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Donald Trump v. The United States: Inside the Struggle to Stop a President
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • With unparalleled reporting, a Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times reporter chronicles the clash between a president and the officials of his own government who tried to stop him.
“A meticulously reported volume that clearly benefits from the author’s extraordinary access . . . [a] startling dissection of the Trump presidency.”— The New York Times
Donald Trump v. The United States tells the dramatic, high-stakes story of those who felt compelled to confront and try to contain the most powerful man in the world as he shredded norms and sought to expand his power. Michael S. Schmidt takes readers inside the defining events of the presidency, chronicles them up close, and records the clash between an increasingly emboldened president and those around him, who find themselves trying to thwart the president they had pledged to serve, unsure whether he is acting in the interest of the country, his ego, his family business, or Russia. Through their eyes and ears, we observe an epic struggle.
Drawing on secret FBI and White House documents and confidential sources inside federal law enforcement and the West Wing, Donald Trump v. The United States is vital journalism from a Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter that records the shocking reality of a presidency like no other. It is a riveting contemporary history and a lasting account of just how fragile and vulnerable the institutions of American democracy really are.
“A meticulously reported volume that clearly benefits from the author’s extraordinary access . . . [a] startling dissection of the Trump presidency.”— The New York Times
Donald Trump v. The United States tells the dramatic, high-stakes story of those who felt compelled to confront and try to contain the most powerful man in the world as he shredded norms and sought to expand his power. Michael S. Schmidt takes readers inside the defining events of the presidency, chronicles them up close, and records the clash between an increasingly emboldened president and those around him, who find themselves trying to thwart the president they had pledged to serve, unsure whether he is acting in the interest of the country, his ego, his family business, or Russia. Through their eyes and ears, we observe an epic struggle.
Drawing on secret FBI and White House documents and confidential sources inside federal law enforcement and the West Wing, Donald Trump v. The United States is vital journalism from a Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter that records the shocking reality of a presidency like no other. It is a riveting contemporary history and a lasting account of just how fragile and vulnerable the institutions of American democracy really are.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
November 19, 2020
Books written about the Trump presidency seem to fall into two categories. The first are books written by "insiders" in the family and administration and they are usually more personal and emotional than books written by those in the second group, historians and members of the press. This book, “Donald Trump vs The United States” by Michael Schmidt, is an excellent example of calm writing, without the emotional overlay of personal connection to the subject.
Schmidt’s book gives the reader a look at the last 4 years, as the Donald Trump’s administration has unfolded and the details of children in cages, gross government miss handling of the Corona virus, and other examples of a government at on-going odds with its people have been exposed. The book is not filled with the hot exposes coming out by members of the first category, like those by, say, Michael Cohen and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, but the book lays out in detail how Donald Trump and his enablers have changed our country for the worst. It’s a good book, particularly for the times.
Schmidt’s book gives the reader a look at the last 4 years, as the Donald Trump’s administration has unfolded and the details of children in cages, gross government miss handling of the Corona virus, and other examples of a government at on-going odds with its people have been exposed. The book is not filled with the hot exposes coming out by members of the first category, like those by, say, Michael Cohen and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, but the book lays out in detail how Donald Trump and his enablers have changed our country for the worst. It’s a good book, particularly for the times.
September 12, 2020
Patriots Serving U.S.A. above interests of Worst President to Ever Sit in White House - Donald J. _rump.
An excellent telling of the internal checks on President _rump. How absolutely necessary they were, and how worried we should be, aside from all the scary shit we already know, that there are few, if any, checks on the abominable administration of Donald J. _rump.
The least of our worries are the fake tan, small hands, severe comb-over, the racism, the 5-year-old's attention span, and the total lack of leadership and empathy.
I've read a lot of these books by the best reporters and authors, trying to figure a way out of the bog of President _rump's Shit Swamp.
This book is probably the best total package explaining the damage done by and the perils of a _rump presidency.
An excellent telling of the internal checks on President _rump. How absolutely necessary they were, and how worried we should be, aside from all the scary shit we already know, that there are few, if any, checks on the abominable administration of Donald J. _rump.
The least of our worries are the fake tan, small hands, severe comb-over, the racism, the 5-year-old's attention span, and the total lack of leadership and empathy.
