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2.7 AVERAGE
2.7 AVERAGE
My biggest pet peeve in books is an author whose ego and high opinion of themselves is apparent through the writing. Bolton rides this line. He never wastes a chance to include a compliment he received from domestic and international players, and writes every situation as if he was the only rational and sane person in a room. Nonetheless, this book is an incredible insight into the daily life of a White House senior official, and one in the Trump administration. Very detailed and interesting. Not a must-read, but worth it if you're a political junkie.
Bolton undoubtedly wants to vindicate himself, and the reader must always keep that in mind when reading a memoir, especially a political one. Nevertheless, despite his many shots at the Washington Post and New York Times, the portrait of Trump that emerges from his narrative is largely consistent with media reports. Namely Trump has no overarching philosophy on foreign policy, and his only consistent objective is his own political gain. Personally I find Bolton to be way too hawkish, but there’s no doubt he is principled and consistently conservative. This man has served under three Republican presidents, been one of Fox News’s top commentators on foreign affairs, and was at one time one of Trump’s closest advisors, and it should be a huge red flag that he doesn’t believe Trump is fit to be president. But the sad state of American politics in 2020 just means that many of his former allies don’t care what he thinks anymore, because he is no longer in a position of power.
Well besides being boring as all hell I already knew most of what was in this book.
Can’t believe I’m reading Bolton and honestly his writing is terrible. The book reviews you can find online pretty much summarises everything you need to know about this book so don’t bother buying it.
I listened to the audiobook, so I'll start with saying the narration was good. The book itself was okay I guess, but wasn't really a page turner.
What I think the book was trying to portray was Democrats bad, Republicans good, the meh Republicans are 'basically Democrats' so they're bad. Trump doesn't know what he's doing, whereas the author does everything right and even quotes the praises he received to that effect from Trump/press/whoever throughout the book to 'support' the fact. The place is in shambles and finally if you've never been on the inside, you have no idea and can't understand.
Not really sure if it was worth the read, I think it was pretty biased towards Republican ideals even though it is anti their leader.
Books by David Frum, Andrew McCabe, James Comey, Bob Woodward, Anonymous's A Warning and even Omarosa Manigault Newman made for a better read. IMHO
What I think the book was trying to portray was Democrats bad, Republicans good, the meh Republicans are 'basically Democrats' so they're bad. Trump doesn't know what he's doing, whereas the author does everything right and even quotes the praises he received to that effect from Trump/press/whoever throughout the book to 'support' the fact. The place is in shambles and finally if you've never been on the inside, you have no idea and can't understand.
Not really sure if it was worth the read, I think it was pretty biased towards Republican ideals even though it is anti their leader.
Books by David Frum, Andrew McCabe, James Comey, Bob Woodward, Anonymous's A Warning and even Omarosa Manigault Newman made for a better read. IMHO
informative
slow-paced
It is hard to say it was enjoyable due to the very different views of a Republican to mine, however it does paint a picture of Trump I wish came during the trials. The takeaway is obvious, but doesn't feel too fictionalized.
I try not to sound pithy in composing book reviews but it is hard not to here.
This is a book written by one unpleasant delusional narcissist about an even more unpleasant, delusional and dangerous narcissist. I gave it 2 stars because it does provide some insight into the machinations that take/took place in the Oval Office and paints a very worrying picture of how its main occupant and the sychophants that surround him seem to function, if that is not a contradiction in terms.
The work is clouded by the high self regard the author holds himself in and the suspicion that as pen touches paper the first point of reference is his own self interest and how he should appear in the scene he is describing. It is written in a 'dear diary' format with each chapter covering a period or topic but rolled out in a 'we went here' 'he said this' format, interspersed with some background notes to aid the reader. It becomes increasingly wearing as you progress. As I read the book I was appalled by the interactions described and by how some critical world defining decisions were arrived at or staggered into.
THE BOOK LEFT ME FEELING FEARFUL AND HOPING FOR A SEA CHANGE IN NOVEMBER!
This is a book written by one unpleasant delusional narcissist about an even more unpleasant, delusional and dangerous narcissist. I gave it 2 stars because it does provide some insight into the machinations that take/took place in the Oval Office and paints a very worrying picture of how its main occupant and the sychophants that surround him seem to function, if that is not a contradiction in terms.
The work is clouded by the high self regard the author holds himself in and the suspicion that as pen touches paper the first point of reference is his own self interest and how he should appear in the scene he is describing. It is written in a 'dear diary' format with each chapter covering a period or topic but rolled out in a 'we went here' 'he said this' format, interspersed with some background notes to aid the reader. It becomes increasingly wearing as you progress. As I read the book I was appalled by the interactions described and by how some critical world defining decisions were arrived at or staggered into.
THE BOOK LEFT ME FEELING FEARFUL AND HOPING FOR A SEA CHANGE IN NOVEMBER!
A book about a pompous ass written by a pompous ass. Not much new here other than Rex Tillerson earned more respect. Not only did he he say that Trump is a fucking moron, he also called Nikki Haley a cunt to her face. Fortunately, I found a PDF of this book online so scumbag Bolton earned nothing from me. The egotistic SOB should have testified before Congress in the House of Representatives impeachment hearings.
Pretty bad book. I think short of the President, I've never heard or read anyone use the pronoun "I" as much as Bolton. Not sure why he was not President. But...he does expose the President to be unfit for the office and that's what I wanted to see confirmed. Sorry...I got political and I don't mean to do that! Read the reviews and the coverage on the new and save yourself the time and money on the book!