The Making of Donald Trump

Interesting book by a Pulitzer winning writer, journalist who is highly educated in taxes. I can not understand anyone's attraction to this despicable human being. Reading this book should be a requirement before entering the voting booth.

A fabulous read and a must read. Johnston has been following Trump since the very beginning of Trump's Atlantic City days. Too bad it ends before the election. Can't wait for a follow-up book. Johnston is on MSNBC all the time -- follow him.

This book is well written but frightening, if true. I just think that it points out just how corrupt our entire society is. DJT could not get away with his wrongs if we did our job correctly and enforce the laws that we have.
DP

The writer of this book is a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter. That is important because every statement concerning his subject is verified, by necessity, to keep him out of court. No matter what you may think about President Trump, it is one thing to have rumors and claims carelessly tossed about, it is another to read a carefully considered, researched account.

A very well-written and well researched book by a respected Pulitzer-prize winning journalist. This isn't a quickie hatchet job, it's a piece of well-thought, well-researched journalism. It paints a frightening picture of the man behind the self-created myth. However, the most frightening aspect of the book is the more one reads of it the more one notices just how cautiously the author phrases every sentence. This is very likely because of Trump reputation for suing anyone who challenges his image. For example: journalist Timothy O'Brien was sued by Trump for 5 billion dollars over his excellent book "Trumpnation". Trump lost that case, but his attacks on journalists should be a concern for all Americans.

I typically do not read books politicians and business men because frankly I find them boring. However, my book club decided in October to read a biography about whichever presidential candidate won the election. I'm really glad we made this decision. I wouldn't classify this book as biography by any means, but it was difficult to find one. I will warn potential readers that if you dislike Donald Trump before you read the book, you'll despise him when you're finished. The author did an outstanding job with research. I tend to be skeptical of any biographical books and question the facts. I googled as I read and found plenty of information to support the author's information. In fact, he cited his own work in the last 25% of the book complete with links to various websites. Mr. Johnston's years of investigative reporting are evident in his writing style and lead in sentences. It was definitely not boring. I feel like I have a better understanding of our new president.

Author Johnston states clearly that Trump is not his choice and outlines a little of Trump's family history and skips to mainly detail all the nefarious business and personal dealings which ultimately make him unfit to be president.

This is a reputable book which uses reputable sources. Also a quick easy read. I would have liked more detail on some issues, but then it would not have been such a quick read. For more depth look at "The Truth About Trump" by d'Antonio.

Excellent overview of the oddly charmed life of Trump. Officials have consistently overlooked his illegal shenanigans for decades. It's no wonder he feels entitled to say and do anything he pleases; he knows he will always get away unscathed. Why is that, I wonder?

The level of Trump's narcissism is surely profound. How he could even consider running for President of the United States given all of this public information is mind boggling. The book is a must read for voters. Only hope that more of this information becomes apparent to all as the election season progresses.

This one should be required reading for everyone leaning toward The Donald. Johnston has gathered years of following the career of Trump and compiled in readable, compact form. Many of the items have been published over the years, or referred to, by others. Highly recommend for those trying to explain why this election is so important. The behavioral pattern persists.

News media publications and television news shows need to run a weekly series from this book. Superb research, documentation. If this book starts climbing the charts, Trump will be filing a lawsuit, one of his favorite pastimes. Kudos, Mr. Johnston. Hope you earn another Pulitzer.

I was intrigued but mostly appalled by the history of Trump, a shyster in the truest sense of the word. Not only 'crooked' but also, as evidenced in the book, excruciatingly lazy . Willing to "rent" his name to line his pockets rather than do the actual work of developing & managing real estate. Like his father and grandfather he has taken the easy route to riches. Yet unlike them he has failed miserably. His exploitation of the Polish immigrants who helped build Trump Tower is especially heartbreaking. I wonder if they suffered with asbestos toxicity or other ailments as a result of their working conditions. Trump claimed he " sacrificed" by erecting structures. But the opposite is true. He has repeatedly drawn on the sacrifice of others to enrich himself.

I thought this was a pretty good read. I learned a lot from reading it but it is a quick read. I think I will try another book about bread head that has a little more detail. The book is well written but I wanted something more in depth. Definitely the book is worth getting.

Expertly documented. I, like Johnston still can't believe the way the press reported only shocking "fluff" like sex tapes instead of the numerous and well documented illegal activities. Shame on America for advancing this bad person.

