I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year

Okay, so, it’s a Tuesday in summer 2021 and the latest book about Donald Trump and his presidency has been published. I’ve read most of them so far.I’m not going to write about my feelings - personal and political - about Donald Trump, but rather if Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker’s new book, “I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J Trump’s Catastrophic Final Year” is worth reading. This is, after all, a BOOk review, and my feelings about Trump really shouldn’t matter.Leonnig and Rucker are reporters for the Washington Post. As reporters, they know how to write; they know what should be included and what to leave out. Their book is masterly written because both authors are long time reporters assigned the Donald Trump beat. Curiously, Trump gave them interviews - including one after the January 6th insurrection - knowing they were writing an account of his presidency. He was rather indiscreet in what he said.The book is filled with interesting tidbits and Leonnig and Rucker go behind the scenes. They obviously talked to many people both within and outside the Administration. They were fairly even-handed in their reporting. And I think I’ll break my personal rule about commenting about my opinion of Trump. I will say that I’ve felt dirty after reading these books. Really dirty…

Yes, it's well written and well researched. You'd expect that from these two respected Washington Post reporters. It's hard to organize material like this--over 140 interviews, so many quotes and events. They do a great job of it, focusing on Trump's "catastrophic" last year--his failures with covid, George Floyd protests and his desire for a military response (welcome push back to this from Milley). Barr gets some welcome push back from Geoffrey Berman before Berman is fired. Berman's effort was important.These are the things you like to read--people standing up for what's right, even when it means taking on the rude, often profane and angry President. It's the same way when they get to the insurrection--we see some advisors who are normally so slavish (Barr, Pence, e.g.) standing up for the country. This is an important historical document as well as excellent journalism. Rucker and Leonnig show us the events and recreate many conversations (obviously checking with both sides as they include the denials that such conversation ever took place and leave it for us to decide whom to believe).It's a long book, and very impressive how they weave so many people and events and situations together so seamlessly. At times, I wished they judged these people inside the administration a bit more; yet I guess there's enough detail for readers to judge for ourselves. Re-reading the last part of it--on the insurrection--I appreciate their approach more than I did the first time through. It's actually rather amazing that two readers with different political views of Trump and his presidency could probably read this and not be put off by what Rucker and Leonnig are writing. They step past many opportunities for ridicule and have a respectful tone toward nearly everyone--not so easy.Trump's catastrophic last year, truly is one for the history books--from the botched covid management, to taking the wrong side in racial justice issues after George Floyd's murder, to an actual insurrection instigated by the President of the United States. The lengthy section on the insurrection alone justifies reading the book, in my opinion. It is a pivotal event in American history and, some day, will define the Trump presidency. It's easy to forget just how complicated it all was because of how smoothly they bring it all together. Impressive. Also, time has passed and more information has come out since this went to the publisher but it doesn't seem at all dated. Actually, they made news with its publishing, including General Milley's reaction to what was happening after the election. A "Reichstag moment", think of it. (I do wish those in the Trump administration were being held more accountable here, since he could have easily won a second term and many of them seem to regard that as a threat to democracy and the country. They should have--should have--done more, including going public. The authors are, in my opinion, too kind in the face of a lot of complicity, but I suppose that is for someone -else's- book). In time, I'm sure we will learn more--particularly regarding what was happening at the White House--but I think this book will stand the test of time. "I Alone Can Fix It" gives us a lot to think about, including how close we came to losing our democracy. And how easily--really easily, particularly if the leader was a smarter, and more strategic--something like this could happen again, only successfully.