I've read a lot of these books by the best reporters and authors, trying to figure a way out of the bog of President _rump's Shit Swamp.
This book is probably the best total package explaining the damage done by and the perils of a _rump presidency.
November 14, 2020
Donald Trump v. The United States: Inside the Struggle to Stop a President was an outstanding account of the Trump presidency as told by two-time Pulitzer-prize winning journalist for The New York Times, Michael Schmidt. This was a riveting account of the Trump presidency from the earliest days when it quickly became apparent that Donald Trump was, not only ignorant as to the workings between the three distinct branches of government, but determined to expand the powers of his presidency without regard to the law primarily to punish and bring down his enemies. What I loved about this book was the journalist's machinations to get the story as Michael Schmidt documented his constant following up on the leads as he put forth everything in a chronological format with a timeline where one could see all of the bizarre behaviors witnessed in context. While we all know that these explosive headline articles are heavily sourced, Schmidt tells us how he pursued all of these leads and we are shocked at what is disclosed. And Schmidt lauded the talents of his reporting partner Maggie Haberman as well as the editor of The New York Times, Elizabeth Bumiller.
The main thrust of this book is the appointment of Robert S. Mueller, III as a special investigator into the alleged misconduct of Trump. Schmidt gives us a timeline of what is happening on a day-to-day basis. Much of this book is dedicated to the Mueller investigation into ties with Russia in the Trump administration to aid in the election of Trump, as well as what is happening during this pivotal time in the Trump White House. Emboldened by his "exoneration," Trump brazenly then withheld millions of dollars of desperately needed aid from the Ukraine until they agreed to find dirt on his potential political opponent, former Vice-President Joseph Biden. In retrospect, it is damning as the patriots in our government were brave enough to come forward from the intial whistleblower report to the Vindman brothers to Fiona Hill, and yet Donald Trump prevailed and avoided impeachment. Michael Schmidt delves into every aspect of this presidency and sheds a lot of light into these very dark corners of history.
"But this was the moment--Trump's first time walking into the Oval Office as president--when everything was supposed to change. Few things hold such a place in the collective American imagination as the power of the presidency. Runners-up fade with time, but presidents assume a sort of immortality."
The main thrust of this book is the appointment of Robert S. Mueller, III as a special investigator into the alleged misconduct of Trump. Schmidt gives us a timeline of what is happening on a day-to-day basis. Much of this book is dedicated to the Mueller investigation into ties with Russia in the Trump administration to aid in the election of Trump, as well as what is happening during this pivotal time in the Trump White House. Emboldened by his "exoneration," Trump brazenly then withheld millions of dollars of desperately needed aid from the Ukraine until they agreed to find dirt on his potential political opponent, former Vice-President Joseph Biden. In retrospect, it is damning as the patriots in our government were brave enough to come forward from the intial whistleblower report to the Vindman brothers to Fiona Hill, and yet Donald Trump prevailed and avoided impeachment. Michael Schmidt delves into every aspect of this presidency and sheds a lot of light into these very dark corners of history.
"But this was the moment--Trump's first time walking into the Oval Office as president--when everything was supposed to change. Few things hold such a place in the collective American imagination as the power of the presidency. Runners-up fade with time, but presidents assume a sort of immortality."
September 24, 2020
Everything most of us knew but more from inside
Donald Trump v. The United States by Michael S. Schmidt is a book that retraced the times of prey trump 2016 election and right after. It goes into all the shady dealing and untangled things. On top of that, it gives us an inside the WH look as it was happening for a few perspectives.
Donald Trump v. The United States by Michael S. Schmidt is a book that retraced the times of prey trump 2016 election and right after. It goes into all the shady dealing and untangled things. On top of that, it gives us an inside the WH look as it was happening for a few perspectives.
September 17, 2020
"The story" told in a pace and style of a novel. This is a well written memorialization of the events of the Trump presidency to the Spring of this year. Other than a few needless uses of "that", it is a compelling and gripping story rather than a dry history rendition. He never discloses or even hints of his "Deep Throat" source but it was fun that he had one. There is background and detail in this book not earlier disclosed in the general media. Who would have known that Don McGhan's prior law firm had represented several Russian Oligarchs (including Deripaska)? I enjoyed this book and the historians will as well.
