes the role of the VP, the Cabinet, the relationship between the WH and the press, Air Force One, and even the role of the First Lady.
Essential reading for anyone that is looking for a whistle stop tour of the key moments in the Trump adventure to date. It also provides a very informative and historically insightful overview of the history of the various US federal government institutions and how they've evolved to the current day. This includes the role of the VP, the Cabinet, the relationship between the WH and the press, Air Force One, and even the role of the First Lady.
December 17, 2020
This will probably age better than as a contemporary read. Sopel says he wanted to recollect some of the less well known stories from the Trump era, but then goes on to do a chapter on Mueller, one on Kavanaugh. For people with even a passing interest in American politics these seem like they things you would be well aware of and just covers ground you are already aware of. There are some interesting historical titbits - I didn't know historically the Vice President had been the person who didn't win the election !
June 2, 2025
Nearly every book I've read about the 45th President Donald Trump has been 100% negative-books written by the likes of Michael Cohen, James Comey, Jim Acosta etc. This book was different. Yes he is critical of Trump over his war with the media, the haphazard way the West Wing was run and the exaggerations that Trump is famous for. Refreshingly, he also takes Trump's side over policy successes and some of the coverage he received from lefty news outlets. It was a much better read because in spite of his misgivings at times, this journalist has at least tried to be a bit fairer than other people I've read.
Sopel talks at length about the war with the media and the fake news outbursts. He agrees that calling fake news every time Trump doesn't like a story doesn't mean that the story is false. He talks about Trump using it as a tactic to rally his base and to cast doubt on anything reported by the mainstream media. He calls Trump out on anything he thinks the President was wrong about ie the size of the inauguration crowd, his margins of victory compared to Obama, his comments about John McCain's time as a POW etc. But he also takes Trump's side over unfair coverage in the wake of a mass shooting by a white supremacist. Sopel says that CNN set out an interview trying to get the man to blame Trump's speeches for the shooting while MSNBC talked more about Trump being a liar than about the shooting. He states that Trump did have fair reason to accuse the media of bias at times.
Sopel then goes on to have a right go at Jim Acosta for his behaviour in press briefings, something I happen to agree with. I recently abandoned Acosta's book as his arrogance and rudeness got on my nerves. Sopel thinks that Sopel was wrong to be constantly grandstanding for attention, being rude to Trump to create a story and to hog the limelight when others were trying to ask questions. The fact that Sopel was in the room during these incidents and has a negative view of Acosta's bad behaviour is an example of how the author is much more balanced. Sopel defends Sarah Sanders over one incident when stroppy Acosta 'stormed out' when she wouldn't be critical of Trump when he wanted her to be.
I also liked that Sopel talked about how Trump was successful in delivering most of the promises that he made during the campaign-trade renegotiations, tougher immigration laws, reducing taxes, reducing regulations etc, he also mentions that the White House staff that he spoke to preferred working for Donald and Melania Trump more than Barack and Michelle Obama, noting that Trump made an effort to learn names and ask how the people were, and was polite and respectful to the 'lowly' workers. He sounds similar to Ronald Reagan, who seemed to like talking to the staff and was well thought of according to books I've read.
Sopel also praises Trump for making himself constantly available to speak to the media he detests so much, even if he doesn't agree with things the President actually says. He indicates that nobody could ever accuse Trump of not engaging, even if many disapprove with his manner, the content and method of delivery. Yes the author is also critical of many aspects of the Presidency but overs his thoughts on why things are being done a certain way as well as measuring the success or failure.
His thoughts on the staff working for Trump seem to back up a lot of what I read in the entertaining book by Cliff Sims about his time in the West Wing. Sopel is more sympathetic to General Kelly than Sims was, but the incidents involving the likes of Bannon, Omarosa and Scaramucci are pretty much the same as I've read elsewhere. Sopel shares his thoughts on these people, looking at the chaotic environment they worked in and tried to give an outsiders view of the main events.
I feel that the book is fair, sharing views on the successes and failures of the time he was there. He is also kinder about Trump, discussing his limitations and personality without the spite and petty remarks of his enemies books. I'd potentially look at other books by this author.
