William Barr, who served as America’s Attorney General from 1991 to 1993, offers an insider’s perspective on the workings of government in this engaging and highly readable memoir. Barr takes readers behind the scenes at critical moments in history, including his service during Operation Desert Storm and the 1992 presidential election recount. He also provides insights into landmark events such as Watergate and Iran-Contra. Anecdotal rather than strictly chronological, One Damn Thing After Another is a fascinating look at how American politics works – or doesn’t work – from one of its most experienced practitioners.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for people who are interested in politics and the inner workings of the American government. It provides a first-hand account of some key moments in history, as well as insights into how decisions are made (or not made) at the highest levels of government.
Pros :
- The author has a lot of experience in politics and government, giving readers an insiders perspective
- The book is written in a highly readable style
- It provides insights into landmark events such as Watergate and Iran-Contra
Cons :
- The author focuses mainly on his own experiences and insights, making it difficult to get a full picture of the events he discusses.
- There is very little analysis or commentary included; readers looking for in-depth discussion of these moments in history will be disappointed.
- The writing is often choppy and lacks fluidity.
Learn more about the author
William Barr is the former Attorney General of the United States, serving from 1991 to 1993. He has also held a number of other high-level government positions, including Deputy Director of Central Intelligence and Counselor to the President.
Reader Reviews
“Former Attorney General Barr’s engaging and highly readable memoirs provide readers with an insider’s perspective on the workings of government. Barr takes us behind the scenes at critical moments in history, including his service during Operation Desert Storm and the 1992 presidential election recount.”
“This is a great book. As an attorney, I appreciate the level of detail Barr goes into describing events and his thought process on legal matters. His writing style is easy to read, and he provides interesting insights into historical events.”
“This is a great book! It’s like House of Cards meets The West Wing. Barr provides an insiders perspective on the workings of government and pulls no punches when describing what he sees as the failures of our political system.”
“Bill Barr has written an interesting and informative book on his days as Attorney General. It is well worth reading for those interested in both the inner workings of our government and the challenges faced by top law enforcement officials.”