there are many more names attached to the quotes and far fewer “high ranking officials” that wouldn’t speak on the record. Sure, there are still some of them, but not 90% of the book.There’s lots of speaking in this book. Speaking, yelling, cursing, back biting, blaming…oh the spectacular BLAME GAME. That game is not just done by DJT. Leonnig and Rucker share the TMZ on Trump’s team as they scramble for purchase and cover. This is high value entertainment.For me, there wasn’t much new information between these pages. What does set this substantial volume apart from its competitors is the chronology and organization; it’s seamless and flows like an award winning thriller. Beginning with the early days of the pandemic, transitioning to Floyd, BLM & violence in our cities, on to the campaign strategy and summer of struggle with Biden in the Basement. All of this is laid out almost day by day with the ever present progress and pressure of the COVID crisis.Finally, the election and events leading up to January 6th. I watched it live on television and still while reading it, my primary emotional response is one of abject sadness, for reasons far too many, (and inappropriate), to elaborate here.The cast of this book is anything but impartial but the writers have done an excellent job of keeping their opinions out of the book proper and putting them where they belong - in the Prologue & Epilogue. I greatly appreciate authors who give readers credit for being able to think and feel for themselves.While our last president might not have been able to fulfill his “I Alone Can Fix It” promise, as Americans blessed by the freedom of living in a democracy, we each have the opportunity to Fix It every time the poll booth is open. Well written, thoroughly documented, professionally published and oddly inspiring 📚

This is the stupidest book I have read recently. I can’t stand the former president but this book? Seriously? And then, the racial overtones are overwhelming: check out page 154 - a mayor is “Black” but in the next paragraph a governor isn’t identified as “White”. But of course, everyone is white unless otherwise identified. And that’s the theme throughout the book. What is WRONG with you people? And yes, I’m Caucasian (with a capital “ C”. Yes!! I can be in the book! And have instant credibility!)

Comes across as a final rant by the ultimate "Karen"

If you like the first book - A Very Stable Genius - you'll certainly like this one. It begins pretty much at the point the first book left off, concentrating on the pandemic, the election and, of course the time between the election and the inauguration. Having followed these events fairly closely as they happened, it was fascinating to read about what was going on out of sight of public scrutiny (in conjunction with what we were seeing and hearing at the time). I found the retelling of the events of 6th January particularly well done - and although I reached this rather late at night, couldn't put it down until events were back under some control.There was one small error - the authors referred to Oxford Astra-Zeneca as a 'British Company'. As I understand it, this vaccine was developed through a collaboration between scientists at Oxford University and the Swedish drug company Astra-Zeneca. Given the recounting of one of Trump's complaints about drug company profits from Covid-19 vaccines, it might have been nice to mention that AZ are selling theirs at cost.Over their two books, these reporters have perhaps produced the best recounting of the reign of Trump to be produced close to the events themselves. They're a valuable commentary, and an even more valuable warning.

How Trump changed the character of America for ever. Fact after fact with insightful analysis and commentary about Trump's terrifying, final year in office presented in a very readable way. It puts the reader right into the events as a spectator The people involved are slotted into context and it manages to avoid portraying them as merely cartoon villains. This is a book I will want to read over and over again. The only thing it got wrong was that, like most of the world, it heaved a sigh of relief at the end, whereas the need of a followup book for the years following Trump is becoming more and more necessary, as the Trump legacy continues to dominate the GOP.

Excellent. Truly unbelievable what happened in the last 12 months of his presidency. A must buy and must read. Highly recommend it.

Riveting read on Donald Trump's final year in office, and probably his most consequential. This book shows just how much can happen in 12 months.For Trump, 2020 started off well. He had a major success in Qasem Soleimani, survived his first impeachment trial, and was all set to start his campaign for re-election. Then along came COVID-19, the biggest public health crisis in our lifetime. From 'refusing to mask up' to 'rebelling against the experts,' the book portrays Trump as someone who didnt take the crisis seriously, and as unable to unite Americans during the BLM protests in the summer.When it came to Trumps loss in the 2020 election to Joe Biden, it was interesting to read what was going on behind the scenes, particularly the various lawsuits filed in several states, and the reporting about the events on January 6 were very detailed and researched.Someone who shines in this book is General Mark Milley. The most insightful piece of information were the four tasks he set for himself after the Lafayette Square incident, summarising them as a mission to ensure the USA has a free and fair election with no military involvement. It's safe to say he achieved his goals.

Just confirms, in an easy readable story, how horrible 45's reign was. Listen to Michael Cohen's Mea Culpa podcasts to even hear more.....