📖 Overview
Susan Glasser is a journalist and author who serves as a staff writer at The New Yorker and global affairs analyst for CNN. She has established herself as a leading voice in political journalism, particularly known for her coverage of American politics, foreign policy, and international affairs.
Throughout her career, Glasser held senior editorial positions at several major publications, including serving as editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy magazine and editor of Politico during the 2016 presidential campaign. She co-authored "Kremlin Rising: Vladimir Putin's Russia and the End of Revolution" with her husband Peter Baker, and "The Man Who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A. Baker III."
Her work includes regular contributions to The New Yorker analyzing American politics and the presidency, with particular focus on the Trump administration and its aftermath. In 2022, she published "The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021," also co-authored with Peter Baker, which provided a comprehensive account of the Trump presidency based on extensive interviews and research.
👀 Reviews
Readers value Glasser's insider access and detailed reporting but debate her political perspective. Reviews focus on her two recent books, "The Man Who Ran Washington" and "The Divider."
What readers liked:
- Deep research and extensive sourcing
- Clear, straightforward writing style
- Historical context and behind-the-scenes details
- Balanced portrayal of James Baker in the biography
What readers disliked:
- Perceived anti-Trump bias in "The Divider"
- Length and density of detail in both books
- Focus on palace intrigue over policy analysis
Ratings across platforms:
- "The Divider": 4.5/5 on Amazon (2,800+ reviews), 4.3/5 on Goodreads (3,100+ ratings)
- "The Man Who Ran Washington": 4.6/5 on Amazon (1,200+ reviews), 4.4/5 on Goodreads (2,000+ ratings)
Several readers noted the books work better as reference materials than cover-to-cover reads. One reviewer called "The Divider" "exhaustively reported but exhausting to read." Another praised the Baker biography as "thorough without being tedious."
📚 Books by Susan Glasser
The Man Who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A. Baker III (2020)
A biography of James Baker III covering his roles as White House Chief of Staff, Secretary of State, and Secretary of the Treasury, co-written with Peter Baker.
The New Cold War: Putin's Russia and the Threat to the West (2008) An examination of Vladimir Putin's leadership of Russia and its evolving relationship with Western nations based on Glasser's time as Moscow bureau chief.
Kremlin Rising: Vladimir Putin's Russia and the End of Revolution (2005) A chronicle of Putin's early years in power and Russia's transition from Yeltsin's leadership, co-written with Peter Baker.
Covering Politics in a "Post-Truth" America (2016) A collection of essays analyzing the changing nature of political journalism and media coverage during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
The New Cold War: Putin's Russia and the Threat to the West (2008) An examination of Vladimir Putin's leadership of Russia and its evolving relationship with Western nations based on Glasser's time as Moscow bureau chief.
Kremlin Rising: Vladimir Putin's Russia and the End of Revolution (2005) A chronicle of Putin's early years in power and Russia's transition from Yeltsin's leadership, co-written with Peter Baker.
Covering Politics in a "Post-Truth" America (2016) A collection of essays analyzing the changing nature of political journalism and media coverage during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
👥 Similar authors
Bob Woodward focuses on investigative journalism and insider accounts of American politics and presidents. His work shares Glasser's emphasis on detailed reporting and analysis of power dynamics in Washington.
David Remnick writes about politics, international affairs, and Russia as editor of The New Yorker. His long-form journalism and biographical works examine political figures and cultural shifts with similar depth to Glasser's approach.
Jane Mayer investigates money, power, and corruption in American politics through deep reporting. Her books expose networks of influence in ways that parallel Glasser's examination of political institutions.
Peter Baker covers presidents and political institutions for The New York Times and has authored books on White House administrations. His work as Glasser's husband and co-author reflects their shared focus on presidential power and Washington dynamics.
Evan Osnos reports on American politics, foreign policy, and China for The New Yorker. His writing combines on-the-ground reporting with analysis of political movements and leaders in ways that mirror Glasser's methodical approach.
David Remnick writes about politics, international affairs, and Russia as editor of The New Yorker. His long-form journalism and biographical works examine political figures and cultural shifts with similar depth to Glasser's approach.
Jane Mayer investigates money, power, and corruption in American politics through deep reporting. Her books expose networks of influence in ways that parallel Glasser's examination of political institutions.
Peter Baker covers presidents and political institutions for The New York Times and has authored books on White House administrations. His work as Glasser's husband and co-author reflects their shared focus on presidential power and Washington dynamics.
Evan Osnos reports on American politics, foreign policy, and China for The New Yorker. His writing combines on-the-ground reporting with analysis of political movements and leaders in ways that mirror Glasser's methodical approach.