rick2's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve been wanting to read this for awhile as the author and I share the same name. His popularity of late is kinda nice. As now, when potential employers google my name, I’m pretty much impossible to find. Invisibility by obscurity is easier than trying to erase college keg stands from ancient databases.
An entertaining mud-slinging affair with some political strategy thrown in. Very impressed with the fecundity Rick has for creative insults directed at the current administration. “Fecal Midas” and “policy depth of a Katy Perry video” come to mind. I don’t know that anything I read was groundbreaking, but I appreciate the confirmation of my existing beliefs nonetheless.
Edit, reread after doing a bit of freelance work for an unnamed campaign here in Texas. This holds up really well and I realized upon rereading that a lot of the mudslinging merely is there to sugarcoat some pretty scathing commentary. It’s more stylistic then substance-based. As my general opinion is that most “analysis” of the political science nature isn’t worth it’s weight in kindling, the fact that 95% or so of this book holds up is really impressive.
An entertaining mud-slinging affair with some political strategy thrown in. Very impressed with the fecundity Rick has for creative insults directed at the current administration. “Fecal Midas” and “policy depth of a Katy Perry video” come to mind. I don’t know that anything I read was groundbreaking, but I appreciate the confirmation of my existing beliefs nonetheless.
Edit, reread after doing a bit of freelance work for an unnamed campaign here in Texas. This holds up really well and I realized upon rereading that a lot of the mudslinging merely is there to sugarcoat some pretty scathing commentary. It’s more stylistic then substance-based. As my general opinion is that most “analysis” of the political science nature isn’t worth it’s weight in kindling, the fact that 95% or so of this book holds up is really impressive.
dmturner's review against another edition
5.0
A hilarious extended exercise in invective by a conservative operative who drew the line at supporting Trump. He takes on anyone and everyone—though the one target he doesn’t aim at much is Russia.
This liberal enjoyed reading it.
This liberal enjoyed reading it.
bookhawk's review against another edition
4.0
Wilson is a political zinger writer if there has ever been one. Wilson is an intellectual without a filter in his humorous descriptions of Donald the Elder and his minions. Wilson is also a person who cares about the Republican Party and conservatism overall. Somewhat obscured or at least overshadowed in the book by the rhetorical flourishes is Wilson’s all too accurate pointing out of Trump and the congressional republicans departing from the party of small government and anti-deficit spending throughout the early Trump years. I also appreciate the comparison of Trump in Charlottesville versus Reagan and his reaction to KKK involvement or George H.W. Bush to David Duke running for office.
The book is a little dated as having been written/published in 2018 but it was eerily accurate in Trump trying to go authoritarian in trying to throw the rules out if it means he can get his way.
The book has portions that are definitely 5 star material but there are portions that drag a little making it a 4 star. This is definitely a book with intellectual and political legitimacy despite the humor and not a light read.
The book is a little dated as having been written/published in 2018 but it was eerily accurate in Trump trying to go authoritarian in trying to throw the rules out if it means he can get his way.
The book has portions that are definitely 5 star material but there are portions that drag a little making it a 4 star. This is definitely a book with intellectual and political legitimacy despite the humor and not a light read.
teresadennis's review against another edition
4.0
The language will blister your eyes, but the laughs compensate and this book is funny. I would have given it five stars if only the author had touched at all on the Trumpster's bad habit of insulting our traditional allies (Germany, Canada, NATO) while getting all mushy with dictator/strongmen (North Korea, RUSSIA.) I even appreciated his advice to Democrats. Hope somebody's listening.
__karen__'s review against another edition
4.0
Reading Everything Trump Touches Dies, the phrase "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" comes to mind...
Wilson has a biting, humorous approach and I found myself agreeing with a lot of his commentary. Perhaps more important than his opinion on the current state of the Republican party: His comments about Democrats' failings. I consider Trump's election (and the aftermath) a "those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it" moment for Democratic party leadership.
Wilson is a Republican Strategist. While he may not rise (or stoop) to the level of Roger Stone's dirty tricks, his focus is on making Republican candidates look good. Trump is an aberration for Wilson. Once Trump is in the rearview mirror, Wilson will be back at it, smearing his candidates' opponents.
An interesting read. Recommended.
Wilson has a biting, humorous approach and I found myself agreeing with a lot of his commentary. Perhaps more important than his opinion on the current state of the Republican party: His comments about Democrats' failings. I consider Trump's election (and the aftermath) a "those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it" moment for Democratic party leadership.
Wilson is a Republican Strategist. While he may not rise (or stoop) to the level of Roger Stone's dirty tricks, his focus is on making Republican candidates look good. Trump is an aberration for Wilson. Once Trump is in the rearview mirror, Wilson will be back at it, smearing his candidates' opponents.
An interesting read. Recommended.
sherming's review against another edition
4.0
So, you've been working for the Republican establishment for 30+ years and then some yahoo who probably ran for President to get publicity and never thought he'd have to govern ends up becoming President with the help of the lame-stream media and a cadre of folks who turned their backs on the values you espouse. What do you do? You make a checklist of all the people and institutions you're really pissed at and take your decades of experience and the sharp wit you used to pillory Democrats for years and turn it on the people who've ruined your party, America, and most probably the world.
If you think Trump is the worst thing to happen to the country and the world in decades, you'll probably find this book amusing and congratulate yourself for agreeing with so many of the points this guy makes, and he's really looking to make points. To say that Wilson pulls no punches vastly understates the anger he vents and the vitriol he uses to dismantle the targets in this book. Probably 90% of the book is red in the face, spittle-flecked ranting, but done with erudition that many of his targets might not understand. He does take Democrats to task at times and offers some fairly frank, though limited advice to them. The last 10% or so of the book is a toned-down prescription for how the Republican party can potentially recover from the toxic shit-storm that Donald Trump has turned it into. Two key points: tell conspiracy nuts and racists that they have no place in the "Party of Lincoln."
If you think Trump is the worst thing to happen to the country and the world in decades, you'll probably find this book amusing and congratulate yourself for agreeing with so many of the points this guy makes, and he's really looking to make points. To say that Wilson pulls no punches vastly understates the anger he vents and the vitriol he uses to dismantle the targets in this book. Probably 90% of the book is red in the face, spittle-flecked ranting, but done with erudition that many of his targets might not understand. He does take Democrats to task at times and offers some fairly frank, though limited advice to them. The last 10% or so of the book is a toned-down prescription for how the Republican party can potentially recover from the toxic shit-storm that Donald Trump has turned it into. Two key points: tell conspiracy nuts and racists that they have no place in the "Party of Lincoln."
rclz's review against another edition
5.0
Couldn't put it down. Rick does a great job on the narration. I don't read much non-fiction but this was well worth my time.
tschmitty's review against another edition
4.0
Sane conservative Rick Wilson shares his perspective on how Trump rose to power and the ensuing corruption. Refreshing to read.