ut front with my thoughts, the book is as difficult to read as Old Yeller. But in this case, we’re not seeing the death of an old dog but rather our democracy.

Peril, written by Woodward and Costa (two political writers with the chops to drill into this), looks at the final year of the Trump administration, the election, and the first year of Biden’s administration. In that, it reads like a slow car wreck, with Trump poo-pooing the virus, demanding corners to be cut to get it to market before the election, the “steal”, the moaning and carping when he lost. And then the insurrection, with him whipping up the crowds and then sitting silently in his office while the Capitol Police fought for their lives and lynch mobs sought out the Vice President. Then finally he’s out, flying down to his resort in Florida, surrounded by sycophants and well-heeled Republicans. I felt dirtier with each page I flipped.

However, I did once read where George McDonald Frasier noted that, in Top Brown’s School Days, once the bully Flashman is turfed the book is not nearly so interesting. The same was true here. The entire struggle over the stimulus package is lain out in full detail. And while Biden struggles with obstructionist republicans in DC, down in Mar-a-Lago, Lindsey Graham is counseling Trump on a possible comeback. And as common as palmetto bugs in scrub, various Florida politicians eye 2024, setting themselves to outTrump Trump.

Grim times, indeed.

I was going to put in more of my opinions on this piece but I wont. Peril stands by itself yet is only part of a trilogy, Fear and Rage being the first two. If you wish for some uncomfortable reading, pick these up. And if you feel like objecting to my left-leaning review, read Peril and then come to me. Otherwise, I’m not interested in your conspiracies and equivalencies. Rather than watching a biased newfeed, read a book. This one.

>>>MY BOOKS, HERE AS LONG AS THE REPUBLIC SURVIVES<<<