Ben Rhodes Bücher

Acht Jahre lang sah Ben Rhodes fast alles, was im Herzen von Barack Obamas Präsidentschaft passierte. In seinem rasant geschriebenen, aufrichtigen, klugen Buch berichtet er, was hinter den Kulissen wirklich geschah. Es ist die Erzählung von einem Ausnahmepolitiker, dessen Idealismus die Welt im Sturm eroberte, auf die Härten der Realität stieß, sich anpassen musste - und trotzdem überlebte. Mit 29 Jahren und einem Sack voll Hoffnung stößt Ben Rhodes 2007 zum Team von Barack Obama und wird zu einem seiner engsten Vertrauten. Er ist mittendrin, als das Atomabkommen mit dem Iran ausgehandelt wird, als die Annäherung an Kuba eingeleitet wird, als die Entscheidung fällt, in Syrien nicht zu intervenieren, und als die Wahl von Donald Trump das Projekt Obama jäh beendet. Ben Rhodes schildert grandios die Dramen dieser Präsidentschaft, die Konflikte, in die Obama geriet, und die Grenzen des Machbaren, auf die er traf - selten hat man einen so intimen, luziden Einblick in die inneren Gesetze der Politik bekommen. Wir sehen Barack Obama aus nächster Nähe, mit seiner großen Persönlichkeit, seinem scharfen Verstand, seinen Träumen und Zweifeln, seinem Charisma und Charme. Ein einzigartiges Zeitdokument und ein Lehrstück darüber, was in der Politik möglich ist.

Ben Rhodes, who served as a foreign policy adviser and speechwriter for Barack Obama, presents a compelling memoir that captures the essence of the president he worked with—intelligent, amiable, and principled. This narrative is a coming-of-age story that transitions from idealism to realism, filled with anecdotes that illuminate rather than scandalize. Even Donald Trump is approached with a sense of horrified amazement rather than vitriol. Rhodes remains a charming and humble guide through an unprecedented presidency, managing to retain his idealism in a cynical political climate. His memoir stands out for its humane and honorable portrayal of events. Rhodes offers a unique perspective on Obama’s presidency, providing insight into the tightly sealed inner workings of the White House during those eight years. The book opens and closes with Obama’s reaction to the election of Donald Trump, while detailing significant world events in an intimate and engaging manner. Rhodes chronicles the evolution of Obama’s foreign policy decisions, reflecting on the challenges faced as idealism confronted harsh realities. This memoir is a captivating account of Rhodes's journey from an idealistic staffer to a close friend and advisor to the president, making it a riveting read for both cynics and believers alike. Insightful and moving, it serves as an essential record of a transformative era.

Why is democracy under threat in America and globally, and what actions can we take? A former White House aide and close confidant to President Barack Obama embarks on a personal journey to find answers. As Ben Rhodes assists Obama in transitioning to his next chapter in 2017, he observes the dismantling of their eight-year legacy. To grasp the situation in America, Rhodes looks beyond its borders, traveling to numerous countries over three years. He engages with politicians, activists, and dissidents facing the same nationalism and authoritarianism impacting the U.S. His experiences include witnessing the poisoning of a Russian opposition leader, the suppression of Hong Kong protesters, and America's near loss of democracy before it finds a second chance. Blending memoir and reporting, this work of discovery reveals how deeply America influences the world through its post-Cold War capitalism, post-9/11 nationalism, technological obsession, and the racism that fueled backlash against Obama. Rhodes learns from a diverse array of figures—ranging from Obama to rebels to emerging leaders—that confronting America's missteps is crucial in the ongoing fight for the ideals America represents, both domestically and globally.