September 7, 2020
See my notes and highlights for more input. Interesting read, but a bit slow rehashing parts I'm more familiar with from news reports and prior books. It did pick up after I slogged through the Comey history.
December 5, 2020
After reading several stellar reviews I had high expectations for this book - unfortunately I found it very disappointing.
First, if you’ve kept up with the news or read any other books on the current outgoing administration there is nothing new here. (Although there is a short bio of Paddy McGahn which is interesting. )
Second, the author is very sympathetic - blatantly and surprisingly so - with his two major sources - James Comey - referred to as “Jim” throughout the book - and Don McGahn.
Lastly, the author repeatedly inserts himself into the narrative - he likes to work at home in sweats, his apartment is small, he enjoys turkey burgers, reporters don’t like to be kept in the dark, he’s covered sports and weddings, he’s shy at large parties - there’s more but I won’t belabor my point. I’m not sure what the purpose of these personal tidbits is, but they surely do not help with the flow of the reporting/storyline.
If interested in this topic - I’d suggest the books by Woodward, Toobin and Marcus.
First, if you’ve kept up with the news or read any other books on the current outgoing administration there is nothing new here. (Although there is a short bio of Paddy McGahn which is interesting. )
Second, the author is very sympathetic - blatantly and surprisingly so - with his two major sources - James Comey - referred to as “Jim” throughout the book - and Don McGahn.
Lastly, the author repeatedly inserts himself into the narrative - he likes to work at home in sweats, his apartment is small, he enjoys turkey burgers, reporters don’t like to be kept in the dark, he’s covered sports and weddings, he’s shy at large parties - there’s more but I won’t belabor my point. I’m not sure what the purpose of these personal tidbits is, but they surely do not help with the flow of the reporting/storyline.
If interested in this topic - I’d suggest the books by Woodward, Toobin and Marcus.
September 15, 2020
A professionally written account of the Trump reign over the last four years from one of my favorite journalists. Schmidt is serious about his business, doesn't go off on tirades, tells it straight-up and doesn't get sidetracked by the nonsense or craziness that come with so many others.
maybe
September 1, 2020
EXCLUSIVE: From my new book .. DOJ in '17 secretly curtailed FBI counterintel investigation of Trump financial/personal ties to Russia. DOJ concealed this from FBI at time, leaving FBI w/ impression Mueller would do it. But Mueller ultimately didn't.
September 2, 2020
A long narrative tying the actions of James Comey and Don McGahn. I posted a summary on Medium. First-hand reporting by a New York Times journalist. Also, for those who haven't heard: Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. election, a fact acknowledged today by the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee, despite which the Trump administration has done nothing but deny and deflect.
September 28, 2020
Of all the Trump books I have read (a bunch), this is the top of the class. In this one Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Schmidt of the New York Times highlights the difficulty that officials have had when trying to reign in an out-of-control and unethical president.
For most of this book Schmidt focuses on the Mueller investigation of Trump and the Russian election interference, primarily by following the thoughts and actions of two of the central players in the investigation, White House Counsel Don McGahn, and FBI director James Comey. Despite the official Mueller report detailing many instances of obstruction of justice and Russian entanglement, Schmidt does have some criticisms of the investigation. He reports how removed (and possibly unwell) Mueller was to the operation. Deputy Director of the Justice department Rod Rosenstein, who was the overseer of the investigation, heavily limited what could be pursued. In addition, the great unanswered question of our time - is Trump actually an agent of Russia - is never explored when it could have and should have been.
But the book is not limited to just the Mueller investigation. Others have tried to stop Trump including other Justice department inquiries, Congress, and even officials inside his own West Wing who know he is unfit and dangerous. Somehow all have failed to varying degrees.
It is frightening to understand from reading this how fragile our democracy is and wonder if it can withstand the attack that it is under from Trump and his enablers. Trump is a grade-A monster and seems to be heavily compromised by foreign money and influence, but what is equally as frightening is how Republicans are willing to allow this destruction to happen.
