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Trump: How to Get Rich
First he made five billion dollars.
Then he made The Apprentice.
Now The Donald shows you how to make a fortune, Trump style.
HOW TO GET RICH
Real estate titan, bestselling author, and TV impresario Donald J. Trump reveals the secrets of his success in this candid and unprecedented book of business wisdom and advice. Over the years, everyone has urged Trump to write on this subject, but it wasn’t until NBC and executive producer Mark Burnett asked him to star in The Apprentice that he realized just how hungry people are to learn how great personal wealth is created and first-class businesses are run. Thousands applied to be Trump’s apprentice, and millions have been watching the program, making it the highest rated debut of the season.
In Trump: How To Get Rich, Trump tells all–about the lessons learned from The Apprentice, his real estate empire, his position as head of the 20,000-member Trump Organization, and his most important role, as a father who has successfully taught his children the value of money and hard work.
With his characteristic brass and smarts, Trump offers insights on how to
• invest wisely
• impress the boss and get a raise
• manage a business efficiently
• hire, motivate, and fire employees
• negotiate anything
• maintain the quality of your brand
• think big and live large
Plus, The Donald tells all on the art of the hair!
With his luxury buildings, award-winning golf courses, high-stakes casinos, and glamorous beauty pageants, Donald J. Trump is one of a kind in American business. Every day, he lives the American dream. Now he shows you how it’s done, in this rollicking, inspirational, and illuminating behind-the-scenes story of invaluable lessons and rich rewards.
From the Hardcover edition.
Then he made The Apprentice.
Now The Donald shows you how to make a fortune, Trump style.
HOW TO GET RICH
Real estate titan, bestselling author, and TV impresario Donald J. Trump reveals the secrets of his success in this candid and unprecedented book of business wisdom and advice. Over the years, everyone has urged Trump to write on this subject, but it wasn’t until NBC and executive producer Mark Burnett asked him to star in The Apprentice that he realized just how hungry people are to learn how great personal wealth is created and first-class businesses are run. Thousands applied to be Trump’s apprentice, and millions have been watching the program, making it the highest rated debut of the season.
In Trump: How To Get Rich, Trump tells all–about the lessons learned from The Apprentice, his real estate empire, his position as head of the 20,000-member Trump Organization, and his most important role, as a father who has successfully taught his children the value of money and hard work.
With his characteristic brass and smarts, Trump offers insights on how to
• invest wisely
• impress the boss and get a raise
• manage a business efficiently
• hire, motivate, and fire employees
• negotiate anything
• maintain the quality of your brand
• think big and live large
Plus, The Donald tells all on the art of the hair!
With his luxury buildings, award-winning golf courses, high-stakes casinos, and glamorous beauty pageants, Donald J. Trump is one of a kind in American business. Every day, he lives the American dream. Now he shows you how it’s done, in this rollicking, inspirational, and illuminating behind-the-scenes story of invaluable lessons and rich rewards.
From the Hardcover edition.
244 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
183 people are currently reading
3060 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
May 4, 2011
The ramblings of an ego-maniac who knows how to be a successful business man but has no idea how to write a book. Trump claims to be very attentive to details but doesn't have any scope or order in his writing. Its just endless name dropping and boring little anecdotes. If you want to get rich start with not spending money on this book.
February 21, 2015
INTRODUCTION
- Don't do it for the money
- Keep it short, fast, and direct
PART 01
- Be a leader and give your employees the ability to shine
- Stay focused
- Build your momentum and remain vigilant on your field. You need to work at maintaining this.
- Get a great assistant.
- Know your competition and understand what your competitive offering is relative to their product
- Have employees that feel accountable for the success of the business
- Get to know your employees to understand how to manage them appropriately
- Learn something new about your business every day. Become a master learner.
- Think BIG and live large. Really go for it!
PART 02
- Be tenacious, you don't create a classic overnight
- Involve your passion with your business
- Brand yourself and toot your own horn. Be confident about what you can deliver. Create a dominant brand name.
- Be optimistic but always prepare for the worst
- Trust your instincts, as described in the book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
- Have an ego but keep it in check
- Everyone has an opinion, don't take it personal
- Do your homework, know everything surrounding your business. Take time to practice everyday. Understand the process by knowing what you are getting yourself into
- People only see the finished product, do all the necessary requirements to understand what needs to go into doing the job right
- Learn from the greats and keep up to date for what's going on in the local industry
- Don't compare yourself with anyone.
- Reflect for 3 hours a day. Spend the time to stay balanced. Read and reflect.
- Read biographies and philosophy
- Dress for your culture
PART 03
- Be your best financial advisor
- Invest in what you know
- Get a prenuptial agreement. Life and business can be complicated.
- Teach your kids the power of money
PART 04
- It's all about persuasion, not power
- Once you know what you want, keep it to yourself
- Understand the other side. Observe the other side, let them talk, see where they are coming from. Be a chameleon.
- Study the art of persuasion, use readily available metaphors and humor
- Write down your business objectives, know what you want, know the other party, and find a win-win solution
- Let your guard down to bluff and see what they do
- Be patient. Speed depends on the circumstances. Trump showed a lack of interest in a deal to set the team of on a tangent, then have them draw their own conclusions.
TOP SKILLS FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS:
- Be strategically dramatic.
- Be creative
- Have street smarts
- Be personable
- Be loyal and trust your team
- Don't do it for the money
- Keep it short, fast, and direct
PART 01
- Be a leader and give your employees the ability to shine
- Stay focused
- Build your momentum and remain vigilant on your field. You need to work at maintaining this.
- Get a great assistant.
- Know your competition and understand what your competitive offering is relative to their product
- Have employees that feel accountable for the success of the business
- Get to know your employees to understand how to manage them appropriately
- Learn something new about your business every day. Become a master learner.
- Think BIG and live large. Really go for it!
PART 02
- Be tenacious, you don't create a classic overnight
- Involve your passion with your business
- Brand yourself and toot your own horn. Be confident about what you can deliver. Create a dominant brand name.
- Be optimistic but always prepare for the worst
- Trust your instincts, as described in the book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
- Have an ego but keep it in check
- Everyone has an opinion, don't take it personal
- Do your homework, know everything surrounding your business. Take time to practice everyday. Understand the process by knowing what you are getting yourself into
- People only see the finished product, do all the necessary requirements to understand what needs to go into doing the job right
- Learn from the greats and keep up to date for what's going on in the local industry
- Don't compare yourself with anyone.
