Scan barcode
uvrx's review against another edition
2.0
I listened to the audiobook, so I'll start with saying the narration was good. The book itself was okay I guess, but wasn't really a page turner.
What I think the book was trying to portray was Democrats bad, Republicans good, the meh Republicans are 'basically Democrats' so they're bad. Trump doesn't know what he's doing, whereas the author does everything right and even quotes the praises he received to that effect from Trump/press/whoever throughout the book to 'support' the fact. The place is in shambles and finally if you've never been on the inside, you have no idea and can't understand.
Not really sure if it was worth the read, I think it was pretty biased towards Republican ideals even though it is anti their leader.
Books by David Frum, Andrew McCabe, James Comey, Bob Woodward, Anonymous's A Warning and even Omarosa Manigault Newman made for a better read. IMHO
What I think the book was trying to portray was Democrats bad, Republicans good, the meh Republicans are 'basically Democrats' so they're bad. Trump doesn't know what he's doing, whereas the author does everything right and even quotes the praises he received to that effect from Trump/press/whoever throughout the book to 'support' the fact. The place is in shambles and finally if you've never been on the inside, you have no idea and can't understand.
Not really sure if it was worth the read, I think it was pretty biased towards Republican ideals even though it is anti their leader.
Books by David Frum, Andrew McCabe, James Comey, Bob Woodward, Anonymous's A Warning and even Omarosa Manigault Newman made for a better read. IMHO
cordz's review against another edition
3.0
It is hard to say it was enjoyable due to the very different views of a Republican to mine, however it does paint a picture of Trump I wish came during the trials. The takeaway is obvious, but doesn't feel too fictionalized.
greybeard49's review against another edition
2.0
I try not to sound pithy in composing book reviews but it is hard not to here.
This is a book written by one unpleasant delusional narcissist about an even more unpleasant, delusional and dangerous narcissist. I gave it 2 stars because it does provide some insight into the machinations that take/took place in the Oval Office and paints a very worrying picture of how its main occupant and the sychophants that surround him seem to function, if that is not a contradiction in terms.
The work is clouded by the high self regard the author holds himself in and the suspicion that as pen touches paper the first point of reference is his own self interest and how he should appear in the scene he is describing. It is written in a 'dear diary' format with each chapter covering a period or topic but rolled out in a 'we went here' 'he said this' format, interspersed with some background notes to aid the reader. It becomes increasingly wearing as you progress. As I read the book I was appalled by the interactions described and by how some critical world defining decisions were arrived at or staggered into.
THE BOOK LEFT ME FEELING FEARFUL AND HOPING FOR A SEA CHANGE IN NOVEMBER!
This is a book written by one unpleasant delusional narcissist about an even more unpleasant, delusional and dangerous narcissist. I gave it 2 stars because it does provide some insight into the machinations that take/took place in the Oval Office and paints a very worrying picture of how its main occupant and the sychophants that surround him seem to function, if that is not a contradiction in terms.
The work is clouded by the high self regard the author holds himself in and the suspicion that as pen touches paper the first point of reference is his own self interest and how he should appear in the scene he is describing. It is written in a 'dear diary' format with each chapter covering a period or topic but rolled out in a 'we went here' 'he said this' format, interspersed with some background notes to aid the reader. It becomes increasingly wearing as you progress. As I read the book I was appalled by the interactions described and by how some critical world defining decisions were arrived at or staggered into.
THE BOOK LEFT ME FEELING FEARFUL AND HOPING FOR A SEA CHANGE IN NOVEMBER!
gimpyknee's review against another edition
1.0
A book about a pompous ass written by a pompous ass. Not much new here other than Rex Tillerson earned more respect. Not only did he he say that Trump is a fucking moron, he also called Nikki Haley a cunt to her face. Fortunately, I found a PDF of this book online so scumbag Bolton earned nothing from me. The egotistic SOB should have testified before Congress in the House of Representatives impeachment hearings.
stevem0214's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty bad book. I think short of the President, I've never heard or read anyone use the pronoun "I" as much as Bolton. Not sure why he was not President. But...he does expose the President to be unfit for the office and that's what I wanted to see confirmed. Sorry...I got political and I don't mean to do that! Read the reviews and the coverage on the new and save yourself the time and money on the book!
ogreart's review against another edition
3.0
I found this to be self-serving and self-aggrandizing. He certainly has a very high opinion of himself and absolute certainty about his ideas. I found it off-putting, especially the epilogue, which was read by the author.
tempamatic's review against another edition
1.0
This is one of the worst books I've ever read. It's as if Bolton took his notes and published them verbatim after sprinkling in his misguided theories about how the world works. Do yourself a favor and avoid this garbage.
brynawel's review against another edition
1.0
The constant back-slapping of a narcissist who can’t get over not getting to the violent part of the “negotiations”. John Bolton has nothing but contempt for everybody who is not John Bolton.
dansquire's review against another edition
1.0
This book was an absolute snooze-fest. It's like reading meeting minutes, not a memoir of an intelligent, interesting person. For all the media hype, I cannot discourage you from reading this book enough. It's recounted without any real wit or engagement, just 600 pages of he-said-she-said.
I had seen some of the snippets of scandalous revelations which were posted about what was included in the book beforehand. But instead of titling those articles "5 most startling things in the John Bolton book", they should have titled them "the ONLY interesting things in the book". So Trump is whiny and indecisive behind closed doors. Big whoop - we all already knew that. You might as well just read the news coverage, and you'll get all the key info without having to spend days/weeks ploughing through this monotonous drivel.
This book is a total cash-in by Bolton, written to absolve himself in the historical record. While it does offer a first-hand source for future historians, it doesn't offer anything interesting for contemporary, casual readers. I'm glad I borrowed the book rather than putting money into his pocket by buying it outright.
I had seen some of the snippets of scandalous revelations which were posted about what was included in the book beforehand. But instead of titling those articles "5 most startling things in the John Bolton book", they should have titled them "the ONLY interesting things in the book". So Trump is whiny and indecisive behind closed doors. Big whoop - we all already knew that. You might as well just read the news coverage, and you'll get all the key info without having to spend days/weeks ploughing through this monotonous drivel.
This book is a total cash-in by Bolton, written to absolve himself in the historical record. While it does offer a first-hand source for future historians, it doesn't offer anything interesting for contemporary, casual readers. I'm glad I borrowed the book rather than putting money into his pocket by buying it outright.