Midnight in Washington

Midnight in Washington chronicles Adam Schiff's firsthand account of recent American political events, focusing on his role during Donald Trump's presidency and the first impeachment trial. The book provides an insider perspective from Schiff's position as Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. The narrative follows key developments between 2017 and 2021, including investigations, hearings, and constitutional challenges that shaped American democracy. Schiff details the work of Congress during this period and documents the relationships between various political figures and institutions. Schiff recounts personal experiences and behind-the-scenes moments from his time leading investigations and serving as lead impeachment manager. His account includes interactions with colleagues, political opponents, and other key players in Washington. The book examines broader themes about democratic institutions and their resilience in the face of pressure. Through this lens, Schiff presents an analysis of how political systems function when tested by internal and external forces.

Readers view this book through a partisan lens, with Democrats and Trump critics rating it highly while Republicans and Trump supporters rate it negatively. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear chronological breakdown of key events - Behind-the-scenes details of impeachment proceedings - Personal anecdotes about Congress members - Accessible writing style for complex legal topics Common criticisms: - Too much focus on Schiff himself - Repetitive content from news coverage - Political bias in presentation - "More like a campaign book than historical record" (Amazon reviewer) Review Scores: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (11,000+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.5/5 (1,200+ ratings) Many reviews mention buying the audiobook version, narrated by Schiff himself. A frequent comment notes the book serves better as a contemporary political memoir than an objective historical account. Several readers noted they appreciated the detailed index and footnotes for fact-checking claims.

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📚 Adam Schiff wrote this memoir during early morning hours between 3-5 AM while serving as lead manager in Trump's first impeachment trial. 🏛️ The book provides a behind-the-scenes account of January 6th, 2021, including Schiff's personal experience being evacuated from the Capitol while wearing a gas mask. ⚖️ Schiff reveals that his decision to become lead impeachment manager came at significant personal cost, requiring 24-hour security protection for his family due to death threats. 🗣️ The title "Midnight in Washington" refers to both the literal late-night congressional sessions and metaphorically to what Schiff saw as democracy's darkest hour. 📜 The book reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and won the 2022 Book Award from the National Press Club Journalism Institute.