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adamrbrooks's review against another edition
4.0
Having heard Rick Wilson on a few podcasts (including multiple appearances on "Friends Like These), I had a pretty good idea what to expect from this book -- intelligent, powerful critiques of Trump, Trumpism and his/its enablers in Congress. And the book hits on all the great points that make me fear for the future of the Republic.
I hadn't heard him as often speak about his advice for Democrats, which was interesting.
His solution for today's GOP is correct, but bleak. He wants a return to Reagan's positivity and hope; an exile of the racists, bigots and the alt-right; a respect for the rule of law and the co-equal branches of government. As an independent, that's the GOP I'd love to see, too. There are absolutely no indications today's party leaders have any intention of returning to those ideals. Though Wilson points out the long-term disaster of the current path, it's clear the people he used to work for and with have decided they'll take what they can get now, and worry about the future later. Minority rule is working for them -- since most people don't vote -- and they don't want to change it.
In fact, since this book went to press, GOP has gotten even more aggressive about its vote-suppression and disenfranchisement efforts.
I'm not sure how anyone can expect the party to come back from that.
I hadn't heard him as often speak about his advice for Democrats, which was interesting.
His solution for today's GOP is correct, but bleak. He wants a return to Reagan's positivity and hope; an exile of the racists, bigots and the alt-right; a respect for the rule of law and the co-equal branches of government. As an independent, that's the GOP I'd love to see, too. There are absolutely no indications today's party leaders have any intention of returning to those ideals. Though Wilson points out the long-term disaster of the current path, it's clear the people he used to work for and with have decided they'll take what they can get now, and worry about the future later. Minority rule is working for them -- since most people don't vote -- and they don't want to change it.
In fact, since this book went to press, GOP has gotten even more aggressive about its vote-suppression and disenfranchisement efforts.
I'm not sure how anyone can expect the party to come back from that.
rebeccanotbecky's review against another edition
5.0
A must read for all Never Trumpers, leftists, and anyone who believes in the values of liberal democracy.
juliana_aldous's review against another edition
4.0
And on that note I take a break from reading books on poli—Damn! New Michael Lewis book out about government!?
alibi313's review against another edition
2.0
While it’s cathartic to read a Never-Trumper making fun of 45* and his cronies, Wilson’s blind spot about the complicity of him and his ilk prevent me from rewarding this book with any more than two stars. He refuses to see Trump as a predictable outcome of years of dog whistling from Republicans, making the ludicrous assertion that no other Republican presidents were the least bit racist—that was just a nasty lie we Democrats told. Apparently, even Nixon was great for African Americans—seriously? And don’t get him started on his patron saint, Ronnie...No, the short-fingered vulgarian is a mere outlier. Also, I cannot ever trust anyone on the right who continues to use terms such as pro-abortion and Democrat party. As soon as His Orangeness is out of office, I know Wilson will be right back to his old (dirty) tricks.
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.