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The Trump Survival Guide
The stunning election of Donald J. Trump rocked an already divided America and left scores of citizens, including the nearly sixty-five million voters who supported Hillary Clinton, feeling bereft and powerless. Now, Gene Stone, author of The Bush Survival Bible, offers invaluable guidance and concrete solutions they can use to make a difference in this serious call-to-arms—showing them how to move from anger and despair to activism as the Trump presidency is in full swing and he signs one executive order after another.
Before we can successfully engage, we need to be clear about the battles ahead. Stone outlines political and social concepts—including such issues as Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, the Environment, Obamacare, International relations, and LGBTQ Rights—providing a brief history of each, a refresher on Obama's policies, and an analysis of what Trump’s administration might do. Stone then provides an invaluable guide for fighting back—referring to organizations, people, sites, and countless other resources that support positive and possible goals.
While marches and social media are important forms of protest, concrete actions achieve real change. Positive and reinforcing, The Trump Survival Guide presents the essential information we need to effectively make our voices heard and our power felt.
Before we can successfully engage, we need to be clear about the battles ahead. Stone outlines political and social concepts—including such issues as Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, the Environment, Obamacare, International relations, and LGBTQ Rights—providing a brief history of each, a refresher on Obama's policies, and an analysis of what Trump’s administration might do. Stone then provides an invaluable guide for fighting back—referring to organizations, people, sites, and countless other resources that support positive and possible goals.
While marches and social media are important forms of protest, concrete actions achieve real change. Positive and reinforcing, The Trump Survival Guide presents the essential information we need to effectively make our voices heard and our power felt.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2017
64 people are currently reading
1024 people want to read
About the author
Gene Stone
63 books131 followersA graduate of Stanford and Harvard, Gene Stone is a former Peace Corps volunteer, journalist, and book, magazine, and newspaper editor. He has also written, co-written, or ghost-written forty-five non-fiction books, including a dozen New York Times bestsellers, as well as a novel, The Awareness. His website is www.genestone.com.
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January 2, 2025
I first posted this review in 2017, at the onset of Trump 1.0, updating it in 2021. Given the disaster that is almost upon us, it seemed worthwhile to revisit. Not all the details remain the same. Links may have changed. There are many new organizations working to oppose the expected Trump (and Musk) carnage, and many new outrages to lose our shit over. But the general tenor of this book remains useful, pro-active, and optimistic.
Don’t get mad. Get Organized!
With the arrival of Donald J. Trump in the oval office, the nation is faced with a large set of challenges. You may be tempted to throw up your hands and retreat from any sort of engagement. After all, what can one person, without billions of dollars and/or an army, actually do against the organized force of billionaires united in the looting of American financial and natural resources, and acting in concert in waging a one-sided class war on those of us who are not of their inner circle? Gene Stone has some answers.
It was certainly the case that grass roots activity, however much it was of the astro-turf variety, and funded by right-wing money men, was effective in making life for President Obama a living hell for almost all of his two terms. The lessons that were learned by the right came, ironically, from a left-wing organizer named Saul Alinsky. It is time for Democrats, liberals, progressives, moderates, anyone with a conscience to learn those lessons as well, and begin the long journey of political resistance that is our only hope of saving the nation from ruin.
Gene Stone – from his Twitter page
Gene Stone offers a very accessible guide to how anyone might go about participating in this. The book covers twelve broad areas of concern; Civil Rights, The Economy, Education, Energy, Entitlement Programs, The Environment, Immigration, LGBTQ Issues, National Security, Obamacare, Political Issues, and Women’s Issues.
The layout is consistent from chapter to chapter. Each of the twelve topic chapters follows a format:
The Background
What Did Barack Obama Do?
What Might Donald Trump Do?
What Can you Do? – There are often subsections to this one. Things like
-----Organizations you can donate to
-----Organizations you can volunteer in
-----Sign Petitions
-----Make use of Social Media to communicate your concerns
Books to Read
The concluding chapter tosses in a potpourri of other subject areas.
As a definitive volume on how to oppose the incoming madness, this is far from complete. However, as an introductory pocket guide to how to get started, an easy intro to anyone looking to do something to oppose the reactionary programs that will be afflicting us all in the years ahead, this is an invaluable book. Short, very easy to read, specific enough on what the issues are, what options one might have for action, where one can look to apply those actions, and it offers extra sources of information for those eager to learn more about each subject area.
And some warnings stand out. For example,
I found the intro sections reasonable, although I did note a few items that merited a bit of correction. The author refers to "The Affordable Care Act, instantly and forever known as ObamaCare to foes and allies alike." Actually that was not the case. The right labeled the ACA as “Obamacare” as an insult, the same way they insist on calling the Democratic Party the “Democrat Party.” It was only after some time that Democrats decided to embrace the name. Stone also implies that the Democrats broke new ground by using budget reconciliation to get Obamacare passed, not mentioning that President Bush the second had done the same thing to pass his ruinous tax cuts. Minor gripes to what is, overall, a pretty useful book.
