The Amateur

Barack Obama in the White House

By: Edward Klein

Narrated by: John McLain

Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

It’s amateur hour at the White House. So says New York Times best-selling author Edward Klein in his political exposé The Amateur. Tapping into the public’s growing sentiment that President Obama is in over his head, The Amateur argues that Obama’s toxic combination of incompetence and arrogance has run our nation and his presidency off the rails.

“Obama was both completely inexperienced and ideologically far to the left of most Americans when he entered the White House,” says Klein. “And he was so arrogant that he didn’t even know what he didn’t know.”

Klein, who is known for getting the inside scoop on everyone from the Kennedys to the Clintons, reveals never before published details about the Obama administration’s political inner workings, as well as Barack and Michelle’s personal lives, including the inordinate influence Michelle wields over Barack and her feud with a high profile celebrity; the real reason Rahm Emanuel left the White House (it wasn’t for family reasons); why Valerie Jarrett’s role is closer to that of Rasputin than impartial senior advisor; how Obama has purposefully forgotten and ignored those who put him in power, including the Kennedys and the Jewish and African American communities in Chicago.

From Obama’s conceited and detached demeanor, to his detrimental reliance on Michelle Obama and Valerie Jarrett’s advice, to the Obamas’ extravagant and out of touch lifestyle, The Amateur reveals a president whose ignorance and incompetence are sabotaging himself, his presidency, and America.

©2012 Edward Klein (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

“ The Amateur is the best book I’ve read on how Barack Obama is wrecking our country. I urge everyone who cares about America to read Edward Klein’s eyeopening book.” (Donald J. Trump)

“This is a racy, entertaining, informative book that illuminates apects of Obama and his team that have not been previously reported. A necessary antidote to the Obama worship that is sure to characterize the election debate.” (Dinesh D’Souza,  New York Times best-selling author)

“A devastating indictment of the lethal combination of incompetence and radicalism that has made Obama into one of the worst presidents in American history.” (Norman Podhoretz,  New York Times best-selling author)

And yet, he was re-elected.....

This is not a scholarly work, nor is it possible to substantiate some of the claims that this book makes. However, if even part of this book is true, then it does not bode well for America that he is still in power.

Behind the scenes look inside the White House

I love tell-all biographies and this book is a satisfying read, for the behind the scenes and the secrets, the insults, the mistakes, and the "oops I shouldn't have said that - but can't take it back now" kind of things. This is how the White House really works. Although I support Obama, he's not perfect. No one is. Obama has some lofty ideals - listen to this audio book to find out how those ideals bit the dust. It's a great listen. Holds your interest beginning to end. It's funny how some people like the first or second half better. I found the first half better, more interesting things about people. The second half was more about politics, strategy and international relations - also good.

Interesting, revealing and a little - scary...

Any additional comments?

I have read mixed reviews of the author's other works so I listened with a skeptical ear. However I was immediately drawn into the story and enjoyed it very much. It promises to tell us about a man we know little about other than his carefully manicured public image. People on the right will have their suspicions confirmed. People on the left will dismiss it out of hand. I thought it was a good read, if a little unbelievable. That being said, if just 10% of this book is true, we are in big trouble. Recommended for political junkies.

Fascinating. Couldn't stop listening

This book is a very good listen. The stories seem credible, even though some believe the book to be exaggerated. I usually take a while to finish an audiobook, but I finished this one in less than a week because it held mt interest. John McLain narrated The Amateur smoothly.

a great analysis

What did you love best about The Amateur?

looking back at facts and mistakes and peaple behind the scenes......the iresponsible media, not protecting all Americans.....

Obama Fans Aren't Going to Like This Book!

Would you listen to The Amateur again? Why?

I would definitely listen again as there are some back stories surrounding Obama's closest aids that I found very interesting.

What other book might you compare The Amateur to and why?

Dick Cheney's memoir has similar stories. This book is about someone on the far opposite to Cheney though.

What about John McLain’s performance did you like?

I felt the narration was very good. His voice was clear and easily understandable.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Valerie Jarrett seems to be a puppet master and works closely with Michelle Obama in making key decisions.

Nailed This One

I think Mr Klein said what everyone else has been thinking. He said one thing when running for President and has done another. He promised to transform America he has done that but into what? With the present crisis with ISIS I do not think he has a clue what he should do. The crisis with the illegals crossing the border got attention from the press and he did nothing but play golf, and attend fund raisers, however, he can quickly find 3000 troops to send to Liberia. If something goes right he always takes credit for it and if it goes wrong he blames someone else. The Buck does not ever stop with him. This book just adds fuel to the fire of ' I don't have a clue'

The Amateur Exposed

Great compilation of information. Where was this before the election of 2008? A must-read into the background of our least-vetted President.

No one is this evil, awful, bad, or dark. Aaargh!

Look, I decided not to vote for President Obama before I read "the Amateur: I'm sorry I wasted the time on this polemic. According to Kline Mr. Obama is the worst PERSON to ever sit in the oval office. He has no redeeming characteristics. Klein is so over the top that he convinced me to take another look at The President. And while I will probably still have sufficient reservations regarding his economic strategies, I'm certainly going to give him the benefit of the doubt after listening to Klein's relentless vilification. Okay... I have learned never to read anything by this author again. Unless you feel the need for a loooooong injection of hatred delivered by an author who may even have contempt for your intelligence.... Skip this book.

Hmmmm Lots of Inside Details

Would you listen to The Amateur again? Why?

I bought both the e-book as well as the audible version; because of all of the cross referenced details I found the e-book easier to follow.

What other book might you compare The Amateur to and why?

It's similar to The Price of Politics.

What about John McLain’s performance did you like?

Excellent reader and easy to listen to.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

What the President's friends say behind his back!

I think he really doesn't like Obama

Of course, as a European, criticism based on Obama wanting to make the USA like some crazy socialist European state with a working national health insurance system, takes me a moment to decipher. I can understand the poor chap's frustration with a liberal media treating Obama's election like the second coming, but I got a bit tired of his polemic style, which never really managed to land killer blows on his object.

I will be returning this book

Despite not being American, I have always had a fascination with American Political History. I have always appreciated and admired some of the thought provoking, sober and skillful analysis of experienced long time Political Journalists regardless of the for/against view regarding certain political figures. This is certainly none of that. The Amateur should include the writer...it is truly mind blowing that this calibre of writing earns a Post at the NY Times. There are several things that are immediately clear: this book was commissioned by the Clinton's, it reads like a cross between a petty 80's teenage girls gossip magazine and the National Inquirer ('he said he was ''really happy'' but 'like' it was clear from how he said 'bye' he really meant...he hated the world'....no seriously..this is how poorly this book is written)...There are probably some interesting themes that could have been developed...unfortunately all are totally undermined by the lack of any evidence of basic competent research or willing by the author to do this...what an absolute stinker!!!