Bob Woodward, one of America’s most distinguished investigative journalists, is known for his reporting on US presidencies, and his work offers an uncommon perspective into the corridors of power. His career, which began with groundbreaking work on the Watergate scandal (see All the President’s Men [1974]), has made him an authority on the inner workings of government and a trusted source for political analysis. With War, Woodward brings the same rigor and deep access to the Biden administration, gaining insights from high-level officials that lend the book a detailed, immersive quality. Woodward’s method of building narratives through interviews, declassified documents, and firsthand accounts creates a “fly-on-the-wall” experience, positioning War as both an exposé and a real-time chronicle of a presidency under immense pressure.

Woodward’s other works, including Peril and Rage, have focused on the American presidency’s intersection with national crises, and his overall body of work remains deeply concerned with the nature of power and its effects on governance. War fits into this broader oeuvre, as Woodward continues his exploration of presidential decision-making under extreme circumstances. By examining Biden’s navigation of issues such as the Ukraine conflict, US-China relations, and Middle Eastern tensions, War exemplifies Woodward’s dedication to documenting political outcomes and the often-invisible influences and dilemmas that shape them.