Deeply sourced and expertly written, anyone who cares about democracy in America should read this. We are now on the brink. I fear a Trump reelection would push us over.
For most of this book Schmidt focuses on the Mueller investigation of Trump and the Russian election interference, primarily by following the thoughts and actions of two of the central players in the investigation, White House Counsel Don McGahn, and FBI director James Comey. Despite the official Mueller report detailing many instances of obstruction of justice and Russian entanglement, Schmidt does have some criticisms of the investigation. He reports how removed (and possibly unwell) Mueller was to the operation. Deputy Director of the Justice department Rod Rosenstein, who was the overseer of the investigation, heavily limited what could be pursued. In addition, the great unanswered question of our time - is Trump actually an agent of Russia - is never explored when it could have and should have been.
But the book is not limited to just the Mueller investigation. Others have tried to stop Trump including other Justice department inquiries, Congress, and even officials inside his own West Wing who know he is unfit and dangerous. Somehow all have failed to varying degrees.
It is frightening to understand from reading this how fragile our democracy is and wonder if it can withstand the attack that it is under from Trump and his enablers. Trump is a grade-A monster and seems to be heavily compromised by foreign money and influence, but what is equally as frightening is how Republicans are willing to allow this destruction to happen.
Deeply sourced and expertly written, anyone who cares about democracy in America should read this. We are now on the brink. I fear a Trump reelection would push us over.
September 11, 2020
This account of the Trump Administration is a must-read for anyone who feels overwhelmed by what has happened in the last 4 years to the United States under Donald Trump and finds it difficult to put it all into perspective because of the constant barrage of news. While I am an avid follower of our government and supporter of the Constitution, the last 4 years have been emotionally difficult to watch as one pillar of government after another has been attacked and dismantled by Donald Trump and his sycophants.
Michael Schmidt, through his many many sources, including former administration officials within Trump's inner circle and sources in Congress, lays everything out chronologically in page-turning detail. We learn about the trials and tribulations of those who tried (but failed) to contain the unfit leader of the most powerful nation in the world. We learn how fragile so many of our institutions are when attacked both from inside our country and from foreign adversaries who want to end American dominance on the world stage. The book is not based on un-named sources. Schmidt had access to White House Counsel, Don McGahn, former chief of staff, John Kelly, former FBI Director, James Comey and many others.
I could not put this book down. The writing is excellent. But brace yourself, it does not have a happy ending. Trump is still in office and could even possibly manage to remain in office for at least 4 more years.
Michael Schmidt, through his many many sources, including former administration officials within Trump's inner circle and sources in Congress, lays everything out chronologically in page-turning detail. We learn about the trials and tribulations of those who tried (but failed) to contain the unfit leader of the most powerful nation in the world. We learn how fragile so many of our institutions are when attacked both from inside our country and from foreign adversaries who want to end American dominance on the world stage. The book is not based on un-named sources. Schmidt had access to White House Counsel, Don McGahn, former chief of staff, John Kelly, former FBI Director, James Comey and many others.
I could not put this book down. The writing is excellent. But brace yourself, it does not have a happy ending. Trump is still in office and could even possibly manage to remain in office for at least 4 more years.
December 29, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book in which Schmidt details the role of Jim Comey, Don McGahn and the Mueller investigation in our view of the Trump presidency. The narrative style makes it easy to read: there’s no problem to read for long stretches, and one can hardly turn the pages (or swipe the screen) fast enough. I don’t know the US political system well enough to evaluate fairness or balance, but his facts support what has become known through news media channels, with the added depth of the reporter’s hunt for stories.
Schmidt vertel ’n pakkende verhaal van die binnewerke van die Trump-presidensie, met die spannende relaas van hoe die feite ontdek is: deur vasberade joernaliste, en dapper informante.
Schmidt vertel ’n pakkende verhaal van die binnewerke van die Trump-presidensie, met die spannende relaas van hoe die feite ontdek is: deur vasberade joernaliste, en dapper informante.
September 8, 2020
Read this straight after “Fake Law” by The Secret Barrister which describes UK (or de facto, more accurately English) Tory government’s erosion of the independence of the judiciary and gnawing away at the constitution.
It’s no comfort to know that other people are worse off!
