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waynediane's review against another edition
5.0
This is the MOST comprehensive book on Trump and his CABAL of enablers etc. Details and backgrounds of each individual (EVERYONE in full detail) from Pompous Pompeo to the variety of other characters. I think reading this, better to listen time wise would eliminate having to read all the other Trump books.
algorithm0392's review against another edition
5.0
For all the chaos the drip, drip of norm-shattering headlines represented during Trump's four years in office, this book condenses into one eminently readable volume that almost feels like fiction. The biggest unanswered question that this book prompted for me was how much closer even the nation would have been to crisis after crisis had the "adults" in the administration not been in the room, even though many of them did not last long — and how to trade this off with the fact that most all of those same "adults" were power-hungry officials looking to capitalize in the moment, and that they stood by and supported other objectively bad/inhumane/borderline illegal policies only to draw an arbitrary line later on.
Trump's plans with Schedule F for the civil service and a more unapologetic approach enabled by yes-men staff has me ever more concerned about a potential second term, with no moderating factors at all. Hopefully this book does not require a sequel.
Thanks Jordan for visiting in DC and bringing me to a book talk on this!
Trump's plans with Schedule F for the civil service and a more unapologetic approach enabled by yes-men staff has me ever more concerned about a potential second term, with no moderating factors at all. Hopefully this book does not require a sequel.
Thanks Jordan for visiting in DC and bringing me to a book talk on this!
mujerdee's review against another edition
4.0
Again, I’m stunned in the breadth, the sheer number of outrages that made up this Administration. I lived through it as an adult; it’s not like I was unaware. But to hear the recitation, one furious, ridiculous event after another, in the context of history, is breathtaking. I realize once and for all that he-who-I-will-not-name was indeed no secret genius, not a three dimensional chess master. Just a pathetic, angry, mentally ill, racist conman.
He made a regular habit of taking the word of homicidal autocrats and psychopathic, serial liars over his own intelligence agencies. Further, he has no grasp of the intent of the US Constitution and only a passing familiarity with the truth, preferring “alternative facts,” as if that were anything but fiction. He seems unable to utter anything by untruths, hyperbole and self pitying blather.
How his ascendancy was allowed to happen is shocking; that it continues its impact is intolerable. Divider? Hell, yes. America has become a dysfunctional nation, thanks to his narcissistic legacy.
He made a regular habit of taking the word of homicidal autocrats and psychopathic, serial liars over his own intelligence agencies. Further, he has no grasp of the intent of the US Constitution and only a passing familiarity with the truth, preferring “alternative facts,” as if that were anything but fiction. He seems unable to utter anything by untruths, hyperbole and self pitying blather.
How his ascendancy was allowed to happen is shocking; that it continues its impact is intolerable. Divider? Hell, yes. America has become a dysfunctional nation, thanks to his narcissistic legacy.
f6x's review against another edition
4.0
Having everything collected in one tome is a bit overwhelming, as was living through it again. Recommended for the historical documentation, but not for your mental well-being.
bclark8781's review against another edition
5.0
When you can't look away from a car crash even when you know looking at it is bad for your spirit. Even after having lived through every awful day, it's still so very hard to believe that such a malignant thing could really exist.
amanda_shelflove's review against another edition
dark
informative
medium-paced
4.5
This book was insane. Even if you followed Trump’s presidency at the time, the things he did and said during his term felt like such a fever dream that it’s just as shocking when you hear it again. This book was both a good summary of his four years in office as well as an excellent precursor to someone who perhaps didn’t follow the news at the time. Although, at times it can be hard to follow all the characters (and they are characters) as so many people came and went during his presidency given the high turn over rate in Trump’s White House.
There are almost too many reasons as to why Trump is unfit to be President, it’s overwhelming. From him wanting to “shoot to kill” migrants at the border who were throwing rocks to him thinking insurrectionists chanting “Hang Mike Pence” were “on to something”, the list is endless. It is terrifying that he has the amount of supporters he does. For a country who loves democracy so much, it’s ironic how many people would willingly vote for a person who literally tried to become a dictator.
I really recommend the book to anyone interested in American politics (which every American should be!). Don’t let the length of the book discourage you. It’s a very digestible read. I slowly chipped away at it and it took me a month to read (audio version) and I never lost interest.
nferraro90's review against another edition
5.0
With the midterms around the corner, I figured I’d submit myself to another thorough documenting of the cartoonish 4 years of Trump in office. This book is long, (14 hours to listen to on audio at 2.5-2.7x speed) but damn does it keep you hooked. Even if you’re already well read into politics, this book provides staggering levels of detail on just how insane and unfit trump was to be in office. Where this book differs from the many published on the trump presidency is how it tells the stories of the infighting on his staff, between those who sought to enable him, and those who realized he was a wannabe autocrat hell bent on chaos. There’s something to be said for the checks and balances within our government that this abject madman didn’t completely destroy the country during his time in office (not to say he hasn’t had severe consequences on it). Required reading for anyone who wants to understand just what the country endured from 2016-2020 (and likely beyond)