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  • Published: 21 October 2021
  • ISBN: 9781844885787
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 320

Four Years in the Cauldron

The Gripping Story of an Irishman Making Sense of America




A fascinating insider account from the RTÉ US Correspondent brings us behind the scenes during turbulent times in America

From the start of his stint as RTÉ's Washington Correspondent Brian O'Donovan's lively and authoritative reporting of a tumultuous period in American life has been must-watch TV.

Four Years in the Cauldron is his account of four busy years working in the US. He draws a compelling picture, full of telling colour and detail, of covering its fractured politics, particularly the extraordinary presidency of Donald Trump and the knife-edge election of Joe Biden. And he gives his unique perspective on big stories such as the Covid emergency, the Capitol riot, the murder of George Floyd and trial and conviction of his police killer.

He also provides a visceral sense of what it's like living in a country shaped by guns, God, far-fetched conspiracy theories and the running sore of racism. Yet, drawing on his network of contacts, neighbours, friends and family connections outside the white-hot heat of Washington politics, he writes about the lives of ordinary American people with nuance and understanding.

Four Years in the Cauldron is a must-read for getting to grips with the US at a moment of profound reckoning.

  • Published: 21 October 2021
  • ISBN: 9781844885787
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 320

Praise for Four Years in the Cauldron

[O'Donovan] captures well both the frenetic life of a reporter . . . and the Punch and Judy period in American politics that was the Trump presidency

Irish Times

An intriguing look at an extraordinary time . . . the book brings us to some fascinating places

Ryan Tubridy

A great read

The Last Word with Matt Cooper

An amazing book, full of stories and anecdotes

Neil Prendeville, Red FM