Sopel talks at length about the war with the media and the fake news outbursts. He agrees that calling fake news every time Trump doesn't like a story doesn't mean that the story is false. He talks about Trump using it as a tactic to rally his base and to cast doubt on anything reported by the mainstream media. He calls Trump out on anything he thinks the President was wrong about ie the size of the inauguration crowd, his margins of victory compared to Obama, his comments about John McCain's time as a POW etc. But he also takes Trump's side over unfair coverage in the wake of a mass shooting by a white supremacist. Sopel says that CNN set out an interview trying to get the man to blame Trump's speeches for the shooting while MSNBC talked more about Trump being a liar than about the shooting. He states that Trump did have fair reason to accuse the media of bias at times.
Sopel then goes on to have a right go at Jim Acosta for his behaviour in press briefings, something I happen to agree with. I recently abandoned Acosta's book as his arrogance and rudeness got on my nerves. Sopel thinks that Sopel was wrong to be constantly grandstanding for attention, being rude to Trump to create a story and to hog the limelight when others were trying to ask questions. The fact that Sopel was in the room during these incidents and has a negative view of Acosta's bad behaviour is an example of how the author is much more balanced. Sopel defends Sarah Sanders over one incident when stroppy Acosta 'stormed out' when she wouldn't be critical of Trump when he wanted her to be.
I also liked that Sopel talked about how Trump was successful in delivering most of the promises that he made during the campaign-trade renegotiations, tougher immigration laws, reducing taxes, reducing regulations etc, he also mentions that the White House staff that he spoke to preferred working for Donald and Melania Trump more than Barack and Michelle Obama, noting that Trump made an effort to learn names and ask how the people were, and was polite and respectful to the 'lowly' workers. He sounds similar to Ronald Reagan, who seemed to like talking to the staff and was well thought of according to books I've read.
Sopel also praises Trump for making himself constantly available to speak to the media he detests so much, even if he doesn't agree with things the President actually says. He indicates that nobody could ever accuse Trump of not engaging, even if many disapprove with his manner, the content and method of delivery. Yes the author is also critical of many aspects of the Presidency but overs his thoughts on why things are being done a certain way as well as measuring the success or failure.
His thoughts on the staff working for Trump seem to back up a lot of what I read in the entertaining book by Cliff Sims about his time in the West Wing. Sopel is more sympathetic to General Kelly than Sims was, but the incidents involving the likes of Bannon, Omarosa and Scaramucci are pretty much the same as I've read elsewhere. Sopel shares his thoughts on these people, looking at the chaotic environment they worked in and tried to give an outsiders view of the main events.
I feel that the book is fair, sharing views on the successes and failures of the time he was there. He is also kinder about Trump, discussing his limitations and personality without the spite and petty remarks of his enemies books. I'd potentially look at other books by this author.
May 15, 2023
'If this is a circus, Donald Trump sees himself as the charismatic, brilliant master of ceremonies. The person who, when he is in the arena, will always be directly under the spotlight, centre stage. The ringmaster. The greatest showman on earth. A modern P.T. Barnum.'
'...one of the things I love about this president is how authentic he is. When he tweets you know it is him; you can hear his voice, and you know it comes from the heart. It is so unfiltered, when what we are normally fed by politicians is a diet of carefully prepared and nuanced messages that have been through filters and sieves and drainage systems to take away any sharp edges.'
Jon Sopel has written several books about Donald Trump during his tenure as US President. This is the second I have read.
Taking as his theme various rooms in the White House or nearby, he charts a year in the life of the Trump administration. It makes for compelling and at times jaw-dropping reading - much may have been considered too unbelievable if offered as a TV or film script.
Reading between the lines, you glimpse how clever Donald Trump was in terms of positioning his candidacy at a time when Americans were disillusioned with conventional politics. Once elected, he governed in a way no US President has before or since, courting adulation and controversy at every turn.
