Book Reviews

Written by  Barry Levine & Monique el-Faizy

All the President's Women reviews the women involved with Donald Trump throughout the course of his life.  The insightful look into his personal relationships shows how from an early age Trump would require the attention of beautiful women whether they wanted or not.

It includes an interview with Stormy Daniels, the porn star who was paid "hush" money to maintain the secrecy of their affair.

As well as, detailing Trump's marriage(s), divorce, and extramarital affairs.   

This book is reminiscent of a tell-all  and gives the reader a peak at the personal side of Donald Trump and how he is perceived by many in regard to women in general.

This is a MUST READ into the thoughts and actions of the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump.  Written by a senior Trump administration official.  

It is concise, well written and easy to follow.  The author organizes his points effectively making his "warning" to the American people chillingly apparent that this threat is very real.   In one word it is FRIGHTENING.

"Conservatives dreaming that Donald Trump is our savior need to wake up.  Not only is he NOT a conservative, he represents a long-term threat to the Republican Party and what it purports to stand for.  He is redefining us to a degree that makes our platform incoherent.  Those cheering him on to a second term --with foaming-at-the-mouth excitement that he is "totally owning" the Left -- are unknowingly nailing coffins into the GOP, cementing an end to the party as we know it and taking us into inhospitable territory."

 Anonymous aka Miles Taylor, Former Chief of Staff -  Homeland Security USA

House of Trump, House of Putin: The Untold Story of Donald Trump and the Russian Mafia 

A book written by Craig Unger

Attention citizens of the United States of America - Patriots, Democrats, Loyalists, Republicans, Independence and all who reside in our great country ~

This insightful book is the definitive resource outlining in grave detail the series of events that led up to the beginning of our four years under the rule of a lawless silver spoon business man  and asset of Vladimir Putin and Putin's successful life long campaign to destroy his perceived arch enemy - our western civilization and home to the brave - America.

Opening of book - excerpt from page 1:

"At approximately 9:32 a.m. Moscow time on November 9, 2016, Deputy Vyacheslav Nikonov of the pro-Putin United Russia Party stepped up to the microphone in the Russian State Duma, the Russian equivalent of the House of Representatives, to make a highly unusual announcement...

'Dear friends, respected colleagues!" Nikonov said. "Three minutes ago Hillary Clinton admitted her defeat in US presidential elections and a second ago Trump started his speech as an elected president of the United States of America and I congratulate you on this.'

Even though Nikonov did not add what many in the Kremlin already knew, his brief statement was greeted by enthusiastic applause.  Donald J. Trump had just become Vladimir Putin's man in the the White House."

If you only read ONE book - read this book!

"Winter Is Coming: Why Vladimir Putin and the Enemies of the Free World Must Be Stopped" is a book written by Garry Kasparov that provides a detailed analysis of Russian President Vladimir Putin's rise to power and his impact on the world stage. The book argues that Putin's authoritarian approach to governing and his aggressive foreign policy pose a serious threat to global stability and the values of democracy and freedom.

Kasparov draws on his personal experiences as a chess Grandmaster and former political activist in Russia to provide insights into Putin's mindset and tactics. He argues that Putin's goal is not simply to defend Russian interests, but rather to undermine Western democracies and expand his own power and influence.

The book covers a wide range of topics, including Putin's use of propaganda, cyber warfare, and military aggression to achieve his goals. It also explores the role of the Russian oligarchs and intelligence agencies in supporting Putin's regime and highlights the growing threat posed by other authoritarian leaders around the world.

Overall, "Winter Is Coming" is a compelling and thought-provoking read that offers a sobering warning about the need to confront the challenge of authoritarianism and defend the values of democracy and freedom in the face of an increasingly uncertain world.

Mr. Kasparov is a Russian chess grandmaster, a former World Chess Champion, a political activist and writer.   

As noted on his Wikipedia page ~ "He formed the United Civil Front movement, and joined as a member of The Other Russia, a coalition opposing the administration and policies of Vladimir Putin. "

More to come.

"The Case Against Donald Trump: 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President" is a book written by Bandy X. Lee, which presents the findings of a group of psychiatrists and mental health experts who conducted an evaluation of Donald Trump's mental state and presidential fitness. The book examines President Trump's behavior and statements, as well as his interactions with others, in order to assess his psychological state and the potential effects of his conduct on the country.

