Genre
Memoir
Setting and Context
Bolton's time as National Security Advisor in Washington D.C., from April 2018 to September 2019.
Narrator and Point of View
Because this is a memoir, it is told from John Bolton's point of view.
Tone and Mood
Historical, Exhausting, Energetic, Hectic, and Sad
Protagonist and Antagonist
There really is neither a protagonist nor antagonist. However, Bolton portrays himself in a positive way and portrays Trump in a negative, almost antagonistic way.
Major Conflict
Bolton's constant efforts to rein in and inform Trump and what he saw as his illegal and immoral behavior.
Climax
When Bolton is "fired" from his position as National Security Advisor.
Foreshadowing
Trump asking Xi Jinping to help him win the election is foreshadowed in the book.
Understatement
Early on, what Bolton perceived as Trump's gross incompetence and stupidity is understated in the book.
Allusions
Bolton doesn't often incorporate allusion into his book. However, he often mentions popular culture (like books, T.V. Shows, and movies), the history and geography of the United States and the world, and Trump's personal history.
Imagery
Bolton uses very stark imagery to illuminate what he saw as Trump's stupidity and arrogance.
Paradox
Trump is President of the United States, yet conducted himself in an incredibly childish, unethical, illegal, and immoral way.
Parallelism
Bolton often draws parallels between Trump's immoral and illegal behavior over the course of his presidency to make a point that there is a pattern to it.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
POTUS = Donald Trump, President of the United States of America.
Personification
The United States as a country is personified in the book.
