At War with Ourselves by H. R. McMaster Summary
Overview of At War with Ourselves
McMaster's explosive White House memoir reveals how Putin manipulated Trump's ego to shape U.S. foreign policy. Historian Niall Ferguson praises this #2 NYT bestseller for its integrity amid chaos. What dangerous cognitive biases threaten America's security? The answer will shock you.
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Key takeaways
When the Call Came at 4:30 PM
A Secret Service agent's voice crackled through the phone: "Hello, General. I am calling to let you know that I have decided to go with John [Bolton]." Just like that, thirteen months as National Security Advisor ended. But H.R. McMaster's story isn't another Trump-era tell-all filled with gossip and score-settling. Instead, it's something rarer-a thoughtful examination of what happens when a decorated military officer steps into the chaotic heart of a deeply divided administration. McMaster approached his role with the discipline of a soldier and the rigor of a historian, serving a president he neither worshiped nor despised. What emerges is a portrait of an America at war with itself, where the real battlefield wasn't overseas but within the West Wing walls, and where the nation's deepest fractures played out in real time. Walking through Philadelphia's historic streets in February 2017, McMaster received an unexpected call from the White House. Michael Flynn had just resigned, and Trump needed a replacement. Friends warned him against accepting. The president was controversial, unpredictable, volatile. But McMaster remembered his mentor's words: "Some people hate Trump so much that they want him to fail. But he's the president of the United States. We can't afford for him to fail." Duty won out over doubt.
The Mar-a-Lago Interview and Early Warning Signs
Understanding the President and Navigating Internal Warfare
The West Wing Snake Pit and Fractured Leadership
Forging Strategy Amid Chaos
The Final Days and Unfinished Business
When a Nation Turns Inward
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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