- Reflect for 3 hours a day. Spend the time to stay balanced. Read and reflect.
- Read biographies and philosophy
- Dress for your culture
PART 03
- Be your best financial advisor
- Invest in what you know
- Get a prenuptial agreement. Life and business can be complicated.
- Teach your kids the power of money
PART 04
- It's all about persuasion, not power
- Once you know what you want, keep it to yourself
- Understand the other side. Observe the other side, let them talk, see where they are coming from. Be a chameleon.
- Study the art of persuasion, use readily available metaphors and humor
- Write down your business objectives, know what you want, know the other party, and find a win-win solution
- Let your guard down to bluff and see what they do
- Be patient. Speed depends on the circumstances. Trump showed a lack of interest in a deal to set the team of on a tangent, then have them draw their own conclusions.
TOP SKILLS FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS:
- Be strategically dramatic.
- Be creative
- Have street smarts
- Be personable
- Be loyal and trust your team
March 22, 2017
My 1st 1-star review and hoping it to be my last; as I will start taking Goodreads ratings a lot more seriously and Donald Trump a lot less.
February 3, 2016
It took me some time to classify this book. I think it will go straight to my humor category.
It's... incredible. Full of narcisism, ignorance, chauvinism and even mistakes. It is not a serious book. Humor it is!
It's... incredible. Full of narcisism, ignorance, chauvinism and even mistakes. It is not a serious book. Humor it is!
October 10, 2019
For a man who claims that he doesn't read books,Donald Trump certainly has written quite a few.I'll say one thing for his books,though.Never dull,always amused me.
March 31, 2018
The title suits only Chapters 1-2, defining his iron will and work ethic. The rest is a fun read inside Trump’s world: loyal staff, lucrative deals, celeb convos, and - most revealing - an hourly run through his personal schedule for a week. Wow.
Bonus : A frank peek into the meeting between he and bankers post his $9 billion loss, and his screaming at a disloyal Mario Cuomo. (Good for you, Donald !)
Quotes:
----------
"I don't do it for the money... I do it to do it. Deals are my art form... preferably big deals. That's how I get my kicks"
"I don't think you should do it for the money either. Money is not an end in itself, but its the most effective way to help us realize our dreams."
"I only work with the best. Save yourself some time by getting the best people you can."
"Creative people rarely need to be motivated. They have their own inner drive which refuses to be bored. They live on the edge, which is what precisely is needed to be successful and remain successful."
"We all need a boost every now and then. Learn how to tailor your method to the personalities you're managing."
"Stay focused. Don't make the mistake I did... stay focused! I learned my lesson: I work as hard today as I did when I was a young developer in the 1970's."
"Never personally guarantee anything."
"Momentum is something you have to work at to maintain... so maintain your momentum."
"You have to remain vigilant about the details of your field."
"I’m not a complacent person, and I can’t have a complacent staff. I move forward quickly, and so must they."
"Don’t expect your employees to work harder than you do. I don’t have to worry about that, because I work 7 days a week and love almost every minute of it."
"Winners see problems as just another way to prove themselves. Problems are never truly hardships to them, and if you haven’t got any problems then you must not have a business to run."
"Regard your company as a living, breathing organism… because that’s what it is. Those figures you see on your spreadsheets will reflect the health. Watch out for bad cells while allowing good cells to flourish."
"Don’t intimidate people. If you do, you’ll never get a straight answer from anyone. I keep my door open, and my people know I’m available as well as approachable."
"Remember, your organization is your organization. Bottom line: it’s your ballgame. The strategy is up to you, and so are the results.
"Is there anyone else who can do this better than I can? Know yourself and know your competition. If your competition is better than you are, then offer some quality that they lack."
"If people have time to be petty, it’s an indication they are not busy enough with their work."
"If your going to be bold enough to present your idea, make it as clear as possible, and don’t take it casually."
"People are multi-faceted, and it’s important to let them function in a way that will allow them to shine. Sometimes the leader has to be the catalyst for putting the word 'success' into their personal vocabulary."
"You can find talent in unlikely places. I enjoy figuring out how each of my key employees sells."
"Each success is the beginning of the next one."
"People ask me what keeps me going, and this is probably the closest answer to the truth: If I end the day without knowing more than I did when I woke up, it makes me wonder: 'What did I miss out on today? Am I getting lazy?' ”
"While I got very good grades at school, I did not have time to be a scholar. Still, it’s something I aspire to in my quiet time. Possibilities unfold. The world opens up."
"[Aldous Huxley] was such a learner that when he was faced with near total blindness as a young man, he learned Braille and continued his studies anyway.... not a trace of self-pity... it had offered him some benefits: he could now read in bed at night."
"Think big and live large... if you hit, at least you hit big. And if it don't hit, what's the difference between losing $100,000 or hundreds of millions of dollars ? Either way you've lost, so you might as well have really gone for it."
"I deliver the goods. If you're devoting your life to creating a body of work, and you believe in what you do, and what you do is excellent, you'd better damn well tell people you think so."
"Be tenacious."
"When you are on the podium, you are the entertainer. Be prepared for the performance, because that's what's expected of you."
"I get knocked a lot. Quickly see knocks for what they are. You don't have to open the door."
"What's the altitude of your attitude? Gain some altitude. You'll love it up here."
"Avoid being the trigger, and the revolver will not be a threat."
"Homework is required, and there will be a test."
"Construction isn't glamorous. It's a serious and often dangerous endeavor."
"Be aware of the marketplace. I devote several hours a day to reading."
"Get to work."
"Reflect for 3 hours a day. I'm an early riser - usually by 5 a.m."
"To me, dressing successfully means understanding the environment. Make it easy for people to take you seriously."
"Invest simply. These are your hard-earned savings at stake. Sometimes the best investments are the ones you don’t take."
"Get a prenuptial agreement."
"I made a point of becoming best friends with everybody at every bank. Become friendly with the bankers, and make a deal. Go right to the top and do it yourself."
"I turn off the lights whenever I leave the office. I’m always happy to get a good deal whether I’m buying a building or supplies at Duane Reade."