Boris Johnson & co have it mind to emulate USA, and make appointment of judges a party political privilege. Heaven forfend!!
Being Scottish, I had early warning of Trump’s character, dissembling, ruthlessness, snobbishness and vulgar crassness. We knew him as the dodgy golf course developer who promised much but preferred destruction, the man whose family had changed their name to one which is mid-20th slang for “fart”!
I’ve often wondered about the stress of working for Trump, about greeting every morning with dread, in trepidation about what he’s tweeted while the grownups were asleep. Now I know...
Trump often seems like Henry VIII speeded up; a rich kid who didn’t expect the top job, accepted no boundaries, dispensed with courtiers and wives at whim (though Trump hasn’t yet been able to behead them!), raged against foreigners and citizens who do not worship him. Henry VIII COULD mostly change the law to suit himself, but in the 21st century this is not a personal power compatible with “democracy” as now understood in the developed world.
It’s no comfort to know that other people are worse off!
Boris Johnson & co have it mind to emulate USA, and make appointment of judges a party political privilege. Heaven forfend!!
Being Scottish, I had early warning of Trump’s character, dissembling, ruthlessness, snobbishness and vulgar crassness. We knew him as the dodgy golf course developer who promised much but preferred destruction, the man whose family had changed their name to one which is mid-20th slang for “fart”!
I’ve often wondered about the stress of working for Trump, about greeting every morning with dread, in trepidation about what he’s tweeted while the grownups were asleep. Now I know...
Trump often seems like Henry VIII speeded up; a rich kid who didn’t expect the top job, accepted no boundaries, dispensed with courtiers and wives at whim (though Trump hasn’t yet been able to behead them!), raged against foreigners and citizens who do not worship him. Henry VIII COULD mostly change the law to suit himself, but in the 21st century this is not a personal power compatible with “democracy” as now understood in the developed world.
October 21, 2020
According to Wikipedia "Drinking the Kool-Aid" is an expression used to refer to a person who believes in a possibly doomed or dangerous idea because of perceived potential high rewards. The phrase often carries a negative connotation. It can also be used ironically or humorously to refer to accepting an idea or changing a preference due to popularity, peer pressure, or persuasion. In recent years it has evolved further to mean extreme dedication to a cause or purpose, so extreme that one would "drink the Kool-Aid" and die for the cause. "Entering into the Oval Office for the first time Trump...looks at the desk that Obama had occupied just hours before was completely bare except for a small box with a red button atop that Trump could hit when he wanted a Diet Coke brought to him."(p.125) "You mean to tell me you are not drinking Kool-Aid are you kidding me!" On December 9, 2017 The NY Times reported that Donald Trump drinks 12 cans of diet coke and watches as much as 8 hours of TV a day. "You mean to tell me you are not drinking Kool-Aid are you kidding me!" Almost 3 years to that day I wonder if he has changed.
The title of this book can be a little misleading. Its really about Don McGahn (former WH Council) and James Comey (former Head of FBI) standing up to Trump amidst the Russian conspiring to interfere in the 2016 elections. The book follows their respective stories mainly from the inside and their personal perception of the events that unfolded. Schmidt does excellent job of clarifying the events that were earth shattering as they happened and left us wondering how this could have happen in our democracy. Michael has managed to capture the heinous growth of the Trump era. If you are planning to read a book to better understand the chaotic and corrupt presidency this is the one. A must read for those who still doubt the fact that Trump is in cahoots with the Russians and must read if you refuse to have Putin vote for you again! Guess what Mr. Trump I'm not drinking Kool-Aid when I wrote that statement. Remember readers "Watch what they do not what they say." May God Bless America!
The title of this book can be a little misleading. Its really about Don McGahn (former WH Council) and James Comey (former Head of FBI) standing up to Trump amidst the Russian conspiring to interfere in the 2016 elections. The book follows their respective stories mainly from the inside and their personal perception of the events that unfolded. Schmidt does excellent job of clarifying the events that were earth shattering as they happened and left us wondering how this could have happen in our democracy. Michael has managed to capture the heinous growth of the Trump era. If you are planning to read a book to better understand the chaotic and corrupt presidency this is the one. A must read for those who still doubt the fact that Trump is in cahoots with the Russians and must read if you refuse to have Putin vote for you again! Guess what Mr. Trump I'm not drinking Kool-Aid when I wrote that statement. Remember readers "Watch what they do not what they say." May God Bless America!
