From the Bookshelf of The History Book Club…

Fear: Trump in the White House

Bob Woodward

Start date: September 17, 2018

Finish date: March 31, 2019

Discussion: BUDDY-READS

Discussion leader: Bentley

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What Members Thought

Oct 26, 2018 Sera rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, library

Pretty much confirms that the media is right about what's going on in the White House.

My husband and I (and a couple of friends) have a theory that Trump never really went to Wharton. There's no way that if he did, that he would know as little about the economy as he does. In the book, Steve Bannon confirms that Trump went to school but that he never went to class or picked up a book. He was good at simply getting a "C" because he knew that was going to be a billionaire. Sounds right.

Also people ...more

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Apr 07, 2019 Ray rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Bob Woodward has interviewed and written books about many recent Presidents, and in this latest, "Fear", he writes about the Trump White House. It's a far from flattering look at what goes on with the President and his advisers, and what they say / feel behind his back. President Trump declined interview requests from Woodward, so the details presented are based on interviews, files and documents obtained from other White House staffers.
Woodward has been criticized about the book for some detai Bob Woodward has interviewed and written books about many recent Presidents, and in this latest, "Fear", he writes about the Trump White House. It's a far from flattering look at what goes on with the President and his advisers, and what they say / feel behind his back. President Trump declined interview requests from Woodward, so the details presented are based on interviews, files and documents obtained from other White House staffers.
Woodward has been criticized about the book for some details which may have been inaccurate, and if that's the case, as a good journalist he should have done a better job confirming information given to him. That said, it's also likely that some of the quotes given to Woodward would prove embarrassing to the source upon publication, and in order to retain their coveted White House position, the source may understandably deny or recant some of the most negative information. But in summary, the inside look at the Trump White House is unsettling to say the least.

But is it believable? I guess. Don't forget, that it was widely reported that former National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster called him a dope, that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis called him like a 5th grader, Steve Mnuchin called him an idiot, as did Reince Priebus. Replacement Chief of Staff John Kelly called him a f'n idiot, former Sec. of State Rex Tillerson called him a f'n moron, and Chief Economic Advisor Gary Cohn called him dumb as shit, etc.

So Woodward didn't have to go far to get negative things on Trump. Also, much of Woodward's book isn't far afield from what Trump wrote himself in his own books (see "the Art of the Deal", published in 1987). Trump purposely builds his brand by claiming everything about himself and his business are the best, classiest, and most luxurious. He says he plays to peoples fantasies in The Art of the Deal. He states that "People may not always think big themselves, but they can still get very excited by those who do. That's why a little hyperbole never hurts. People want to believe that something is the biggest and the greatest and the most spectacular".

So it's little surprise that his Wall will be the biggest and best, his Cabinet will be the best, his Trade policies will be the best ever, his strategy on the Middle East will be the best, etc. He'll attack anyone who says unkind things about him, and like Nixon, he believes that "sometimes it pays to be a little wild". ...more

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