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Trumped!: The Inside Story of the Real Donald Trump—His Cunning Rise and Spectacular Fall
A former top executive of the Trump empire reveals how Trump made his deals, how his personal life affected his decisions, and the mismanagement behind his downfall
348 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
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228 people want to read
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February 10, 2021
Trumped!
The Inside Story of the Real Donald Trump - His Cunning Rise and Spectacular Fall
By: John R. O'Donnell, James Rutherford
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
This book was published in 1991 and gives the reader insight into how Trump does his business, treats his staff, his fans, the law surrounding his business, his personal feelings about minorities, marriage, women, and so much more. It's quite obvious that he has not changed in his thinking in all these years.
He doesn't seem to have any real business sense and made deals based on what he wanted and assumed having his name on something would make it more valuable than it really would be. He had smart advisors but wouldn't take their advice if it was going to counter his plans at all or suggest changes. He wanted to look good and that was his only reality.
His behavior toward others was shocking, especially those closest to him at work. He was also very rude and inconsiderate to fans, even children. One of the worst parts of the book was when he almost killed a champion racing foal through his impatience and staggering lack of any compassion! I hated Trump before but now I hate him more which I didn't think was possible!
His temper tantrums are on full display, physically destroying things because he wasn't happy about some small insignificant thing. Most children would be out of that stage by age 3 at most!
The flaunting of his women especially around his wife and kids was just cruel. But we know now that this still goes on.
Two of his managers died in a helicopter crash and one was a hard working young man that helped Trump a great deal but Trump changed the story and said he almost took that flight with them which was never the case. He wanted the story to be about him and not about the death of the men. He later criticized the two men whenever something went wrong that it was one of their projects, but it was something Trump forced them to do! He never excepted no for an answer.
This book takes you behind the scenes and shows you more of Trump than what you even see on TV. He seems to be the same self centered bully that he was in the late 1980's and 1990. He has not learned from his mistakes but taken his failing business style and used it on our country. He has taken his racism and sexist attitude and found followers.
May America come to it's senses soon and rid itself of trumpism so we can move on!
The narration was excellent!
I received this book from Freeaudiblecodes.
The Inside Story of the Real Donald Trump - His Cunning Rise and Spectacular Fall
By: John R. O'Donnell, James Rutherford
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
This book was published in 1991 and gives the reader insight into how Trump does his business, treats his staff, his fans, the law surrounding his business, his personal feelings about minorities, marriage, women, and so much more. It's quite obvious that he has not changed in his thinking in all these years.
He doesn't seem to have any real business sense and made deals based on what he wanted and assumed having his name on something would make it more valuable than it really would be. He had smart advisors but wouldn't take their advice if it was going to counter his plans at all or suggest changes. He wanted to look good and that was his only reality.
His behavior toward others was shocking, especially those closest to him at work. He was also very rude and inconsiderate to fans, even children. One of the worst parts of the book was when he almost killed a champion racing foal through his impatience and staggering lack of any compassion! I hated Trump before but now I hate him more which I didn't think was possible!
His temper tantrums are on full display, physically destroying things because he wasn't happy about some small insignificant thing. Most children would be out of that stage by age 3 at most!
The flaunting of his women especially around his wife and kids was just cruel. But we know now that this still goes on.
Two of his managers died in a helicopter crash and one was a hard working young man that helped Trump a great deal but Trump changed the story and said he almost took that flight with them which was never the case. He wanted the story to be about him and not about the death of the men. He later criticized the two men whenever something went wrong that it was one of their projects, but it was something Trump forced them to do! He never excepted no for an answer.
This book takes you behind the scenes and shows you more of Trump than what you even see on TV. He seems to be the same self centered bully that he was in the late 1980's and 1990. He has not learned from his mistakes but taken his failing business style and used it on our country. He has taken his racism and sexist attitude and found followers.
May America come to it's senses soon and rid itself of trumpism so we can move on!
The narration was excellent!
I received this book from Freeaudiblecodes.
