Trumpocracy

The Corruption of the American Republic

By: David Frum

Narrated by: David Frum, James Anderson Foster

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Best-selling author, former White House speechwriter, and Atlantic columnist and media commentator David Frum explains why President Trump has undermined our most important institutions in ways even the most critical media has missed, in this thoughtful and hard-hitting book that is a warning for democracy and America's future.

"From Russia to South Africa, from Turkey to the Philippines, from Venezuela to Hungary, authoritarian leaders have smashed restraints on their power. Media freedom and judicial independence have eroded. The right to vote remains, but the right to have one's vote counted fairly may not. Until the US presidential election of 2016, the global decline of democracy seemed a concern for other peoples in other lands.... That complacent optimism has been upended by the political rise of Donald Trump. The crisis is upon Americans, here and now."

Quietly, steadily, Trump and his administration are damaging the tenets and accepted practices of American democracy, perhaps irrevocably. As he and his family enrich themselves, the presidency itself falls into the hands of the generals and financiers who surround him.

While much of the country has been focused on Russia, David Frum has been collecting the lies, obfuscations, and flagrant disregard for the traditional limits placed on the office of the presidency. In Trumpocracy, he documents how Trump and his administration are steadily damaging the tenets and accepted practices of American democracy. During his own White House tenure as George W. Bush's speechwriter, Frum witnessed the ways the presidency is limited not by law but by tradition, propriety, and public outcry, all now weakened. Whether the Trump presidency lasts two, four, or eight more years, he has changed the nature of the office for the worse, and likely for decades.

In this powerful and eye-opening book, Frum makes clear that the hard work of recovery starts at home. Trumpocracy outlines how Trump could push America toward illiberalism, what the consequences could be for our nation and our everyday lives, and what we can do to prevent it.

©2018 David Frum (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Read this instead of Fire and Fury

This is the most terrifying book I’ve read about the Trump phenomenon; especially so given that it comes from conservative thinker David Frum. Where as Fire and Fury is simply a laundry list of the craziness that is Donald Trump (eating cheeseburgers in bed, etc.), this book lays out the real and present dangers Trump is inflicting on our democracy. It should be required reading for all Trump voters past and future.

A thoughtful and intelligent work

While I may not agree with Mr Frum on a number of political issues, he is one of a number of conservatives for which I have the greatest respect. He always makes me think and provides a thoughtful and well written analysis of issues and support for his views. Being a never trumpet I thought it would support my attitude and how I deal with trump supporters. While it reinforced much of what I thought, it made me think about how I interact with those who have led us into this debacle. It also helped me see the silver lining of Trump the list and bully. I’ll work on taking the high road.

I'm a liberal, buuuut.....

I greatly appreciate this opportunity for a look into a rational consevative's mind during the Trump administration. While I do disagree with him on many issues, I would greatly welcome the return of a Republican party that has the same mindset as the author. His rundown of the drawbacks and boons of the current presidential administration are a good insight into future politics.

Baby Boomers: Read this book!

Would you consider the audio edition of Trumpocracy to be better than the print version?

I can't say. I haven't read the print version

Who was your favorite character and why?

This was non-fiction. No characters.

What about James Anderson Foster and David Frum ’s performance did you like?

Foster had a good voice, and I think he did a good job reflecting the voice of David Frum.

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

We will recover.

Any additional comments?

I am what most people would consider to be a liberal Democrat. Yes, I was doing GOTV for Hillary on election day. However, David Frum is an intelligent, and responsible adherent to American conservative values and policies. He poses a premise that all Americans need consider, else fall prey to anti-American agendas.

Insightful

Frum writes well and concisely. The book is remarkably comprehensive and insightful. The narration was excellent.

How we got here

By chapter nine I was thinking ok this is a review of what we already know.
Then in chapter ten new insight began to grow out of the foundation. I suggest you do not skip nine chapters, but let the story unfold.

Bleeding heart Liberal snowflake digs David Frum

Well written, well spoken novel about our current political system. It is a fascinating deep dive into where we are and were we might go.

I Just Hope You're Right

Worthwhile, thoroughly researched, well-written. I hope to keep my optimism, despite finding such a thought...difficult, at present. It is very hard to continue to believe in the system that can be subverted by such an obvious racist, sexist, entitled opportunist (to say nothing of potentially criminal.) The hardest thing for me was recognizing in the interim between election day and the inaugural that like. I just did not WANT to be the bigger person. It's a whine, it's unAmerican to say so, but it's how I felt. It is my hope that by continuing to educate myself on all schools of political thought and by helping in any way I can fight back against this administration, that I can reclaim some sblance of the belief I once had in the American government and culture writ large.

This book, from someone whom I otherwise disagree with on many fronts, was an excellent way to reaffirm the belief that even across the aisle, Americans have common goals: a good life for us, our children, our families and our friends. A system that trades highs and lows between parties, but as a "wise man once said" -- the arc of history is long but bends towards justice.

Thank you for the book.

Excellent Analysis

Reading this book reminds me of not so distant days when Republicans and Democrats could respectfully disagree and value the other's opinion. Though David Frum holds ideas on tax reform, corporate regulation, and other such issue that I strenuously disagree with, I have always appreciated his brilliant, sober intellect. Since the rise of Trump, Frum has been a steady voice in so much noise, reminding us of the bedrock, essential American values we need to protect. On those foundational issues, he is firmly and courageously committed. This book delineates those values from the noise around us, reminding us of what we have to lose. However, the last chapter is surprisingly optimistic. I am grateful for that.

Sobering expose of the current Presidency

What did you love best about Trumpocracy?

Well written and verifiable facts. Not as fun as Fire and Fury, but is a good assessment of what is going on and the effects that will be us for a long time.

If you could give Trumpocracy a new subtitle, what would it be?

We are screwed.

Any additional comments?

Very well written, but am tired of hearing why a bunch of people are upset and voted for a guy who is ill-suited to be on the job. Basically, it is because they actually have to go through what many in this country have lived with forever. Then even more insulting is what will happen if they are not dominant again though demographically that is not going to happen.

However, if you want a fact-based account of our current Presidency and our country, this book is a must-read.

P45 warts and all

18 months into the Trump era/error this is no longer causing any shock. How an otherwise sensible nation can take this oaf to their heart is still a mystery!

Interesting but needs updated edition

An interesting and informative book, well researched, but already out of date given he pace of #Trumpocracy disruption. The author makes no secret of his views of Trump as a self-interested corrupt narcissist but who is nevertheless the leader of the world's most powerful country.

David Frum explores the challenge to liberal democracies that result from the election of Trump and similar other leaders. Their insidious, and often direct, attacks on democratic institutions and moral values, are well presented and convincingly argued.

The book, however, is already somewhat out-of-date given the pace of Trump's ongoing efforts to disrupt and unsettle (or perhaps dismember) USA governance structures, institutions, and public policy programs.

Excellent but a next edition is already required, and probably edition 3 by the end of 2019 too...

"Sad"

A triumph

Beautifully written. Beautifully read. Thought-provoking. I'm on the left but admire and respect this writer's analysis. Worth reading.

Must read for every citizen

Excellent analysis. A real eye opener into the social mindset that enables Donald Trump despite his lying cheating sand corruption. I wish more people would take the time to examine what is actually happening rather than relying on the alternative facts now presented as truth.

A story that needs telling, just not by this guy.

The information within this story makes compelling and disturbing listening, but the guy telling the story still hasn't smelled the coffee; the lionising of George W, the rejection of Sanders and the yearning for what was, are misguided.

Insightful book

Insightful book, admirably non-partisan.

The reader doesn’t always make it clear when he’s quoting, otherwise well read.