(Poll Ballot Tally) Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man by Mary L. Trump - 4 stars

[annapi]

Wow. This book explains so much, and it's easy to see how Donald Trump was shaped by his detestable father into the disaster that he is today. It's dismaying too to realize how many people are like this, as evidenced by his supporting base, as well as how many, especially in the media, easily enable this type of behavior. We can only hope that this will help change things, but it won't be quick, it won't be easy, and it will be very painful to dig the country out of this mess. I can't help pitying Donald but you can't excuse what he became.

I had to digest this book in small bites, needing to break off with other books as palate cleansers in between to shake off the disgust and gloom that would come over me as I read it. It was also particularly jarring to finish this back to back with Angie Thomas's On the Come Up - such disparate worlds.

[Amy]

This is true. I love how on Facebook they are showing with the Lincoln project, every day a new video called story hour. Where they read a paragraph from Mary trumps book. He can only lose votes now, he’s not gaining any back. But for the few that can be pulled over to reality, let’s hope it makes a difference.

[NancyJ]

Great review Anna! There are so many books on Trump, I stopped paying attention to them, but this one sounds fascinating. (I think the others would just make me mad and depressed.)

I continue to be fascinated by Trump's ability to change perceptions of reality. This is an amazing and destructive skill possessed by some narcissistic and charismatic leaders. (Hitler was on that list btw.) When I first learned about this in college, I thought - 'That couldn't possibly work for long. People will see through it.' But it's gotten Trump very far. Despite 10000+ documented lies, he still has people who believe in him. They are thrilled to go to his rallies and cheer for him (even at the risk of their health).

I suppose there is something reassuring and seductive about an extremely confident leader, especially if that person shares your values (or says he does). It will make you want to ignore or attack those who criticize him.

Amy, thanks for mentioning the stories on facebook. I'll have to look for that. I suspect that people on both sides believe that their view is reality. I wonder how many people are in the middle and able to be swayed. And will they care enough to vote.

[Joi]

I both really want to read this and don't at the same time.

[Charlotte]

I'm with you Joi.

I'm just flabbergasted at this point that intelligent friends and family members believe every lie he states. I just don't understand. Hence my decision to get off of Facebook, I was just getting too mad and depressed.

I want to read this book but I'm scared that it'll just make me sad. I'm so scared that this election is going to be a replay of 2016. And he's already setting the stage to question the validity of the election, even if he doesn't win.

[Theresa]

He plays on that fear, he intimidates like any bully, and most dangerous of all, he legitimizes the disenfranchised, the ignored, the marginalized, the most resistant to change, segment of the population and gives them legitimacy. That's why he still has loyal supporters and approval/support ratings over 30%.

He conned an entire political party into supporting him and his acts, to their own detriment and possibly even to its annihilation.

He is perhaps the greatest con man to ever live. Makes Ponzi and Madoff look like wannabees.