"About my deals : it’s all about persuasion, not power. I have to coax and make my case just like any negotiator.... Know what you’re doing. That’s where the real power comes from. Study the art of persuasion. Practice it… its profound value. Let everyone come out a winner."
"View any conflict as an opportunity."
"Know exactly what you want, and keep it to yourself. If you’re careful about what you reveal, you’ll have more flexibility as you gather more information about the contours of the deal."
"I’m too busy to be devious. I just assimilate new information quickly, and move forward in unexpected ways."
"Balance reason with passion."
"The fact that I was stubborn, and had achieved a result others had deemed impossible, jump-started my career."
"We try to cater to the people living and working in my buildings in every way possible. Past, present and future tenants and owners have one very important quality in common: they all want the best for their money, which allows me to give you a simple formula for success : Deliver the goods."
"I take a call from a writer… One of the questions asked is how I handle a person who consistently makes the same mistakes. I tell him the truth: I don’t. They’re working for someone else now."
"You never interrupt the boss in a meeting. You never interrupt a client in a meeting either."
Working for Trump
———————————
"Here are the 4 essential qualities I’m looking for.
1. Someone who makes everyone feel comfortable… the most essential trait.
2. Book brains and street smarts
3. Creativity - to make connections others might not envision… the hardest quality to develop.
4. Loyalty and trust"
Donald's Favorite Quotes
----------------
"A leader has a right to be beaten, but never the right to be surprised." - Napoleon
"He who lives outside his own heart, dreams. He who lives inside his own heart, awakens." - Carl Jung
"Exciting is a dull word for the business we're in." - Fred Trump
"There are no short-cuts to anywhere worth going." - Beverly Sills
“Beware little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship.” - Benjamin Franklin
"I remember when I was 'The Donald'." - Donald Duck
.
Bonus : A frank peek into the meeting between he and bankers post his $9 billion loss, and his screaming at a disloyal Mario Cuomo. (Good for you, Donald !)
Quotes:
----------
"I don't do it for the money... I do it to do it. Deals are my art form... preferably big deals. That's how I get my kicks"
"I don't think you should do it for the money either. Money is not an end in itself, but its the most effective way to help us realize our dreams."
"I only work with the best. Save yourself some time by getting the best people you can."
"Creative people rarely need to be motivated. They have their own inner drive which refuses to be bored. They live on the edge, which is what precisely is needed to be successful and remain successful."
"We all need a boost every now and then. Learn how to tailor your method to the personalities you're managing."
"Stay focused. Don't make the mistake I did... stay focused! I learned my lesson: I work as hard today as I did when I was a young developer in the 1970's."
"Never personally guarantee anything."
"Momentum is something you have to work at to maintain... so maintain your momentum."
"You have to remain vigilant about the details of your field."
"I’m not a complacent person, and I can’t have a complacent staff. I move forward quickly, and so must they."
"Don’t expect your employees to work harder than you do. I don’t have to worry about that, because I work 7 days a week and love almost every minute of it."
"Winners see problems as just another way to prove themselves. Problems are never truly hardships to them, and if you haven’t got any problems then you must not have a business to run."
"Regard your company as a living, breathing organism… because that’s what it is. Those figures you see on your spreadsheets will reflect the health. Watch out for bad cells while allowing good cells to flourish."
"Don’t intimidate people. If you do, you’ll never get a straight answer from anyone. I keep my door open, and my people know I’m available as well as approachable."
"Remember, your organization is your organization. Bottom line: it’s your ballgame. The strategy is up to you, and so are the results.
"Is there anyone else who can do this better than I can? Know yourself and know your competition. If your competition is better than you are, then offer some quality that they lack."
"If people have time to be petty, it’s an indication they are not busy enough with their work."
"If your going to be bold enough to present your idea, make it as clear as possible, and don’t take it casually."
"People are multi-faceted, and it’s important to let them function in a way that will allow them to shine. Sometimes the leader has to be the catalyst for putting the word 'success' into their personal vocabulary."
"You can find talent in unlikely places. I enjoy figuring out how each of my key employees sells."
"Each success is the beginning of the next one."
"People ask me what keeps me going, and this is probably the closest answer to the truth: If I end the day without knowing more than I did when I woke up, it makes me wonder: 'What did I miss out on today? Am I getting lazy?' ”
"While I got very good grades at school, I did not have time to be a scholar. Still, it’s something I aspire to in my quiet time. Possibilities unfold. The world opens up."
"[Aldous Huxley] was such a learner that when he was faced with near total blindness as a young man, he learned Braille and continued his studies anyway.... not a trace of self-pity... it had offered him some benefits: he could now read in bed at night."
"Think big and live large... if you hit, at least you hit big. And if it don't hit, what's the difference between losing $100,000 or hundreds of millions of dollars ? Either way you've lost, so you might as well have really gone for it."
"I deliver the goods. If you're devoting your life to creating a body of work, and you believe in what you do, and what you do is excellent, you'd better damn well tell people you think so."
"Be tenacious."
"When you are on the podium, you are the entertainer. Be prepared for the performance, because that's what's expected of you."
"I get knocked a lot. Quickly see knocks for what they are. You don't have to open the door."
"What's the altitude of your attitude? Gain some altitude. You'll love it up here."
"Avoid being the trigger, and the revolver will not be a threat."
"Homework is required, and there will be a test."
"Construction isn't glamorous. It's a serious and often dangerous endeavor."
"Be aware of the marketplace. I devote several hours a day to reading."
"Get to work."
"Reflect for 3 hours a day. I'm an early riser - usually by 5 a.m."
"To me, dressing successfully means understanding the environment. Make it easy for people to take you seriously."
"Invest simply. These are your hard-earned savings at stake. Sometimes the best investments are the ones you don’t take."
"Get a prenuptial agreement."
"I made a point of becoming best friends with everybody at every bank. Become friendly with the bankers, and make a deal. Go right to the top and do it yourself."
"I turn off the lights whenever I leave the office. I’m always happy to get a good deal whether I’m buying a building or supplies at Duane Reade."
"About my deals : it’s all about persuasion, not power. I have to coax and make my case just like any negotiator.... Know what you’re doing. That’s where the real power comes from. Study the art of persuasion. Practice it… its profound value. Let everyone come out a winner."
"View any conflict as an opportunity."
