The Amateur

Jul 18, 2012 Ray rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This should be an easy book to rate. People on the right will love it as a factual expose', and people on the left, if any even bother to read it, will dismiss it.

In my case, this book just wasn't what I was looking for. I was really interested in an independent assessment and review of the Obama performance to date. By the title, it was clear that it would be critical of the Obama Presidency, and that was fine with me. There are many valid reasons one can find to be critical of this President,...more This should be an easy book to rate. People on the right will love it as a factual expose', and people on the left, if any even bother to read it, will dismiss it.

In my case, this book just wasn't what I was looking for. I was really interested in an independent assessment and review of the Obama performance to date. By the title, it was clear that it would be critical of the Obama Presidency, and that was fine with me. There are many valid reasons one can find to be critical of this President, whether your political leanings are on the far left, the far right, or anywhere in between.

However, what I was NOT looking for, was the book equivalent of a TV Political campaign add. Everyone claims to be turned off by political campaign adds, which both major Political Parties rely on, and which deliberately take things out of context, distort records, misquote, and mislead to make the opponent as undesirable and unlikeable as possible. As the 2012 election draws near, people on both sides of the political spectrum will be inundated with more and more of these adds. But as annoyed as I and others may be by these political adds, campaign advisors know they're effective, and they will continue to be aired. And while I may be subconsciously influenced by one or more of them, I will never choose to watch the adds, and try to simply avoid them.

In the same light, in retrospect, I would have avoided this book if I had known more about it or the author. Just as I avoided Vincent Bugliosi's book "The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder", I would avoid taking time to read ANY book when the author has a known agenda. What I didn't realize when I picked up the book was that Edward Klein has just co-authored a novel titled "The Obama Identity: A Novel (Or Is It?)", which was a self-published compendium of Obama conspiracy theories. I also later found that book reviews from mainstream (now known as "liberal" news outlets) papers dismissed his books. The Boston Globe called him "an author devoid of credibility", the NY Times described him as "sleazy", the LA Times called his work "bio-porn", and the Tucson Citizen referred to it as "the literary equivalent of a backed-up septic tank".

Criticism like that may make the book all the more appealing to some, but I found it too much rhetoric, too many suspicious quotes or opinions, and too much like a campaign add released close to a Presidential election meant more to inflame than enlighten. (less)

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May 22, 2012 Tressa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: politics, nonfiction, 2012

What a fascinating and frightening in-depth look at Obama's presidency and just how much damage his policies have done to this country. Each chapter touches upon individuals, groups, races, and countries this man has used and tossed aside, or fucked up: Oprah; Caroline Kennedy; Reverend Wright; African Americans who fought to get him elected; Israel, and more. And most of the interviews are from people on his side who have witnessed him performing his job as POTUS who are as fed up with him as t...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Mike (the Paladin) rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is another book that I know going in will be disliked by some before they ever pick it up (actually they'll never pick it up, so...). Only a few days ago I accidentally got into a "discussion" here. Someone was informing others that President Obama was really a moderate. He used the phrase, "right of center". I tried to be diplomatic but had to answer (knowing I was probably about to ignite a fire storm) that the President was anything but moderate. He had one of most liberal or left wing v...more This is another book that I know going in will be disliked by some before they ever pick it up (actually they'll never pick it up, so...). Only a few days ago I accidentally got into a "discussion" here. Someone was informing others that President Obama was really a moderate. He used the phrase, "right of center". I tried to be diplomatic but had to answer (knowing I was probably about to ignite a fire storm) that the President was anything but moderate. He had one of most liberal or left wing voting records in congress (when he did vote). He'd made it clear that he supported partial birth abortion, believed in redistribution of wealth and had moved all before him to install a social medical or single payer state medical system.

This was not greeted well...I was called names and accused of being a listener of Glenn Beck (what a horrible accusation). I said I thought we'd simply have to agree to disagree. I was called some more colorful names. I didn't follow up.

This book like another I've read and reviewed here simply runs down the facts of the President's regime. He did in the last campign present himself (and was presented by others) as a moderate. That really won't hold water anymore (for many of us it never did). While this book is more openly an expose' of the president and sets out to show the negatives (more than some others that were simply lists of facts) it still deals in facts. It also reports the outcome of interviews of those who know and have known the president. It shows a portrait of a man who'll gladly ditch friends and supporters if it's convenient and to his advantage. It shows a picture of a president who is an amateur (the word from Bill Clinton among others) yet supremely arrogant and ambitious.