The authors argue that Trump exhibits many signs of mental illness, including narcissism, impulsiveness, and a lack of empathy. They also express concerns about his aggression, erratic behavior, and tendency to make false or misleading statements. The book explores the impact of these factors on Trump's presidency and his ability to effectively govern the country.

Overall, "The Case Against Donald Trump" provides a detailed analysis of the mental health issues that many experts believe are affecting the president, and offers a sobering look at the potential consequences of his leadership style. It is a provocative and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in politics, psychology, or the intersection of the two.

"Fire and Fury Inside the Trump White House" is a bestselling book by Michael Wolff that provides an insider's view of the chaos and dysfunction within President Donald Trump's administration. The book is based on interviews with over 200 White House staff members, including senior aides, advisors, and friends of the president.

The book chronicles Trump's first year in office, beginning with his unexpected victory in the 2016 presidential election and continuing through the tumultuous events of his early presidency. The author provides a behind-the-scenes look at the personalities and power struggles within the White House, as well as the president's interactions with foreign leaders and the media.

Wolff portrays Trump as an inexperienced and erratic leader who is prone to tantrums and impulsive decisions. He also sheds light on the bitter rivalries and dysfunction among the president's top advisors and cabinet members, including Steve Bannon, Jared Kushner, and Reince Priebus.

The book caused a sensation upon its release, drawing denials and criticism from the Trump administration and sparking renewed debates about the president's fitness for office. Despite its controversial content, "Fire and Fury" remains a compelling and insightful read for anyone interested in American politics and history."

The Threat 

by Andrew McCabe

McCabe was former Director of the F.B.I. between 2016 until his firing by Jeff Sessions under orders from President Trump in January 2018, only a few months before he was scheduled to retire. 

"The Threat" by Andrew McCabe is a memoir that details the former FBI deputy director's experience working under the Trump administration. McCabe's book provides an insider's perspective on the FBI's investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election and the controversy surrounding the firing of former FBI director James Comey.

In his book, McCabe alleges that Trump pressured him to pledge his loyalty and end the investigation into former national security advisor Michael Flynn. He also discusses the challenges he faced as the FBI attempted to investigate the president himself for obstruction of justice.

"The Threat" offers a personal account of the consequences of speaking truth to power in the face of political pressure and institutional turmoil. McCabe paints a vivid picture of the internal workings of the FBI and the impact of politics on the agency's ability to carry out its mission.

The book received significant media attention and criticism from the Trump administration, with the president himself tweeting about McCabe's alleged conflicts of interest and firing from the FBI. Despite these controversies, "The Threat" remains a valuable and illuminating read for those interested in the intersection of law enforcement and politics in America today.

"Putin's Plutocracy: Who Owns Russia?" is a detailed examination of the vast wealth and power held by a select group of oligarchs in modern-day Russia. Written by Karen Dawisha, a renowned scholar of Russian politics, the book delves into the complex web of political intrigue, corruption, and influence peddling that defines Putin's Russia.

Dawisha explores the backgrounds and business dealings of some of the most powerful figures in Russian politics, including Vladimir Putin himself. She uncovers evidence of massive corruption and illegal activities, including the theft of billions of dollars in public funds and the manipulation of elections and other political processes.

Through her extensive research and analysis, Dawisha paints a disturbing picture of a country where democracy and the rule of law are little more than empty slogans, and power is concentrated in the hands of a small number of wealthy elites. Despite the challenges and dangers of reporting on such sensitive topics, Dawisha bravely exposes the truth about Russia's corrupt and authoritarian regime, shedding light on the inner workings of one of the world's most opaque and secretive governments.

This book provides valuable insights for anyone interested in the politics and economics of modern-day Russia, as well as for those concerned about the state of democracy and human rights around the world. It is a must-read for journalists, policymakers, and concerned citizens alike.

by Anna Politkovskaya 

In 2004 she published her book depicting to Western readers life in Russia from her own perspective and experience.  In the fall of 2004, she was poisoned but survived.  On October 7, 2006 she was shot and killed in the elevator of her apartment complex.

Anna Politkovskaya was a Russian journalist who wrote extensively on the political situation in Russia, particularly the atrocities committed during the Second Chechen War. One of her most famous books is "A Small Corner of Hell: Dispatches from Chechnya", which sheds light on the human rights abuses committed by both sides in the conflict.