October 23, 2020
I'm finding, like 'Bad Blood', that I really enjoy reading investigative journalism books. This was a total page turner.
April 27, 2021
All I can say is this book is a must read. Without getting political I believe if half of the contents of this book are true we dodged a huge bullet. Well researched, presented well and unable to out down.
February 10, 2021
Is it possible to create extra stars? As I read along I found myself googling Michael Schmidt. I wanted to know everything about him, what drives him and what makes him such a damn good reporter, not just good, an amazing one. It became less about the story and more about the doggedness and skill of the author for me. He covered this book from every angle possible and left no leads unpursued. I'm awed at the depth of research that went into this and most of all the coherence of the story. At this time Trump has lost the election and Congress has just voted on the constitutionality of the second impeachment trial. Whatever Donald J Trump's presidency becomes or not, it will certainly remain in the annals of American history whichever way it turns out.
Edit: The presidency of Donald Trump was like a scandal-a-thon. It's best to clarify that this book covers the allegations of Russian interference with the US elections of 2016, the Ukrainian Debacle which lead to the impeachment of the President. The Saudi Arabian angle, the story of Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen is briefly glosser over as with so many other scandals. I took a break in between to watch the @showtime
Documentary The Comey Rules. That helped me have a visual representation of much that I had read and was going to read.
Edit: The presidency of Donald Trump was like a scandal-a-thon. It's best to clarify that this book covers the allegations of Russian interference with the US elections of 2016, the Ukrainian Debacle which lead to the impeachment of the President. The Saudi Arabian angle, the story of Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen is briefly glosser over as with so many other scandals. I took a break in between to watch the @showtime
Documentary The Comey Rules. That helped me have a visual representation of much that I had read and was going to read.
August 7, 2021
A completely fascinating account of what went on just before the election and later after Trump got elected. The book is majorly about the events happening in the white house especially Trump and his closest 'aids' from the viewpoint of white house counsel Donald Mcgahn, FBI director Comey and President Donald Trump, more particularly the former two. If someone didn't know these people, this would seem like an excellent fiction book. Lot of credit goes to the author, Schmidt, never lost the momentum anywhere nor get repetitive. The book starts a little slow (relative to the rest of the book) and then picks up a lot of pace the moment Trump gets elected as President when Comey starts investigating if the Russians were involved in election tampering and if Trump's party were an accomplice to that. Comey's investigation first starts with the national security advisor Flynn which by itself rattles Trump but as time progresses, the investigation always seemed to eventually have an end point, was the president involved?!! The relationship between Comey and Trump goes on a steady decline, a point after which special counsel Robert Mueller is appointed to investigate the case and this time, not just the people around the President but the president himself. The book then focuses back and forth on the Mueller's investigation and McGahn's role in the investigation occasionally bringing back Comey. The book then details on the way Trump decided to handle pardons, a power he holds as the president but one he chose to weild at his will sometime just to please celebrities like Stallone or Kim Kardashian and gain their support, something he felt he lacked during his presidential campaign. Eventually the book goes on to talk about Mueller's findings and the possibility of issues with the findings among other things and how William Barr had twisted the reports to submit a 4 page summary to the Congress that seemed in favor of Trump. The story on the Mueller report eventually fizzes out and quickly goes on to the scandal with Ukraine, this time Trump trying to meddle with the 2020 election. This portion was cut short and was super brief and felt a little too fast, would've been nice to read more although it could've made the book way too long if it had any more details (the book is already a bit too long). Definitely fascinating read if you have no idea about what happened till date except superficially.