Donald Trump sometimes had to be reined in by his staff - for example, papers would disappear off his desk so controversial legislation didn't get signed into the statute book. He was consistently outspoken, particularly when it came to journalists, and wouldn't always co-operate with official processes such as the Mueller inquiry into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 elections.
What the book also does well is look at some historical events and former Presidents, as well as explain the origin of the office of Vice-President (VP). This was formerly the role of the losing candidate in a Presidential election, even if they weren't of the same political colour as the victor.
It was insightful to read how Mike Pence ended up on Donald Trump's campaign ticket, as you sense from Jon Sopel's narrative that they weren't a natural fit. Perhaps he saw a bigger opportunity if the President was forced to leave office, but only he can answer that.
Of course, that was then. Donald Trump's presidency was undoubtedly great political theatre. Whilst unsuccessful in seeking re-election in 2020 (he will beg to differ), America may not have seen the last of Donald Trump as a political heavyweight.
A hair-raising, white-knuckle ride of a political commentary and well worth your time.
'...one of the things I love about this president is how authentic he is. When he tweets you know it is him; you can hear his voice, and you know it comes from the heart. It is so unfiltered, when what we are normally fed by politicians is a diet of carefully prepared and nuanced messages that have been through filters and sieves and drainage systems to take away any sharp edges.'
Jon Sopel has written several books about Donald Trump during his tenure as US President. This is the second I have read.
Taking as his theme various rooms in the White House or nearby, he charts a year in the life of the Trump administration. It makes for compelling and at times jaw-dropping reading - much may have been considered too unbelievable if offered as a TV or film script.
Reading between the lines, you glimpse how clever Donald Trump was in terms of positioning his candidacy at a time when Americans were disillusioned with conventional politics. Once elected, he governed in a way no US President has before or since, courting adulation and controversy at every turn.
Donald Trump sometimes had to be reined in by his staff - for example, papers would disappear off his desk so controversial legislation didn't get signed into the statute book. He was consistently outspoken, particularly when it came to journalists, and wouldn't always co-operate with official processes such as the Mueller inquiry into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 elections.
What the book also does well is look at some historical events and former Presidents, as well as explain the origin of the office of Vice-President (VP). This was formerly the role of the losing candidate in a Presidential election, even if they weren't of the same political colour as the victor.
It was insightful to read how Mike Pence ended up on Donald Trump's campaign ticket, as you sense from Jon Sopel's narrative that they weren't a natural fit. Perhaps he saw a bigger opportunity if the President was forced to leave office, but only he can answer that.
Of course, that was then. Donald Trump's presidency was undoubtedly great political theatre. Whilst unsuccessful in seeking re-election in 2020 (he will beg to differ), America may not have seen the last of Donald Trump as a political heavyweight.
A hair-raising, white-knuckle ride of a political commentary and well worth your time.
January 11, 2022
Jon Sopel’s excellent previous book “If only they didn’t speak English …” is a perceptive portrait of modern America that explains, amongst much else, why so many Americans support Donald Trump, and ultimately elected him as their president. Here Sopel describes some consequences of that support.
“A Year at the Circus” mainly covers events during 2017, 2018 and early 2019; the foreword is dated July 2019, but the final sentence of the paperback edition published in 2020 mentions ‘a coronavirus’. The ‘Circus’ of the title refers the White House, or more broadly the executive branch of the US Government, during Donald Trump’s presidency, up to the release of Robert Mueller’s report on his investigations into possible collusion between the Trump election campaign and the Russians.
This carefully researched (given Sopel’s reputation, and the scope for litigation, one can be pretty confident that it has been carefully researched) and readable book takes us on a tour of the main rooms of the White House, and some other key spaces, and examines the roles and inter-relationships of the people who use them. In doing so, Sopel reveals much of the extent of dysfunction of Donald Trump as a politician, and that of his executive in general. Sopel has the benefit of access to considerable journalistic resources, in addition to his own experience, skills and insight, so there is a great deal here that never made it to the evening news, or the front pages, and much additional explanation of stuff that did.