Politkovskaya was known for her uncompromising reporting and fierce criticism of the Putin regime, and her work put her in constant danger. She was harassed, threatened, and even poisoned before being assassinated in 2006.

In addition to "A Small Corner of Hell", Politkovskaya also wrote several other books, including "Putin's Russia" (which is often confused with Karen Dawisha's book of the same name). In this book, Politkovskaya provides an unflinching critique of Putin's government, exposing the corruption, repression, and violence that characterize the regime. Despite the risks involved, Politkovskaya remained committed to telling the truth about the state of Russia, and her work remains an inspiration to journalists and activists around the world.

"Spymaster: My Thirty-two Years in Intelligence and Espionage Against the West" is a memoir written by Oleg Kalugin, a former high-ranking KGB officer who served as a spy for the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The book provides a firsthand account of Kalugin's experiences in the KGB, including his recruitment, training, and espionage activities.

Kalugin's career in the KGB began in the 1950s, and he rapidly rose through the ranks to become one of the agency's top officials. He was involved in numerous intelligence operations against the West, including efforts to steal military secrets, infiltrate political organizations, and recruit spies.

Throughout his career, Kalugin became disillusioned with the Soviet regime and the KGB's tactics. He eventually defected to the United States in the 1990s and provided valuable information to American intelligence agencies about Russian spying activities.

In "Spymaster", Kalugin provides a candid and insightful perspective on the inner workings of the KGB and the Soviet Union, shedding light on the motivations and methods of Russian intelligence agencies. The book is a fascinating look into the world of espionage and the Cold War, and it provides a unique perspective on the challenges faced by those who seek to protect national security interests in a complex and dangerous world.

"Proof of Conspiracy" by Seth Abramson is a compelling and detailed exploration of the alleged collusion between President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign team and Russian intelligence agencies. Drawing on extensive research and analysis of multiple sources including documents, interviews, and news reports, Abramson provides a comprehensive examination of the evidence that suggests Trump and his associates worked with foreign powers to win the presidential election. 

The book delves into topics such as the infamous Trump Tower meeting, the role of social media in influencing voter behavior, and the activities of key figures such as Paul Manafort and Roger Stone. Abramson also examines the connections between the Trump campaign and other foreign governments, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. 

Amidst ongoing investigations into Russian interference in the election and allegations of obstruction of justice, "Proof of Conspiracy" offers a sobering assessment of the threats posed by international collusion to the foundations of American democracy. Abramson argues that understanding the complex web of relationships and motivations that underpin these activities is crucial to ensuring the integrity of future elections and safeguarding national security interests. Overall, "Proof of Conspiracy" is a thought-provoking and timely work that sheds new light on one of the most consequential political scandals of our time.

BY MICHAEL COHEN 

AKA “ADOPTED SON” 

AKA “FIXER” 

"Disloyal" is a personal memoir written by Michael Cohen, the former personal attorney and "fixer" for Donald Trump. The book provides a firsthand account of Cohen's time working for Trump, including details about his role in Trump's businesses and political campaigns. 

Cohen also discusses his involvement in several controversial incidents, such as the hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, as well as the 2016 Trump Tower meeting with Russian officials. Throughout the book, Cohen reflects on his own actions and motivations, as well as the ethical implications of working for someone like Donald Trump. 

In addition to providing new insights into the inner workings of the Trump administration, "Disloyal" also sheds light on the broader issues facing American politics and society. Cohen argues that Trump represents a fundamental threat to democratic values and institutions, and that his own participation in Trump's schemes was ultimately a mistake. Overall, "Disloyal" is a candid and compelling account of one of the most controversial figures in modern American politics.

Forward-

Disloyal, The Foreword: The Real Real Donald Trump

The President of the United States wanted me dead.

Or, let me say it the way Donald Trump would: He wouldn’t mind if I was dead. That was how Trump talked. Like a mob boss, using language carefully calibrated to convey his desires and demands, while at the same time employing deliberate indirection to insulate himself and avoid actually ordering a hit on his former personal attorney, confidant, consigliere, and, at least in my heart, adopted son.

Driving south from New York City to Washington, DC on 1-95 on the cold, gray winter morning of February 24th, 2019, en route to testify against President Trump before both Houses of Congress, I knew he wanted me gone before I could tell the nation what I know about him. Not the billionaire celebrity savior of the country or lying lunatic, not the tabloid tycoon or self-anointed Chosen One, not the avatar @realdonaldtrump of Twitter fame, but the real real Donald Trump—the man very, very, very few people know.