The Trump Survival Guide is no one’s idea of a comprehensive manual for the battles ahead. But it is most definitely an excellent intro, particularly for the vast majority of people who have never engaged in any sort of political activism before. The more people who are involved in fighting back, the likelier it is that crucial victories can be won. If you are at all concerned about what the Trumpinistas have planned, and are thinking about how you might be able to help in the movement to resist, checking this book out would be a great first step.
Review first posted – January 20, 2017 – a date that will live in infamy
Publication date – January 10, 2017
PS - January 2021 - post January 6, aka Desecration Day, The Rise of the Deplorables, The Beer Belly Putsch
While this book is certainly dated, four years post-release, it is the case that many of our worst fears for what the Trump administration might do were realized (so far, at least, short of a full-on shooting war). Presuming that any further coup attempts will fail, we can look forward to a federal government that is not overtly hostile to everything that we moderate, liberal, and progressive Dems (and never-trumped Republicans) value. Nevertheless, there will be many specific policy areas in which voices may need to raised, lobbying will need to be done, and funded, and all the tools of political advocacy employed to make sure that our voices and perspectives are heard. The Survival Guide remains a useful introductory resource for those who have thought of getting involved, but who have not yet engaged. The forces of darkness and sedition, both the racists with guns and their corporate funders, will not soon crawl back under their wet rocks.
While Thomas Jefferson did not originate the sentiment, it is widely attributed to him, and remains dazzlingly relevant today - Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. It has never been clearer that the forces of the right, with big lies, demagoguery, and rabble-rousing, would deny us our right to have our votes counted, and without that right, American democracy would be dead. Given how close we came to a successful coup, it is clear that we cannot count on government alone to keep us safe from fascists, lunatics, billionaires, and autocrats. Our continued engagement, our vigilance, will be needed not only to promote our policy objectives, but to build walls against their destruction.
=============================EXTRA STUFF
Links to the author’s personal, Twitter and FB pages
I strongly suggest you also check out a document that was put together by former Congressional staffers, Indivisible. It can be downloaded for free at the linked site.
If you are interested in calling your elected officials, a new site,
The 65, named for the 65 million who voted against Trump, can help, offering scripts covering a range of policy issues.
January 27, 2017 - The forecast is rough weather ahead for the administration as it tries to keep the store of science in the public files away from the public. Here a very welcome tale of resistance, from the Washington Post - National Weather Service has an ‘alt’ Twitter, and it already has over 71,000 followers - by Angela Fritz
February 13, 2017 - The Power of Disruption - by NYT columnist Charles Blow
The June 2017 National Geographic cover story has particular relevance to the treatment of actual truth in today's political environment. It is illuminating, if not exactly uplifting. - Why We Lie: The Science Behind Our Deceptive Ways - By Yudhijit Bhattacharjee
June 25, 2017 - New York Magazine - Social Darwinism Is What Truly Guides Trump - by Jonathan Chait
June 28, 2017 - National Geographic - The Map That Popularized the Word ‘Gerrymander’ - by Greg Miller
July 1, 2017 - an outstanding article about the power of honest communication - from the Washington Post - ‘Love Thy Neighbor?’ - by Stephanie McCrummen
Don’t get mad. Get Organized!
With the arrival of Donald J. Trump in the oval office, the nation is faced with a large set of challenges. You may be tempted to throw up your hands and retreat from any sort of engagement. After all, what can one person, without billions of dollars and/or an army, actually do against the organized force of billionaires united in the looting of American financial and natural resources, and acting in concert in waging a one-sided class war on those of us who are not of their inner circle? Gene Stone has some answers.
It was certainly the case that grass roots activity, however much it was of the astro-turf variety, and funded by right-wing money men, was effective in making life for President Obama a living hell for almost all of his two terms. The lessons that were learned by the right came, ironically, from a left-wing organizer named Saul Alinsky. It is time for Democrats, liberals, progressives, moderates, anyone with a conscience to learn those lessons as well, and begin the long journey of political resistance that is our only hope of saving the nation from ruin.
Gene Stone – from his Twitter page
Gene Stone offers a very accessible guide to how anyone might go about participating in this. The book covers twelve broad areas of concern; Civil Rights, The Economy, Education, Energy, Entitlement Programs, The Environment, Immigration, LGBTQ Issues, National Security, Obamacare, Political Issues, and Women’s Issues.
The layout is consistent from chapter to chapter. Each of the twelve topic chapters follows a format:
The Background
What Did Barack Obama Do?
What Might Donald Trump Do?
What Can you Do? – There are often subsections to this one. Things like
-----Organizations you can donate to
-----Organizations you can volunteer in
-----Sign Petitions
-----Make use of Social Media to communicate your concerns
Books to Read
The concluding chapter tosses in a potpourri of other subject areas.
As a definitive volume on how to oppose the incoming madness, this is far from complete. However, as an introductory pocket guide to how to get started, an easy intro to anyone looking to do something to oppose the reactionary programs that will be afflicting us all in the years ahead, this is an invaluable book. Short, very easy to read, specific enough on what the issues are, what options one might have for action, where one can look to apply those actions, and it offers extra sources of information for those eager to learn more about each subject area.