I'd like to see people read this book with an open mind, but I know up front many won't be able to. Still I'd recommend it. Don't listen to that voice that keeps saying, "ignore the man behind the curtain". No, I'd suggest we take a look at the Barack Obama that's behind that curtain, behind the front put up by the politician, his staff, his people and a willingly supportive print, TV and other media(so called) news core that are and have been clearly in his corner from the start. (less)

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Jun 02, 2012 wally rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: klein-edward

http://www.newsmax.com/US/Klein-Amate...
Ed Klein: We Don't Need Mainstream Media Any More

Friday, 01 Jun 2012 08:41 PM

By Jim Meyers....at newsmax

if any more evidence is needed that the media is behind obama, and has been since before he was elected to the senate, the story above is it.

begins:
introduction
the dark side of obama

a quote from Mark Twain: every man is a moon and has a [dark] side which he turns toward nobody; you have to slip around behind if you want to see it.

begins:
"this is a repor...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Lisa is currently reading it

Shelves: bad-government-examples, biography-memoir, nonfiction-political

A WORK IN PROGRESS...

According to Ed Klein, President Obama's White House is run by amateurs and those hungry for power. This easy to read book is like a soap opera without the sex. I do admit that while reading, I feel like a rubbernecker that can't look away from a horrible accident. It is the juiciest gossip a conservative could hope to find. It also seems so believable; perhaps because I want to believe it.

While Klein interviewed many on the right and left, and the book contains a bibliogra...more

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Jun 01, 2012 Keith rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, ebooks, political-science, social-commentary

If you happen to think that Barack Obama is doing a fine job and deserves to be reelected skip this book. Proceed instead to the ad hominem filled review in The New York Times (http://is.gd/Hehjki). If you're on the fence or over the fence this is a fascinating peek at the last four years. As noted in the NYT review there's lots of unsourced quotations (pace Bob Woodward et al) but there's lots of delicious White House gossip. This ain't no policy book but neither is it like the review. There ar...more

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Jun 23, 2012 Klasko rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: politics

I liked this book, but then I am no fan of President Obama, nor have I ever been. This is more of what should have come out in a proper vetting of the president before he was elected, and shows that he was less qualified and experienced than the Left accused Sarah Palin of being. Fast paced, written in the style of a series news narratives. Mr. Klein documents his allegations and their proof. He pretty much proves what most of us on the Right have suspected all along. Now, if the other half of t...more

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Oct 04, 2012 Anita rated it 3 of 5 stars

Edward Klein interviewed 200 people who knew Barak Obama inside and outside the White House. Some had known him for over 20 years. Many comments about Obama were remarkably consistent. Essentially he is described as being out of his league, introvert, arrogant, egotistical, taking credit for the efforts of others, taking advantage of others, not willing to listen to others' points of view, disdaining Washington and conventions of modern politics, and casting aside those who thought they were his...more Edward Klein interviewed 200 people who knew Barak Obama inside and outside the White House. Some had known him for over 20 years. Many comments about Obama were remarkably consistent. Essentially he is described as being out of his league, introvert, arrogant, egotistical, taking credit for the efforts of others, taking advantage of others, not willing to listen to others' points of view, disdaining Washington and conventions of modern politics, and casting aside those who thought they were his friends and contributors. I have a hard time believing that is totally true because of those people who were appointed positions after he became President. He sees himself as a serious intellectual but was not really interested in the process of government itself and some saw him as a political actor of sorts. His goal was described as one desiring to transform American into a European-style democratic-socialist welfare state. Some felt he was a good campaigner but a lousy President often conspicuous by his absence. When he says, "I am my own man!" he meant it. He feels he is the only one who really understands the issues. Some claimed he didn't know what he didn't know. He trusts very few people and those he trusted have actually undermined his credibility through their protection and their own biases. Essentially he appears to actually be in revolt against the values of the society he was elected to lead and to save American from itself. He desired to use government to intervene against the evil tendencies of American life (economic inequality, racism, sexism, corporate greed, neglect of the environment, etc.) He has a preference for a corporatist political system when the economy would be managed by big employers, big unions, and government officials at a national level. The government picks the winners and promotes economic growth. Romney described it best as "trickle-down government". Interesting book but if you actually believe in Obama's ambitions, Chicago-style politics, or his loyalty to American businessmen - you might be very disappointed and not desire to read this as their many voices portray an amateur and not a messiah. (less)

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Sep 23, 2012 Deb Frey rated it 2 of 5 stars