So far as I can tell, the reporting here is pretty objective; which means that it is mostly highly critical, if not condemnatory, of Trump and his supporters in government. In some ways, the most surprising fact is revealed in the final chapter: according to an opinion poll of that time (2019), Sopel tells us, a majority of Americans thought that Trump is a liar – but mostly they don’t care to do anything about it. Sopel writes: ‘ It is hard to think that any of [Trump’s] predecessors could have survived some of the lacerating conclusions of [the Mueller] report’, or, he could have added, public perception of a great deal of Trump’s other behaviour described in this lucid and compelling book.
“A Year at the Circus” mainly covers events during 2017, 2018 and early 2019; the foreword is dated July 2019, but the final sentence of the paperback edition published in 2020 mentions ‘a coronavirus’. The ‘Circus’ of the title refers the White House, or more broadly the executive branch of the US Government, during Donald Trump’s presidency, up to the release of Robert Mueller’s report on his investigations into possible collusion between the Trump election campaign and the Russians.
This carefully researched (given Sopel’s reputation, and the scope for litigation, one can be pretty confident that it has been carefully researched) and readable book takes us on a tour of the main rooms of the White House, and some other key spaces, and examines the roles and inter-relationships of the people who use them. In doing so, Sopel reveals much of the extent of dysfunction of Donald Trump as a politician, and that of his executive in general. Sopel has the benefit of access to considerable journalistic resources, in addition to his own experience, skills and insight, so there is a great deal here that never made it to the evening news, or the front pages, and much additional explanation of stuff that did.
So far as I can tell, the reporting here is pretty objective; which means that it is mostly highly critical, if not condemnatory, of Trump and his supporters in government. In some ways, the most surprising fact is revealed in the final chapter: according to an opinion poll of that time (2019), Sopel tells us, a majority of Americans thought that Trump is a liar – but mostly they don’t care to do anything about it. Sopel writes: ‘ It is hard to think that any of [Trump’s] predecessors could have survived some of the lacerating conclusions of [the Mueller] report’, or, he could have added, public perception of a great deal of Trump’s other behaviour described in this lucid and compelling book.
September 8, 2020
This is a really good overview of the first few years of the Trump Presidency. I've read a number of other Trump books and they have focused on gossip and the minutiae of the chaos in the White House. Sopel takes a different approach, stepping back to put Trump in context within the modern American Presidency.
What soon becomes clear is just how outside the accepted norms this Presidency has become, and the long term danger this poses to democracy. The chapter about the Supreme Court was particularly disturbing. Trump will be gone either later this year or in 4 years time. The judges he has appointed will be with us for a generation and will have an enormous influence on fundamental liberties and rights.
The final chapter is the clearest explanation of the Mueller investigation I've read, and makes it even more astonishing that Trump wasn't brought down by it.
The original hardback of this book came out at the end of 2019 and I presume it finished in a fairly upbeat place for Trump, with the Mueller investigation behind him and the economy doing well. The paperback version I read came out late enough in 2020 to allow for a wonderful final line cliffhanger as coronavirus raises its head over the horizon. Can't wait for the next book.
What soon becomes clear is just how outside the accepted norms this Presidency has become, and the long term danger this poses to democracy. The chapter about the Supreme Court was particularly disturbing. Trump will be gone either later this year or in 4 years time. The judges he has appointed will be with us for a generation and will have an enormous influence on fundamental liberties and rights.
The final chapter is the clearest explanation of the Mueller investigation I've read, and makes it even more astonishing that Trump wasn't brought down by it.
The original hardback of this book came out at the end of 2019 and I presume it finished in a fairly upbeat place for Trump, with the Mueller investigation behind him and the economy doing well. The paperback version I read came out late enough in 2020 to allow for a wonderful final line cliffhanger as coronavirus raises its head over the horizon. Can't wait for the next book.
November 6, 2024
I had my fill of Halloween stories so I moved on to an election themed book, which arguably makes for scarier reading.
Sopel's book initially felt a bit too journalistic and superficial; however, the structure of the book really came into its own after a while. Sopel rather cleverly themed the chapters around famous Washington rooms. This book could have been fantastic had Sopel just stuck to writing about different American presidents throughout history. Where he did do this in places, the book was really great - informative and witty.
Unfortunately, as a book specifically about Trump it worked less well, and it didn't feel very focused. It probably doesn't help that circumstances have superseded this book and it just doesn't hit the right note anymore.
Overall, quite a good read but I'm now moving on from election themed books to reading about extinction, just to cheer myself up.
Sopel's book initially felt a bit too journalistic and superficial; however, the structure of the book really came into its own after a while. Sopel rather cleverly themed the chapters around famous Washington rooms. This book could have been fantastic had Sopel just stuck to writing about different American presidents throughout history. Where he did do this in places, the book was really great - informative and witty.
Unfortunately, as a book specifically about Trump it worked less well, and it didn't feel very focused. It probably doesn't help that circumstances have superseded this book and it just doesn't hit the right note anymore.
Overall, quite a good read but I'm now moving on from election themed books to reading about extinction, just to cheer myself up.
June 27, 2021
I really liked how the book is structured - taking the reader through different rooms in the White House is a very interesting and unique approach to describe Trump’s administration. I was surprised how chaotic it actually was - “We leaked. We schemed. We backstabbed. We brought our personal agendas and vendettas. We were ruthless”, - Jon Sopel
I found it very amusing when the author compared Trump to the Emperor in Hans Christian Andersen’s Danish folktale “The Emperor’s New Clothes” (“Kejserens nye klaeder” - which is one of my favourite stories for children). Just like the Emperor, who was naked in front of the whole townsfolk but didn’t want to admit that, Trump doesn’t believe in what he doesn’t want to believe, he doesn’t see what he doesn’t want to see…
Overall, quite an interesting read and I am really glad the Circus left the White House.
I found it very amusing when the author compared Trump to the Emperor in Hans Christian Andersen’s Danish folktale “The Emperor’s New Clothes” (“Kejserens nye klaeder” - which is one of my favourite stories for children). Just like the Emperor, who was naked in front of the whole townsfolk but didn’t want to admit that, Trump doesn’t believe in what he doesn’t want to believe, he doesn’t see what he doesn’t want to see…
Overall, quite an interesting read and I am really glad the Circus left the White House.
October 8, 2021
I’m a big fan of Jon Sopel on the BBC news & on the fab Americast Podcast with Emily Maitlis
This is a well written book,written in a conversational style , covering a year, during which Jon was embedded in the Trump presidential campaign v Hillary Clinton , & also at the White House reporting on the first few years of Donald Trumps presidency
This fascinating account covers, US inter party domestic politics, the media , foreign policy , & ‘ House Of Cards ‘ style governmental activities!
The Donald Trump cabinet was run with similarities to ‘ The Sopranos ‘ ( maybe without the murder) featuring a cast of characters & acolytes, you couldn’t script !
A compelling easy to read & entertaining eye opener, for anyone interested in what goes on In these strange times we a currently living in ✅
This is a well written book,written in a conversational style , covering a year, during which Jon was embedded in the Trump presidential campaign v Hillary Clinton , & also at the White House reporting on the first few years of Donald Trumps presidency
This fascinating account covers, US inter party domestic politics, the media , foreign policy , & ‘ House Of Cards ‘ style governmental activities!
The Donald Trump cabinet was run with similarities to ‘ The Sopranos ‘ ( maybe without the murder) featuring a cast of characters & acolytes, you couldn’t script !
A compelling easy to read & entertaining eye opener, for anyone interested in what goes on In these strange times we a currently living in ✅
December 31, 2020
My last book of the year. Another compelling book about the Trump Presidency. This time from the BBC’s North American Editor Jon Sopel.
He’s structured it quite cleverly - rather than focusing on people or events he tells his story based on the structure of the White House and the significant rooms within the building.
Refreshingly Sopel isn’t as impartial as he has to be when reporting these stories on the BBC. Whilst he doesn’t exactly nail his colours to the mast, it’s not difficult to work out what he thinks of Trump.