And some warnings stand out. For example,
Despite all the advances made in the LGBTQ community, many of them can be rolled back—quickly, easily, and effectively.There are also some nice extra bits in here that made it an enjoyable as well as a useful read.
In 1812 Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry signed a bill that took redrawing he state’s district lines to such extremes that one district looked like a salamander. The term "gerrymander" was born and has been used ever since to describe this practice.Maybe you knew that. I had no idea
I found the intro sections reasonable, although I did note a few items that merited a bit of correction. The author refers to "The Affordable Care Act, instantly and forever known as ObamaCare to foes and allies alike." Actually that was not the case. The right labeled the ACA as “Obamacare” as an insult, the same way they insist on calling the Democratic Party the “Democrat Party.” It was only after some time that Democrats decided to embrace the name. Stone also implies that the Democrats broke new ground by using budget reconciliation to get Obamacare passed, not mentioning that President Bush the second had done the same thing to pass his ruinous tax cuts. Minor gripes to what is, overall, a pretty useful book.
The Trump Survival Guide is no one’s idea of a comprehensive manual for the battles ahead. But it is most definitely an excellent intro, particularly for the vast majority of people who have never engaged in any sort of political activism before. The more people who are involved in fighting back, the likelier it is that crucial victories can be won. If you are at all concerned about what the Trumpinistas have planned, and are thinking about how you might be able to help in the movement to resist, checking this book out would be a great first step.
Review first posted – January 20, 2017 – a date that will live in infamy
Publication date – January 10, 2017
PS - January 2021 - post January 6, aka Desecration Day, The Rise of the Deplorables, The Beer Belly Putsch
While this book is certainly dated, four years post-release, it is the case that many of our worst fears for what the Trump administration might do were realized (so far, at least, short of a full-on shooting war). Presuming that any further coup attempts will fail, we can look forward to a federal government that is not overtly hostile to everything that we moderate, liberal, and progressive Dems (and never-trumped Republicans) value. Nevertheless, there will be many specific policy areas in which voices may need to raised, lobbying will need to be done, and funded, and all the tools of political advocacy employed to make sure that our voices and perspectives are heard. The Survival Guide remains a useful introductory resource for those who have thought of getting involved, but who have not yet engaged. The forces of darkness and sedition, both the racists with guns and their corporate funders, will not soon crawl back under their wet rocks.
While Thomas Jefferson did not originate the sentiment, it is widely attributed to him, and remains dazzlingly relevant today - Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. It has never been clearer that the forces of the right, with big lies, demagoguery, and rabble-rousing, would deny us our right to have our votes counted, and without that right, American democracy would be dead. Given how close we came to a successful coup, it is clear that we cannot count on government alone to keep us safe from fascists, lunatics, billionaires, and autocrats. Our continued engagement, our vigilance, will be needed not only to promote our policy objectives, but to build walls against their destruction.
=============================EXTRA STUFF
Links to the author’s personal, Twitter and FB pages
I strongly suggest you also check out a document that was put together by former Congressional staffers, Indivisible. It can be downloaded for free at the linked site.
If you are interested in calling your elected officials, a new site,
The 65, named for the 65 million who voted against Trump, can help, offering scripts covering a range of policy issues.
January 27, 2017 - The forecast is rough weather ahead for the administration as it tries to keep the store of science in the public files away from the public. Here a very welcome tale of resistance, from the Washington Post - National Weather Service has an ‘alt’ Twitter, and it already has over 71,000 followers - by Angela Fritz
February 13, 2017 - The Power of Disruption - by NYT columnist Charles Blow
The June 2017 National Geographic cover story has particular relevance to the treatment of actual truth in today's political environment. It is illuminating, if not exactly uplifting. - Why We Lie: The Science Behind Our Deceptive Ways - By Yudhijit Bhattacharjee
June 25, 2017 - New York Magazine - Social Darwinism Is What Truly Guides Trump - by Jonathan Chait
June 28, 2017 - National Geographic - The Map That Popularized the Word ‘Gerrymander’ - by Greg Miller
July 1, 2017 - an outstanding article about the power of honest communication - from the Washington Post - ‘Love Thy Neighbor?’ - by Stephanie McCrummen
May 31, 2017
This was an impulse buy at my beloved indie, Fountain Bookstore. The title amused me & I thought the book would be funny. It was not. It was interesting & informative & I'm glad to have it.
December 24, 2016
It would be easy to dismiss this as whining and handwringing. That's not accurate, however. Instead, this book breaks down several issues (including the environment, reproductive rights, LGBT rights and the environment), gives a brief background and shares what President Obama did for said issue. Then it explains what President-elect Trump could do, THEN gives ways to fight back and gives a few books to read for further education.
This is such a valuable resource. I know a lot of people (including myself) who have felt helpless since the election. It's been really good to see that we do still have options and that while the next few years may still be awful, we can certainly mitigate that if we stay involved.
Highly recommended.
This is such a valuable resource. I know a lot of people (including myself) who have felt helpless since the election. It's been really good to see that we do still have options and that while the next few years may still be awful, we can certainly mitigate that if we stay involved.