"Know exactly what you want, and keep it to yourself. If you’re careful about what you reveal, you’ll have more flexibility as you gather more information about the contours of the deal."
"I’m too busy to be devious. I just assimilate new information quickly, and move forward in unexpected ways."
"Balance reason with passion."
"The fact that I was stubborn, and had achieved a result others had deemed impossible, jump-started my career."
"We try to cater to the people living and working in my buildings in every way possible. Past, present and future tenants and owners have one very important quality in common: they all want the best for their money, which allows me to give you a simple formula for success : Deliver the goods."
"I take a call from a writer… One of the questions asked is how I handle a person who consistently makes the same mistakes. I tell him the truth: I don’t. They’re working for someone else now."
"You never interrupt the boss in a meeting. You never interrupt a client in a meeting either."
Working for Trump
———————————
"Here are the 4 essential qualities I’m looking for.
1. Someone who makes everyone feel comfortable… the most essential trait.
2. Book brains and street smarts
3. Creativity - to make connections others might not envision… the hardest quality to develop.
4. Loyalty and trust"
Donald's Favorite Quotes
----------------
"A leader has a right to be beaten, but never the right to be surprised." - Napoleon
"He who lives outside his own heart, dreams. He who lives inside his own heart, awakens." - Carl Jung
"Exciting is a dull word for the business we're in." - Fred Trump
"There are no short-cuts to anywhere worth going." - Beverly Sills
“Beware little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship.” - Benjamin Franklin
"I remember when I was 'The Donald'." - Donald Duck
.
March 18, 2008
If you're dying to know the art behind Trump's mop top and how he met his younger-than-his-daughter-wife, then this is the book for you! Arrogance and celebrity insights! Reads just like Seventeen Magazine!
No really, I was hoping to read about Trump's fascinating real estate deals, lured in by his challenge "Five Billion Reasons Why You Should Read This Book," but no, I got to read about his hair instead in a chapter that I kid you not, is titled "The Art of the Hair."
No really, I was hoping to read about Trump's fascinating real estate deals, lured in by his challenge "Five Billion Reasons Why You Should Read This Book," but no, I got to read about his hair instead in a chapter that I kid you not, is titled "The Art of the Hair."
January 30, 2018
Okay. Let's have a fact check here. Who was the one who bankrupted 6 TIMES and keep getting money from his parents? Donald Trump. Who was the guy who had 3 wives? Donald Trump. Who was the guy that said "I will make other countries respect America!", but made Africa(Calling them ****hole countries), Europe, Australia, Central America, South America, and Middle East HATE America. Donald Trump. Who was the guy that said "I'm the least racist person you have ever met, on CNN and called African countries ****hole? Donald Trump. There are sooooooooo much more to talk about Trump, but it's too many.
August 14, 2015
The Top 3 things you will learn from this book:
1. You will meet a lot of Losers in life.
2. Trump's hair is real!
3. Doctors are money grubbing Bastards! ("The pot calling the kettle black")
The book should be retitled TRUMP: Living with narcissistic personality disorder (But HEY, Everyone Loves Me!)
I gave it 2 stars, because it did make me laugh quite a few times.
1. You will meet a lot of Losers in life.
2. Trump's hair is real!
3. Doctors are money grubbing Bastards! ("The pot calling the kettle black")
The book should be retitled TRUMP: Living with narcissistic personality disorder (But HEY, Everyone Loves Me!)
I gave it 2 stars, because it did make me laugh quite a few times.
March 11, 2018
The book is from the most successful businessman in real estate and luxury construction. Quite an interesting way of life of Donald Trump is full of both lightning ups and quite bitter falls. But the author succeeded in getting out of the situation and being on the verge of bankruptcy was able to find strength to get out of the situation as a winner.
Maybe not everyone will fit his advice from the book, but in my opinion, they are all quite successful and most importantly taken from the personal example of the author of the book. The book is interesting and quite successful, - I advise you to read.
----------------
Книга від найуспішнішого бізнесмена по нерухомості та будівництву класу люкс. Досить цікавий життєвий шлях Дональда Трампа сповнений як блискавичних підйомів так і досить гірких падінь. Але автор досить успішно вийшов з ситуації і будучи на межі банкротства зміг знайти сили вийти з ситуації переможцем.
Можливо не всім підійдуть його поради з книжки, але, на мою думку, всі вони досить вдалі і найголовніше взяті з особистого прикладу автора книги. Книга цікава і досить вдала, - раджу для прочитання.
I read this book on Google Books by
Readlax Chrome Extension
Maybe not everyone will fit his advice from the book, but in my opinion, they are all quite successful and most importantly taken from the personal example of the author of the book. The book is interesting and quite successful, - I advise you to read.
----------------
Книга від найуспішнішого бізнесмена по нерухомості та будівництву класу люкс. Досить цікавий життєвий шлях Дональда Трампа сповнений як блискавичних підйомів так і досить гірких падінь. Але автор досить успішно вийшов з ситуації і будучи на межі банкротства зміг знайти сили вийти з ситуації переможцем.
Можливо не всім підійдуть його поради з книжки, але, на мою думку, всі вони досить вдалі і найголовніше взяті з особистого прикладу автора книги. Книга цікава і досить вдала, - раджу для прочитання.
I read this book on Google Books by
Readlax Chrome Extension
January 17, 2020
When it comes to money Donald trump is an expert, a money Tycoon who managed to strongly comeback after a huge bankruptcy.
He is offering great advices about money, parenting and Marriage ( do not forget to get a prenuptial).
Bottom line be your own financial advisor, learn about money and investment ( do not be like karim abdel jabar)
He is offering great advices about money, parenting and Marriage ( do not forget to get a prenuptial).
Bottom line be your own financial advisor, learn about money and investment ( do not be like karim abdel jabar)
August 9, 2018
This book started off well with some good business advice. Then it wandered a little. Lots of needless compliments to people he introduces the reader to. One thing I liked about it was you could see the workings of his mind a little, for instance in the way he deals with Kim Jong Un or other people. He is always working the system and attempting to get the better hand on the person he negotiates with or against. Very easy to read.
September 8, 2018
There is some good tips and advice buried in all the self-praise. But the second half is a really monotonous read, and too ego-centric. More advice, less self-praise would have made it a better read.