If that sounds overly dramatic, consider the powers Trump possessed and imagine how you might feel if he threatened you personally. Heading south, I wondered if my prospects for survival were also going in that direction. I was acutely aware of the magnitude of Trump’s fury aimed directly at my alleged betrayal. I was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses and I kept the speedometer at eighty, avoiding the glances of other drivers. Trump’s theory of life, business and politics revolved around threats and the prospect of destruction—financial, electoral, personal, physical—as a weapon. I knew how he worked because I had frequently been the one screaming threats on his behalf as Trump’s fixer and designated thug.

Ever since I had flipped and agreed to cooperate with Robert Mueller and the Special Counsel’s Office, the death threats had come by the hundreds. On my cell phone, by email, snail mail, in tweets, on Facebook, enraged Trump supporters vowed to kill me, and I took those threats very seriously. The President called me a rat and tweeted angry accusations at me, as well as my family. All rats deserve to die, I was told. I was a lowlife Judas they were going to hunt down. I was driving because I couldn’t fly or take the train to Washington. If I had, I was sure I would be mobbed or attacked. For weeks, walking the streets of Manhattan, I was convinced that someone was going to ram me with their car. I was exactly the person Trump was talking about when he said he could shoot and kill someone on 5th Avenue and get away with it.

My mind was spinning as I sped towards DC. For more than a decade, I had been at the center of Trump’s innermost circle. When he came to my son’s bar mitzvah, a generous gesture that I found touching, he told my then thirteen-year-old boy that his Dad was the greatest and that, if he wanted to work at the Trump Organization when he grew up, there would always be a position for him.

“You’re family,” Trump said to my son and I.

And I fucking believed him!

Pulling over at a service plaza, I gassed up and headed inside for a coffee, black no sugar. I looked around to see if I was under surveillance or being followed; a sense of dread consuming my thoughts. Who was that FBI-type in the gray coat or the muscle-bound dude a few paces behind me? The notion that I was being followed or stalked may have seemed crazy; but it was also perfectly logical. I wasn’t just famous—I was perhaps the most infamous person in the country at the time, seen by millions upon millions as a traitor. President Trump controlled all the levers of the Commander in Chief and all the overt and covert powers that come with the highest office in the country. He also possessed a cult-like hold over his supporters, some of them demonstrably unhinged and willing to do anything to please or protect the President. I knew how committed these fanatics were because I’d been one of them: an acolyte obsessed with Donald J. Trump, a demented follower willing to do anything for him, including, as I vowed once to a reporter, to take a bullet.

On the eve of my public testimony, lying in the still of the night in my hotel room, taking a bullet assumed a completely different meaning. That was the level of ruination I had brought upon myself- complete and total destruction. I closed my eyes, wishing the nightmare would end. When I started working for Trump I had been a multi-millionaire lawyer and businessman, and now I was broke and broken; a convicted, disgraced and disbarred former attorney about to testify against the President on live television before an audience of more than 15 million Americans.

“Hey, Michael Cohen, do your wife and father-in-law know about your girlfriends?” GOP Representative Matt Gaetz tweeted at me that night, to cite just one example of the juvenile idiocy and menace aimed in my direction. “I wonder if she’ll remain faithful when you’re in prison. She’s about to learn a lot…”

Sitting in the green room on the morning of my testimony before the House Oversight Committee, I began to feel the enormous weight of what was about to happen. For some reason, after all that I’d been through, and all I’d put my family and the country through, waiting in that room was the moment when the gravity of what was about to happen truly hit home. The United States was being torn apart, its political and cultural and mental well-being threatened by a clear and present danger named Donald Trump, and I had played a central role in creating this new reality. To half of Americans, it seemed like Trump was effectively a Russian-controlled fraud who had lied and cheated his way to the White House; to the other half of Americans, to Trump’s supporters, the entire Russian scandal was a witch hunt invented by Democrats still unable to accept the fact that Hillary Clinton had lost fair and square in the most surprising upset in the history of American presidential elections.