Highly recommended.
February 7, 2017
Read my full review here: My five-year-old granddaughter said to me the other day, "I watched Donald Trump on television when my mommy wasn't looking." Like she was watching porn or something!. This is an extremely sad state of affairs when a five-year-old isn't in awe of the president-elect or respectful of the office.
In The Trump Survival Guide, Gene Stone gives liberals and progressives a call to action for the next four years. He begins with an historical guide to the actions of ineffective presidents of the past, and offers concrete solutions to help those of us in despair to find ways in which we can actively be watchdogs to hold Trump and his administration accountable for the decisions that will be made in the next four years.
Stone looks at important policies of the country through several lenses—the history of the policy, what President Obama did regarding the policy, what President Trump might do, and what the average citizen can do to support, and in some cases save, the policies that are important to them. He discusses civil rights, the economy, education, women's rights, immigration, the environment and several others. The chapters that interested me the most personally were the chapters on education, immigration, and women's rights. I particularly liked all the contact information that individuals can use to become active advocates for the policies that are most important to them.
As for me, I am going to continue to be actively involved in immigration reform and women's rights. My little five-year-old granddaughter and her mother are going with me to the rally in Lansing, Michigan on the day after the election. My daughter, step-daughter and teenage granddaughters will be in Washington. We cannot remain silent.
In The Trump Survival Guide, Gene Stone gives liberals and progressives a call to action for the next four years. He begins with an historical guide to the actions of ineffective presidents of the past, and offers concrete solutions to help those of us in despair to find ways in which we can actively be watchdogs to hold Trump and his administration accountable for the decisions that will be made in the next four years.
Stone looks at important policies of the country through several lenses—the history of the policy, what President Obama did regarding the policy, what President Trump might do, and what the average citizen can do to support, and in some cases save, the policies that are important to them. He discusses civil rights, the economy, education, women's rights, immigration, the environment and several others. The chapters that interested me the most personally were the chapters on education, immigration, and women's rights. I particularly liked all the contact information that individuals can use to become active advocates for the policies that are most important to them.
As for me, I am going to continue to be actively involved in immigration reform and women's rights. My little five-year-old granddaughter and her mother are going with me to the rally in Lansing, Michigan on the day after the election. My daughter, step-daughter and teenage granddaughters will be in Washington. We cannot remain silent.
won-t-even-start-it
February 10, 2017Abismal quality of the book. Join this, do that, go there... Why on earth would anyone need such a guide no matter what their political preferences are? What, the US popuation got banned from Google now?
This book is such a sad testament to how the US turned out to be not ready to experience democracy. The same one the US has been popularizing aroung the world.
Why should the average population even need for the tandem of Bush - Clinton - Bush - Obama to be followed by a yet another Clinton? And such histerical reactions to legitimate elections held in the home country of the US... It's a disgrace, really. Politics shouldn't be about dirty tricks. It should be about who wins the vote according to the rules of the country holding it.
The vote itself shouldn't be about women or minorities getting elected. You shouldn't be willing to vote for a woman just because she's a woman... Women and men meet in bedroom, not during the elections where they all are citizens. It should be about who you want to elect, who you admire, who can get things done, who can produce results.
The democracy is about anyone, just about anyone being able to follow their dreams and achieve what they want, including being elected to be a president. Not just the inside clique of professional polititians with inordinate amounts of 'guanxi' and total lack of common sense. Grrr! It's sad to see the once-mighty US diminished to this...
And while I do realize that journalists need to make money including selling their efforts to the highest bidders, still it makes me sad to see that the same people who did not write any books on how the Yugoslavian citizens should survive the air raids of 1999 write books now on how to 'survive' a patently legitimate elected president of their own country, and a rather business-oriented one at that. A proved businessman, not a war-monger (old boys Bill/George/Barack), not a paranoiak (see Hilary/Barack). This mass histeria makes no sense.
This book is such a sad testament to how the US turned out to be not ready to experience democracy. The same one the US has been popularizing aroung the world.
Why should the average population even need for the tandem of Bush - Clinton - Bush - Obama to be followed by a yet another Clinton? And such histerical reactions to legitimate elections held in the home country of the US... It's a disgrace, really. Politics shouldn't be about dirty tricks. It should be about who wins the vote according to the rules of the country holding it.
The vote itself shouldn't be about women or minorities getting elected. You shouldn't be willing to vote for a woman just because she's a woman... Women and men meet in bedroom, not during the elections where they all are citizens. It should be about who you want to elect, who you admire, who can get things done, who can produce results.
The democracy is about anyone, just about anyone being able to follow their dreams and achieve what they want, including being elected to be a president. Not just the inside clique of professional polititians with inordinate amounts of 'guanxi' and total lack of common sense. Grrr! It's sad to see the once-mighty US diminished to this...
And while I do realize that journalists need to make money including selling their efforts to the highest bidders, still it makes me sad to see that the same people who did not write any books on how the Yugoslavian citizens should survive the air raids of 1999 write books now on how to 'survive' a patently legitimate elected president of their own country, and a rather business-oriented one at that. A proved businessman, not a war-monger (old boys Bill/George/Barack), not a paranoiak (see Hilary/Barack). This mass histeria makes no sense.