April 9, 2019
This gripping book is packed with insights. Not about getting rich of course, but human psychology. Behind the distorted gloat-stories where Trump pours sugar on himself you get a glimpse of the values and beliefs of this truly extraordinary person.
This book was written in 2004, right after The Apprentice had become a hit and rocketed Trump to new heights of popularity. The incoherent, often contradictory and plain ignorant thoughts leave no doubt that this book was genuinely written (or rather dictated) by the same man who is now trolling the entire world from The White House. Because of the timing and the supermanish indestructible feeling Trump must have experienced, I believe it’s also a pretty honest book. Here’s what I learned:
Trump has a binary world view that dictates his whole life and behaviour. You are either a potential means to an end, a useful person, or you are nothing. If you belong to the former (a business partner, journalist, investor etc), Trump will publicly shower you with praise, if you below to the not-useful-group (contractor, “unprofessional” journalist etc), he will make sure everyone knows he thinks you are scum. Interestingly, as we’ve seen, some people move from one group to the other and the effects of this are immediately visible (Omarosa, Cohen etc).
What does useful mean in Trump's context? Citing his own words, his purpose in life is “success with influence”, meaning power, which he considers to be far above money. Trump considers fame a key strategy to achieving this goal, hence the TRUMP brand, hence The Apprentice and now… the presidency. Your value in his eyes therefore EXCLUSIVELY depends on your ability to help him gain either more fame or more money, leading to more power.
Trump has an ultra-rationalization ability which shifts everything negative on external factors (mostly other people) and leaves his self-esteem untouched.
All in all, this book helps to see a primal strategy behind Trump’s seemingly dumb actions and surprisingly, convinces the reader that he indeed has pretty impressive influence skills. This, sadly, makes things even worse as the man has absolutely no regard for anyone else but himself.
This book was written in 2004, right after The Apprentice had become a hit and rocketed Trump to new heights of popularity. The incoherent, often contradictory and plain ignorant thoughts leave no doubt that this book was genuinely written (or rather dictated) by the same man who is now trolling the entire world from The White House. Because of the timing and the supermanish indestructible feeling Trump must have experienced, I believe it’s also a pretty honest book. Here’s what I learned:
Trump has a binary world view that dictates his whole life and behaviour. You are either a potential means to an end, a useful person, or you are nothing. If you belong to the former (a business partner, journalist, investor etc), Trump will publicly shower you with praise, if you below to the not-useful-group (contractor, “unprofessional” journalist etc), he will make sure everyone knows he thinks you are scum. Interestingly, as we’ve seen, some people move from one group to the other and the effects of this are immediately visible (Omarosa, Cohen etc).
What does useful mean in Trump's context? Citing his own words, his purpose in life is “success with influence”, meaning power, which he considers to be far above money. Trump considers fame a key strategy to achieving this goal, hence the TRUMP brand, hence The Apprentice and now… the presidency. Your value in his eyes therefore EXCLUSIVELY depends on your ability to help him gain either more fame or more money, leading to more power.
Trump has an ultra-rationalization ability which shifts everything negative on external factors (mostly other people) and leaves his self-esteem untouched.
All in all, this book helps to see a primal strategy behind Trump’s seemingly dumb actions and surprisingly, convinces the reader that he indeed has pretty impressive influence skills. This, sadly, makes things even worse as the man has absolutely no regard for anyone else but himself.
May 21, 2016
In How to Get Rich by billionaire businessman Donald Trump, he reveals the secrets of getting rich and gives business advice on how to make it big. For many years, people have asked Donald Trump on his secret to getting rich and this urged him to write a book detailing his American success story. Trump writes his book in a humorous way and a light hearted tone. For example, “I’ve been accused of admiring beautiful women. I plead guilty”(11). Trump doesn't hold anything back, he tells it as it is, not afraid to stir controversy. I enjoy that Trump never holds anything back and tells it straight. That’s a quality a lot of people do not have this day in age. I like in the book that Trump gives a timeline of his average week. “Thursday 9:45. Don Jr. comes in to update me on his work. He’s sharp and has good insights on a few of our development”(199). Trump gives details on his average week and receives visits from multiple people throughout just one hour. In addition, I respect and like that Trump does not talk in a bragging way throughout this book, but he talks very humbly and grateful. “No matter how accomplished you are, no matter how well you think you know your business, you have to remain vigilant about the details of your field. You can’t get by on experience or smarts”(9). Trump is very humble and acknowledges no business is too big to fail. I like that Trump knows he has to stay fresh and competitive and he can’t rely on his past success or his long experience. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for business advice or anyone interested in learning more about Donald Trump.
March 25, 2011
Donald Trump is one of those fascinating people I can't understand why I think he's fascinating. I'm sure I don't like him. I'm sure that he is a mean-spirited man who yells at people and micromanages them and destroys because he can. I don't think I would want to count him as a friend.
When I read his book, though, I could not help but think to myself, "if I were more like him, I would hate myself, but I would be rich." I also found myself saying things like, "if my father had been a millionaire, I might be a billionaire right now if I were the right kind of jerk."
Trump is like John Gotti. He's a celebrity criminal who's flamboyant enough to make books like this interesting enough to get through. His arrogance makes up for his lack of writing talent, and his short chapters are like a James Elroy homage or something.
This tasteless beast who builds golf courses and rides limos through the McDonald's Drive-Thru and stars in their commercials is hard not to psycho-analyze. . . and surely he's counting on that. So, all you amateur psycho-babblers, have at him. And while you're shaking your head at how horrible his mother and father must have been, you'll find yourself raising your eyebrows at the very few pearls of business wisdom sprinkled like scatter shot in this book.
Also, the title is bull shit. . . a joke or a marketing curve ball. And that's funny.
When I read his book, though, I could not help but think to myself, "if I were more like him, I would hate myself, but I would be rich." I also found myself saying things like, "if my father had been a millionaire, I might be a billionaire right now if I were the right kind of jerk."
Trump is like John Gotti. He's a celebrity criminal who's flamboyant enough to make books like this interesting enough to get through. His arrogance makes up for his lack of writing talent, and his short chapters are like a James Elroy homage or something.
