Saturday, July 6, 2019

Donald Trump: Loser

 

If you are going to read just one (or one more) book about Donald Trump and his character, what drives him, what explains his behavior in all the realms of his life (at least in the ones of which we are aware), I strongly recommend Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump (Hachette Books, 2019) by the golf writer, Rick Reilly, associated for a long time with Sports Illustrated and ESPN.

Golf has been an integral part of Trump's life since he was a youngster, both as a player and later as a golf-course owner. In both realms of golf, Trump is a master cheat, bully, liar, and tall story teller. Reilly has many illustrations of Trump's behavior, on the course, in the club houses, and in the owner's offices/suites. The book is filled with humor, which makes it an easy read. But of course, the subject is deadly serious and Reilly is serious about his work as a journalist. 

By the way, this Is not a gossip book. It is a work of journalism, filled with personal observations, confirmation of the stories told by others from well-known professional golfers, to members of Trump golf clubs, to a variety of amateurs and entertainment types who have played with him, to caddies, both Trump's and other's, and double-checking. It is most revealing about Trump the person, as well as Trump the golfer and Trump the golf-businessman. And, the humor to the contrary not-withstanding, it is a scary book, which I think Mr. Reilly intended it to be.

Mr. Reilly begins the book with a quote from the English author and humorist P.G. Wodehouse : "To find a man's true character, play golf with him." While many a famous person in golf played with him, learned his true character, and still associated their name with his for one reason or another, one of the most famous names in golf, who associated his own name with a variety of golfing and non-golfing products, was once asked by Trump to join in a business venture with him. The man said, "OK. Let's play a round." After it, he just walked away and never spoke with Trump again. 

Click here for the full article. 

Source: OpEdNews.com 

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