February 10, 2017
Surprisingly large amount of historical reference and context. I've got a lot more work and reading to do thanks to this book. ✊
December 23, 2017
Don't shy away from this book because it appears gimmicky - it's a great resource for anyone that is overwhelmed by the current administration and doesn't know how to help. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific issue (national security, women's issues, education, etc) and details America's history with it, the Obama administration's accomplishments within that sphere, the Trump administration's plans, and then information about how to get involved! I would definitely recommend as a good way to formulate your personal involvement.
February 23, 2017
It is such a good idea to have the background of the issue, what President Obama did on the issue, and then the action that Trump might take. It really helped make things clear. I was listening to the book on Audible and I ordered it as a Kindle book to SEE the information on what to do.
December 15, 2016
::I received an egalley of this book from Edelweiss and Dey Street Books in exchange for an honest review::
This was fantastic! I will admit I don't stay on top of politics as much as I should. This is a great refresher on what's going on in a variety of political topics. It covers the background of each topic, what Obama has accomplished in each topic (or not), what Trump might possibly do based on what he's said about each topic and what he's done so far, and what you can do to help prevent him from destroying everything, as well as 'further reading' lists at the end of each chapter. The author did a great job of explaining each topic clearly and I really enjoyed reading the background for each topic. It's a super quick read so I would recommend it to everyone including Trump supporters.
This was fantastic! I will admit I don't stay on top of politics as much as I should. This is a great refresher on what's going on in a variety of political topics. It covers the background of each topic, what Obama has accomplished in each topic (or not), what Trump might possibly do based on what he's said about each topic and what he's done so far, and what you can do to help prevent him from destroying everything, as well as 'further reading' lists at the end of each chapter. The author did a great job of explaining each topic clearly and I really enjoyed reading the background for each topic. It's a super quick read so I would recommend it to everyone including Trump supporters.
March 15, 2017
I enjoyed the format of this book:overview/history of a particular issue, what Obama did, what Trump is expected to do and what we can do to be involved and stay educated about these issues.
June 12, 2017
A great summary of the mess we are in, how we got here, and things to look for. Best of all, suggestions for what to do to make a difference and to counter the atmosphere of hate and stupidity threatening to take over the country.
February 8, 2017
The election of Donald Trump (Donald Trump?!?!) as the 45th President of the United States shocked many people and left them wondering what they can do to protect the gains made under President Obama's tenure. This book fills that need by looking at the history of critical political issues facing the country right now, what Pres. Obama did on those issues, what Pres. Trump could do on those issues, and what further actions/readings Obama supporters can do to protect them. In spite of the thumbnail sketch Mr. Stone gives all of these issues, this book is surprisingly deep and fair. Indeed, this may be the one place stop for every peaceful Trump Resistance Fighter out there. Not only does it assess Pres. Obama's legacy on the issues well, it uses Pres. Trump's own words and actions to determine what directions he could take on these issues when in office. Also, Mr. Stone's suggestions on what organizations to support, what actions citizens can take, and what books people can read are vital. However, this book was clearly rushed to publication and its grammatical mistakes and outdated information on Pres. Trump's Cabinet picks bear those marks. I know there was a critical need for this book, but could the author and editor have given it one more look before sending it to the printing house? And I am skeptical of the author's concluding remarks on how impeachment may not be the best move as that will only elevate Vice-President Mike Pence to the Presidency. Pres. Trump is in clear violation of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution and we should not take impeachment off the table just because we don't like the next guy in the line of succession. Still, this is a critical need for anyone who wants to take back their politics from Pres. Trump and his cronies.
May 14, 2017
This is a short book, but it's packed with information. If you're like me and just got interested in politics due to the disastrous 2016 presidential election, I'd implore you to give this a read because Gene Stone does a fantastic job at breaking down the history of various political issues - from women's rights to entitlement programs to national security to immigration - in an accessible way. Each chapter focuses on a specific issue where he gives the history, what Obama did in regards to the issue, and what Trump might do (and, in some cases, his predictions have already come true, which is demoralizing). Each chapter also has suggestions for what we can do in order to fight against Trump's agenda, as well as books to read for further information.
A really fantastic book for those actively involved (or want to be actively involved, but don't know where to start) in the resistance.
A really fantastic book for those actively involved (or want to be actively involved, but don't know where to start) in the resistance.
March 2, 2017
This guide to surviving the Trump year(s) is essential reading. Not only does it outline the most crucial issues at stake with the current administration; it gives each issue historical perspective, going back in many cases to earliest days of the United States. All is described in plain language, and the book is a quick read.
The guide covers everything from Civil Rights to National Security to Immigration to Women's Issues and offers recommendations on what the reader can do to become involved in resistance to new policies - or just to become educated on where we seem to be going.
Can't recommend this book enough to those who are feeling dismayed about what lies ahead for our nation.
The guide covers everything from Civil Rights to National Security to Immigration to Women's Issues and offers recommendations on what the reader can do to become involved in resistance to new policies - or just to become educated on where we seem to be going.
