Though I typically prefer my nonfiction via audiobook, The Situation Room surprised me with some of the production choices. So, I had to switch to print from the library, and it worked so much better for me. Plus, I got the benefit of the pictures included. In both the audiobook and print versions, some sections came across as a bit too dry, too reporter-like. Admittedly, that feels like George’s authentic voice, though. Regardless, this was well-crafted, incredibly researched, and full of enthusiasm for the subject.

One issue that kept this from being five stars for me was that it was a bit overloaded with (unsurprisingly) a bunch of white men, and I had trouble keeping them straight, especially when it came to people or events from before my “news awareness” age. George would often reintroduce someone with the sentiment of, “Remember this one white guy from LBJ’s era? Here he is again, thirty years later.” No, George, I don’t remember him.

All in all, this was a fascinating look at a wide range of administrations and how they each responded to crises—both through their unique approaches and with the limitations or advancements in technology at the time. Like George, I’m surprised this was the first book detailing the history of this hugely important meeting point.