David Cay Johnston is one of the hardest working, most honest and fearless reporters working in journalism today. He's won a Pulitzer prize for his thorough investigative work and has covered Trump for 30 years. I worked alongside him briefly many years ago and was amazed at his willingness to dig through piles of documents other reporters were too lazy or too scared to tackle. His look at Trump's activities over the years is better than anything you'll find anywhere. He's been following this man's business deals for decades and has plenty of evidence to back up everything he's written. It should be required reading of every American voter.

Unfortunately, this book details the multiple lawsuits and bad business that involve our POTUS. Any person who claims they are a fan should read this eye-opening book that details how Trump is a fraud.

Wow! This book tells it all about Donald Trump. How he hot elected as our president is beyond me. I appreciate the candor and calm voice in this book. A must read for EVERY American--now more than ever!

This book should have been REQUIRED reading for any Die Hard Republican voter who was on the fence on whether or not to give Trump their vote to run as the Republican canidate in the election.
If only they knew how unethically slimmy of a business man he is & one w/o empathy for ANYTHING ... unless it helps him. Not even America.

I have read 3 Trump biographies: Fire and Fury, The Making of Donald Trump, and Donald Trump Revealed. Johnston biography is an easy read, and an entertaining look at Trump, particularly the blustery Trump, who cares not one whit for the working man!

In a detailed and thoroughly researched book, "The Making of Donald Trump" by author David Cay Johnston is, well, a triumph! Johnston has known Trump for many years so his insights are most welcome, especially as the presidential election looms. It's all here....from Trump as landlord, mobster associate, art destroyer and finally as an inept casino owner, the author delves into aspects of Trump that we most likely didn't know and were horrified to learn (but hardly surprised) when related to the reader. "The Making of Donald Trump" is as compelling a book as one NEEDS to read with weeks to go before November. I highly recommend it.

This is my second book on Donald Trump. I recently read and reviewed TRUMP REVEALED. Between the two, I feel that THE MAKING OF DONALD TRUMP is more concise and a much better piece of investigative journalism. The bottom like is that Trump comes across a revengeful, petty and small minded man who has been very lucky in business. But for the fact that his father left him money and a name, he would probably be a two bit hustler or maybe selling used cars with a stable of "girls" on the side. It is also likely that had he not had the money, security and influence that he has, I suspect that people in the construction industry would have taken him into a dark alley and broken his legs or worse for the dirty tricks he played - like not paying contractors.

Although the point was made in TRUMP REVEALED about Trump's lack or real business skills the point is made more strongly by Author David Cay Johnston. Johnston does a very good job of demonstrating Trump's lack of knowledge about the entire gaming and hospitality industry in general. One of the final chapters entitled "Whales" where Johnston shows how Trump handled big time gamblers is particularly interesting

But as with author Kranish in TRUMP REVEALED there is not a lot about his marriages.

His threats of filing law suits have kept many of the stories about him out of the press.

But what Johnston does emphasis is the cozy relationship that Trump had with the gaming commission in New Jersey that allowed him to get away with all kinds of violations.

All in all, Trump is portrayed as a miserable human being who steps on the anyone below him - the very people that are voting for and supporting him now. He has no conscience - clearly demonstrated when he cut the health insurance for his nephew's child because the nephew contested Fred Trump Sr.'s will. Johnston also makes many interesting points regarding Trump's relationships with underworld figures - people he totally forgets when asked - even though he brags about having the best memory in the world.

This is a very timely read about a subject that changes with every news cast. It's a must read for those who want to speak on the subject of the worse person ever to run for the office of President of the United States

If only the GOP candidates running against Trump in the primaries had taken the time to talk to David Cay Johnston. We may not have had to listen to his bleating on television 24/7. The best thing about this book is that Donald will never be able to sue. It's full of accurate information that some of us have known for years. And some of it is just unbelievable but true. Trump has a dark heart, you see that through his many acts of spitefulness toward his family, wives and business partners. He has no friends, he has no hobbies, doesn't read and is exceptionally dull. The way he has managed his business is nothing short of idiotic. He's always used other people's money because he either lacked the funds or the credit. Then spent like there was no tomorrow. He seems to be endlessly aggrieved. It's a blessing that he is so far behind because our country could not survive this man's mental disorders. Thank you David for writing a very compelling, fact based account of the manic life of Donald Trump.