Can't recommend this book enough to those who are feeling dismayed about what lies ahead for our nation.
May 28, 2024
Very educational overall on key political issues such as immigration, energy, education, women’s issues, and others. Presented a factual history on each topic, which was so well done, followed by a summary of how the Obama administration handled the issue and a summary of how the Trump administration might handle the issue based on related behaviors and past actions.
Then it gave ideas on what you can do to support the issue, such as websites of local organizations to join, if it’s one about which you are passionate.
Lastly, and my favorite part, the book provided additional reading resources written in the last 5 to ten years on the subject. So you can feed your mind with additional, reasonably current thinking on the the topic. It was a quick and a good read.
Then it gave ideas on what you can do to support the issue, such as websites of local organizations to join, if it’s one about which you are passionate.
Lastly, and my favorite part, the book provided additional reading resources written in the last 5 to ten years on the subject. So you can feed your mind with additional, reasonably current thinking on the the topic. It was a quick and a good read.
March 11, 2017
The book surprised me. It's not a hateful screed against Trump. The author brings up several topics, among them the environment, immigration, and women's issues. He gives a history of each topic and then explains what President Obama did and then what Trump might do. I like that he said might do and not will do. He gives a list of books (most of them very current) on each topic and also a list of organizations you can join or support. It's worth a look.
February 4, 2018
Took me a while to get this book read because I lost interest in it very early on.
I was hoping this book would be a bit funny and entertaining, but it turned out to be pretty educational. The author spoke on a number of topics, giving a brief history of these topics, what Obama did, and what Trump could possibly do, and then gave information on how to help in each of these areas of concern. The bummer is is that pretty much every section had the same answers for how to help - and it was basically "volunteer and donate" - so I was annoyed by reading that response over and over again.
This book was informative and helpful - I enjoyed that the author gave a list of books to read up on each topic at the end of each chapter. But unfortunately, the book fell flat for me. I didn't care to read it and when I did, it was becaues I forced myself to do so.
However, I will give credit where it is due - it was an easy read with basic info. It's a good book to read if you're like me and don't follow politics much and feel overwhelmed by trying to follow politics. I just, personally, got bored with the book.
I was hoping this book would be a bit funny and entertaining, but it turned out to be pretty educational. The author spoke on a number of topics, giving a brief history of these topics, what Obama did, and what Trump could possibly do, and then gave information on how to help in each of these areas of concern. The bummer is is that pretty much every section had the same answers for how to help - and it was basically "volunteer and donate" - so I was annoyed by reading that response over and over again.
This book was informative and helpful - I enjoyed that the author gave a list of books to read up on each topic at the end of each chapter. But unfortunately, the book fell flat for me. I didn't care to read it and when I did, it was becaues I forced myself to do so.
However, I will give credit where it is due - it was an easy read with basic info. It's a good book to read if you're like me and don't follow politics much and feel overwhelmed by trying to follow politics. I just, personally, got bored with the book.
July 19, 2018
Despite the catchy title, this is not a humorous book, but rather an informative guide to many of the issues our country is currently facing, such as healthcare, civil rights, and immigration. It provides a brief historical overview of each issue, an explanation of what President Obama did during his time in office, and what Trump might do based on his campaign pledges (this was written in 2017). Each section ends with a list of actions an individual might take in response to Trump's policies, organizations to join or contact, and suggestions for more in-depth reading. His predictions on what Trump might do once in office are quite accurate. Although the author is obviously not a supporter of Trump, I found him to be surprisingly unbiased in presenting the facts and found the historical context very helpful.
February 6, 2017
A quick and dirty guide for just about anyone who cares about the state of the country now that Trump is in office
THE TRUMP SURVIVAL GUIDE was written in ten days, November 19-29 respectively by an editor of books, magazines, and newspapers, who claims to "think fast and write faster." Though he does admit to having a bit of a stunned response following the election in which he wallowed in self-pity.
AS THE BOOK ASSERTS, YOU CAN EITHER COMPLAIN, OR MAKE CHANGE.
Though the book is slim, it touches on major issues--twelve in all--from immigration to reproductive rights, the environment, LGBTQ, national security, and more. Stone begins each chapter with a DJT quote, followed by history on the issue, then he delves into a section on what Obama did [while in office]. The next section is "what might Trump do," followed by what YOU can do. He then lists a myriad of websites and organizations to contact, petitions to sign, other resources and books for further reading.
THE TRUMP SURVIVAL GUIDE is a sort of "an idiot's guide to the current political climate" with a great deal of history supporting facts. I'd say it's a must-read for most, opening our eyes, and our hearts to doing what's right when the world seems a little rocky.
For all of my reviews, including author interviews, please see: www.leslielindsay.com.
THE TRUMP SURVIVAL GUIDE was written in ten days, November 19-29 respectively by an editor of books, magazines, and newspapers, who claims to "think fast and write faster." Though he does admit to having a bit of a stunned response following the election in which he wallowed in self-pity.
AS THE BOOK ASSERTS, YOU CAN EITHER COMPLAIN, OR MAKE CHANGE.