July 22, 2017
Having lived most of my life in the New York City area and being subjected to frequent news and tabloid reports about Donald Trump for several decades, I've had a very negative opinion of him for a very long time. But I thought I'd read this book and get the "inside scoop" from one of his top executives in the casino business, to see whether my perception was accurate.
The Donald Trump that O'Donnell describes in this book is every bit as egotistical, self-centered, and money-driven as I'd always thought him to be. After a lot of success in the real estate business in the 1980s — propelled by inherited money and the luck of a booming market — Trump ultimately didn't fare as well in the Atlantic City casino business. In love with his own image and his name, he "permitted fame and celebrity to take precedence over the bottom line." His "erratic behavior, his lack of operational knowledge and his explosive temper" wore thin with those around him. But "[h]e was moving into an illusory world where he believed the rules no longer applied to him. He was writing his own rules."
Following a trip to Moscow in July 1987, Trump began speaking out on foreign policy topics. In September, he took out a full-page ad in The New York Times in which he claimed Japan, Saudi Arabia, and other allies were taking advantage of the United States. "Let's not let our great country be laughed at anymore," he said. People began suggesting that Trump could be a presidential candidate in the 1988 election. Of course Trump loved to fuel the speculation. O'Donnell was hoping it was a publicity stunt: "Is it possible that this guy has hoodwinked the American people into thinking he's a legitimate contender for the presidency?"
Well, maybe not in 1987 and 1988. But he did hoodwink a sufficient number of Americans in 2016. And if you read O'Donnell's book, you may be left shaking your head about how that could have happened. Because the Donald Trump we see today is the same as the Donald Trump whom O'Donnell describes in the late 1980s. And it's not a pretty picture.
The Donald Trump that O'Donnell describes in this book is every bit as egotistical, self-centered, and money-driven as I'd always thought him to be. After a lot of success in the real estate business in the 1980s — propelled by inherited money and the luck of a booming market — Trump ultimately didn't fare as well in the Atlantic City casino business. In love with his own image and his name, he "permitted fame and celebrity to take precedence over the bottom line." His "erratic behavior, his lack of operational knowledge and his explosive temper" wore thin with those around him. But "[h]e was moving into an illusory world where he believed the rules no longer applied to him. He was writing his own rules."
Following a trip to Moscow in July 1987, Trump began speaking out on foreign policy topics. In September, he took out a full-page ad in The New York Times in which he claimed Japan, Saudi Arabia, and other allies were taking advantage of the United States. "Let's not let our great country be laughed at anymore," he said. People began suggesting that Trump could be a presidential candidate in the 1988 election. Of course Trump loved to fuel the speculation. O'Donnell was hoping it was a publicity stunt: "Is it possible that this guy has hoodwinked the American people into thinking he's a legitimate contender for the presidency?"
Well, maybe not in 1987 and 1988. But he did hoodwink a sufficient number of Americans in 2016. And if you read O'Donnell's book, you may be left shaking your head about how that could have happened. Because the Donald Trump we see today is the same as the Donald Trump whom O'Donnell describes in the late 1980s. And it's not a pretty picture.
February 7, 2017
This book about Donald Trump was written in 1991, during his Atlantic City Casino era, and I picked it up after learning about Trump's huge tax write offs from that time, to try to get a feel for what might have happened. I have to say that the Donald Trump presented in this book is really no different from the Donald Trump I see on TV today. Even then he was a bully, arrogant, racist, and misogynistic.
The book was written by the man who was president of Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, who quit his position and walked away, while Donald Trump was on his way to meet him to work out an employment contract to tie him to the business, which would have given him almost double his salary. But he still walked out due to Trump's behavior and attitude.
The book details many of the risky business decisions that Trump made at these casinos, and as a side not also details incidents from Trump's several year affair with Marla Maples, where she regularly visited the casino hotels and was given free suites, free run of the amenities, etc. and at the end of the book Ivana has filed for divorce.