Both sides were wrong. I knew that the reality was much more complicated and dangerous. Trump had colluded with the Russians, but not in the sophisticated ways imagined by his detractors. I also knew that the Mueller investigation was not a witch-hunt. Trump had cheated in the election, with Russian connivance, as you will discover in these pages, because doing anything—and I mean anything—to “win” has always been his business model and way of life. Trump had also continued to pursue a major real estate deal in Moscow during the campaign. He attempted to insinuate himself into the world of President Vladimir Putin and his coterie of corrupt billionaire oligarchs. I know because I personally ran that deal and kept Trump and his children closely informed of all updates, even as the candidate blatantly lied to the American people saying, “there’s no Russian collusion, I have no dealings with Russia…there’s no Russia.”

The time to testify nearing, I asked the sergeant-at-arms for a few minutes of privacy and the room was cleared. Sitting alone, my thoughts and heart racing, I had the first panic attack of my life. I struggled to breathe and stand. The pressure was too much; I had contemplated suicide in recent weeks, as a way to escape the unrelenting insanity. Reaching for a seat, I started to cry, a flood of emotions overwhelming me: fear, anger, dread, anxiety, relief, terror. It felt something like when I was in the hospital awaiting the birth of my daughter and son, with so many powerful and unprecedented emotions welling up in anticipation. Only now I was that child being born and all of the pain and blood were part of the birth of my new life and identity.

Trying to pull myself together, I went to the private bathroom and checked my eyes to see if they were bloodshot or puffy. To my relief, they weren’t. I splashed my face with cold water and felt a calm coming over me, and then a surge of confidence and adrenaline. I had pled guilty to multiple federal crimes, including lying to Congress, but I was there to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I knew that Trump and the Republican House members would want me to hesitate, falter, show weakness, even break down. They wanted me to look unreliable, shifty, and uncertain about the truth and myself. This was blood sport and they wanted me to cower. I wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction, I decided. I was going to nail it.

“Showtime,” the sergeant-at-arms called out, opening the door. “You’re on Mr. Cohen.”

One deep breath and I stepped into the hallway, into a crush of photographers and TV cameras and the craziness of wall-to-wall national obsession. I made my way alone through the jostle and shove of the surging crowd as I experienced the out-of-body sensation of seeing myself on television screens walking in to testify. It was truly bizarre to be at the epicenter of American history at that moment, to personify so many fears and resentments, to be the villain or savior, depending on your point of view, to speak truth to power in an age when truth itself was on trial. There I was, watching myself on TV, the Michael Cohen everyone had an opinion about: liar, snitch, idiot, bully, sycophant, convicted criminal, the least reliable narrator on the planet.

So, please permit me to reintroduce myself in these pages. The one thing I can say with absolute certainty is that whatever you may have heard or thought about me, you don’t know me or my story or the Donald Trump that I know. For more than a decade, I was Trump’s first call every morning and his last call every night. I was in and out of Trump’s office on the 26th floor of the Trump Tower as many as fifty times a day, tending to his every demand. Our cell phones had the same address books, our contacts so entwined, overlapping and intimate that part of my job was to deal with the endless queries and requests, however large or small, from Trump’s countless rich and famous acquaintances. I called any and all of the people he spoke to, most often on his behalf as his attorney and emissary, and everyone knew that when I spoke to them, it was as good as if they were talking directly to Trump.

Apart from his wife and children, I knew Trump better than anyone else did. In some ways, I knew him better than even his family did because I bore witness to the real man, in strip clubs, shady business meetings, and in the unguarded moments when he revealed who he really was: a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man.

There are reasons why there has never been an intimate portrait of Donald Trump, the man. In part, it’s because he has a million acquaintances, pals and hangers on, but no real friends. He has no one he trusts to keep his secrets. For ten years, he certainly had me, and I was always there for him, and look what happened to me. I urge you to really consider that fact: Trump has no true friends. He has lived his entire life avoiding and evading taking responsibility for his actions. He crushed or cheated all who stood in his way, but I know where the skeletons are buried because I was the one who buried them. I was the one who most encouraged him to run for president in 2011, and then again in 2015, carefully orchestrating the famous trip down the escalator in Trump Tower for him to announce his candidacy. When Trump wanted to reach Russian President Vladimir Putin, via a secret back channel, I was tasked with making the connection in my Keystone Kop fashion. I stiffed contractors on his behalf, ripped off his business partners, lied to his wife Melania to hide his sexual infidelities, and bullied and screamed at anyone who threatened Trump’s path to power. From golden showers in a sex club in Vegas, to tax fraud, to deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union, to catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trump’s clandestine lovers, I wasn’t just a witness to the president’s rise—I was an active and eager participant.

