At War with Ourselves

My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House

By: H. R. McMaster

Narrated by: H. R. McMaster

A revealing account of National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster’s turbulent and consequential thirteen months in the Trump White House.

At War with Ourselves is the story of helping a disruptive President drive necessary shifts in U.S. foreign policy at a critical moment in history. McMaster entered an administration beset by conflict and the hyper partisanship of American politics. With the candor of a soldier and the perspective of a historian, McMaster rises above the fray to lay bare the good, the bad, and the ugly of Trump’s presidency and give readers insight into what a second Trump term would look like.

While all administrations are subject to backstabbing and infighting, some of Trump’s more unscrupulous political advisors were determined to undermine McMaster and others to advance their narrow agendas. McMaster writes candidly about Cabinet officials who, deeply disturbed by Trump’s language and behavior, prioritized controlling the President over collaborating to provide the President with options.

McMaster offers a frank and fresh assessment of the achievements and failures of his tenure as National Security Advisor and the challenging task of maintaining one’s bearings and focus on the mission in a hectic and malicious environment.

Determined to transcend the war within the administration and focus on national security priorities, McMaster forged coalitions in Washington and internationally to help Trump advance U.S. interests. Trump’s character and personality helped him make tough decisions, but sometimes prevented him from sticking to them. McMaster adroitly assesses the record of Trump’s presidency in comparison to the Obama and Biden administrations.

With the 2024 election on the horizon, At War with Ourselves highlights the crucial importance of competence in foreign policy, and makes plain the need for leaders who possess the character and intellect to guide the United States in a tumultuous world.

Balanced historical account of the first year

I enjoyed the honest assessment of the policy making process with Trump and the National Security team.

Teamwork

It is often difficult to work with the smartest, purest person in the room. For a man who preached teamwork, it is disappointing that he could not work with the team of Kelly, Mattis and Tillerson who seemed to work well with one another...

Interesting perspective

Excellent story about the role of the National Security Advisor to former President Trump. Well organized & compelling story. Highly recommended

Actual reportage

I feel for this general. His motivation was patriotic and sincere. He found himself in an utterly chaotic administration dealing with Trump’s petulance and with the caregivers at the presidential bassinet. At war with ourselves is a way of saying Trump is at war with himself. Trump may have a good idea in the international scene (like South Korea should pay more for its protection), but between idea, research, planning and implementation, there is this incredibly delusional and destructive personality the sets the circus-like environment in which highly skilled and experienced people are trying to do their jobs. Trump is ineffective as a leader. Worse, he is a team destroyer. Thank you for a clear narrative that allowed me to be a fly on the wall and thank you for your gargantuan effort.

Excellent thematic review of HRM's term

Glad McMaster took the time to prepare a balanced account. A good companion to Battlegrounds.