One thing I found amusing was that there was even a mention in this book of Donald considering a Presidential run! "There were people talking about Donald as a presidential candidate in the 1988 election. I was horrified at the thought of it. "C'mon," I said to Steve. "Is it possible that this guy has hoodwinked the American people into thinking he's a legitimate contender for the presidency?" I was holding out for the hope that it was all a publicity stunt. But Steve said, "He's serious. This is a serious test of the political waters. Jack, if things shake out, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he decided to do it."
And here are some of the comments about Donald and made by Donald, again published in 1991, about the women in his life:
For Donald, both Marla and Ivana were "trohies", ideals of a type, which he believed were necessary to complement different stages of his life. Now that he had reached the point where he seemed to own everything he could possibly want, he clearly enjoyed pursuing what he was not supposed to have, a gorgeous mistress in addition to his glamorous wife.
Here is what Donald told the author about Marla Maples, when she walked away from the table one night when they were all sharing dinner together: "God, I wish you could see her body! She's got a dynamite fucking body, Jack. A body and a half. If you could take one look at it, just one look,, you wouldn't believe it. It's unbelievable. Better than a ten."
Later, when Donald brings 19 year old tennis star Gabriela Sabatini to the casino, in violation of casino age laws, (because apparently he had other girlfriends other than just Marla), he again raves to his employees about her looks: "She is really something else. God, what a body she has!"...Fucking gorgeous. An incredible body, just an incredible body. The girl is so physically fit."
He also had comments about a model featured in one of the Trump casino advertising videos, which had to be remade because of his thoughts: He went berserk over the fact that one of the models, an incredibly beautiful brunette, had a tiny mole on her chin. "Did you see that? Did you see that?" he said, his anger rising. "I don't believe this. She's ugly! How could yo do this? This is shit. This girl is a three, for chrissakes! How could you have a girl with a face that's flawed in my commercial?"
His treatment of wife Ivana in front of his staff is also documented: He blamed Ivana- "motherfucking" her all the time.
I could go on, as I highlighted many 'lovely' passages from this book, including racist comments about employees.
The book was written by the man who was president of Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, who quit his position and walked away, while Donald Trump was on his way to meet him to work out an employment contract to tie him to the business, which would have given him almost double his salary. But he still walked out due to Trump's behavior and attitude.
The book details many of the risky business decisions that Trump made at these casinos, and as a side not also details incidents from Trump's several year affair with Marla Maples, where she regularly visited the casino hotels and was given free suites, free run of the amenities, etc. and at the end of the book Ivana has filed for divorce.
One thing I found amusing was that there was even a mention in this book of Donald considering a Presidential run! "There were people talking about Donald as a presidential candidate in the 1988 election. I was horrified at the thought of it. "C'mon," I said to Steve. "Is it possible that this guy has hoodwinked the American people into thinking he's a legitimate contender for the presidency?" I was holding out for the hope that it was all a publicity stunt. But Steve said, "He's serious. This is a serious test of the political waters. Jack, if things shake out, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he decided to do it."
And here are some of the comments about Donald and made by Donald, again published in 1991, about the women in his life:
For Donald, both Marla and Ivana were "trohies", ideals of a type, which he believed were necessary to complement different stages of his life. Now that he had reached the point where he seemed to own everything he could possibly want, he clearly enjoyed pursuing what he was not supposed to have, a gorgeous mistress in addition to his glamorous wife.
Here is what Donald told the author about Marla Maples, when she walked away from the table one night when they were all sharing dinner together: "God, I wish you could see her body! She's got a dynamite fucking body, Jack. A body and a half. If you could take one look at it, just one look,, you wouldn't believe it. It's unbelievable. Better than a ten."
Later, when Donald brings 19 year old tennis star Gabriela Sabatini to the casino, in violation of casino age laws, (because apparently he had other girlfriends other than just Marla), he again raves to his employees about her looks: "She is really something else. God, what a body she has!"...Fucking gorgeous. An incredible body, just an incredible body. The girl is so physically fit."