I am conflicted about this book. I think that the best quote possible from the whole thing is as follows: "The (2012) election will present voters with a stark choice between a leftwing president who believes in engineering "the equality of outcome" and a conservative candidate who believes in the "equality of opportunity."" I agree with the assessment and I am left feeling as though my assessment of our current president is likely accurate. I am troubled, however, with the tone of school-girl g...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Brian Colton rated it 5 of 5 stars

In making a decision this election, it does come down to the REAL people running. While this particular book is focused on O'bama in a negative light, it does bring some salient facts about him to light. Romney was correct in a way, even though he did not state it very well, about where the outcome of the election does lie. It lies in the hands of those who are Independent or Undecided in the states where the electoral votes could go either way. It is becoming increasingly difficult for that gro...more In making a decision this election, it does come down to the REAL people running. While this particular book is focused on O'bama in a negative light, it does bring some salient facts about him to light. Romney was correct in a way, even though he did not state it very well, about where the outcome of the election does lie. It lies in the hands of those who are Independent or Undecided in the states where the electoral votes could go either way. It is becoming increasingly difficult for that group of people to decide based on the bias they see all around them. It is one of those situations where the livid 20% to 30% of likely decideds on both sides are consistently screaming at the top of their lungs at each other, the media and whoever will listen. The media outlets have joined in with an obvious slant on their coverage particularly lately. The only thing most have to rely upon is the record of what has actually been done and the real past of the candidates. What Romney says and has done are two different things to a certain extent. He stays mostly on the side of what he believes but he is a politician. Ryan is more clear. We know what he has proposed and actually done in Congress. Unfortunately, with O'bama, what he has done, what he has believed prior to his 2008 election as expressed in his own Autobiography, who his mentors were, how he interacts in crises, has largely been covered up or purposely avoided by the Press and his campaign. Ed Klein can be taken with a grain of salt. There is some obvious bias but there are things written in The Amateur that have never properly been exposed or vetted. The same goes for the movie: "2016: O'bama's America" and The Price of Politics by Bob Woodward. Woodward has not been known in the past to be partisan one way or the other and he is critical of all politicians in his book and their denial about the impending crash related to the deficit. The most striking feature about this book and related exposure media like 2016 and The Price of Politics is people emerge surprised about the extent of Barak O'bamas far Left tendencies. He makes Bill and Hillary look like Ronald Reagan. It became more obvious with the following record: O'bama Care, Israel disdain, terrorist embracing, appeasing and apologizing, stimulus propping up Unions instead of shovel ready jobs, etc. While most are in agreement that Romney is not very exciting, O'bama is a Marxist nightmare. The Amateur fairly exposes it and helps make the choice clearer for the Independent and the Undecided who can rely on the United States of America Free Press to only ensure O'bama's re-election by not exposing the REAL O'bama. (less)

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Sep 18, 2012 Sarah Schoonmaker rated it 2 of 5 stars

Klein does a fine job of presenting a highly critical view of Obama. If everything that the author claims is true, then I find myself sharing some of the same concerns, i.e., Obama's lack of respect to donors after winning the election, poor handling of Guantanamo, the lack of discussion and advice-seeking from advisors, Valorie Jarrett's over-involved role, the need for more professional economic advice surrounding a healthcare overhaul, and more. However, even if Obama isn't the best qualified...more

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Sep 15, 2012 Chris rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The book was an interesting read, but I found it one-sided, not just in its overall scope, but in the arguments it presents. With a title like "the Amateur", it's no surprise that the book would not be neutral on the subject of this president, but I had hoped that the points that it made would at least tell the whole story or be fair about the criticism.
One of the places where the author misleadingly drops out vital information integral to the discussion is in his discussion about the trouble i...more

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Sep 07, 2012 Bojan Tunguz rated it 5 of 5 stars

President Obama has been one of the most controversial political figures in American history. Too many of his proponents and detractors have ascribed this polarization to several salient facts about his political inclinations or to the particulars of his biography: his far-left ideology, his race, his family background. However, to many fair-minded people and me one thing about him stood out above everything else: his total lack of experience. In order to help elect the first black president the...more President Obama has been one of the most controversial political figures in American history. Too many of his proponents and detractors have ascribed this polarization to several salient facts about his political inclinations or to the particulars of his biography: his far-left ideology, his race, his family background. However, to many fair-minded people and me one thing about him stood out above everything else: his total lack of experience. In order to help elect the first black president the mainstream media had completely abdicated any pretense of impartiality and had foregone any attempts to scrutinize his career and background. He was portrayed as a transformative figure for whom the ordinary laws of politics and career progress don’t apply.

