Watergate journo Bob Woodward goes to War in his latest book

READ / The enemy within

Way back in 1989, when the world felt far more stable and predictable than it does today, journalist Bob Woodward interviewed Donald Trump, then a brash, big-shot, real-estate tycoon in Manhattan. Even then, Woodward writes, the 42-year-old was focused on winning at all costs. “I never expected Donald Trump to be president or a defining political figure of our time,” Woodward writes in his new book, War ($55).

War has made headlines with its revelations about Trump, among them that while in the White House, he sent Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was deeply paranoid about catching COVID-19, testing kits when they were still scarce in the US – a claim confirmed by the Kremlin. (More than 1.2 million Americans died of COVID.) Woodward also claims Trump has called Putin as many as seven times since leaving office (which the Kremlin denies).

Woodward and his former co-reporter, Carl Bernstein, are the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists who uncovered US president Richard Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate scandal (Nixon resigned in 1974; their book, All the President’s Men, was made into a film in 1976). But Woodward, who’s now 81, writes in War that Trump is “far worse than the provably criminal Nixon”, describing him as “the most reckless and impulsive president in American history”.

The bigger question is, why, in an election Woodward describes as a “political war for the presidency”, is Trump neck and neck with Kamala Harris in the polls? Part of the answer may rest with a 2024 Pew survey, which revealed that close to one in three Americans – and particularly those on the ideological right – are supportive of authoritarian systems. The future of American democracy is indeed hanging in the balance. Greg Callaghan

LISTEN / Mean girls

Just after midnight on July 6, 2012, three teenage girls walked into the thick Appalachian woods of Pennsylvania. Only two of them walked back out. What happened? The podcast, Three, lifts the lid on the death of 16-year-old Skylar Neese at the hands of her best friends, Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy. The story shocked their small hometown of Star City, West Virginia, and then captivated the nation. Journalists Justine Harman and Holly Millea have stayed on the case since first reporting on it 12 years ago. With the passing of time and new revealing interviews with Neese’s family and friends and investigators on the case, they try to get to the heart of the dynamics of female teenage friendships, while never forgetting to humanise Neese. Barry Divola

SHOP / All quiet on the home front

As an early riser who needs a caffeine hit to kick-start the day, the thought of my noisy coffee machine waking the household used to send me straight to my local café each morning – until now. Certified by Quiet Mark (the certification program associated with the UK Noise Abatement Society) as one of the quietest machines in its category, the KitchenAid KF8 ($2599) is a sleek, fully automated espresso machine with all the bells and whistles you’d expect in a premium offering like this (think 40+ coffee options; plant-milk optimisation; and durable built-to-last metal clad construction). And it’s so quiet I can confidently grind and brew my morning espresso without disturbing a soul. Frances Mocnik

WEAR / Pet project

Elizabeth Herman has launched a collection of fine jewellery that allows you to capture the paw print or nose print of your favourite four-legged doggie friend more lastingly than a white rug does on a rainy day. She sends you a wax impression kit with which to take the imprint that she then immortalises on recycled gold or silver; you decide whether you want to wear it on a necklace, bracelet, signet ring – even a pair of hoop earrings (puppy print necklace in gold, $800). Chains, gemstones and engravings allow for further customisation. Alternatively, keep your favourite human close, by wearing an enduring imprint of their fingerprint. Damien Woolnough

HEAR / Nick of time

Before he was signed to EMI and being breathlessly heralded as The Next Big Thing in pop, Nick Ward spent much of his time writing songs for pop’s next big things. He was also responsible for a set of devastatingly good EPs that dealt with mental health, identity and queer longing, and which often deployed choir-like vocal arrangements offset against harsher electronic and rock elements. Ward, whose debut album, House With the Blue Door, is out on Monday, has always been difficult to pigeonhole, which is what makes him so exciting. His biggest hit to date is a yearning ballad named for actress Aubrey Plaza, but his 2022 live band were nu-metal headbangers. Now sitting at the cross-section of Troye Sivan (whom he’ll be supporting on tour across Australia from November 16) and indie guitar darlings Alex G and Mk.gee, while sounding uniquely like himself, expect some big chart moves from Ward before the year is out. Jonathan Seidler

VISIT / Reigning cats and dogs

Cats & Dogs, a new exhibition at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia (until July 2025; adults $16, children $8), dives into the age-old fascination with our favourite fur-balls. This playful collection of more than 250 works spans artists from Rembrandt to Jeff Koons, proving that just like the rest of us, creatives have always been obsessed with cats and dogs. Split into “Team Cat” and “Team Dog”, it uncovers their roles in everything from mythology to pop culture. Expect plenty of majestic moggies and delightful doggos, with art ranging from paintings to fashion. Whether you’re a cat or dog person, there’ll be something here to wag your tail at. Frances Mocnik

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