This tasteless beast who builds golf courses and rides limos through the McDonald's Drive-Thru and stars in their commercials is hard not to psycho-analyze. . . and surely he's counting on that. So, all you amateur psycho-babblers, have at him. And while you're shaking your head at how horrible his mother and father must have been, you'll find yourself raising your eyebrows at the very few pearls of business wisdom sprinkled like scatter shot in this book.
Also, the title is bull shit. . . a joke or a marketing curve ball. And that's funny.
March 11, 2018
A friend of mine said he had some second hand books in English and maybe I wanted to have a look at them. I did. This pearl was among them. I suddenly felt an implacable desire to try to understand the mindset of Mr Donald Trump as he is one of the most loved and most hated leaders in the world. The book was quite boring and smelt a colossal ego, which is not surprising. What I learnt from the book is that if you don't like shaking hands but people yearn for your handshake, and if someone strides out of the bathroom with his half wet hands in the restaurant you are about to enjoy your meal and asks for a handshake, if you feel like you will vomit but can't dare to decline the request (as the man has the potential to backbite you for thirty years), remember that you need to lose some weight and the best way to do so is not eating your lunch, so make a wise choice and shake hands with Mr. Germ Carrier. You will avoid both extra calories and backbite. I think I have had some idea about his mindset. What surprised me is that he read Carl Jung and recommends it to people who want to get rich.
March 7, 2017
Dumb book. Sad! I'm 100% confident nobody will ever get rich from reading this book. A better title would be "Trump: I am Incredible, and so am I". It's basically a collection of dusty old management 101 tropes with accompanying anecdotes which may or may not relate. Then he (ghost writer) tops it off with "A Week in the Life of Trump", which occupies roughly 25% of this "book". The whole thing reads like a Teen Bop profile ala Justin Bieber, but with a less sexy and intelligent subject. Oh well! I can't wait to round out my study of our new President's literary history with "The Art of the Deal". When your country has gone insane and elected Johnny Gentle, you might as well grab a tub of popcorn and enjoy the show.
December 29, 2017
Well, there were some valid points that were raised in this book.
I just wished he would've toned it down with his "me, me, me"-talk.
It made the book seem like he's trying to sell us something. (pun intended)
The book does feature a lot of anecdotes, some of which should be taken with a grain of salt.
Like the part where he talks about how good looking his two secretaries are. A remark that he swiftly follows up with a "you don't have to be beautiful to work for me though". ... Classic Donald Trump.
That's all I can say about it.
I just wished he would've toned it down with his "me, me, me"-talk.
It made the book seem like he's trying to sell us something. (pun intended)
The book does feature a lot of anecdotes, some of which should be taken with a grain of salt.
Like the part where he talks about how good looking his two secretaries are. A remark that he swiftly follows up with a "you don't have to be beautiful to work for me though". ... Classic Donald Trump.
That's all I can say about it.
June 13, 2012
This book is more of a how I did it rather than how to do it. The author Donald Trump discusses the ways he has become rich. He talks about his techniques on how he became what he is today. It is just a bunch of his life stories of him making money. I would recommend this book to a person who wants to be just like Donald Trump or someone who likes autobiographies.
August 8, 2016
I must admit that I'll probably won't become rich after reading this book. The ideas are the same as what you find in other books, it is just spiced with the (in)famous Trump attitude of "it's not whether you win or lose but whether you win!"
However, it is entertaining and I suppose that is what Trump like to be shown as: A rich, crazy wannabe president of United States.
However, it is entertaining and I suppose that is what Trump like to be shown as: A rich, crazy wannabe president of United States.
June 10, 2017
This is the most unintentionally hilarious book of all time.
If you're looking for the ramblings of a madman this book is for you! Or if you're looking for laughs feel free to read this one.
Trump spends 240 pages in which all he states is how awesome he is, how many famous people he hangs out with.
If you're looking for the ramblings of a madman this book is for you! Or if you're looking for laughs feel free to read this one.
Trump spends 240 pages in which all he states is how awesome he is, how many famous people he hangs out with.
April 20, 2011
Another boring book by a self-obsessed egomaniac. If you go for that kind of thing, this is the book for you.
December 3, 2014
I read this when I was a teenager. I learned a lot back then from this book about business and finance. A good read, especially for younger people.
July 9, 2017
1. Have a rich dad.
The end.
The end.
February 11, 2019
მართალია ნარცისიზმით სავსე წიგნია, მაგრამ ისეთი სირობაც არაა, როგორც ტრამპის ჰეითერები წერენ.
*Be a General
*Stay Focused
*Maintain Your Momentum
*Get a Great Assistant
*Focus on the Talent instead of The Title
*Manage the Person, Not the Job
*Think Big and Live Large
Money, like comedy, is all about timing.
*Be a General
*Stay Focused
*Maintain Your Momentum
*Get a Great Assistant
*Focus on the Talent instead of The Title
*Manage the Person, Not the Job
*Think Big and Live Large
Money, like comedy, is all about timing.
January 19, 2020
Great advice and brilliant insights from the Greatest Businessman of all Time. All those who don't agree are SAD LOSERS!
December 25, 2016
So the shock had worn off. Donald Trump is set to be the next president of the US. I figured I should learn a little about him. Art of the Deal was written ages ago, and his newer book was too close to the recent election - so I went for this 2004 title, released as part of the major success that was the first season of the Apprentice. I suspected the book would confirm what I would already know: the man was very ambitious, not particularly deep, and a relentless showman. These qualities are not necessarily damnable in the real world, but I suspect that they might be problematic in a president. As it is, let me start with the good parts first:
Negotiations
Mr Trump would like to believe that everything he touches turns to gold. That's why he tried Trump Steaks, Trump University, etc. But only those of us who have been in business know that success in one field doesn't necessarily mean success in others, and even the attempts at these failed businesses did some economic good. What isn't in dispute is that after learning from his disastrous overleverage in the 1980s, he has come back to become simply the most powerful and successful real estate developer in the world. The man makes millions simply from putting his name on a building, and that's not something anyone else in the world can do. He gives us some insights into a couple deals he did and it's interesting to see his single-mindedness, flexibility, and tenacity when going after deals he wants. He's not in it for the money. He's in it for the act of creating a body of work. If he can take this attitude - this real estate attitude - into presidential matters, America could be heading for some good years. He notes, "Contrary to what people may think, I listen to and take advice from a lot of people before I make a final decision on anything. I like to be as well informed as possible." (p. 193).
