The Situation Room

The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis

By: George Stephanopoulos, Lisa Dickey

Narrated by: George Stephanopoulos, Peter Ganim, Elisabeth Rodgers

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

George Stephanopoulos, the legendary political news host and former advisor to President Clinton, recounts the history-making crises from the place where twelve presidents made their highest-pressure decisions.

No room better defines American power and its role in the world than the White House Situation Room. And yet, none is more shrouded in secrecy and mystery. Created under President Kennedy, the Sit Room has been the epicenter of crisis management for presidents for more than six decades.

Time and again, the decisions made within the Sit Room complex affect the lives of every person on this planet. Detailing close calls made and disasters narrowly averted, The Situation Room will take readers through dramatic turning points in a dozen presidential administrations, including:

• Incredible minute-by-minute transcripts from the Sit Room after both Presidents Kennedy and Reagan were shot
• The shocking moment when Henry Kissinger raised the military alert level to DEFCON III while President Nixon was drunk in the White House residence
• The extraordinary scene when President Carter asked for help from secret government psychics to rescue American hostages in Iran
• A vivid retelling of the harrowing hours during the 9/11 attack
• New details from Obama administration officials leading up to the raid on Osama Bin Laden
• And a first-ever account of January 6th from the staff inside the Sit Room

The Situation Room is the definitive, past-the-security-clearance look at the room where it happened, and the people—the famous and those you've never heard of—who have made history within its walls.

“A colorful and intimate—but also deeply informative—look at one of the most critical sets of rooms in the world.” —Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author

"Simply mesmerizing. It delivers on the dream we all have of going behind the scenes to learn what was being said and done during some of the most dramatic moments in history. You don’t want to miss this book. I know I can’t put it down.” ―Patricia Cornwell, New York Times bestselling author

Critic reviews

“George Stephanopoulos’s amazing book tells the truth. It puts us in the White House Situation Room with presidents from JFK to Biden. We are there when JFK creates the room after the Bay of Pigs, we are there during the 9/11 strikes, we are there during the chaotic moments after President Reagan is shot, and when President Obama orders the takedown of Osama bin Laden. This book provides answers to questions we’ve had for years.” —James Patterson

“I know the gold standard of journalism when I see it, and George Stephanopoulos is it. This new book, The Situation Room, is simply mesmerizing. It delivers on the dream we all have of going behind the scenes to learn what was being said and done during some of the most dramatic moments in history. You don’t want to miss this book. I know I can’t put it down.”—Patricia Cornwell

“There are few more iconic spaces in the American imagination than the Situation Room in the White House—a tiny place where the largest of decisions are made. In this original and lively book, George Stephanopoulos takes us inside the room through years of crisis, enabling us to experience the human drama of life at the highest levels.”—Jon Meacham

"This is a colorful and intimate--but also deeply informative--look at one of the most critical set of rooms in the world. It literally makes real the saying 'if these walls could speak' by combining inside tales with audio transcripts of the most exciting moments in the Situation Room, from John Kennedy to Joe Biden."—Walter Isaacson

"An effective blend of political analysis and personal stories, tied together at the epicenter of crisis management."

—Kirkus

The unsung heroes

This was an interesting story that moved quickly and kept my attention. It’s a story that I’d like to hear more about.

Fascinating focus on key national security resource

George is a great story teller and the additions of this audio book with interwoven interviews and clips make it a very worthwhile acquisition. I enjoyed the anecdotes and it left me hankering for more.

Everything

Wonderful listen. George did a wonderful job explaining and describing everything about the situation room. Things no American knew about. Makes me very proud to be an American knowing what these officers did. Also shows why Trump should not be re-elected. Thank you George for a great book.

Fascinating

Very interesting stories and history. Realistic perspective on various administrations’ leadership and people who support them.

Exceeded expectations!

A thorough and comprehensive history of “the room where it happens”! The author’s insight, skill as an interviewer and attention to detail put the exclamation point on this book. If you’re a student of living history you won’t want to turn off your device!