First published 2012
Richard Miniter examines Barack Obama's presidential leadership through unprecedented access to West Wing insiders. The investigative journalist argues that Obama proved indecisive and moody when facing major decisions, often paralyzed by political calculations. Miniter reveals how three powerful women actually drove key victories during the Obama years: Nancy Pelosi pushed through healthcare reform, Hillary Clinton shaped foreign policy, and Valerie Jarrett wielded unusual influence over both Barack and Michelle Obama. The book uncovers Obama's troubled relationship with Israel, his repeated delays of the bin Laden mission, and his decision to abandon a secret budget deal with John Boehner. Through exclusive interviews and previously unpublished documents, Miniter challenges the official White House narrative of visionary leadership, instead presenting a president who frequently stepped back while others took charge during domestic controversies and international crises.
Genres: biography, history, american, political-science, politics, non-fiction, 21st-century, current-affairs
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: unreliable-narrator
Setting: West Wing, Israel
Period: Obama Years
304 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin's Press