Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
34(34%)
4 stars
34(34%)
3 stars
31(31%)
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99 reviews
March 31,2025
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It gives an insight into 1970s-1980s real estate in New York especially which has no relevance to my life whatsoever but still quite interesting.

I think if you’re intrested in Trump, the way he thinks or large scale New York construction projects in the 80s the its a book for you. If not then I wouldn’t bother with it.

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Also I really can’t help but see Shane Gillis every time I look at the cover
March 31,2025
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Magnificent in imagination. Even brilliant at selling em. A master of a man at working the variables of real world.

This book takes you through the mind of an incredibly astute businessman who runs on instincts fueled by calculated confidence.
March 31,2025
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"Next book from @realDonaldTrump: Art of the Fail #Trumpcare"
Tweet by Senator Mazie Hirono

An Ethicist Reads The Art of the Deal
in:https://www.theatlantic.com/business/...
March 31,2025
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“And if it can’t be fun, what’s the point?”

The Art of the Deal covers Trump's childhood in Jamaica Estates, Queens. Proceeding to detail Trump's early work in Brooklyn prior to moving to Manhattan, whereupon he engaged in building The Trump Organization. It then describes his actions and thoughts while he was developing the Grand Hyatt Hotel and Trump Tower, renovating Wollman Rink, and regarding various other projects.

The Art of the Deal also contains an 11-step formula for business success, inspired by Norman Vincent Peale's The Power of Positive Thinking. Trump's steps are:
*Think big
*Protect the downside and the upside will take care of itself
*Maximize your options
*Know your market
*Use your leverage
*Enhance your location
*Get the word out
*Fight back
*Deliver the goods
*Contain the costs
*Have fun


The book shows Donald Trump's big personality and confident ego, portrayed as a rather charming and charismatic business figure. Trump reminds us he is always making big deals, handling lots of calls and knows how to engage with potential partners/companies.
The Art of the Deal highlights his early rise to success in his eyes and was published in November 1987 by Random House. It definitely hasn't lost any of its flamboyancy and potency as Trump outlines his personal recipe for success and how he does what he does.
Some would say Trump is a shrewd and clever businessman, while others would say he is a comedic, crafty con-artist: I would say Trump has a few elements from both of these. He clearly exhibits a passion and drive for what he loves doing, which at the heart of it is making money without being submissive. Quite literally taking the bull by the horns and giving no quarter.

Overall, The Art of the Deal, (I've read conflicting accounts that Trump may have had a ghost writer or in simpler terms someone wrote it for him... Whatever the truth it is a highly entertaining and interesting journey with some sound advice.) is a very funny and brave book from Trump. Definitely a case for egoism, that larger than life personality, being key to possibly if not through intimidation but by analysing those you're dealing with: Trump does this and enjoys getting inside the psychology, inside the head of whomever he deals with. I think Publishers Weekly partly summed it up when they called the book a "boastful, boyishly disarming, thoroughly engaging personal history".
Also Trump seems to be an expert (How they work and think for example...) on China and the Chinese: “I've read hundreds of books about China over the decades. I know the Chinese. I've made a lot of money with the Chinese. I understand the Chinese mind.”
Trump likes to think that nobody does it better than him, I keep being reminded of "words... Nobody does words like me." from his public speeches and I would say that he has a way of doing things that often leads people to say he either has a big head or borders on the delusional margins.
Having said all that The Art of the Deal is a very fun and positive journey from the early days in business and his personal life, which was a pleasure to read. Trump often makes many of us smile or laugh (Or for opponents/critics more negative reactions...) when it comes to politics or business spheres.

“The most important thing in life is to love what you’re doing, because that’s the only way you’ll ever be really good at it.”
March 31,2025
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Business porn for people who aren't in business. There are parts that are interesting for capturing specific moments in New York and Atlantic City history but since we know tons of the book was just made up (and Trump didn't even have the patience to sit through interviews), it's hard to take much away.

(I bear full responsibility for choosing to waste these hours of my life.)
March 31,2025
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In the few days since finishing this book, I've brought it up in conversation several times. Mentioning The Art of the Deal in 2017 generates quite a few laughs, eye rolls, and bad jokes. The more savvy will mention that Trump didn't write the book, but rather dictated it and then had little ongoing correspondence with his editor.

I don't see how dissatisfaction with the man's campaign and ongoing presidency can cause such adverse (and negative) reactions to a book written in 1987. If anything, seeing that the brashness, ambition, and ideals first chronicled in this book were still very much the same in 2016 speaks volumes about Trump's character. It's hard to deny that The Art of the Deal shaped the American business-advice book and helped Trump become a household name.

I would go as far as saying that many modern business and self-help books are derivatives of this one. Trump treats people well, generally, but advises that being outspoken, daring, and hyperbolic can help, too. These lessons, stemming from irrefutable business successes, have been repackaged (though I'm not insinuating they've been stolen) countless times by other authors. Personally, I would rather read these things in the context of one of the most notable American success stories than in a disposable paperback from an airport book store.

Trump takes advantage of every opportunity available to him. The biggest surprise to me was how eloquently he described his relationships, complimented those who he worked with, and framed both good and bad deals. He never cared what critics thought but saw more value in good press than anything else. Eventually I realized that many of the business cases in the book were analogous to his campaign strategy, though, in the political sphere, his brand of dealmaking has lead to divisiveness.

Trump mentions various controversies he has been entangled in. He goes to great lengths to explain his side of things. I appreciated his honestly and, upon doing my own research, found only a slight spin put on most stories- nothing egregious. There is a level of candidness that is absent from the world we live in today. The most striking example was when he mentioned that the beautiful women he was meeting at the exclusive club in NYC were hard to hold meaningful conversations with. Nobody talks like that anymore, and while detractors will highlight it as an example of Trump's advocacy for something-or-other-ism, vignettes like that one help cement this book as an important one.

The Art of the Deal helped me gain a deeper understanding of our president and his successes as a real estate developer.
March 31,2025
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First Trump had a ghost writer because he is illiterate and second what a load of crap
March 31,2025
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How Trump voters saw the election:

Steak or Tofu

How third-party voters saw the election:

Raw Horse Meat or McDonald's Salad or Ice Cream

How Clinton voters saw the election:

Shit Sandwich or Tofu
March 31,2025
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After the first two chapters, it becomes mind-numbing. The details in the life of an assholish bore. recap: He made a lot of money by being a bigger asshole than the other people. End of story.
March 31,2025
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I read all but the last 40 pages or so of this book. After a while the story becomes the same.

What is that story? Pretty much, take a hands-on approach to your business, make your intentions known, and then wait until things fall into place for you to move.

A lot of the time Trump was dealing with licensing and zoning boards. He always went to those meetings himself, took an active interest. He mentions many who took the opposite approach, and things didn’t go well for them.

There’s a lot on him calling people up personally, and how these people were often happy to have that done. There’s a lot on Trump choosing the marble for the floors or brass for railings, even taking an interest in air conditioning and piping.

He’s clear what this mean - millions of dollars in savings and projects that come in on time and on budget.

Overall, this is a good book even 30 years after it was written. I got it at the library and read it because Trump is about a month away from the presidential nomination. I wanted to understand his early business background and influences better, and this book does a good job.

Is it biased? You bet. But it’s a fun read and it’s pretty honest and I like how he presented himself in it. I’m glad I picked it up and gave it a read.

March 31,2025
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What does the ghostwriter, Tony Schwartz, think about the book and the mythical figure he's helped create?
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