Top Trumps: The Lowdown on this Year’s Books about POTUS
Whether you love him or hate him, one thing is certain: Donald J. Trump is leading a lot a people to read about politics. For both online and brick-and-mortar stores, sales of books supporting — and condemning — the current Commander-in-Chief are on the rise — at Blinkist, we’ve seen interest in political reads rise by 60%. Here’s a look at six of this year’s most compelling books about this incredibly controversial president.
Fear Factor
Fear
- 19 min reading time
- audio version available
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bob Woodward, along with his colleague Carl Bernstein, altered the course of history by exposing the Watergate scandal that led to Richard Nixon’s resignation. Now Woodward turns his attention to what he regards as a disturbingly dysfunctional White House staffed by officials who endlessly undermine each other in order to prevent diplomatic and economic upheaval. He explains how Trump’s White House has been a chaotic and calamitous den of confusion since day one, mostly stemming from the man in the middle of it all, who refuses to accept any advice that goes against his opinions.
Power Plays
The Death of Truth
- 12 min reading time
- audio version available
Through the lens of some of modern literature’s most dystopian titles, revered literary critic Michiko Kakutani offers an informative look at the U.S.’s current political climate and the pivotal events that have led us to an age of “fake news.” By employing her extensive knowledge about speculative fiction, Kakutani demonstrates how previous generations of authors shared the same concerns many people have today, and she further explains how several writers left clear warnings about the dangers that await us when people in power have the ability to twist the truth.
Judge Jeanine
Liars, Leakers, and Liberals
- 16 min reading time
- audio version available
Offering a far different take on Trump than the other books on this list, prosecutor-turned-TV-personality Jeanine Pirro explains how America’s present president is actually a patriotic, family-oriented man whose unorthodox approach to leadership is truly in the nation’s best interests. Pirro further argues that Trump is fundamentally decent and determined despite how he’s often depicted, and she explains how he’s making good on his promise to “Make America Great Again,” even as liberals, law enforcement officials, and the “lying” mainstream media conspire to destroy his presidency.
Firestorm
Fire and Fury
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Michael Wolff obtained special insider access to the White House’s West Wing in order to compile this fly-on-the-wall account of the Trump administration during the president’s first few months in office. Using information gleaned from more than two hundred conversations with members of Trump’s senior staff, Wolff explains who all of the prominent players are, what they think about their colleagues, and how each of them truly feels about their boss. With juicy, behind-the-scenes details you won’t find anywhere else, Fire and Fury paints a fascinating picture of an administration the author believes is utterly unequipped to govern.
Adeste Fideles
A Higher Loyalty
- 19 min reading time
- audio version available
James Comey, the former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, found himself in the center of 2016’s fight for the Oval Office after his decision to investigate Hillary Clinton’s infamous email scandal during the days leading up to the election. In this revealing and fascinating account of Comey’s history as a committed public servant, the lifelong law-enforcement agent looks back on the ups and downs of experiences under several presidential administrations, prior to his bizarre interactions with Donald Trump. Comey further details the numerous difficulties life has thrown his way and explains how humility and humor made it possible for him to feel strong and confident during the course of his career.
Cold Campaign
Russian Roulette
- 18 min reading time
- audio version available
Investigative journalists and best-selling authors Michael Isikoff and David Corn connect the dots between Donald Trump and the Kremlin in this exploration of the evidence suggesting the Russian government interfered in the United States 2016 presidential election. By detailing Trump’s trips to Russia, his business dealings in the country, and his campaign’s numerous connections to foreign officials, the authors explain how Russian hacking, disinformation campaigns, and compromising intelligence about Trump himself almost certainly swayed the vote in the Republican candidate’s favor.
