Peril

Peril by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa is an intense and gripping account of one of the most precarious transitions of power in American history. The book details the chaotic transfer from President Trump to President Biden, climaxing with the storming of the Capitol on 6 January 2021. The incumbent president's refusal to accept electoral defeat ignited a political and social crisis, shaking the very foundations of democracy.

What unfolds in Peril is not merely a domestic political drama but a high-stakes thriller that delves into actions taken at the highest levels of the US military to avert potential catastrophe. Woodward and Costa, through meticulous research, disclose unprecedented secret measures implemented to prevent President Trump from initiating a war during his final days in office.

Drawing on interviews with more than 200 insiders, the authors provide an exhaustive and rivetting portrait of a nation teetering on the edge. The narrative transports readers into the inner sanctum of both the Trump and Biden White Houses, detailing key moments of the 2020 campaign, and unveiling the tense atmospheres within the Pentagon and Congress. The book is rich with vivid, first-hand accounts and augmented by never-before-seen materials such as secret orders, confidential call transcripts, diaries, emails, meeting notes, and other personal and government records. This wealth of documentation bestows upon readers an unparalleled historical record.

Peril also offers an unprecedented inside look at the onset of President Biden’s administration, shedding light on his contentious decision to withdraw from Afghanistan. As Biden took the helm, he was confronted with an array of formidable challenges: the ongoing pandemic, a crippled economy, severe partisan division, and the lingering influence of President Trump. Biden's own words during his inauguration—"We have much to do in this winter of peril"—encapsulate the gravity of the moment.

This extraordinary chronicle not only captures the dramatic end of Trump's presidency but also the daunting beginning of Biden's. It serves as the culmination of Bob Woodward’s bestselling trilogy on the Trump presidency, alongside Fear and Rage, making it an indispensable read for anyone seeking to comprehend this turbulent era in American politics.

Peril is the definitive narrative of the delicate transition of power and the immense efforts to safeguard American democracy during an unprecedented crisis.