These quotes regarding a deal that involved Trump Tower are particularly insightful:
"Don't be confined by your expectations. Sometimes, what we want and what we actually want are two different things." (p. 126)
"You have to balance reason with passion. Reason keeps you open. Passion keeps your adrenaline going." (p. 126)
There's also this tactic, a form of which was employed by J. Paul Getty, a *true* titan of business and culture:
"I might make an outrageous comment in a meeting just to see whether the other people play along or take a stand and disagree." (p. 129)
So, that's it for the good parts. Now for the observations about the man himself, from a book that bears his own name as author...
"I've read stories in which I'm described as a cartoon, a comic book version of the big-city business mogul with the gorgeous girlfriend and the private plane and the personal golf course and the penthouse apartment with marble floors and gold bathroom fixtures. But my cartoon is real. I am the creator of my own comic book, and I love living in it. If you're going to think, think big. If you're going to live, live large." (p. 35)
"...don't believe the critics unless they love your work." (p. 54)
"...I'd rather have the junk food, anyway." (p. 91)
"I have come to hate doctors. I think that, generally, they are a bunch of money-grubbing dogs." (p. 106)
"I realized early on that I was an aesthete by nature, being attracted to beauty in both people and buildings." (p. 189)
What I can't quote, because it's melded deep within the DNA of this book, is Donald's love of name-dropping. Who he knows, who calls him, etc. 90% of the time he's giving love and recommendations - from his tailor to his lawyers to George Steinbrenner. The other 10% of the time he is settling scores and calling people out, though often he has anonymized stories, no doubt on legal advice.
The man has lived a charmed life, but 3 wives and 5 children later, he has to steer the United States of America. And now it's not just people who like reality TV watching. It's all of us. I share the sentiments of Dave Chapelle, who in November right after the election on SNL said, "I wish him luck." Let's see if he can take it to the next level. Because what he has done so far may be okay for a private citizen. But presidents have to shine.
Negotiations
Mr Trump would like to believe that everything he touches turns to gold. That's why he tried Trump Steaks, Trump University, etc. But only those of us who have been in business know that success in one field doesn't necessarily mean success in others, and even the attempts at these failed businesses did some economic good. What isn't in dispute is that after learning from his disastrous overleverage in the 1980s, he has come back to become simply the most powerful and successful real estate developer in the world. The man makes millions simply from putting his name on a building, and that's not something anyone else in the world can do. He gives us some insights into a couple deals he did and it's interesting to see his single-mindedness, flexibility, and tenacity when going after deals he wants. He's not in it for the money. He's in it for the act of creating a body of work. If he can take this attitude - this real estate attitude - into presidential matters, America could be heading for some good years. He notes, "Contrary to what people may think, I listen to and take advice from a lot of people before I make a final decision on anything. I like to be as well informed as possible." (p. 193).
These quotes regarding a deal that involved Trump Tower are particularly insightful:
"Don't be confined by your expectations. Sometimes, what we want and what we actually want are two different things." (p. 126)
"You have to balance reason with passion. Reason keeps you open. Passion keeps your adrenaline going." (p. 126)
There's also this tactic, a form of which was employed by J. Paul Getty, a *true* titan of business and culture:
"I might make an outrageous comment in a meeting just to see whether the other people play along or take a stand and disagree." (p. 129)
So, that's it for the good parts. Now for the observations about the man himself, from a book that bears his own name as author...
"I've read stories in which I'm described as a cartoon, a comic book version of the big-city business mogul with the gorgeous girlfriend and the private plane and the personal golf course and the penthouse apartment with marble floors and gold bathroom fixtures. But my cartoon is real. I am the creator of my own comic book, and I love living in it. If you're going to think, think big. If you're going to live, live large." (p. 35)
"...don't believe the critics unless they love your work." (p. 54)
"...I'd rather have the junk food, anyway." (p. 91)
"I have come to hate doctors. I think that, generally, they are a bunch of money-grubbing dogs." (p. 106)
"I realized early on that I was an aesthete by nature, being attracted to beauty in both people and buildings." (p. 189)
What I can't quote, because it's melded deep within the DNA of this book, is Donald's love of name-dropping. Who he knows, who calls him, etc. 90% of the time he's giving love and recommendations - from his tailor to his lawyers to George Steinbrenner. The other 10% of the time he is settling scores and calling people out, though often he has anonymized stories, no doubt on legal advice.
The man has lived a charmed life, but 3 wives and 5 children later, he has to steer the United States of America. And now it's not just people who like reality TV watching. It's all of us. I share the sentiments of Dave Chapelle, who in November right after the election on SNL said, "I wish him luck." Let's see if he can take it to the next level. Because what he has done so far may be okay for a private citizen. But presidents have to shine.
September 15, 2019
Update: September 2019
If I had known earlier his true colors, I would have given 1 star sooner.
Review from July 2014
It was alright at first then oddly turned inspiring. After knowing how the top 1% perform, it's truly remarkable how much they achieve in a day and the big thinking they carry with them every step of the way. I don't know anything about Donald Trump's autobiography so I can't really comment on his character much. Some will love him, and some will loath him and claim that he has gained mass amount of his wealth from lying and deception. None of that really matters to me because at the end of the day, you can choose to do business according to your goals and ethics. What matters is the picture Trump painted in the book. If you're highly successful, you can change so many people's lives and it's all up to you whether to put that power into good use. This book isn't recommended for those who are just starting out and wanting to know how the rich think, as there are many great books on that topic. This one is more like a depiction of what the top 1% are like, not how to get there, obviously, so in a sense the title of the book isn't that accurate.
Regardless, you can still learn something from it and will realize that many people have really small goals, presumably if they have any goals at all. It makes you compare these people to the top winners and realize they haven't lived life at all. Evidently, how you want to live your life all depends on the reflection of your life experience and goals, so if something makes you happy that doesn't mean that the subjective positivity will create the same effect on others. This means having small goals isn't necessary a bad thing and life itself is a complex creature without a definite answer. However, you can't deny the fact that there are a few people in this world who are truly making a big difference and derive great satisfaction from it. This is all we can learn from. Being ordinary is overrated. If you have all the time and money in the world, you can then start thinking beyond your circle like the less fortunate and help them. This is what many rich people do: they donate and give back. They realize that there are beggars living on the street all across the world. The question is how many people acknowledge their existence and try to help them. We need more people who think big and think for others. In this century, there's no excuse to not make a lot of money and be intellectually and financially self-sufficient. The Internet has changed everything. It all depends on whether you're gonna use it to play Facebook or make millions off of it. Well...that's not really related to the book but you know what I mean.