There will be better books about the Trump Presidency but as immediate reportage goes and a feel for what it was like to report on the fiasco of the last four years this is difficult to beat.
He’s structured it quite cleverly - rather than focusing on people or events he tells his story based on the structure of the White House and the significant rooms within the building.
Refreshingly Sopel isn’t as impartial as he has to be when reporting these stories on the BBC. Whilst he doesn’t exactly nail his colours to the mast, it’s not difficult to work out what he thinks of Trump.
There will be better books about the Trump Presidency but as immediate reportage goes and a feel for what it was like to report on the fiasco of the last four years this is difficult to beat.
March 5, 2021
This book takes you inside Trump's West Wing and explores the impact that Trump's presidency has had on the world. A well-written insider guide to the White House during Trump's presidency by Jon Sopel BBC's North America editor. It gave me more of an understanding of the inner workings of the White House.
The last chapter gives the clearest explanation of the Mueller investigation, and it is amazing to think that Trump was not brought down by it. I lost count of the number of staff that were fired in his administration, including FBI Director James Comey. Finishing this hard-to-put-down book, I came to the conclusion that Trump's term in office was probably one of the most chaotic and dysfunctional since Nixon although Nixon unlike Trump was re-elected for a second term.
The last chapter gives the clearest explanation of the Mueller investigation, and it is amazing to think that Trump was not brought down by it. I lost count of the number of staff that were fired in his administration, including FBI Director James Comey. Finishing this hard-to-put-down book, I came to the conclusion that Trump's term in office was probably one of the most chaotic and dysfunctional since Nixon although Nixon unlike Trump was re-elected for a second term.
February 9, 2022
A vary interesting read detailing Trumps first years at the White House from an outsiders perspective, that of BBC Journalist Jon Sopel.
I really enjoyed reading about the inner workings and dynamics between the people and President. It really is a White House which does defy belief and especially how many people eat up fallacy as fact, largest inauguration turn out for one - easily disproved with any photo.
The bit that made my blood boil was the reaction to the death of John McCain, a true hero and patriot treated like dirt.
I didn't realise this book was the second in a three part series but having owned the others I'm sure I will get around to them in due time.
Highly recommended!
I really enjoyed reading about the inner workings and dynamics between the people and President. It really is a White House which does defy belief and especially how many people eat up fallacy as fact, largest inauguration turn out for one - easily disproved with any photo.
The bit that made my blood boil was the reaction to the death of John McCain, a true hero and patriot treated like dirt.
I didn't realise this book was the second in a three part series but having owned the others I'm sure I will get around to them in due time.
Highly recommended!
January 7, 2020
This is an exceptional book written by an author with inside knowledge of his subject. Jon Sopel has laid bare the bizarre world of the White House under the present incumbent - Donald Trump. This is not a sensational 'kiss and tell' tale but a reasoned and fascinating insight into the workings of arguably the most powerful government on earth. No dry record of facts and figures but honest and interesting recollections of recent years from someone who has a wealth of experience. It is written with authority and some humour. An excellent read - it kept we awake past bed time for several nights
May 2, 2020
You get a good impression of the jaw-dropping chaos and lack of any integrity in the Trump administration where the man-child Trump and his thin skinned huge ego basically drives everything. There is a hint of admiration from Jon Sopel at how the train somehow keeps on the tracks and that literally everything just "bounces off" Trump. All the previous rules have been changed/ignored which might be fine in Trump had any morals beyond his own self aggrandisement and acquisition of money and power. No swamps were drained, intact it appears far more blatantly corrupt than any previous administration. Scary stuff and who knows if America's electorate will be fooled again by his racist nativism?
January 29, 2021
Had this on my list to read for a while and was very recently recommended to me by a friend.
This is a brilliant read. It’s easy to follow and written in my opinion very well
If you have an interest in American politics or just want to get some clarity on the stories you hear about Trump you should read this book.
You would be forgiven for thinking some of the stories sound far fetched, until you contrast them with some of the stories we have been hearing in recent months.
You have to read it to believe it.
We can be grateful now than ever that the 20th Jan marked a change for America.