Though the book is slim, it touches on major issues--twelve in all--from immigration to reproductive rights, the environment, LGBTQ, national security, and more. Stone begins each chapter with a DJT quote, followed by history on the issue, then he delves into a section on what Obama did [while in office]. The next section is "what might Trump do," followed by what YOU can do. He then lists a myriad of websites and organizations to contact, petitions to sign, other resources and books for further reading.
THE TRUMP SURVIVAL GUIDE is a sort of "an idiot's guide to the current political climate" with a great deal of history supporting facts. I'd say it's a must-read for most, opening our eyes, and our hearts to doing what's right when the world seems a little rocky.
For all of my reviews, including author interviews, please see: www.leslielindsay.com.
February 10, 2017
We are not powerless.
A great introduction to some of the main issues facing the American society today, and how we can tackle them under the current president.
We can do this.
We can fight back.
Appoint yourself the ambassador for the America that you believe in.
A great introduction to some of the main issues facing the American society today, and how we can tackle them under the current president.
We can do this.
We can fight back.
Appoint yourself the ambassador for the America that you believe in.
May 17, 2017
A clear-headed analysis of important issues with insight on how to put your values into action. A good read for lowering the blood pressure and figuring out how to make a difference.
November 16, 2018
I really like the organization of the book: Drumpf quote- Issue- History- What did Obama do- What might happen- How you can help.
Unfortunately almost everything supposed in the intro has already happened. Fortunately as of today one of the things mentioned in the intro hasn’t: ground war in Iran.
Unfortunately almost everything supposed in the intro has already happened. Fortunately as of today one of the things mentioned in the intro hasn’t: ground war in Iran.
January 8, 2017
Nothing mind-blowing here, but a good overview of some of the major issues that may be threatened under the Trump presidency. Chapters--on civil rights, national security, education, immigration, women's issues and more--start with a brief history of the subject, a section on what Obama did, what Trump might do and what you can do including organizations to donate to, ending with a list of suggested reading.
I think its a great place to start if you're looking for a big picture, then you can drill down to the specific issues you care most about.
I think its a great place to start if you're looking for a big picture, then you can drill down to the specific issues you care most about.
March 6, 2017
Quick, concise. Each chapter offers an overview of the issue (including history), what challenges we might face (or are already facing) under Trump, a list of relevant organizations to support, suggestions for action, and suggested reading. A very good primer.
June 2, 2017
This is quite an interesting little book...
February 7, 2017
If you want change in your world, you have to be a change maker.
That's the message of this fabulous book, which points to twelve different policies now President Trump could focus on changing in the near future. All twelve could potentially affect our lives. Stone lays out each policy, its history and the ways it has been implemented or changed in the past, as well as how President Trump might decide to change it.
The book is laid out in an easy-to-read format and is a comfort to anyone who is looking for a way to speak out on governmental issues. At the end of each chapter, there are also book suggestions for further reading and websites to visit.
Though this book is written mainly for people who didn't vote for Trump, I believe any Trump supporters can use it not only to keep him honest in the coming days, but to also understand more of the liberal perspective on things. The only reason it doesn't have five stars: some editing errors.
This book is both helpful and informative. I'll be returning to it many times in the next four years. Thank you for writing it, Mr. Stone! We must all be change makers.
That's the message of this fabulous book, which points to twelve different policies now President Trump could focus on changing in the near future. All twelve could potentially affect our lives. Stone lays out each policy, its history and the ways it has been implemented or changed in the past, as well as how President Trump might decide to change it.
The book is laid out in an easy-to-read format and is a comfort to anyone who is looking for a way to speak out on governmental issues. At the end of each chapter, there are also book suggestions for further reading and websites to visit.
Though this book is written mainly for people who didn't vote for Trump, I believe any Trump supporters can use it not only to keep him honest in the coming days, but to also understand more of the liberal perspective on things. The only reason it doesn't have five stars: some editing errors.
This book is both helpful and informative. I'll be returning to it many times in the next four years. Thank you for writing it, Mr. Stone! We must all be change makers.
June 25, 2022
Lots of great information about what we can do to fight the Trump agenda. Already a bit dated, as it was written before he really got into the job, but there are tons of resources listed at the end of every chapter.
The book covers a dozen issues, one chapter per issue. The chapters all have the same format: one or two quotes by Trump, background on the issue, what Obama did, what Trump might do, and What You Can Do (including actions, groups to join, websites to visit, and books to read.)
Trump has already done some of what the book suggested he might do, such as pull us out of the Paris Agreement. Other items he hasn't..yet.
Topics are Civil Rights, the Economy, Education, Energy, Entitlement Programs, the Environment, Immigration, LGBTQ Issues, National Security, Obamacare, Political Issues, and Women's Issues. The conclusion touches on other issues, such as veterans, freedom of the press, religion, science, net neutrality, animal rights, and sources to keep up with current events.
The book covers a dozen issues, one chapter per issue. The chapters all have the same format: one or two quotes by Trump, background on the issue, what Obama did, what Trump might do, and What You Can Do (including actions, groups to join, websites to visit, and books to read.)
