Bob Woodward Books in Order

Bob Woodward and Scott Armstrong examine the Supreme Court's internal workings, following the justices as they argue, negotiate and reach decisions. Their account explores the personalities, institutional pressures and compromises behind rulings that shape American public life.

Bob Woodward traces John Belushi's rise from a Chicago-area childhood to fame in comedy and film. Drawing on records and interviews, he examines the pressures, relationships and drug use that accompanied Belushi's success and preceded his death.

Bob Woodward investigates covert CIA operations during the 1980s, focusing on secret campaigns in Central America, Iran and Libya. The account follows senior officials and the hidden decisions that shaped American foreign policy and generated political crises.

Bob Woodward examines military decision-making during the first Bush administration, following senior figures including Dick Cheney and Colin Powell. The account reconstructs disagreements, strategic choices and personal tensions as the administration moved toward using American forces abroad.

Bob Woodward and David Broder examine Dan Quayle's political career and ambitions, looking beyond his public reputation. Their portrait explores the experience, calculation and political skills behind his rise and his hopes of reaching the presidency.

Bob Woodward follows Bill Clinton and his advisers as they confront economic and domestic policy decisions inside the White House. Interviews and internal records reveal debates over the deficit, taxes, health care and welfare during the administration's early years.

Bob Woodward examines the 1996 presidential contest between Bill Clinton and Bob Dole. Behind campaign appearances, he follows polling, fundraising, advertising and strategic decisions, exploring the pressures on the candidates, their families and the people managing the race.

Bob Woodward traces Watergate's consequences through the presidencies of Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton. The account explores investigations, changing ethical expectations and conflicts with Congress and the media, asking how scandal reshaped presidential power and personal life.

Bob Woodward examines Alan Greenspan's leadership of the Federal Reserve during a period of American economic expansion. Through reporting on decisions and personalities inside the institution, he explores how Greenspan approached monetary policy and exercised influence in Washington.

Bob Woodward examines how George W. Bush and his advisers responded to the September 11 attacks. Reconstructing debates inside the administration, he follows the early war on terrorism and the competing views that shaped preparations to confront Iraq.

Bob Woodward reconstructs the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq, drawing on interviews with senior participants. The account follows military planning, intelligence assessments and disputes among advisers, tracing how the case for war developed and moved toward action.

Bob Woodward recounts his relationship with Mark Felt, the FBI official who secretly served as Deep Throat during the Watergate investigation. Their meetings and later tensions illuminate the risks of confidential sourcing and Felt's role in exposing presidential misconduct.

Bob Woodward follows the Bush administration's handling of Iraq from 2006 through 2008. Interviews and internal documents illuminate arguments over failing strategy, the troop surge and military operations, exploring how secrecy and leadership shaped decisions during the war.

Bob Woodward examines Barack Obama's early decisions on Afghanistan, Pakistan and counterterrorism. Drawing on interviews and internal records, he follows disputes between civilian advisers and military leaders over troop levels, war aims and the prospects for withdrawal.

Bob Woodward reconstructs fiscal negotiations between Barack Obama and congressional leaders as they grapple with the economy and federal finances. Interviews and internal records reveal competing strategies, personal conflicts and the difficulties of reaching agreement across party lines.

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein reconstruct Richard Nixon's final months in office as Watergate closes in. The account follows the president, his family, advisers and congressional figures through efforts to preserve his position and the mounting pressure for resignation.

Through interviews with Alexander Butterfield and previously unpublished documents, Bob Woodward revisits Nixon's White House. Butterfield's experience as an aide, and his disclosure of the secret taping system, shed light on the president's habits, secrets and exercise of power.

Bob Woodward and Robert Costa reconstruct the troubled transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden. Interviews and private records trace events inside the White House, Pentagon and Congress as political conflict, the pandemic and economic distress converged.

Bob Woodward presents his interviews with Donald Trump, examining the former president’s own accounts of foreign relations, the pandemic and the demands of his office. The conversations and accompanying material reveal how Trump understood his decisions and responsibilities.

Bob Woodward follows the Biden administration’s handling of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East alongside the approaching 2024 election. Private conversations illuminate diplomatic calculations, fears of escalation and the struggle for political power at home.

Bob Woodward recounts his path from an Illinois childhood and Navy service to decades of investigative reporting in Washington. Drawing on his files and interviews, he revisits major stories and explains the relationships that gave him access to guarded sources.

Bob Woodward investigates decision-making during the opening years of Donald Trump's presidency. Drawing on interviews and documents, he reconstructs arguments inside the administration over domestic and foreign policy, focusing on the relationships and disputes surrounding the president.

Bob Woodward examines the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq War and the gap between internal assessments and public statements. His reporting reconstructs meetings, disagreements, and military judgments to investigate how officials responded to a deteriorating situation.