He also had comments about a model featured in one of the Trump casino advertising videos, which had to be remade because of his thoughts: He went berserk over the fact that one of the models, an incredibly beautiful brunette, had a tiny mole on her chin. "Did you see that? Did you see that?" he said, his anger rising. "I don't believe this. She's ugly! How could yo do this? This is shit. This girl is a three, for chrissakes! How could you have a girl with a face that's flawed in my commercial?"
His treatment of wife Ivana in front of his staff is also documented: He blamed Ivana- "motherfucking" her all the time.
I could go on, as I highlighted many 'lovely' passages from this book, including racist comments about employees.
February 12, 2019
The book covers the author's experiences in various senior roles in Trump Plaza late 80s. It's more than a bit scary that the author's experiences are being played out in the White House today. Trump's idea of motivation is to sack people. Those he sacked become bad people. And this most telling quote "He was a terrible communicator and didn’t know how to sort out his thoughts on a daily basis, let alone provide long-term corporate direction".
There's a fair bit about the finances of running a casino and the the amount of finance bluffing, bullying and outright lying that Trump performed on a daily basis.
I hope reading this book does not affect my ability for a goodnight sleep.
There's a fair bit about the finances of running a casino and the the amount of finance bluffing, bullying and outright lying that Trump performed on a daily basis.
I hope reading this book does not affect my ability for a goodnight sleep.
January 15, 2018
With all the talk about the recently released FIRE AND FURY, it's a shame this one hasn't seen a resurgence in coverage. Released back in 1991, it details Trump Plaza Casino top-executive Jack O'Donnell's experiences working for Trump, featuring such stories as:
Trump buys a young racing horse but it's not race-worthy fast enough for him, so he rushes the process and it ends up getting seriously sick and having parts of its front legs amputated, after which he doesn't want the horse anymore.
Trump's efforts to woo Marla Maples while still married to Ivana, which includes building an oyster shop just for her, and sneaking her along on family trips to Aspen.
Trump says he doesn't want black people to count his money, that they're genetically predisposed to being lazy.
And so much more!
It shows him in a pretty poor light, even back then. His memory was abysmal, and his attention span was like that of a small dog. And he's only gotten worse.
There's basically one part where Trump is shown as anything other than a one-track-minded, lying, money-seeking adulterer—when the divorce to Ivana is in the works, Trump takes the kids to go visit the grandparents. He's on the phone with Jack and in the background young Donnie Jr. and Ivanka are hooting and hollering and jumping around, and Trump constantly breaks the conversation to tell them to settle down and not to do whatever it is they're doing.
It's all very prescient to today's Trump. I highly recommend it.
Next up is FIRE AND FURY: INSIDE THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE by Michael Wolff. Should be a good companion to this one.
Trump buys a young racing horse but it's not race-worthy fast enough for him, so he rushes the process and it ends up getting seriously sick and having parts of its front legs amputated, after which he doesn't want the horse anymore.
Trump's efforts to woo Marla Maples while still married to Ivana, which includes building an oyster shop just for her, and sneaking her along on family trips to Aspen.
Trump says he doesn't want black people to count his money, that they're genetically predisposed to being lazy.
And so much more!
It shows him in a pretty poor light, even back then. His memory was abysmal, and his attention span was like that of a small dog. And he's only gotten worse.
There's basically one part where Trump is shown as anything other than a one-track-minded, lying, money-seeking adulterer—when the divorce to Ivana is in the works, Trump takes the kids to go visit the grandparents. He's on the phone with Jack and in the background young Donnie Jr. and Ivanka are hooting and hollering and jumping around, and Trump constantly breaks the conversation to tell them to settle down and not to do whatever it is they're doing.
It's all very prescient to today's Trump. I highly recommend it.
Next up is FIRE AND FURY: INSIDE THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE by Michael Wolff. Should be a good companion to this one.
August 12, 2016
Evidence of who Trump really is
I have already been reading articles about how bad Trump is these past few months during his campaign. This book gives evidence of just how bad a person Trump really is, written by someone who really knows him, an employee. If you're already scared about Trump possibly becoming president of our country, you'll positively be terrified of the prospect after reading this book.
I have already been reading articles about how bad Trump is these past few months during his campaign. This book gives evidence of just how bad a person Trump really is, written by someone who really knows him, an employee. If you're already scared about Trump possibly becoming president of our country, you'll positively be terrified of the prospect after reading this book.
January 1, 2015
This book is the most interesting book I have read on Donald trump and gives a fascinating behind the scenes of how a casino operates.
November 3, 2018
I mistakenly chose this book, thinking it was going to be about Donald Trump’s unlikely ascent to the White House in a book with a similar name. It is instead about the inside workings of Donald Trump’s Atlantic City Casino business and personal life in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
It was an interesting book, though if you are not a fan of high stakes business or dissension, it is not always pleasurable to read. John R. O’Donnell worked for Mr. Trump for several years and they obviously did not part as friends.
Through the book you will learn of the discord and and wild vacillations in mood and planning that Mr. O’Donnell experienced in working for the Trump Organization as the casinos in Atlantic City were planned, constructed, and operated.
The writing style is concise and well planned, and the story flows well. If you are not a Trump supporter, you will most likely feel your deepest suspicions have been confirmed after reading this book. If you are a Trump supporter, you will most likely feel much better if you do not read this book.
And there you have it...
It was an interesting book, though if you are not a fan of high stakes business or dissension, it is not always pleasurable to read. John R. O’Donnell worked for Mr. Trump for several years and they obviously did not part as friends.
Through the book you will learn of the discord and and wild vacillations in mood and planning that Mr. O’Donnell experienced in working for the Trump Organization as the casinos in Atlantic City were planned, constructed, and operated.
The writing style is concise and well planned, and the story flows well. If you are not a Trump supporter, you will most likely feel your deepest suspicions have been confirmed after reading this book. If you are a Trump supporter, you will most likely feel much better if you do not read this book.
And there you have it...
January 13, 2018
While Fire and Fury is and entertaining and fairly credible, it does have a number of inaccuracies in it’s reporting. This book, on the other hand, is truly a look at what it meant to work for Donald Trump in the years before he became president, when he was destroying his own companies. You see in this book from many years ago, the exact same traits that you find in him today; Reckless, impatient, vulgar, unfaithful to his vows, and really just an incredibly selfish person who dislikes the common man. If you want to read a book about Trump, I would recommend this one first. The author had nothing to lose writing this book and had no political leanings whatsoever as a motivation in writing. It has stood the test of the years and is considered to be one of the better accounts by Trump historians.
December 7, 2016
3.5 stars. It was a little heavy on discussion about the numbers (frequently citing gassy statistics about casino revenues, operating costs, etc.) and I have a hard time believing that each quote was an 100% accurate representation of the conversation (unless the author kept a running daily journal, which I doubt). Notwithstanding, the portrait painted of Trump by one of his "casino years" executives was quite interesting. I remember following some of these events in the news way back when and some were rehashed by the media during the presidential campaign, but this book provides greater detail on Trump's business empire during this time period. I've spent a lot of time on the road in the past week, so I breezed through this audio book quickly.
November 3, 2017
Tells it as it is
People are mystified over President Trump's actions in the White House. This book shows that the way he behaves, blaming others for his own errors, saying that he is winning when clearly losing, having no real plans and winging it, are well established patterns of behaviour. It also explains the high turnover in advisors. Who would want to work for him. It will all end in tears.
People are mystified over President Trump's actions in the White House. This book shows that the way he behaves, blaming others for his own errors, saying that he is winning when clearly losing, having no real plans and winging it, are well established patterns of behaviour. It also explains the high turnover in advisors. Who would want to work for him. It will all end in tears.
November 8, 2016
This book, written in 1991 by Trump’s former COO of the Atlantic City-based Trump Plaza hotel and casino, is a pretty searing look at what has now become often just a sound byte or two about Trump’s mismanagement—and then decimation—of his Atlantic City casino business.
August 10, 2020
Written way before Trump became President, this book is a clear harbinger of the idiot's missteps now in the White House. His dictatorial managerial style and belief in his own lies are illustrated over and over again in this book. His pettiness, his promotion of people he "likes" instead of those who are competent, his inability to take any responsibility for his bad decisions, his deliberate divisiveness of those who work for him, and his manipulation by flattery are all on display even back in the 80's. He hasn't changed. The saddest part of the book was when he agreed to buy a well-bred racehorse. After changing the horse's name to DJ Trump, he demanded - against the advice of the trainer - that the horse be overexercised, leaving it vulnerable to a virus which resulted in amputation of its front hooves. Trump had already reneged from the original purchase price he promised, but after the horse became ill, he claimed they were trying to sell him a lame horse and he refused to pay at all. It's a perfect example of his cruelty and disregard for all.
September 14, 2019
Read this before you vote 2020! This reads like a fair portrayal of Trump, The Executive
It's a shame this book wasn't readily available back in 2015-16, as it reads as a pretty straight forward detailing of the fear based business culture cultivated by Trump. This provides incredible insight into what is a very clear pattern of behavior by Trump, the Casino/Real Estate tycoon, now the president of our country. The selfish, narcissistic and vengeful behavior of Donald Trump, circa early 1990's foreshadows everything we are now enduring as a country. This book is able to provide actual dollar amounts that explains how Trump manipulated our banking system in order to escape being accountable for breaking laws, rules, ethical codes and people's livelihood. I was impressed that this author focused on the topic of how Trump ran his businesses and only discusses Trump's infidelity and divorce, as they relate to his ability to be effective as a "Billionaire Business Tycoon"
This author has plenty of great reasons to hold a grudge against the man who exemplified horrible workplace abuses and moral corruption, but this book manages to read in a matter-of-fact way that seems authentic.
The benefit of hindsight here plays a terrific role in providing a multitude of "Aha! So THIS is familiar behavior!" moments. Having dollar valuations and explanations of exactly HOW Trump spent money he borroweded, earned and lost gives us insight into why things are an absolute mess in the Trump Whitehouse. It's also a great blueprint for information that is being hidden in Trump's tax returns.
Read this story yourself and make your own decisions, ESPECIALLY if you're considering voting for Trump 2020!
It's a shame this book wasn't readily available back in 2015-16, as it reads as a pretty straight forward detailing of the fear based business culture cultivated by Trump. This provides incredible insight into what is a very clear pattern of behavior by Trump, the Casino/Real Estate tycoon, now the president of our country. The selfish, narcissistic and vengeful behavior of Donald Trump, circa early 1990's foreshadows everything we are now enduring as a country. This book is able to provide actual dollar amounts that explains how Trump manipulated our banking system in order to escape being accountable for breaking laws, rules, ethical codes and people's livelihood. I was impressed that this author focused on the topic of how Trump ran his businesses and only discusses Trump's infidelity and divorce, as they relate to his ability to be effective as a "Billionaire Business Tycoon"
This author has plenty of great reasons to hold a grudge against the man who exemplified horrible workplace abuses and moral corruption, but this book manages to read in a matter-of-fact way that seems authentic.
The benefit of hindsight here plays a terrific role in providing a multitude of "Aha! So THIS is familiar behavior!" moments. Having dollar valuations and explanations of exactly HOW Trump spent money he borroweded, earned and lost gives us insight into why things are an absolute mess in the Trump Whitehouse. It's also a great blueprint for information that is being hidden in Trump's tax returns.
Read this story yourself and make your own decisions, ESPECIALLY if you're considering voting for Trump 2020!
November 22, 2022
Good, really good. I couldn’t put it down.Time and time again Trump’s character is shown to be what it is today. He lies, he cheats and doesn’t like to lose. He is revengeful. If more people would have read this book maybe he wouldn’t have had so many people following him and supporting him politically. There is one story about a horse he owned that is so despicable and inhumane I couldn’t read the details.
I don’t have a head for large numbers so when they were discussed I just got the jest of it. This didn’t take away from how interesting this book was for me to read. It would make a great movie. It was the best book I had read in a long time, it really kept my attention. I highly recommend it. It’s so crazy you can’t believe it happened but I believe it did. It is the Trump we have seen and are seeing. I’d be reading it and I’d be like oh my gosh this so sounds like something Trump did or said now years later. Kudus for the author telling his story about working with Trump during his casino years.
I don’t have a head for large numbers so when they were discussed I just got the jest of it. This didn’t take away from how interesting this book was for me to read. It would make a great movie. It was the best book I had read in a long time, it really kept my attention. I highly recommend it. It’s so crazy you can’t believe it happened but I believe it did. It is the Trump we have seen and are seeing. I’d be reading it and I’d be like oh my gosh this so sounds like something Trump did or said now years later. Kudus for the author telling his story about working with Trump during his casino years.
December 11, 2018
I recommend everyone read this book
This is a 5 star rating and everyone in the world should read it. This gives a clear picture of how the now president of the US really is. I'm glad the author realized the truth and got away from disaster. Thank you John.
This is a 5 star rating and everyone in the world should read it. This gives a clear picture of how the now president of the US really is. I'm glad the author realized the truth and got away from disaster. Thank you John.
March 4, 2019
Fascinating!
An extremely readable, well-written account with a good deal of insight into a famous/infamous individual, as well as an interesting depiction of casino operations.
An extremely readable, well-written account with a good deal of insight into a famous/infamous individual, as well as an interesting depiction of casino operations.
December 24, 2020
Just as I thought !!!
This book gives an excellent day by day interaction of the author and other major characters and their relation with Donald Trump. Also as President he acted the same way always blaming others even though he made poor decisions.
This book gives an excellent day by day interaction of the author and other major characters and their relation with Donald Trump. Also as President he acted the same way always blaming others even though he made poor decisions.
April 12, 2021
A Book that every American must Read
If people had read this book prior to 2018 we would not have to suffer the humiliation and shame of The Donald and his cohorts robbing our country blind.
If people had read this book prior to 2018 we would not have to suffer the humiliation and shame of The Donald and his cohorts robbing our country blind.
July 29, 2016
Trumped!
May 22, 2018
Informative and real
I have read a lot of books about Trump. If you want to 'know' Trump and understand how it relates to now, this is the book to read.
I have read a lot of books about Trump. If you want to 'know' Trump and understand how it relates to now, this is the book to read.
January 24, 2019
I have read all the books on trump since he announced he was running for president. This book is by far the best book regarding him and the way he operates.
April 6, 2025
I met the author a couple of times in college so when I found out he had written a book (with a co-author) I was intrigued. I read some reviews and ordered it. I have been "unable to put it down" and finished it in record time for me.
I found the encyclopedic knowledge of the casino business in Atlantic City very impressive and equally interesting. The presentation of the financial information and the underlying metrics gave the story gravitas and credibility. It was impressive how the author was able to communicate his, and others, experiences with Trump, some positive and many negative, without being snarky or displaying vitriol. I sensed that a concerted effort was made to present the material evenhandedly. If you believe this book could interest you, I definitely suggest you invest the time and read it.
I found the encyclopedic knowledge of the casino business in Atlantic City very impressive and equally interesting. The presentation of the financial information and the underlying metrics gave the story gravitas and credibility. It was impressive how the author was able to communicate his, and others, experiences with Trump, some positive and many negative, without being snarky or displaying vitriol. I sensed that a concerted effort was made to present the material evenhandedly. If you believe this book could interest you, I definitely suggest you invest the time and read it.
