Too Much and Never Enough

I have let this book sit on my shelf for years since it came out, but now that the author's social media activity has ticked up it seems like this moment of peril is the right point to read it through. It is part memoir and part biography written without the cooperation of its subject, but viewed at close quarters. I decided the author is able to put forth an honest portrayal of Donald Trump despite her personal stakes in calling out his actions that deprived her of a large inheritance. I think there is enough detail here to back up the claims when combined with other stories of the rise of businessman Trump and other objective of his character. Behind it all is the author's grandfather who built the real estate empire in Brooklyn and who was responsible for Trump's strange psychology by encouraging his lying, applauding the flamboyance, and demonstrating that a total lack of morals is no impediment to a capitalist. The first three quarters of the book takes the story to the 1990s, and then came a rapid shift to the presidential era and its chaos. There is no attempt to analyze the subject at a deep level since his behavior is well accounted for by just a few basic childhood experiences forming the basis of his broken personality. I would not call it a must read, but I think it will be a reference of lasting value historically.

Yes, the author has an axe to grind after being cut out of Fred Sr.'s will. Still, this is the most coherent and believable explanation I've seen for the @realDonaldTrump Twitter stream and its pathological braggadocio and belligerent name-calling. Wherever you stand on support for Donald Trump's presidency, you can't REALLY believe that everything he's ever done is the best it's EVER BEEN done. Sheer odds (and, frankly, facts) stand against it. And whether you're offended or delighted by the puerile nicknames he permafrosts to his opponents' names, you can't REALLY think that this is virtuous behavior, or the actions of someone mature. So why is Donald Trump the way he is? Why does he badger and belittle and denounce and deflect and crow and claim persecution?

This book explains the Trump family in the context of Fred Sr. It focuses on Fred Sr., Fred Jr., and Donald, probably in that order. Fred Sr. withheld love, encouraged division, scoffed at kindness or emotion, and applauded what proponents call swagger and detractors call assholery. As a clinical psychologist, the author provides several insights -- some resoundingly quoteworthy -- into the psychological makeup of Fred, Sr., and of Donald. This is more a book of descriptions and conclusions, though family anecdotes are spread through the book.

Donald Trump has been the most polarizing president of my lifetime, and perhaps ever (that "best ever" I'll grant him). Some see his attitudes and actions as what our country needs. Others, that they will prove our country's downfall. Either way, understanding his psychological makeup -- why he is the way he is, why he thinks what he does, what motivates him -- seems important to us as citizens of this country, especially as we prepare for the November (?) vote. This book provides that information.