To underscore that last crucial point, let me say now that I had agency in my relationship with Trump. I made choices along the way—terrible, heartless, stupid, cruel, dishonest, destructive choices, but they were mine and constituted my reality and life. During my years with Trump, to give one example, I fell out of touch with my sisters and younger brother, as I imagined myself becoming a big shot. I’d made my fortune out of taxi medallions, a business viewed as sketchy if not lower class. On Park Avenue, where I lived, I was definitely nouveau riche, but I had big plans that didn’t include being excluded from the elite. I had a narrative: I wanted to climb the highest mountains of Manhattan’s skyscraping ambition, to inhabit the world from the vantage point of private jets and billion-dollar deals, and I was willing to do whatever it took to get there. Then there was my own considerable ego, short temper, and willingness to deceive to get ahead, regardless of the consequences.

As you read my story, you will no doubt ask yourself if you like me, or if you would act as I did, and the answer will frequently be no to both of those questions. But permit me to make a point: If you only read stories written by people you like, you will never be able to understand Donald Trump or the current state of the American soul. More than that, it’s only by actually understanding my decisions and actions that you can get inside Trump’s mind and understand his worldview. As anyone in law enforcement will tell you, it’s only gangsters who can reveal the secrets of organized crime. If you want to know how the mob really works, you’ve got to talk to the bad guys. I was one of Trump’s bad guys. In his world, I was one hundred percent a made man.

Before I could read my opening statement to the Oversight Committee on the day of my public testimony, the Republicans started to play procedural games. It was clearly an attempt to rattle me, I thought, a spectacle that only demeaned them and the institution itself. As I started to answer questions, it was evident that the Republicans didn’t want to hear a word I had to say, no matter how true or how critical to the future of the country. For all the hard truths I spoke about Trump, I wasn’t entirely critical of him, nor will I be in these pages. I said I know Trump as a human being, not a cartoon character on television, and that means I know he’s full of contradictions.

“Mr. Trump is an enigma,” I testified to the committee. “He is complicated, as am I. He does both good and bad, as do we all. But the bad far outweighs the good, and since taking office, he has become the worst version of himself. He is capable of behaving kindly, but he is not kind. He is capable of committing acts of generosity, but he is not generous. He is capable of being loyal, but he is fundamentally disloyal.”

“Liar, liar, pants on fire,” one of the Republicans taunted me, perfectly expressing the stupidity and lunacy of his party’s antics. To drive this point home, they actually made a sign with a picture of me on it. In bold letters, the sign proclaimed, “Liar, Liar Pants on Fire.”

I recognized the childish games, replete with a Trump-like slogan, because I had played them myself. In the pitiful sight of Republicans throwing aside their dignity and duty in an effort to grovel at Trump’s feet, I saw myself and understood their motives. My insatiable desire to please Trump to gain power for myself, the fatal flaw that led to my ruination, was a Faustian bargain: I would do anything to accumulate, wield, maintain, exert, exploit power. In this way, Donald Trump and I were the most alike; in this naked lust for power, the President and I were soul mates. I was so vulnerable to his magnetic force because he offered an intoxicating cocktail of power, strength, celebrity, and a complete disregard for the rules and realities that govern our lives. To Trump, life was a game and all that mattered was winning. In these dangerous days, I see the Republican Party and Trump’s followers threatening the constitution—which is in far greater peril than is commonly understood—and following one of the worst impulses of humankind: the desire for power at all costs.

“To those who support the President and his rhetoric, as I once did, I pray the country doesn’t make the same mistakes as I have made or pay the heavy price that my family and I are paying,” I testified to Congress, exhorting them to learn from my example.

“Given my experience working for Mr. Trump, I fear that if he loses the election in 2020 that there will never be a peaceful transition of power,” I concluded. “This is why I agreed to appear before you today.”

Representative Elijah Cummings had the final word, as chair of the Oversight Committee. I sat in silence, listening to this now deceased man with decades of experience in the civil rights movement and other forms of public service, who as a lawyer had represented disgraced lawyers like me. He understood that even the least of us deserve the opportunity to seek penance, redemption and a second chance in life. Cummings was the lone politician I encountered in all my travails who took an interest in me as a human being. When I reported to serve my sentence, he even took steps to ensure my security in prison. It was a selfless act of kindness for which I will always be grateful.

