If you loved
Peril
Bob Woodward · Book · 2021
What hooked you in Peril was the way the high-stakes machinery of government reveals the precarious nature of our democracy.
Films on the same thread
The Post
Film · 2017
Explores: Freedom of the press, Whistleblowing, Institutional corruption.
If Peril showed you the tension of modern governance, this film illustrates the historical foundation of that struggle by highlighting the essential, often dangerous role of the free press.
Oppenheimer
Film · 2023
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Scientific ethics, Cold War paranoia.
Just as Peril examines the monumental consequences of individual decisions in power, this film explores the moral weight and historical legacy carried by those shaping the future of a nation.
Civil War
Alex Garland · Film · 2024
Explores: Media Ethics, American Decline, Political Polarization.
Peril documents the fragility of our institutional norms, and this story takes that reality to its logical extreme, following journalists who must navigate the total collapse of those same systems.
All the President's Men
Alan J. Pakula · Film · 1976
Explores: Political Corruption, Abuse of Power, Truth vs. Deception.
This film is the spiritual ancestor to the investigative reporting found in Peril, showing how two journalists can systematically dismantle an administration through persistence and a dedication to the truth.
Series on the same thread
House of Cards
Beau Willimon · Series · 2013
Explores: Power, Ambition, Corruption.
While Peril offers a factual look at political maneuvering, this drama provides a fictionalized, darker perspective on the ruthlessness and manipulation that often define the corridors of Washington power.
Bodyguard
Jed Mercurio · Series · 2018
Explores: PTSD, Government Conspiracy, Moral Ambiguity.
Peril exposes the dangerous dynamics within the highest levels of government, and this series mirrors that intense atmosphere by placing a protector at the center of a complex political conspiracy.
Designated Survivor
David Guggenheim · Series · 2016
Explores: Accidental President, Government Conspiracy, National Security Crisis.
Peril focuses on the instability of a presidential transition, a theme this series explores by depicting the sudden, chaotic vacuum of power that follows a catastrophic attack on the government.
The Night Agent
Shawn Ryan · Series · 2023
Shares a thread with Peril: Political Intrigue.
The deep-seated suspicion and systemic rot exposed in Peril are mirrored here, as an agent must peel back layers of government secrecy to uncover a truth hidden from public view.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Realignment
The Realignment · Podcast · 2026
Explores: institutional change, populism, technological disruption.
If Peril helped you understand the current political landscape, this podcast provides the necessary analytical framework to grasp the broader ideological shifts and institutional changes currently reshaping American life.
Bag Man
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW · Podcast · 2023
Explores: corruption, political scandal, accountability.
Similar to the investigative rigor of Peril, this podcast uncovers a forgotten chapter of political corruption, proving that systemic failure and accountability are timeless issues within our executive branch.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What time period does Peril cover?
Peril covers the transition period from the presidency of Donald J. Trump to the presidency of Joseph R. Biden Jr. The book documents this era as one of the most dangerous periods in American history regarding domestic political crisis and national stability.
Who wrote Peril?
Peril was written by #1 internationally bestselling author Bob Woodward and acclaimed reporter Robert Costa. The authors collaborated to document the transition of power by interviewing more than 200 people who were at the center of the events described in the book.
Is Peril based on primary source interviews?
Yes, Peril is based on extensive primary research. Authors Bob Woodward and Robert Costa conducted interviews with more than 200 individuals who were positioned at the center of the political transition to uncover details about the domestic crisis that were revealed for the first time in the book.
What is the focus of Peril?
Peril focuses on the dangerous transition period between the Trump and Biden administrations. The book explores the domestic political crisis and the broader implications of this transition, relying on insights gathered from over 200 key figures involved in the events of that time.