This is a brilliant read. It’s easy to follow and written in my opinion very well
If you have an interest in American politics or just want to get some clarity on the stories you hear about Trump you should read this book.
You would be forgiven for thinking some of the stories sound far fetched, until you contrast them with some of the stories we have been hearing in recent months.
You have to read it to believe it.
We can be grateful now than ever that the 20th Jan marked a change for America.
April 19, 2022
As much of a complaint the author has with Donald Trump (and rightly so), the former President has seemingly gifted the BBC's White House correspondent not only a front seat to possibly the most absurd period of modern history, but also his three book deal.
In the grand scheme of Trump books (a hilarious new genre created unto itself), Sopel's books rank up there with the Woolf's and Woodward's. It's great stuff and every ridiculous thing you would expect.
Absolute shambolic calamites land at a reporter's feet to gleefully report on. On every page you can imagine the reporter shaking his head and thinking about those sweet, sweet future book sales.
Great read, this is.
In the grand scheme of Trump books (a hilarious new genre created unto itself), Sopel's books rank up there with the Woolf's and Woodward's. It's great stuff and every ridiculous thing you would expect.
Absolute shambolic calamites land at a reporter's feet to gleefully report on. On every page you can imagine the reporter shaking his head and thinking about those sweet, sweet future book sales.
Great read, this is.
June 29, 2022
Another excellent book from BBC North America correspondent Jon Sopel about the madness that is the US White House and its current occupant. He takes a microscopic view to the people who work and lead the current Administration and, with the frame of various important rooms in the White House, explores how the past has influenced the present and how our views of the leader of the free world has changed as different men have occupied that post. If you feel completely lost as to why Twitter loses its shit every time the US is mentioned in regards to the current crisis or just why we've ended up where we are - Sopel's book is a good place to start.
March 20, 2021
I like Jon Sopel and listen to Americast so am familiar with his style. If you like him, you will enjoy the book as he writes as he speaks, with facts, views and ideas all mixed together in his narrative. The first 7 chapters were great, lots of the jaw dropping stuff that Trump did, alongside a narrative of how stuff is supposed to be done in the real world. The last couple of chapters I struggled with a bit as these focused on the Vice President and the impeachment regarding the election. All good stuff just not my interest. I will though seek out the next one in the series
January 10, 2022
Each chapter focuses on a particular room within the White House (such as the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, the Briefing Room) or some other location that serves as a backdrop to US presidency (such as Air Force One). Sopel uses these locations as a starting point for an analysis of Trump and his predecessors. But the President is not the “protagonist” of the “story”. A Year At The Circus sheds light on the whole cast of characters at the White House - the Chief of Staff, the President’s family, the President’s doctor, the Vice President - and shows that their role in US presidency shouldn’t be underestimated. The final chapter is dedicated to the Muller Report, events leading up to the report and the aftermath. A very insightful read.
June 12, 2022
A frightening and thought provoking peak behind the curtain of the White House during Donald Trumps first two years.
Jon Sopel is utterly engaging as a writer and the book feels like a confidential chat with a friend on the inside. I love the way each chapter is based around a room in the White House and is filled with stories from past presidents as well as terrifying anecdotes about the inner workings of, what appears to be, a pretty chaotic White House.
This is an extremely interesting and entertaining as a read and I have flashed through it in no time and am itching for more!
Jon Sopel is utterly engaging as a writer and the book feels like a confidential chat with a friend on the inside. I love the way each chapter is based around a room in the White House and is filled with stories from past presidents as well as terrifying anecdotes about the inner workings of, what appears to be, a pretty chaotic White House.
This is an extremely interesting and entertaining as a read and I have flashed through it in no time and am itching for more!
September 10, 2020
This booking is written with the grace and poise of a senior BBC journalist. Despite this the author’s at times surprisingly calm account of nepotism, incoherence and downright craziness at the heart of American government is frankly terrifying. The book is told through locations in and connected to the White House: the oval office, the press room, the medical bay and air force one key examples. It is a page turner and I can’t wait for the promised third instalment in Jon Sopel’s trilogy.
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