“I know this has been hard,” Cummings said to me and the nation, his words hitting me like a kick in the gut. “I know you’ve faced a lot. I know that you are worried about your family. But this is a part of your destiny. And hopefully this portion of your destiny will lead to a better Michael Cohen, a better Donald Trump, a better United States of America, and a better world. And I mean that from the depths of my heart.”

Representative Cummings concluded by saying, “We are better than this.”

Amen, I thought.

Now, sitting alone in an upstate New York prison, wearing my green government-issued uniform, I’ve begun writing this story longhand on a yellow legal pad. I often wrote before dawn so not to be disturbed in my thoughts when my fellow inmates awoke. I had to report to the sewage treatment plant where some of us worked for a wage of $8 a month. As the months passed by and I thought about the man I knew so well, I became even more convinced that Trump will never leave office peacefully. The types of scandals that have surfaced in recent months will only continue to emerge with greater and greater levels of treachery and deceit. If Trump wins another four years, these scandals will prove to only be the tip of the iceberg. I’m certain that Trump knows he will face prison time if he leaves office, the inevitable cold Karma to the notorious chants of “Lock Her Up!” But that is the Trump I know in a nutshell. He projects his own sins and crimes onto others, partly to distract and confuse but mostly because he thinks everyone is as corrupt and shameless and ruthless as he is; a poisonous mindset I know all too well. Whoever follows Trump into the White House, if the President doesn’t manage to make himself the leader for life, as he has started to joke about—and Trump never actually jokes- will discover a tangle of frauds and scams and lawlessness. Trump and his minions will do anything to cover up that reality, and I mean anything.

Watching Trump on the evening news in the prison rec room, I almost feel sorry for him. I know him so well and I know his facial tics and tells; I see the cornered look in his eyes as he flails and rants and raves, searching for a protector and advocate, someone willing to fight dirty and destroy his enemies. I see the men who have replaced me and continue to forfeit their reputations by doing the President’s bidding, no matter how dishonest or sleazy or unlawful. Rudy Guiliani, William Barr, Jared Kushner and Mike Pompeo are Trump’s new wannabe fixers, sycophants willing to distort the truth and break the law in the service of the Boss. All this will be to no avail. Trump doesn’t want to hear this, and he will certainly deny it, but he’s lost without his original bulldog lawyer Roy Cohn, or his other former pitbull and personal attorney, Michael Cohen.

During my testimony, Republican House members repeatedly asked me to promise that I wouldn’t write a book. I refused, repeatedly. It was another way of saying I shouldn’t be permitted to tell my story, in essence giving up my First Amendment rights. It was a clear sign of desperation and fear. I have lost many things as a consequence of my decisions and mistakes, including my freedom, but I still retain the right to tell this story about the true threat to our nation and the urgent message for the country it contains.

One last thing I can say with great confidence, as you turn the page and meet the real real Donald Trump for the first time: This is a book the President of the United States does not want you to read.

Michael Cohen

Otisville Federal Prison, Otisville, New York, March 11, 2020

"Russian Roulette" is a riveting investigative book co-written by Michael Isikoff and David Corn, which details the connections between the Trump campaign and Russia leading up to the 2016 election. The authors provide an in-depth analysis of the key players involved in the controversy, including Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, Paul Manafort, and others. 

The book delves into the infamous Trump Tower meeting in June 2016, which was arranged by Trump Jr. and attended by Russian operatives promising dirt on Hillary Clinton. Isikoff and Corn also explore the role of Russian hackers in interfering with the election, as well as the Trump campaign's potential collusion with these hackers. 

Throughout the book, Isikoff and Corn uncover never-before-seen evidence of the Trump campaign's ties to Russia, including financial transactions and back-channel communications. They argue that Trump's presidency has been clouded by suspicion and corruption from the very beginning, and that the Russian investigation may have far-reaching implications for American democracy. 

Overall, "Russian Roulette" is a meticulously researched and thought-provoking book that sheds light on one of the most consequential political scandals in modern history. Whether you are a political junkie or simply interested in the inner workings of American politics, this book is a must-read.

"By Way of Deception: The Making of a Mossad Officer" is a memoir written by former Mossad officer Victor Ostrovsky. The book details Ostrovsky's experiences training to become an agent for the Israeli intelligence agency, as well as his firsthand accounts of Mossad operations and tactics. 

The book also reveals controversial and sometimes unethical practices employed by the Mossad, such as assassinations of Palestinian leaders and the use of innocent civilians as pawns in their operations. Ostrovsky describes how Mossad agents are taught to deceive, manipulate, and infiltrate enemy organizations, all while maintaining a sense of patriotism and loyalty to Israel.

The book caused a stir when it was first published in 1990, with some critics accusing Ostrovsky of exposing state secrets and damaging Israel's reputation. However, others lauded the book for shedding light on the inner workings of one of the world's most secretive and powerful intelligence agencies.

Overall, "By Way of Deception" is a fascinating and eye-opening account of one man's journey through the shadowy world of espionage and covert operations, and the moral dilemmas that arise from serving a higher cause.

"Super Spy Robert Maxwell, Israel's Superspy: The Life and Murder of a Media Mogul" by Gordon Thomas is a gripping biography that sheds light on the life of Robert Maxwell, a media mogul who was also a superspy for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.

The book provides a detailed account of Maxwell's life, from his humble beginnings in Czechoslovakia to his rise as a publishing tycoon and eventual fall from grace. In addition to his business ventures, the book delves into Maxwell's involvement in espionage and his close ties to the Mossad.

Thomas reveals how Maxwell used his extensive network of contacts and business interests to further the interests of Israel and the Mossad, often at the expense of other countries and organizations. The book exposes Maxwell's involvement in a number of controversial operations, including the theft of sensitive technology from the United States and the sale of arms to Iran during the Iran-Iraq war.

The book also explores the circumstances surrounding Maxwell's mysterious death in 1991, which some believe was a murder orchestrated by the Mossad to prevent him from revealing state secrets.

Overall, "Super Spy Robert Maxwell, Israel's Superspy: The Life and Murder of a Media Mogul" is a fascinating and well-researched biography that provides a unique insight into the shadowy world of espionage and intelligence gathering.

"Collusion: Secret Meetings, Dirty Money, and How Russia Helped Donald Trump Win" by Luke Harding is a gripping and eye-opening account of the alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign during the 2016 US presidential election.

Drawing on exclusive interviews with key players, including former intelligence officers, government officials and members of the Trump campaign, as well as hundreds of pages of classified documents, Harding paints a vivid picture of how Russian officials worked to influence the election in Trump's favor.

From secret meetings between Trump associates and Russian operatives to the hacking of Democratic Party emails and the spread of fake news on social media, Harding shows how the Russians used a range of tactics to sway the election in their preferred candidate's favor.

The book also sheds light on the complex web of financial ties between Trump and Russian entities, highlighting the ways in which these relationships may have influenced his foreign policy decisions.

Throughout the book, Harding makes a compelling case for why the investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia is far from over, and why it is critical that the truth be uncovered to protect the integrity of US democracy.

Overall, "Collusion: Secret Meetings, Dirty Money, and How Russia Helped Donald Trump Win" is a timely and important work that offers readers invaluable insights into one of the most pressing political issues of our time.

"Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man" is a memoir written by Mary L. Trump Ph.D., the niece of President Donald Trump. In this book, Mary details her upbringing within the Trump family and provides a firsthand account of how her family's dysfunctional dynamics and toxic behaviors shaped her uncle's personality and fueled his rise to power.

Mary describes the Trump family as one that valued power, money, and appearances above all else, and she delves into the various forms of abuse and neglect that she and other family members experienced at the hands of her grandfather, Fred Trump Sr. She also discusses the psychological and emotional toll that this environment had on her uncle, Donald Trump, who she argues is a deeply troubled individual with a host of mental health issues and character flaws.

Throughout the book, Mary offers a scathing critique of her uncle's presidency and the ways in which his leadership style has harmed the country and its institutions. She argues that Donald's inability to empathize with others, his impulsiveness, and his lack of understanding about how government and policy work have made him a danger to the United States and the world at large.

Overall, "Too Much and Never Enough" is a searing and revealing portrait of the Trump family and their impact on American politics. It offers readers a unique perspective on the man currently occupying the Oval Office and sheds light on the personal and familial factors that may have contributed to his rise to power.