One Damn Thing After Another

Memoirs of an Attorney General

By: William P. Barr

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The former attorney general provides a candid account of his historic tenures serving two vastly different presidents, George H.W. Bush and Donald J. Trump.

William Barr’s first tenure as attorney general under President George H.W. Bush was largely the result of chance, while his second tenure under President Donald Trump a deliberate and difficult choice. In this candid memoir, Barr takes readers behind the scenes during seminal moments of the 1990s, from the LA riots to Pan Am 103 and Iran Contra. Thirty years later, Barr faced an unrelenting barrage of issues, such as Russiagate, the COVID outbreak, civil unrest, the impeachments, and the 2020 election fallout. One Damn Thing After Another is vivid, forthright, and essential not only to understanding the Bush and Trump legacies, but also how both men viewed power and justice at critical junctures of their presidencies.

Wonderful Read

Too bad only conservatives will probably read this. Progressives would learn much from Barr’s facts and figures. And this AG was certainly no lap dog of DJT as many liberals suggest.

Worth every moment

Fascinating insight into an honorable man’s story- fairly laid out with facts. My husband and I highly recommend!

Must read

This is fantastic and great history. Loved it and recommend it highly for everyone. Get it.

Excellent

I really enjoyed this and appreciated his perspective. Certainly got me thinking. Thought this was honest and fair. I always thought he seemed like a respectable guy, this book did not disappoint.

For the Haters: "I think I can do some good."

The Trump years of William Barr's memoirs will find haters on both sides of the isle. Staunch Trump supporters will be disappointed that Barr provides many graphic examples of The Donald's most glaring shortcomings. The left will be disappointed that Barr gives Trump credit for courageously disrupting the status quo while compiling an impressive list of accomplishements.

Several reviewers have labeled the story as boring. If you're not intrigued by looking at the most profound historical events and complicated poltical decsisions of the past four decades through the eyes a a twice-appointed Attorney General, maybe try a Nora Roberts novel. Mark Deakins' narration is clear and animated enough. The the pace was slow in real time but perfect for me listening at 1.6x.

The Trump years are the obvious immediate attraction, but Barr's early life, his time at the CIA, and his service under HW Bush are equally fascinating. His precision and clarity on issues from big tech's manipulation of information to the currrent attacks on religious freedom are excellent. "It is not the role of government to define the good life and lead men to it. . . The government has the modest purpose of preserving the ballance of personal freedom and order necessary for a healthy civil society to develop and individual humans to flourish."

Friends and family cautioned Barr that he would be treated badly if he chose to serve under Trump, and he replied to one, "I don't want or need this job, but I've been asked, and I believe I can do some good." I believe he did some good, both while in office and again with this book. Five stars for the story.