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Four Years in the Cauldron: Telling the Extraordinary Story of America in Crisis
The riveting story of a nation at a crucial crossroads
From the start of his stint as RTÉ's Washington Correspondent Brian O'Donovan's lively and authoritative reporting of a tumultuous period in American life has been must-watch TV.
Four Years in the Cauldron is his account of four busy years working in the US. He draws a compelling picture, full of telling colour and detail, of covering its fractured politics, particularly the extraordinary presidency of Donald Trump and the knife-edge election of Joe Biden. And he gives his unique perspective on big stories such as the Covid emergency, the Capitol riot, the murder of George Floyd and trial and conviction of his police killer.
He also provides a visceral sense of what it's like living in a country shaped by guns, God, far-fetched conspiracy theories and the running sore of racism. Yet, drawing on his network of contacts, neighbours, friends and family connections outside the white-hot heat of Washington politics, he writes about the lives of ordinary American people with nuance and understanding.
Four Years in the Cauldron is a must-read for getting to grips with the US at a moment of profound reckoning.
From the start of his stint as RTÉ's Washington Correspondent Brian O'Donovan's lively and authoritative reporting of a tumultuous period in American life has been must-watch TV.
Four Years in the Cauldron is his account of four busy years working in the US. He draws a compelling picture, full of telling colour and detail, of covering its fractured politics, particularly the extraordinary presidency of Donald Trump and the knife-edge election of Joe Biden. And he gives his unique perspective on big stories such as the Covid emergency, the Capitol riot, the murder of George Floyd and trial and conviction of his police killer.
He also provides a visceral sense of what it's like living in a country shaped by guns, God, far-fetched conspiracy theories and the running sore of racism. Yet, drawing on his network of contacts, neighbours, friends and family connections outside the white-hot heat of Washington politics, he writes about the lives of ordinary American people with nuance and understanding.
Four Years in the Cauldron is a must-read for getting to grips with the US at a moment of profound reckoning.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2021
5 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 6, 2022
Brian O'Donovan is a reporter with RTÉ, the national broadcaster of Ireland. For four years he served as the TV channel's Washington correspondent, covering the most tumultuous period of US history in recent memory. In this book he gives an account of what it meant to uproot his young family to new country, and to describe the turmoil he was seeing on a daily basis to a rapt Irish audience.
For anyone who has kept a close eye on US politics in recent times, the book won't offer any stunning revelations. But it does give an intriguing glimpse of how it feels to report from the White House. O'Donovan tells of press conferences with Trump, always a chaotic affair, hoping to get a word in amongst a throng of journalists hanging on the President's daft, self-serving proclamations. He had better luck with Biden, playing the Irish angle to great effect. The day of the Capitol riots proved a memorable occasion for all the wrong reasons, and O'Donovan describes broadcasting on that day with a fear for his own safety, and that of his trusty cameraman Murray. Most of all I appreciated his chronicles of talking to ordinary Americans from red states, giving their thoughts on hot topics like gun control and vaccines. Though their views don't often chime with how the majority of us feel here in Ireland, it's interesting to hear how they can have such a different way of thinking. The book didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know, but I found it an enjoyable read, and Brian O'Donovan comes across as a very genuine and thoughtful fellow indeed.
For anyone who has kept a close eye on US politics in recent times, the book won't offer any stunning revelations. But it does give an intriguing glimpse of how it feels to report from the White House. O'Donovan tells of press conferences with Trump, always a chaotic affair, hoping to get a word in amongst a throng of journalists hanging on the President's daft, self-serving proclamations. He had better luck with Biden, playing the Irish angle to great effect. The day of the Capitol riots proved a memorable occasion for all the wrong reasons, and O'Donovan describes broadcasting on that day with a fear for his own safety, and that of his trusty cameraman Murray. Most of all I appreciated his chronicles of talking to ordinary Americans from red states, giving their thoughts on hot topics like gun control and vaccines. Though their views don't often chime with how the majority of us feel here in Ireland, it's interesting to hear how they can have such a different way of thinking. The book didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know, but I found it an enjoyable read, and Brian O'Donovan comes across as a very genuine and thoughtful fellow indeed.
December 13, 2021
I'm very fond of Brian on the news but this book wasn't for me. It was as if he didn't know if he should write a diary style book detailing events or something more hard hitting. At times he tries both and it didn't really work which was as pity as he witnessed incredible things.
November 12, 2021
Brian O Donovan always delivers news from US with clarity and authenticity. This book is a clear account of his four years there .He covers all the main events and his descriptions of Trump’s ramblings and utterances are well covered . He also includes the gun situation ,God , most of all racism and George Floyd’s case . The book is interspersed with some personal stories about family life and how he was invited to attend a Teddy bear’s wedding .
November 21, 2024
I like O'Donovan as a reporter but this book feels like it struggles to know what its purpose is. Not quite enough on-the-ground reporting to get a feel of what life is like as RTE's US reporter and not enough new detail on the Trump/Biden 2020 Presidential campaign to offer any new insight. An easy read on the commute to/from work though.
November 23, 2021
Brian O'Donovan had a most interesting assignment, being RTE's Washington-based correspondent through four eventful years. His book relays this in a most accessible manner, and I did enjoy the little personal details throughout.
February 20, 2022
I love Brian O'Donovans reporting. He presents everything in a very matter of fact manner . However I found the book dull and emotionless which is probably good for some people. I didn't learn anything new and found it difficult to finish the book as I had lost interest.
March 12, 2022
Very good
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews