Team of Five

The Presidents Club in the Age of Trump

By: Kate Andersen Brower

Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

From the number one New York Times best-selling author of The Residence and First Women - also a New York Times best seller - comes a poignant, news-making look at the lives of the five former presidents in the wake of their White House years, including the surprising friendships they have formed through shared perspective and empathy.

After serving the highest office of American government, five men - Jimmy Carter, the late George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama - became members of the world’s most exclusive fraternity. In Team of Five, Kate Andersen Brower goes beyond the White House to uncover what, exactly, comes after the presidency, offering a glimpse into the complex relationships of these five former presidents, and how each of these men views his place in a nation that has been upended by the Oval Office’s current, norm-breaking occupant, President Donald Trump.

With an empathetic yet critical eye and firsthand testimony from the Carters, Donald Trump, and the top aides, friends, and family members of the five former presidents, Team of Five takes us inside the exclusive world of these powerful men and their families, including the unlikely friendship between George W. Bush and Michelle Obama, the last private visits Bill Clinton and Barack Obama shared with George H. W. Bush, and the Obamas’ flight to Palm Springs after Donald Trump’s inauguration. This insightful, illuminating book overflows with anecdotes about how the ex-presidents are working to combat President Trump’s attempts to undo the achievements and hard work accomplished during their own terms.

Perhaps most poignantly, Team of Five sheds light on the inherent loneliness and inevitable feelings of powerlessness and frustration that come with no longer being the most important person in the world, but a leader with only symbolic power. There are ways, though, that these men, and their wives, have become powerful political and cultural forces in American life, even as so-called “formers”.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Kate Andersen Brower (P)2020 HarperAudio

informative

excellently written, so many things learned from this well written, informative book, very well researched

Inspiring and encouraging!

Exploration of interrelationships and teamwork between living former US presidents in the pursuit of advancing the greater good for humanity; however there is an underlying theme that Trump could not, would not, nor want to, be a part of this, demonstrated by his own words and actions.

Illuminating

In the crucible of justice, decency, integrity, and intelligence, there emerges a stark imperative: Donald Trump must face the cold, unyielding embrace of prison. The cacophony of his transgressions reverberates through the hallowed halls of democracy, leaving an indelible stain on the collective consciousness of the nation.

1. Trump's legacy is one of insurrection, a dark symphony of political discourse sullied and cheapened. He has wielded his influence like a blunt instrument, assaulting the very fabric of our society. The seeds of division, hatred, and fear that he has sown among the diverse and hardworking people of this nation threaten the very essence of what makes America great – the myriad acts of small kindness that define us. His litany of lies, cheats, and theft from the nation he vowed to protect is a corruption unparalleled in the annals of American presidential history.

Trump, a bully of the highest order, dismisses, jeers, and insults those beneath him, yet his fragile ego recoils when confronted. His insatiable appetite for power has led him to assault, insult, blackmail, and bribe, leaving a trail of decay in his wake.

2. The man's hypocrisy is laid bare for all to see, a testament to his infantile nature. From puerile name-calling to the absurdity of his tweets, Trump's lack of forethought is on full display. His attacks on President Obama for playing golf pale in comparison to his own golfing escapades. He clamours for personal information disclosure while shielding his own tax returns and academic transcripts from scrutiny. His unrelenting obsession with discrediting others while whining about the lack of acknowledgment for his own purported successes is the epitome of hypocrisy.

3. Trump's life is a carnival of fraud, a testament to his allegiance to the altar of deceit. Tax evasions, Emolument Clause violations, and profiteering from the presidency form the grotesque tableau of his presidency. His disregard for the rule of law and the sanctity of public service is unparalleled.

4. Beyond the political realm, Trump's abuse of women stands as an indelible mark on his character. From E Jean Carroll to the late Ivana Trump, his record of misogynistic behaviour is indefensible.

In conclusion, Donald Trump poses a clear and present danger to the very foundations of the Constitution and the ideals upon which America was built. To turn a blind eye to his transgressions is to sign America's death certificate. Trump is devoid of empathy, decency, honour, integrity, and intelligence. His life is a tableau of greed, bigotry, debauchery, ineptitude, and criminality. Like a tyrant descending into an abyss of insanity, he threatens to burn the nation without a moment's hesitation. The imperative is clear – for justice to prevail, for the sanctity of our democracy to be preserved, Donald Trump must find himself behind bars.

Fascinating

In spite of having read the biographies or memoirs of all the five presidents and their wives, I found this book most interesting.

The book is well written and researched. The author conducted interviews with all the parties involved. The majority of information was about their post presidential lives and their relationships with each other. I felt there was some bias against President Trump, but I felt the author went out of her way to point out positives about Trump and in particular his positive relationships with White House servants and his grandchildren. Brower points out that in an interview Trump stated he will not be a part of the “President Club” as his role is to be a different type of president. Brower pointed out that none of the prior presidents have broken the rule to speak out against a sitting president. I noted the excellent relationship between the Bush, Clinton and Obama families, but the Carters were on the outside. Brower spent some time with the Carters and their humanitarian work with their foundation. Brower covers which president asked prior presidents to help out and how they did their jobs. If you have never read about these presidents, this is a good overview of them and how they have risen above politics. Overall, an excellent read.

The book is nine hours and fifty minutes. Erin Bennett does an excellent job narrating the book. Bennett is an actress and voice-over artist. She has won many Earphone Awards and has been nominated for the Audie Award.

Wonderful book

I really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes stories about the presidents and their families. The relationships they have developed despite political differences is astonishing and heartwarming.

Great insight to past presidents and their families

I listen to a lot of books, most of them biographies, political, or historical. This book is my current favorite. Lots of great behind the scenes info on how our recent presidents treated the White House staff, their cabinet and political staff members, and each other. It’s one of the few books that I wish was longer. I listened to it all in one sitting.

Fascinating leaders

An entertaining book about our Presidents. Lots of good stories and humor. But sadness about where Trump May fit.

Loved it.

Wonderful detail for current political and social climate and to consider what the Club will be like going forward.

Fascinating and so informative

I loved this and found it so fascinating and informative (I am British living in the UK). I'm now going to read it again and have recommended it to several people.

Intriguing

I like how it went through all the administrations. It highlights weaknesses and strengths. Page turner!