Collusion

Collusion: Secret Meetings, Dirty Money, and How Russia Helped Donald Trump Win by Luke Harding

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Collusion is a wonderful layout out of all the connections Donald Trump has had with Russia over the years, and how his Presidency is a wet dream for Vladimir Putin. In fact, Harding explains, Trump’s initial campaign team and ensuing government might has well have been picked by the Russians:

“Wherever you looked, there was a Russian trace…secretary of state? Rex Tillerson, a figure known and trusted in Moscow and recipient of the Order of Friendship. National Security Adviser? Michael Flynn, Putin’s dinner companion and a beneficiary of undeclared Russian fees (Fox in the henhouse, anyone?) Campaign Manager? Paul Manafort, longtime confidant to ex-Soviet oligarchs. Foreign Policy adviser? Carter Page, an alleged Moscow asset who gave documents to Putin’s spies. Commerce Secretary? Wilbur Ross, and entrepreneur with Russia connected investments. Personal Lawyer? Michael Cohen, who sent emails to Putin’s press secretary. Business partner? Felix Sater, son of a Russian American Mafia boss.” Page 326

I quoted this last section at length because it gives a pretty good summation of the way Harding lays out the case that his research and interviews have brought him to.

In reviewing this, I’m just trying to think about how someone who disagrees with it would attack it. I guess you would start with the Steele dossier and claim it was all just a hatchet job funded by the Democrats (misleading at best: according to the book, the real story is much more complicated and compelling) If you are of a particular mindset who believes that anything and everything relating to Donald Trump’s collusion with Russia is nothing more than a media witch-hunt and the tired label of “Fake news” then I guess Luke Harding’s well-sourced book with some pretty damning conclusions and connections laid out for the reader…is absolutely worthless….

But for the rest of us…Wow. There is quite a bit here. It is definitely worth a read. Harding writes in a clear connect the dots way that takes care to make sure the reader understands. Personally I appreciated the way he took the care to repeat names and roles of the players at times when in other books I might have been flipping back to remember because, well, sometimes I miss stuff.
For the record, I believe what is in this book. It is a case that is well made. And it explains why it matters, and why it should matter to people.

One day we will know the truth of this administration. And then we will know who is lying. But for now, we have this book.






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