In “The Amateur,” the bestselling author Edward Klein gives an unparalleled insight into the full extent of Obama’s massive incompetence. The book is based on literally hundreds of interviews conducted over the course of a year. Many of the people interviewed, such as Jeremiah Wright, were or are still very close to Obama and his inner circle, and have had an unprecedented access to the President at various stages of his life and career. The sum total of their observations and opinions paints a very unflattering picture. After reading this book I am even more appalled by Obama’s rank amateurism. Furthermore, unlike some of his predecessors who were able to “grow in the job,” Obama’s narcissism prevents him from learning from his mistakes and adapting to a more pragmatic approach to the job. Granted, many of the people interviewed had their own axes to grind as they’ve fallen out of grace with Obama, but even with that caveat it is clear that he is not, and never has been, the right person for this job.

For the most part the book is immensely readable and easy to follow. Some of the latter chapters, though, deal with the more abstract policy issues or with special interest topics that may not be as persuasive as the earlier chapters. One other thing that I didn’t like about this book is that it still managed to leave the myth of Obama as a very smart guy intact. From everything that I’ve read in his biography it is clear that Obama’s intellectual and educational pedigree is just another carefully cultivated political prop that doesn’t have much basis in reality. In fact, it is this lack of true intellectualism and knowledge about the world that can to a large extent be blamed for Obama’s amateurism. A book about this ought to be written, and I hope someone will undertake this task before too long.

As most polemical books of this nature “The Amateur” is best read at the time of its publication. Right now we are just two months away from the 2012 presidential elections, and this book can serve as a powerful reminder of why it’s so important to vote for the right kind of person for that all-too-important job. This book will probably not change many minds, which doesn’t make it any less important or relevant for the shaping of the public opinion during this political season.
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Aug 28, 2012 Roland Camacho rated it 4 of 5 stars

Die hard conservatives will praise this book as truth while die hard liberals will despise it from cover to cover; however, I found this book to be fairly easy to follow and strikingly adept in its assessment of the President. Any work of this genre will leave itself open to criticism, but the book does a wonderful job detailing the many flaws of President Obama. These flaws have been and will continue to be ignored by the Liberal Media Elite (MSNBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, PBS, NPR, etc), so it is nice...more

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Aug 24, 2012 George Stankow rated it 1 of 5 stars

I know that I only have myself to blame for reading through this crapfest, but I didn't realize it was a Regnery book and thought it might have some level of objectivity to it. I was wrong. The sole redeeming feature of "The Amateur" was its display of how easy it is to spin anything -- anything -- into an attack. At various turns (some of them on the same page), this book excoriates Barack Obama for not letting go of his inner circle and elevating them far beyond their ability, while crying cro...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Jason rated it 4 of 5 stars

It is obvious that Mr. Klein has a bone to pick with President Obama and it seems to revolve around the presidents stand on Israel. Although his vision seems to be shaded by his personal disappointment in the president, we all believed "could do"; it does not make the issues in this book less valid. The truth is that President Obama's record is terrible and he is probably the worse president in modern time. At least, we can safely say that he has managed to create the worst debt we have ever had...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Al rated it 3 of 5 stars

A very good summary of the case against Obama. For those who read the Wall Street Journal or National Review, there's perhaps not a lot new here. What's different is that this book contains a lot of quotes from important people, formerly close to Obama, who have been disappointed or worse by his performance. Surveying the evidence, including what's in this book, it's not hard to understand why a significant, and increasing, number of Americans are dissatisfied with Obama and his performance. Wh...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Brian I. rated it 2 of 5 stars

I will state upfront that I did not vote for Obama last time and I will not vote for him this time. I read this book to validate my original theory behind not voting for Obama because I felt that he was too inexperienced to be President and that his term in office would be amateur hour. So how could I pass up a book called "The Amateur"? The book pretty much validated my hypothesis. Obama has been a rank amateur and has surrounded himself with the same.
So why only 2 stars you ask? Let's start w...more

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Jul 02, 2012 Jerry rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: politics

This is most definitely an anti-Obama book. While I found a lot of the stories helpful in understanding President Obama, I’m naturally suspicious of any book that has really nothing positive to say about him. It doesn’t do anything to explain his appeal and how it is that he gained such a wide following and meteoric success as a candidate.

Here are a few excerpts form the book:

"Ever since I've known him, Obama has had delusions of grandeur and a preoccupation with his place in history," one of...more This is most definitely an anti-Obama book. While I found a lot of the stories helpful in understanding President Obama, I’m naturally suspicious of any book that has really nothing positive to say about him. It doesn’t do anything to explain his appeal and how it is that he gained such a wide following and meteoric success as a candidate.

