Peril (book)

Peril

Company type	Book
Industry	Publishing
Founded	September 21, 2021 (2021-09-21)
Founder	Bob Woodward, Robert Costa
Products	Nonfiction book
Parent	Simon & Schuster

Peril is a nonfiction work authored by American journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, which examines the concluding period of the Trump Administration, the transition following the 2020 presidential election, and the initial phase of Joe Biden’s presidency. Released on September 21, 2021, by Simon & Schuster, this book serves as the culmination of Woodward’s extensive coverage of Trump.

The title Peril is inspired by a phrase from Biden’s inaugural speech, in which he called on Americans to "press forward with speed and urgency... in this winter of peril and possibility." This stands in contrast to Woodward’s previous Trump-centered publications—Fear and Rage—whose titles were drawn from statements made by Trump during a 2016 interview with Woodward and Costa.

Background

Serving as the final installment in Woodward’s trilogy on Donald Trump, Peril follows Fear and Rage. The book was co-written by Robert Costa, a veteran national political correspondent for The Washington Post and former host of Washington Week. Costa, who had previously partnered with Woodward in conducting interviews with Trump, regards Woodward as a mentor. The narrative primarily focuses on exposing events during Trump’s last months in office, particularly addressing the administration’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, attempts to challenge the 2020 election results, and efforts to obstruct Joe Biden’s transition into the presidency.

Content

The narrative within Peril intertwines two main storylines: Donald Trump’s campaign for reelection in 2020 and Joe Biden’s journey as he first overcomes Bernie Sanders and subsequently confronts Trump.

Among its revelations is an account of a conversation between Joint Chiefs chairman Mark Milley and Chinese general Li Zuocheng that occurred two days after the 2021 United States Capitol attack. The book also uncovers fresh information regarding the Trump administration’s initiatives to reverse the outcome of the 2020 election.

Reception

Critics offered varied opinions on Peril. Chris Megerian from the Los Angeles Times described it as "tedious," observing that the authors prioritized anecdotes over new revelations about a presidency already extensively reported.

Fred Kaplan of Slate characterized the book as lacking coherent narrative flow, viewing it as a compilation of partial but engaging stories, likely a consequence of its swift production timeline.

John Williams at the New York Times compared Peril to an installment in a Marvel cinematic series—impressive yet ultimately feeling like a setup for future installments.

In contrast, Kirkus Reviews commended it as "[a] solid work of investigation" that, although revisiting familiar subjects, offers numerous unexpected insights.