April 18, 2022
Best book I've read about Donald Trump, not that I've read many. This book was written some twenty years before Trump entered politics and has nothing to do with partisanship. Instead it reads like a history of 1980's Atlantic City, while providing fascinating insight into Trump's personality. The author is an MBA grad, top level casino executive. You will learn as much about the gaming industry as Trump. Many people read this book before the 2016 election; I read it in 2017 and realized this was the book. It has its own Wikipedia page. I thought of this book over and over again throughout Trump's presidency. You will find many parallels. Get the Audible version; the narrator is excellent.
Want to read
February 20, 2025This book was written in 1991 in the rise and fall of Trumps casino operation and failing marriage to Ivana. I vaguely was aware of this period but didn't know much.
Given it's age, it gives a remarkable pen portrait on the current US president. It talks a lot of executive dysfunction, relentless avarice and explosive temperament - sacking people for your own failings.
Many times the book itself read a bit as someone setting things straight, which is understandable given the trash talk of trump on many many people. Various episodes of big decisions are recounted.
I recognise many similar people who have risen to the top and burned everything around them.
Given it's age, it gives a remarkable pen portrait on the current US president. It talks a lot of executive dysfunction, relentless avarice and explosive temperament - sacking people for your own failings.
Many times the book itself read a bit as someone setting things straight, which is understandable given the trash talk of trump on many many people. Various episodes of big decisions are recounted.
I recognise many similar people who have risen to the top and burned everything around them.
December 8, 2016
Read quite a few years ago, before any "real" attempt at politics...
Despite his critics, his views haven't really changed all that much... I think you're allowed to change your "mind" and your "views" as things "mature", or you become more educated on any specific topic; I see nothing hypocritical about that.
His major views and policies remain the same, despite the label Democrat versus Republican; anyone with a brain will concede the parties have changed more than any one particular individual, especially those who are now being "speared" for "jumping the line"!!!
Despite his critics, his views haven't really changed all that much... I think you're allowed to change your "mind" and your "views" as things "mature", or you become more educated on any specific topic; I see nothing hypocritical about that.
His major views and policies remain the same, despite the label Democrat versus Republican; anyone with a brain will concede the parties have changed more than any one particular individual, especially those who are now being "speared" for "jumping the line"!!!
April 5, 2018
This book was published over 25 years ago and yet much of what it describes about Donald Trump remains true today. His view of the world, how he creates his own perceptions and how he interacts with people. You will see what was true in the 1980s remains the same today.
A surprisingly entertaining read. The author and more likely his ghost writer, do a good job of taking what could have been a somewhat dull book about business/a "tell-all" and offer an actually decent story with real characters and some suspense, even though you know how a lot of this is going to turn out.
A surprisingly entertaining read. The author and more likely his ghost writer, do a good job of taking what could have been a somewhat dull book about business/a "tell-all" and offer an actually decent story with real characters and some suspense, even though you know how a lot of this is going to turn out.
July 17, 2021
Wow what a book
Since the former president has been out of office. I have been reading as !any books written about him. This one is about his time as a mogul in the Casinos in New Jersey. I had no idea how many casinos he owned. Behind the scenes stories about his activities are incredible. He is just as crazy as I thought. The huge figures discussed in the book were a little hard to understand.
Since the former president has been out of office. I have been reading as !any books written about him. This one is about his time as a mogul in the Casinos in New Jersey. I had no idea how many casinos he owned. Behind the scenes stories about his activities are incredible. He is just as crazy as I thought. The huge figures discussed in the book were a little hard to understand.
July 26, 2017
I only knew the Donald from the headlines
I wanted to find out about the man pre-political . He is not any different than the business man. At least he is the same sleazy person he always has been. I wish I read this book before the election than I wouldn't be so shocked at his behaviors.
I wanted to find out about the man pre-political . He is not any different than the business man. At least he is the same sleazy person he always has been. I wish I read this book before the election than I wouldn't be so shocked at his behaviors.
March 22, 2020
Trump has continued with his behavior into the destruction of America! This book needs to be read by all citizens.
How do so many citizens believe him and support his lies and behavior? Prayers are out for all voters to start to think!
How do so many citizens believe him and support his lies and behavior? Prayers are out for all voters to start to think!
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