Here are a few excerpts form the book:

"Ever since I've known him, Obama has had delusions of grandeur and a preoccupation with his place in history," one of his oldest Chicago acquaintances told me. "He is afflicted with megalomania. How else can you explain the chutzpah of an obscure community organizer who began writing his autobiography before he was thirty years old—and before he had any accomplishments to write about? And how else can you explain the chutzpah of a first-term United States senator, who believed he was qualified for the most difficult job in the world—the presidency—even though he had never held a real job in his life?
"You can explain it with any number of words: arrogance, conceit, egotism, vanity, hubris," this person continued. "But whatever word you choose, it spells the same thing—disaster for the country he leads."

From an anonymous historian who attended a June 30, 2009 dinner with historians at the White House: "The American people have come to realize that, in Barack Obama, they elected a man as president who does not know how to lead. He lacks an executive sense. He doesn't know how to run things. He's not a manager. He hasn't been able to bring together the best and brightest talents. Not to put too fine a point on it, he's in over his head."

"There are always separate legislative and political operations going on in every White House," said Billy Tauzin, a veteran Washington lobbyist, who is often described as "a master of politics and policy." "In previous administrations," he said, "there's usually been a coherent meld of these two operations, some sort of broad strategy that was being managed. But that didn't happen in the Obama White House under Emanuel and Jarrett.
"I haven't seen such incoherence in the White House since Jimmy Carter," Tauzin continued. "Whenever the legislative team struck a clear path, a clear understanding and agreement with the leaders in Congress, the political team didn't bother to track it or know about it. They acted as if they were in a completely different paradigm. They ran on a totally different track. That's one of the reasons there's been such frustration among Democrats as well as Republicans in Congress. They don't sense any coherence. The only thing consistent in this White House is that politics always trumps legislative policy. The major goal is whipping your opponent."
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Jul 01, 2012 Patrick rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: people

“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 eye-opening book.”
—Donald J. Trump

“This is a racy, entertaining, informative book that illuminates aspects 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, president of The King’s College and bestselling author of The Roots of Oba...more

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Jun 29, 2012 thewanderingjew rated it 5 of 5 stars

Unlike Trickle Down Tyranny, by Michael Savage, which was an undisguised attack on President Obama and his usurpation of power (which unfortunately has since been borne out, not only by his own actions, but also by the recent decisions of the Supreme Court, which has given unprecedented power to tax, to a President who chose to intimidate them), this book is an unemotional analysis of the President, using a forum of in-depth interviews with people who knew and interacted with Barack Obama, Miche...more Unlike Trickle Down Tyranny, by Michael Savage, which was an undisguised attack on President Obama and his usurpation of power (which unfortunately has since been borne out, not only by his own actions, but also by the recent decisions of the Supreme Court, which has given unprecedented power to tax, to a President who chose to intimidate them), this book is an unemotional analysis of the President, using a forum of in-depth interviews with people who knew and interacted with Barack Obama, Michelle and those who surround him in Washington DC, and in his former life as a community organizer in Chicago.

This is perhaps the first time that people, who both intimately and/or casually knew the President, provide actual examples of incidents that can broaden our knowledge about him. We are enlightened as to his background, the origin of his far-left beliefs, and also to his desire to convert the country to a European socialist-style economy. He seems to have a singular focus and purpose, to guide us all on his path, which he sincerely believes is the one right way for America. We experience his display of dismay and temper, his emotion or lack thereof, when he is either faced with a decision or he does not get his way. Yet, this book illuminates all of this in what appears to be an even-handed expose.

In addition to exposing Obama’s true character, as a man whose main effort has been, and still is, to sell himself, Ed Klein also explores the character of Michelle Obama. The couple’s portrayal, almost as Disney characters, by a mainstream media unwilling or unable, because of the White House pressure, to fully vet this President, is dismantled, and a better picture of who they are, and who they surround themselves with, emerges for all of us to see.

