Read Commander in Cheat How Golf Explains Trump Audible Audio Edition Rick Reilly Headline Books

Product details Audible Audiobook Listening Length 7 hours and 3 minutes Program Type Audiobook Version Unabridged Publisher Headline Audible.com Release Date April 2, 2019 Whispersync for Voice Ready Language English, English ASIN B07P5NX5V2

Commander in Cheat How Golf Explains Trump Audible Audio Edition Rick Reilly Headline Books Reviews

• Poor Rick Reilly. This is an exceptionally entertaining and well written book, with loads of fascinating tidbits about golf, golfing presidents, and everything that surrounds the game at the presidential level. There is, literally, an engaging fact, perceptive observation, joke, amusing story, or wry throwaway line on every page. But, it's unavoidable, given the premise here, that everything circles back to and focuses on Donald J. Trump. And I guess there is no way to avoid that, although I am happy to note that at least it's mostly the introductory chapter that is the biggest downer. After that Reilly focuses on the golf, even if it is Trump's version of golf.
  
  Trump isn't a funny golfer, or a goofy golfer, or a supremely accomplished golfer, or a potentially fun or even interesting golf partner, (unless you're a bit of a masochist). Trump is a liar and an unrelenting cheat in a sport that values, above all else, honesty, courtesy and playing by the rules. Linger on that thought too long, and the stories here can be sad and depressing.
  
  But then - well, gosh it can be funny. As the Borscht belt comics would say - "It's funny, because it's true". Trump is immersed in and obsessed with golf, (playing it, owning the courses, rubbing elbows with celebrity golfers), and all aspects of that obsession are considered and illuminated. Reilly dissects each of Trump's claimed Club Championships, (which is the claim that originally ticked Reilly off). He is merciless in describing Trump's "idiots abroad" approach to Scotland. He recounts innumerable stories about cheating, phony handicaps, and baseless and ludicrous claims by Trump about his skills, his courses, and his prowess. Reilly gives Trump props where appropriate, but always has to circle back to the fact, observed repeatedly, that Trump is constitutionally compelled to exaggerate that which is merely "good" into splendiforous magnificence, and is so convinced that everyone cheats at everything that cheating and winning at any cost is the real normal. Harmless enough, ultimately, on the golf course. But.
  
  So, poor Rick Reilly. He has written a very good, thorough, and sometimes laugh out loud funny book. But, you know, Trump. Read it, and despair.
  
  (Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
• I wasn’t sure I would like this book because I don’t really understand golf, but I have to say, it’s extremely entertaining in how it shows the ridiculous lengths Trump will go to in order to cheat. It’s comical and of course in the end, also pathetic and sad. The only improvement I would suggest would be a list of all the jargony golf terms that a layman like myself does not understand.
• The author gives an amazing insider peek into the life of our hapless president. Viewed through his golf antics the book goes from laugh out loud hilarious to mind numbing shock when the larger implications to the country are explained. I'm not sure it would be possible for any writer to explain the mind of complex Mr.Trump, but Rick Reilly comes very close.
• I suggest filtering to read only the reviews by “verified purchase” to weed out the partisans that haven’t actually read the book. The Audible version very easy on the ear. Lots of new info. Well written. Very entertaining. The book covers a broader area of material than I expected. The Author is an award winning semi-retired sports writer having worked at all the most prestigious positions in the sports writing field. He interview over 100 pros, caddies, developers, club owners, friends and business associates of Trump’s. Oddly, this book seems to give a better glimpse into Trump’s psyche than most of the others including Woodward’s and David Cay Johnston’s.
• One of the "facts" we keep hearing about people's rationale for supporting Trump is his "record of success" - in business (where he was an utter cheat and failure), and in golf (where he was an utter cheat and failure as well). This book connects the dots and—through golf—paints the most accurate picture of the President of the United States.
• Want to know what makes this president tick? Reilly, one swing at a time, takes us through the game as it’s played by Trump. It’s a unique insight into the world through 18 holes, all filled with mulligans, gimmes, subterfuge, and lies.
• Even if you don’t play golf, or even like golf, this is hysterical. And sad. Perhaps more damning in its own way than any other Trump exposé to date; Reilly documents cheating as par for the course for this president...literally. I used to read Reilly’s column in Sports Illustrated before I read anything else in each issue. He hasn’t lost his touch; if anything, he’s gotten better.
• I read this book in two days. It is well written, and easy to read. It analyzes Trump from a fresh point of view and the result is not pretty.