Confidence man : the making of Donald Trump and the breaking of America
(Large Type)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 777-954) and index.

From the Pulitzer-Prize-winning New York Times reporter who has defined Donald J. Trump's presidency like no other journalist: a magnificent and disturbing reckoning that moves beyond simplistic caricature, chronicling Trump's rise in New York City to his tortured post-presidency and his potential comeback. This is also, inevitably, about the world that produced such a singular character, giving rise to his career and becoming his first stage. It is also about a series of relentlessly transactional relationships with people like Roy Cohn, George Steinbrenner, Don King and Rudy Giuliani. All of Trump's behavior as President had echoes in what came before. He is capable of kindness but relies on casual cruelty as it suits his purposes. Pugnacious. Insecure. Lonely. Vindictive. Menacing. Smarter than his critics contend and colder and more calculating than his allies believe. A man who embedded himself in popular culture, galvanizing support for a run for high office that he began preliminary spadework for 30 years ago, to ultimately become a president who pushed American democracy to the brink. Haberman shows that Trump's life and his presidency are built around what is in it for him or what he needs to say to survive short increments of time in the pursuit of his own interests. -- adapted from back cover