The book unravels the complex nature of the way his White House works and explains who has the most influence and access to the President’s ear. Demonstrating how Obama does not take kindly to any criticism or suggestions other than his own, the author gives several examples of situations in which this has occurred; the most notable one is probably the well known Netanyahu debacle. Klein illustrates how Obama’s initial naïveté, angered the Jewish community when he clumsily sashayed into the Middle East fray. In this instance, Israel’s head of state was subjected to extreme rudeness and left to languish in a room after being admonished and warned about his behavior by the President, who essentially treated him like a recalcitrant child who had better come to his senses if he wished an audience with him. The President excused himself and haughtily went to dine with his family, leaving Netanyahu and those who had accompanied him, unfed. When food was requested by them, kosher food for those who needed it was either not available or not provided. The Israelis were not treated as honored guests, but rather as interlopers interfering with his peace process, which however well intentioned was getting off to a very bad start. Obama was learning on the job, perhaps coming a bit late to the party, which is not necessarily the best route for a President to take and which may be an unprecedented approach.

The book also details and demonstrates, how the power of the media, with its strong, liberal bias, has promoted and supported the policies of the President in his initial run for office, and it also clarifies how the journalists continue to be an additional adversary, in addition to the President, for the Republican candidate who will be opposing him in this coming election. It is truly a succinct summary of the Obama White House and all the people who have gone through its revolving door and all the people who have remained. Many of the conclusions that Klein has drawn have come to be prophetic in recent days, as talking heads and government supporters and spokespersons, have actually mouthed the comments the author describes in the book, as the methods this administration will use and the direction it will take, in order to win the election. It does not bode well for anyone who hoped for a more civil, courteous campaign. It would seem that the American people prefer the cacophony produced by controversy and polarization, the two front running tactics of the Obama strategists.

The book is a really quick read. In one to two days, at most, you can have it finished. I listened to the audiobook in one day. I turned it off and simply had to turn it on again, until it ended. I suggest that everyone read it to discover just who they have put into the White House and in what direction he hopes to take the country. They will then be better equipped to decide whether or not they want to keep him there for another four years, since at that time, he will have no reason to even consider being bipartisan, unless, that is, by executive order, he decides to extend the number of times a President can run!
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Jim I'm surprised you found this "un-emotional." I was hoping for that, an intelligent criticism of the president, but I found it difficult to take anythi...more
Aug 24, 2012 11:06pm

thewanderingjew Jim wrote: "I'm surprised you found this "un-emotional." I was hoping for that, an intelligent criticism of the president, but I found it difficult to...more Jim wrote: "I'm surprised you found this "un-emotional." I was hoping for that, an intelligent criticism of the president, but I found it difficult to take anything he says with more than a grain of salt preci..."

I suppose when I compared the rhetoric in this book to the rhetoric I hear and read from the opposite side of the aisle, the more progressive authors and media and talking heads, which is so virulent and very often full of false accusations, as with Harry Reid's foolish comments, that I found this to be much more clear headed and a great deal more factual, with points that could actually be proven and were not mere insinuations. He does not accuse the President of being a Muslim or a socialist, etc. He does not dispute his place of birth.

When compared with other books of this genre, which usually favor the President or trash him, I found this one more realistic. It presented reasons for the President's actions and behavior that were not based on baseless accusations. Have you seen the movie 2016 or read any of Dinesh D'Souza's books. I questioned his reasoning, and intended to research a great many of his comments, since I thought they really stretched the imagination, but then I saw the movie and heard the President, in his own words, give a great deal of proof to the conjectures he makes. I suppose that colored my review, as well.

This isn't about which side of politics either of us is on, it is about what is the truth and what is not, and that is apparently still in the eye of the beholder.
My mind was open, but it was changed a great deal by a President who had promised to be the President of all people, but then made another announcement essentially saying "WE WON!" shutting out all those other people that might not agree with him fully, in complete contradiction to his promise.

I read everything to learn as much as I can, from both sides of the aisle. Then I make up my mind, but first, I really do try to check out the facts. In this environment of sarcasm and anger, it is indeed, difficult.(less)
Aug 25, 2012 05:25am

Jun 21, 2012 Psipsipsi rated it 1 of 5 stars

Read a non-fiction book and you are dependent on the skill, integrity, and nous of the author. Sadly Mr Klein comes across as a bit of a numpty and an anti-Obama troll.

There are so many examples of Mr Klein's bumbling, demonstrated ironically as he tries to stick to his theme of dubbing his victim as amateurish. So an Obama appointee refuses to agree that the US are chasing "Islamic fundamentalist terrorists" preferring the label "Al Qaeda" operatives. To Mr Klein this preciseness is an example...more Read a non-fiction book and you are dependent on the skill, integrity, and nous of the author. Sadly Mr Klein comes across as a bit of a numpty and an anti-Obama troll.