September 7, 2020
I liked the book. Extremely well-researched and easy to read. There were also some interesting backstory reveals regarding the character of Jim Comey and White House counsel Don McGahn. On the one hand, if you are a news junkie you'll find you've already heard/read 70 to 80% of the stories surrounding the authoritarian tempest in the White House. BUT--and it's a pretty big but, the author fills in some intriguing details that were left out in earlier news stories often because of the limits of real-time investigative journalism. Moreover there are several, for me at least, first-time reveals-- not as big as the unmasking of "deep throat", but there is a certain thumb drive in an FBI vault that Schmidt and most of the American public would love to get there hands on. Moreover, Schmidt in re-telling what we know and how we know it, also explains what we don't know, and why we are likely never to know it. Frustrating yes, but it's a great condensation of the past four years if you need a re-fresher course, and a cautionary tale of what is likely to come if Trump takes us all down again, and there are no more insiders with a conscience and an ethical compass left to monitor and keep DJT in check.
October 18, 2020
This absorbing book takes the reader inside the White House, concentrating on the perspectives of James Comey and Don McGahn, but with much additional research into the history of the past 4 years. The focus was on those who tried to keep the president inside the bounds of the law. There was journalistic detail of how the author was able to track down what was happening inside the gates. The realistic portrayal of White House events was chilling and edge-of-the seat suspenseful, but as more people come forward, it seems to be unfortunately accurate. I have realized that I really enjoy reading about what goes on in the political world, no matter how discouraging.
November 2, 2020
Michael Schmidt is an excellent researcher and a quality writer. His exploration of the Trump presidency from Inauguration Day to the commencement of impeachment hearings is clearly written, extensively documented, and a significant contribution to the lexicon of 2016-2020 United States government history. Schmidt focuses exclusively on foreign influences in the 2016 presidential campaign and subsequent impact on the Trump administration without drawing conclusions. He relies on facts, amply footnoted, and let's the reader draw conclusions. The Trump presidency will be studied for decades. Michael Schmidt has delivered an excellent book to assist in that effort.
November 21, 2020
Lots of already known information the first half. Written focusing on perspectives of Jim Comey and Don McGahn, which was interesting. McGahn’s entire purpose of working in the White House was to stack the courts for a generation. The POTUS can be metaphorically wined and dined for pardons which is also odd. Also, why did Trump go to Walter Reed Hospital in summer 2018? (This question could be a future refrain for future albums by The Chicks)
September 12, 2020
A very readable book laying out facts about this presidency that have not been reported
in other tell all books ... I would hope everyone would read this before voting ,,, even the
most close minded supporters would second guess themselves
in other tell all books ... I would hope everyone would read this before voting ,,, even the
most close minded supporters would second guess themselves
September 15, 2020
"The President had bent Washington to his will." Excellent final sentence of an excellent book. (Although...Michael S. Schmidt is a good reporter and a good writer....but perhaps could work on his narration skills)
September 20, 2020
Exceptional journalism. Mr. Schmidt writes a very detailed account of Trump but is fast paced and insightful. In addition, this book is an excellent reference book for other events such as Benghazi which I knew little about. Intriguing up to the very last sentence.
October 2, 2020
This book has confirmed everything I have thought about our President and his dirty deeds. Well written and well investigated. Reaffirmed my belief that Trump has “ things” waiting for him when he leaves office.
September 27, 2020
A chronological telling of history from the weeks prior to the 2016 election to post Mueller investigation. Not simply a rehash of what I've read in other books. Well-covered.
September 19, 2020
I can’t go on with this. I am sorry, perhaps I will pick it up again. I am just so sick of hearing these people who were so screwed up to hook themselves to drumpf. I am so disgusted with him and the havoc he’s created, and what he is still doing. Sorry. I was equally disgusted with Melania and Me. The book by Stephanie Winston Wilcox. Jeez. I forced myself to finish that but what was the point. I guess there were a few items of interest but she’s another pathetic person.
I am looking forward to Woodward’s book, if it isn’t already completely revealed before its release. But I will spend the time between now and November 3rd volunteering for the election, whether writing postcards or making phone calls, and whatever positive efforts I can make to take our country back.
I am looking forward to Woodward’s book, if it isn’t already completely revealed before its release. But I will spend the time between now and November 3rd volunteering for the election, whether writing postcards or making phone calls, and whatever positive efforts I can make to take our country back.
October 14, 2020
Very well done with a lot of behind the scenes context for some of the biggest newspaper stories. Too sympathetic to Don McGahn imo
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews