Confidence Man

The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America

By: Maggie Haberman

Narrated by: Maggie Haberman

*THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*

*A Financial Times Book of the Year*

*Economist Book of the Year*

‘A political epic’ – Guardian

‘This is the book Trump fears most.’ – Axios

Few journalists have covered Donald Trump more extensively than Maggie Haberman. And few better understand the polarizing 45th president or his motivations. In this astonishing, illuminating book, Haberman reveals all about Trump the man, the president and the phenomenon.

Interviews with hundreds of sources and with Trump himself portray a complicated and often contradictory figure. Capable of kindness but relying on casual cruelty as it suits his purposes. Pugnacious. Insecure. Lonely. Vindictive. Menacing. Smarter than his critics contend and colder and more calculating than his allies believe. A man who embedded himself in popular culture for decades, laying the groundwork to galvanize support for a successful run for high office.

Chronicling Trump’s entire career, from his rise in New York City to his tortured post-presidency and potential comeback, Confidence Man is a magnificent, disturbing reckoning of the president who pushed American democracy to the brink.

Critic reviews

‘A devastating portrait’ Economist

‘Maggie Haberman, the New York Times’ Trump whisperer, delivers. Her latest book is much more than 600 pages of context, scoop and drama. It is a political epic, tracing Donald Trump’s journey from the streets of Queens to Manhattan’s Upper East Side, from the White House to Mar-a-Lago, his Elba. There, the 45th president holds court – and broods and plots his return.’ Guardian

‘[Confidence Man] will be a primary source about the most vexing president in American history for years to come… [Haberman] is an exemplar of her craft, relentless, judicious and even-keeled.’ New York Times

Excellent

Excellent contemporary account, that'll seemlesly inform the historical record. - a distant observer from NZ

A necessary but depressing saga

I don't know how the writer felt each time she settled down to this book, but I felt sad and despairing. How can a megimanic self-absorbed narcissist manipulate and control an entire nation? And it may happen again with the support of millions of people who either admire these traits or are prepared to endorse such evil for their owns ends.
Maggie's reading style is exactly like her speaking style. Factual, crisp, insightful, measured and monotonous. I expected this but the impact along with the tale of epic greed made the listening tough at times.
But taken in short sessions it was important to continue. it is depressing but has increased my knowledge of how this man grew into a monster.