There are so many examples of Mr Klein's bumbling, demonstrated ironically as he tries to stick to his theme of dubbing his victim as amateurish. So an Obama appointee refuses to agree that the US are chasing "Islamic fundamentalist terrorists" preferring the label "Al Qaeda" operatives. To Mr Klein this preciseness is an example of left wing Liberalism in action. Errr - doesn't it in fact show politeness and respect towards the followers of Islam. Biden goes to Israel, and on the day of his arrival the Israeli government announces that they are building more settlements in the environs of Jerusalem. The Israeli President apologises that it was a government mistake. Mr Klein is upset that Obama does not appear to believe Netanyahu. Klein sees this as an example of Obama's ant-Semitism. Then when Netanyahu visits Obama in the White House, Obama breaks off the stagnating meeting saying he's off to have a meal and will come back if Netanyahu wants to make any progress in their discussions. That had me cheering for Obama as much as it had Klein thumping on his keyboard in anger at Obama's amateurish rudeness. Oh, and to stick to Israel, according to Mr Klein the moslems have no rights to see Jerusalem as one of their holiest cities as Jerusalem is mentioned 10 times or so in the Bible and never in the Koran. That's sorted that one out then, according to the author.

And then rather embarrassingly an overweight television chat show host wants to muscle into an initiative from Michelle Obama to tackle the appalling obesity problem in children. Mr Klein considers the chat show host was rejected because Michelle did not want to be upstaged. Hmmm - so it was nothing to do with the chat show host being a terrible role model for healthy eating and lifestyle. At least that's what Mr Klein thinks.

Mr Klein hates academics and introverts - like Obama in Mr Klein's somewhat parallel universe. This is unfortunate, because I consider the best use for this book would be for students of writing to study. It is an outstanding example of how not to write non-fiction.
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Jun 17, 2012 Patricia Scholes rated it 4 of 5 stars

Edward Klein interviewed over 200 people for this book, both liberals and conservatives. Both sides stated reasons for concern over Obama's handling of the presidency over the last three years, plus the fact that he has not seemed to learn from his mistakes. Klein mentioned Obama's thin skin when criticized, and that it appeared he always seemed to need to be right. He hesitated when he needed to act, and he acted inappropriately when he finally acted.

Klein did not ever come across as angry or b...more

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Jun 09, 2012 Brent rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: government, politics

Edward Klein did a pretty thorough job interviewing a lot of people, both on and off the record, about Obama's thin skin, lack of experience, micro-managing (which compounds the lack of experience problem), close-mindedness, and megalomania. So, I give him and his book some credit for the in-depth approach to analyzing the president's personality. Doing so gives us a frame of reference to the president's ideology...which is useful knowledge. We can understand better the "why" behind much of Obam...more

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Jun 05, 2012 Dale rated it 4 of 5 stars

Published in May of 2012 by Regnery Publishing

Edward Klein's The Amateur is reminiscent of the late Andrew Breitbart's vetting of the Barack Obama for the 2012 election. It is a job that many believe should have been done in 2008 but some in the media are finally getting around to it for the 2012 re-election effort. The title of the book comes from an argument between Bill and Hillary Clinton that happened in front of guests at their home in New York in August of 2011. Bill was encouraging Hill...more

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Jun 04, 2012 Trekscribbler rated it 4 of 5 stars

THE AMATEUR: A Top Notch Expose

If only for the sake of the argument, let’s put aside one’s political ideology for the moment, and let’s simply take a good long look at temperament. If President Barack Obama’s temperament as discussed in great detail here in Ed Klein’s stellar political portrait, THE AMATEUR, is only on display one-fifth of the time, then that’s twenty percent too often for the leader of the free world. Whether you’re Conservative or Liberal – Republican or Democrat or even Liber...more THE AMATEUR: A Top Notch Expose

If only for the sake of the argument, let’s put aside one’s political ideology for the moment, and let’s simply take a good long look at temperament. If President Barack Obama’s temperament as discussed in great detail here in Ed Klein’s stellar political portrait, THE AMATEUR, is only on display one-fifth of the time, then that’s twenty percent too often for the leader of the free world. Whether you’re Conservative or Liberal – Republican or Democrat or even Libertarian, for that matter – I would think we could all agree on that.

Now – the real question here then becomes: does that political immaturity make one an ineffective President? I’d have to argue that it isn’t necessarily so, though it certainly means the man is going to have an uphill battle throughout much of a four-year term, not to mention whether or not he can get re-elected in such a heated political climate. However, what dramatic deepens the situation is the fact that Obama appears to have surrounded himself with aides, czars, associates, and cronies who, debatedly, are as ill-prepared for their jobs as he might – I said “might,” you political trolls! – be for his, and that’s the worst ‘amateur’ decision he could have made.

