Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Haberman has been reporting on Trump for years. On the negative side, sometimes she's let him use her to get out his own message in the New York Times. On the positive side, she appears to see through him now. When he says (in front of his aide) that he "loves her" and says she's "like my psychiatrist", she recognizes the tactic for exactly what it is--the usual schtick to ingratiate himself with someone and manipulate the message. This was heartening to see. There is less "both sidesism" than I expected, and more clear-eyed exposition of who this man is and the damage he has done to the country. As she points out, there was ample reason to not take him very seriously as a cartoonishly larger-than-life NY celebrity real estate developer/self promoter. Now, however, he has become a serious historical force. Like it or not, everyone needs to take Trump, his message and his "movement" seriously, and Haberman does--while providing many anecdotes that would be comical if they were not so alarming and so dangerous. I haven't figured out yet if the 600+ pages are really necessary as it's a long slog at points. On the other hand, it's Trump, so probably the answer is "yes". I will say that I'd stopped buying Trump books, despite the rash of interesting new ones out, but broke down for this one, and don't regret it.