Trump has already done some of what the book suggested he might do, such as pull us out of the Paris Agreement. Other items he hasn't..yet.
Topics are Civil Rights, the Economy, Education, Energy, Entitlement Programs, the Environment, Immigration, LGBTQ Issues, National Security, Obamacare, Political Issues, and Women's Issues. The conclusion touches on other issues, such as veterans, freedom of the press, religion, science, net neutrality, animal rights, and sources to keep up with current events.
February 11, 2017
This book is decent... I was just hoping for more. The end of each section that shows a reading list that is relevant to the chapter was a great idea.
March 17, 2017
At first I thought the title of this book was rather flippant as it came out less than half a year after President Trump has been president. The title implies that Trump will not do a good job at all. I am not a Trump supporter, though I am no fan of his either. However, after having flipped through the book when it was displayed on the shelves, I decided it deserved my time. The book chapters are divided into the following important issues facing the United States: Civil Rights, The Economy, Education, Energy, Entitlement Programs, The Environment, Immigration, LGBTQ Issues, National Security, Obamacare, Political Issues, Women's Issues. Some reviewers commented they were shocked to find Women's Issues as the last chapter, thereby implying that it carries the least amount of weight; the chapters are arranged in alphabetical order, nothing more. Every reader will have certain chapters that mean more to them than others. As an American who has lived abroad for over fourteen years, I came back to a country that I felt was even more strange than when I left it. This book was therefore a good primer and refresher for me. For those Americans who are active politically and have been living in the country for most of their life, the book probably serves up nothing new or insightful to them. However, the book is short enough that most readers can finish it in a day or two. The author has done a good service for readers, at least for readers like me. He has arranged his book in an orderly and logical manner, first describing each issue, what Obama has done about that particular issue, what Trump might do with that particular issue, recommended books to read, recommended organizations to join or donate to, and some tips that the author himself believes can benefit us readers. If readers don't like it that a journalist has taken an 'opportunistic' approach by coming out with such a book at such a time when most of us are stressed out about a Trump administration, then they can either choose to ignore the book, or borrow it from the library, a service we all pay taxes for. One key thing I came away with after reading the book is the sheer complexity of Obamacare; such is the subject's complexity, that from one page to the next, the author describes that Obamacare was designed to reduce premiums or at least keep premiums from rising, yet on the next page, one of the key challenges currently facing Obamacare is rising premiums. It was not fully explained how this internal conflict exists within Obamacare (that requires reading a book dedicated to the topic). As we speak, the new health care act, call it Trump Care, or Obamacare 2.0, depending on what article you read, is being debated. The new proposed health care bill purports to keep premiums low. It is clear both the Obama and Trump administration want to tout that their health plans can keep premiums low, which is what every voter wants to hear. But how each administration goes about achieving that goal is a whole other discussion, with different pros and cons. Read the book within a year of Trump's election, otherwise, it will become outdated very soon (in some respects it already has).
August 14, 2020
I wish I'd found this book when it first came out, just after Trump was elected. Even so, it was worth reading, both for the refresher on American political history and the resources it lists.
The Trump Survival Guide looks at twelve political topics (things like the economy, civil rights, health care, women's rights, foreign policy, etc.) divided into chapters. For each subject, it gives a brief history of how it was handled in the past, followed by a write up of what Obama did and then what Trump might do. (It was disturbing how many of these predictions either came true, or came dangerously close.) At the end of each chapter is a list of resources to help the reader get involved, including websites of organizations that work for the cause (such as the ACLU for civil rights, or Sierra Club for environmental causes, among many others), and a list of books to read for more information. The book was worth checking out for these resources alone, for those who want to help change our nation's current trajectory, but aren't sure where to start.
The history given on each topic is a brief general intro, but also worth reading if for no other reason than to be a responsibly informed voter. These are things the reader may have learned in history class but long forgotten, or possibly more current events that perhaps they didn't follow closely as they unfolded.
Overall, this book is a good quick reference and resource guide for anyone wanting to become more active in various causes, or just become a more informed voter, something that is more important than ever in this current election year.
The Trump Survival Guide looks at twelve political topics (things like the economy, civil rights, health care, women's rights, foreign policy, etc.) divided into chapters. For each subject, it gives a brief history of how it was handled in the past, followed by a write up of what Obama did and then what Trump might do. (It was disturbing how many of these predictions either came true, or came dangerously close.) At the end of each chapter is a list of resources to help the reader get involved, including websites of organizations that work for the cause (such as the ACLU for civil rights, or Sierra Club for environmental causes, among many others), and a list of books to read for more information. The book was worth checking out for these resources alone, for those who want to help change our nation's current trajectory, but aren't sure where to start.
The history given on each topic is a brief general intro, but also worth reading if for no other reason than to be a responsibly informed voter. These are things the reader may have learned in history class but long forgotten, or possibly more current events that perhaps they didn't follow closely as they unfolded.
Overall, this book is a good quick reference and resource guide for anyone wanting to become more active in various causes, or just become a more informed voter, something that is more important than ever in this current election year.
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