As a reviewer, I don’t feel the need to ever necessarily justify my particular take on any piece of film, art, or book. I think it relevant that I have an opinion of the work, and I strongly believe that what I write should fully support why I take my own unique position. Consequently, any reader of my reviews is free to scan what I’ve written, and he or she can discern my political leanings. (Yes, I’m far more Conservative than Liberal.) When it comes to our current Commander-in-Chief, I’m no fan of the celebrity aspect it appears he’s so strongly embraced. No, I don’t believe he’s a political amateur – surely, one can’t go as far as Obama’s gone without cutting his teeth on politics – but I’d have to strongly agree that, so far as it comes to serving in Washington, Mr. Klein’s spot on in his analysis here.

THE AMATEUR is full of stories based on hundreds of interviews conducted by the author. As such, I think too many folks have been all too quick to dismiss it as a ‘cultural potboiler’ or ‘politically veiled trash talk’ detailing the behind-the-scenes exploits of the first African American president. That’s a disservice; what else is quality journalism if not the careful documentation of events – the people, places, and things that comprise the activity at the White House? In that regard, I would think people of any political ideology could embrace what he’s done, as I thought Klein went to fairly great lengths to be as apolitical as he could throughout much of THE AMATEUR. In fact, I’d argue that he very strongly tried to keep his own perspective out of the narrative all the way until the very last chapter in which he laid down very specific steps that Republicans or Conservatives could take to unseat the current President. Alas, I trust that won’t be everyone’s take – as any reading of the reviews and their corresponding comments here show – but it is what it is.

As a matter of fact, Klein even rose to the respectable challenge of defining precisely why the term ‘amateur’ isn’t all that necessarily a bad thing when it comes to certain positions one can obtain in life. He may not go into great detail, but he tried to establish his bona fides as cleanly and as efficiently as he could before going into the stories told by so many, many folks within these pages. He’s even read quite a bit of what’s been published before – from Obama’s harshest critics to the slobbering media cohorts of the Democratic Party. To his credit, he doesn’t indict any of them; he simply uses their own words to underscore his premise: that the President’s chief failure is the fact that he was destined to struggle in this role because of his own world view, his own possibly warped morality, and his own deeply flawed decisions and convictions.

As much as one may want to brand Klein the villain here, it’s truly hard to do so if you read it with both eyes open. There’s no changing the facts of President Obama’s tenure; there’s only the influence of one’s ideology to allow (if not encourage) re-interpretation, however wrong or unhelpful that may be.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. THE AMATEUR may not change the way one sees Barack Obama – there’s quite a bit here that only reinforces either narrative (historic or hysterical) – but it’s all told admirably well.
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Jun 01, 2012 Paul rated it 5 of 5 stars

Although the intellectual level and writing style found in this book is not nearly as polished as I'd've liked it to be, I will not count that as a negative at all, simply because the people who most need to read this are those who would most likely not understand, or at least endure, anything much deeper or much more sophisticated.

Why do I say that? Simply because much of the content in this book is readily apparent to any intelligent, open-minded, globally-aware, inquisitive person. It's those...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars

First off, this book was excellent. There are so many eye opening events that the author brought out in his interviews, it’s unfathomable how so much of the public can’t see the true nature of this man - this self indulgent “messiah” of the American people. This book was published shortly before the last election, and I wish more people had had the opportunity to read it. This man does not have the knowledge, experience, dedication, and determination it takes to run a corporation, let alone a co...more

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Aug 24, 2012 Forrest rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read this book based on a recommendation from a friend, and I am glad I read it. Actually, this book should be required reading for all voters, voting in the 2012 General Election. Yes, I am a conservative, but I must compliment Mr. Klein. I think Klein went to fairly great lengths to be as apolitical as he could in presenting the facts in this book. The incidents he relates are void of his own perspective leaving the reader free to judge for him/her self. I liked Ed Klein's statement: "the 20...more

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Aug 21, 2012 Natalie Guerrero rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: didn-t-finish

The author stated up front his bias against Obama. So,it's no surprise that his writing is obviously an attempt to discredit the current president. But, more objectivity would've been nice. I was turned off by the lengthy quotes that came second hand from someone who was at a particular meeting or event. Does someone who is not at a particular gathering with the intent of taking notes and remembering what was said actually remember what others said in such extensive detail? Not likely.

While the...more

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