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The World as It Is

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The World as It Is

By: Ben Rhodes
Narrated by: Ben Rhodes, Mark Deakins
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About this listen

Random House presents the audiobook of The World As It Is by Ben Rhodes, read by Mark Deakins with and introduction read by the author.

This is a book about two people making the most important decisions in the world. One is Barack Obama. The other is Ben Rhodes.

The World As It Is tells the full story of what it means to work alongside a radical leader; of how idealism can confront reality and survive; of how the White House really functions; and of what it is to have a partnership, and ultimately a friendship, with a historic president.

A young writer and Washington outsider, Ben Rhodes was plucked from obscurity aged 29. Chosen for his original perspective and gift with language, his role was to help shape the nation’s hopes and sense of itself. For nearly ten years, Rhodes was at the centre of the Obama Administration – first as a speechwriter, then a policymaker, and finally a multi-purpose aide and close collaborator.

Rhodes puts us in the room at the most tense and poignant moments in recent history: starting every morning with Obama in the Daily Briefing; waiting out the bin Laden raid in the Situation Room; reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran; leading secret negotiations with the Cuban government; confronting the resurgence of nationalism that led to the election of Donald Trump.

This is the most vivid portrayal yet of Obama’s presidency. It is an essential record of the last decade. But it also shows us what it means to hold the pen, and to write the words that change our world.

©2018 Ben Rhodes (P)2018 Random House Audiobooks
Elections & Political Process Politicians United States George W. Bush Thought-Provoking American Foreign Policy
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Critic reviews

Ben’s one of the few who’ve been with me since that first presidential campaign. His memoir is one of the most compelling stories I’ve seen about what it’s actually like to serve the American people for eight years in the White House (BARACK OBAMA)

What listeners say about The World as It Is

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Great insight

Enjoyable listen, and well narrated with strong Obama impression! Gives a great perspective into the Obama White House and the key events across the world during this time

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This is an incredibly written book

A beautiful memoir of Ben Rhodes time in the Whitehouse, this book made me smile and cry.

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Fascinating Insight into The Obama Years

Ben Rhodes is a great writer, he brings the Obama years to life and the impact on-both the world and his own life. Great listen and read!

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A different perspective

Glad I picked this book as it gives an insight into the pressures at the highest level of the conflicting demands on decisions and a glimpse into the sewer of modern politics

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Gripping and informative

It seems so long ago, now, but it was nice to think back to a time of dedicated people trying to solve problems and ponder how this resulted in the garbage fire that followed the 2016 election.

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Familiar story, expertly told

Got the book because I love listening to Pod Save The World. It's a great listen, very well told and a fascinating insight into the intricacies of such a high profile job. Well done.

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This is the time to listen to this book

As European, I am very annoyed, how things are developing in the US. The way how our good relationships are destroyed, I had thought impossible.

This book shows us that the opposite is possible, I sincerely look forward to the next elections.
Hopefully we can forget the present nightmare and repare the damage done.

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History doesn’t travel in a straight line

Absolutely brilliant book. Truthful and no nonsense writing style. Great performance too, though I would have preferred Ben to keep reading past the introduction.

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A great book about a great world leader

A fascinating insight into the workings of the White House and Obama. What an incredible man and leader.

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Obamas world

just about this best story of Obama and his 8 years as President of the USA

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