A great quote I got from Donald Trump is something like "if you're gonna think, think big". Love it! I'm already a person who thinks big, but after reading this I felt so small and made me revaluate my plans and what I wanna achieve. Life's too short to be thinking small. It's a garden, dig it!
If I had known earlier his true colors, I would have given 1 star sooner.
Review from July 2014
It was alright at first then oddly turned inspiring. After knowing how the top 1% perform, it's truly remarkable how much they achieve in a day and the big thinking they carry with them every step of the way. I don't know anything about Donald Trump's autobiography so I can't really comment on his character much. Some will love him, and some will loath him and claim that he has gained mass amount of his wealth from lying and deception. None of that really matters to me because at the end of the day, you can choose to do business according to your goals and ethics. What matters is the picture Trump painted in the book. If you're highly successful, you can change so many people's lives and it's all up to you whether to put that power into good use. This book isn't recommended for those who are just starting out and wanting to know how the rich think, as there are many great books on that topic. This one is more like a depiction of what the top 1% are like, not how to get there, obviously, so in a sense the title of the book isn't that accurate.
Regardless, you can still learn something from it and will realize that many people have really small goals, presumably if they have any goals at all. It makes you compare these people to the top winners and realize they haven't lived life at all. Evidently, how you want to live your life all depends on the reflection of your life experience and goals, so if something makes you happy that doesn't mean that the subjective positivity will create the same effect on others. This means having small goals isn't necessary a bad thing and life itself is a complex creature without a definite answer. However, you can't deny the fact that there are a few people in this world who are truly making a big difference and derive great satisfaction from it. This is all we can learn from. Being ordinary is overrated. If you have all the time and money in the world, you can then start thinking beyond your circle like the less fortunate and help them. This is what many rich people do: they donate and give back. They realize that there are beggars living on the street all across the world. The question is how many people acknowledge their existence and try to help them. We need more people who think big and think for others. In this century, there's no excuse to not make a lot of money and be intellectually and financially self-sufficient. The Internet has changed everything. It all depends on whether you're gonna use it to play Facebook or make millions off of it. Well...that's not really related to the book but you know what I mean.
A great quote I got from Donald Trump is something like "if you're gonna think, think big". Love it! I'm already a person who thinks big, but after reading this I felt so small and made me revaluate my plans and what I wanna achieve. Life's too short to be thinking small. It's a garden, dig it!
April 20, 2020
You know those chick lit books girls read at the beach or by the pool? Well, this is the kind of book that Wall Street guys and investment bankers read while sunbathing. Regardless of the title and of Trump's assurances that it is meant to show you "what it takes to get rich" (his words, not mine), this book is an obvious attempt to cash in from the success from The Apprentice.
To be fair, it was an entertaining read and would it have been marketed as such I would probably give it a better rating. In this book The Donald (capitalization intended)speaks briefly about being focused, but this book is anything but. He starts by giving a generalized take about how important it is to hire the right people and how deal with negotiations. Emphasis on the word "generalized." He goes into more detail about the people he likes and doesn't like, giving us a run-down of a typical Trump week, and what developing The Apprentice was like. Why not just stick to talking about The Apprentice? The intended audience for this book is clearly the loyal viewers, so why not just talk about his life while developing the show?
There were also these weird moments in which he spoke about his kids, Melania (his then-girlfriend, now-wife), and the letters he receives. There's nothing wrong with opening up about your personal relationships and, although I personally enjoyed learning of the eclectic mix of correspondence that reaches him, I did feel like he inserted these moments in order to appear as less of a monster. Of course he loves his family and it's nice he respects the adults his children turned out to be, but he's not really revealing anything that gives us any insight into the warm side of his character he clearly wishes to put across. If it's not revealing anything or providing any insights on getting rich, why would you include it in a book called "How To Get Rich."
Let's get down to the point, it's a short book. If you want to get your dose of Donald Trump, then this is the book for you. If you want to gain some insights, however, you would be better off reading The Art of the Deal. I haven't read it yet, but every time The Donald approaches something resembling business advice it always precedes with phrases such as "As I mentioned in The Art of The Deal..." or "In The Art of the Deal, I spoke of..."
Otherwise, you'd be better off reading Martha Stewart's business book (The Martha Rules)which gives fantastic advice, which is similar to The Donald's, but lends itself to be much more relatable and adaptable for practical use.
To be fair, it was an entertaining read and would it have been marketed as such I would probably give it a better rating. In this book The Donald (capitalization intended)speaks briefly about being focused, but this book is anything but. He starts by giving a generalized take about how important it is to hire the right people and how deal with negotiations. Emphasis on the word "generalized." He goes into more detail about the people he likes and doesn't like, giving us a run-down of a typical Trump week, and what developing The Apprentice was like. Why not just stick to talking about The Apprentice? The intended audience for this book is clearly the loyal viewers, so why not just talk about his life while developing the show?
There were also these weird moments in which he spoke about his kids, Melania (his then-girlfriend, now-wife), and the letters he receives. There's nothing wrong with opening up about your personal relationships and, although I personally enjoyed learning of the eclectic mix of correspondence that reaches him, I did feel like he inserted these moments in order to appear as less of a monster. Of course he loves his family and it's nice he respects the adults his children turned out to be, but he's not really revealing anything that gives us any insight into the warm side of his character he clearly wishes to put across. If it's not revealing anything or providing any insights on getting rich, why would you include it in a book called "How To Get Rich."
Let's get down to the point, it's a short book. If you want to get your dose of Donald Trump, then this is the book for you. If you want to gain some insights, however, you would be better off reading The Art of the Deal. I haven't read it yet, but every time The Donald approaches something resembling business advice it always precedes with phrases such as "As I mentioned in The Art of The Deal..." or "In The Art of the Deal, I spoke of..."
Otherwise, you'd be better off reading Martha Stewart's business book (The Martha Rules)which gives fantastic advice, which is similar to The Donald's, but lends itself to be much more relatable and adaptable for practical use.
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