📖 Overview
Tony Schwartz is an American journalist and author most widely recognized for ghostwriting "Trump: The Art of the Deal" (1987). His career spans journalism, business writing, and advocacy for workplace wellness, with contributions to major publications including The New York Times, Newsweek, and Esquire.
Beginning as a journalist in 1975, Schwartz established himself at prominent news organizations, serving as a columnist for The New York Post and an associate editor at Newsweek. His most significant commercial success came through his collaboration with Donald Trump on "The Art of the Deal," which he later revealed was written entirely by himself with minimal input from Trump.
Following his work with Trump, Schwartz authored several books focusing on personal development and business leadership, including "What Really Matters: Searching for Wisdom in America" (1995) and "Risking Failure, Surviving Success" (1998), co-authored with former Disney CEO Michael Eisner. He later founded The Energy Project, a consulting firm focused on sustainable workplace practices and employee well-being.
In recent years, Schwartz has become an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, openly expressing regret about his role in crafting Trump's public image through "The Art of the Deal." His work has evolved to focus on workplace transformation and human potential, contributing to publications like Harvard Business Review and writing about sustainable high performance in organizations.
👀 Reviews
Readers view Schwartz's work through two distinct lenses: his Trump-related content and his workplace/personal development books.
On "The Art of the Deal," readers note the polished writing style but question its authenticity after Schwartz's later revelations. One Amazon reviewer wrote: "Knowing now that Schwartz wrote this, you can see his fingerprints on every page - it's too well-crafted to be Trump."
His later books on workplace culture receive praise for practical insights. Readers highlight the research-backed approaches in "The Way We're Working Isn't Working" and its clear action steps. A Goodreads reviewer noted: "Finally, someone addresses burnout with real solutions."
Common criticisms include:
- Repetitive concepts across books
- Over-reliance on case studies
- Complex ideas presented too simplistically
Ratings across platforms:
- "The Art of the Deal": 3.9/5 (Goodreads), 4.5/5 (Amazon)
- "The Way We're Working Isn't Working": 4.1/5 (Goodreads)
- "The Power of Full Engagement": 4.2/5 (Goodreads)
📚 Books by Tony Schwartz
Trump: The Art of the Deal (1987)
A detailed account of Donald Trump's business dealings and negotiation philosophy, ghostwritten by Schwartz based on interviews and observations.
What Really Matters: Searching for Wisdom in America (1995) An exploration of various spiritual and psychological paths to personal growth based on interviews with teachers and practitioners across America.
Work in Progress (1998) A collaborative memoir with Disney CEO Michael Eisner examining leadership experiences and business challenges at The Walt Disney Company.
The Way We're Working Isn't Working: The Four Forgotten Needs That Energize Great Performance (2010) An analysis of workplace dynamics and how meeting core human needs can improve productivity and satisfaction.
The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal (2003) A systematic approach to energy management in both professional and personal life, co-authored with Jim Loehr.
Be Excellent at Anything: The Four Keys to Transforming the Way We Work and Live (2010) An examination of four principles for achieving high performance through better energy management and work habits.
What Really Matters: Searching for Wisdom in America (1995) An exploration of various spiritual and psychological paths to personal growth based on interviews with teachers and practitioners across America.
Work in Progress (1998) A collaborative memoir with Disney CEO Michael Eisner examining leadership experiences and business challenges at The Walt Disney Company.
The Way We're Working Isn't Working: The Four Forgotten Needs That Energize Great Performance (2010) An analysis of workplace dynamics and how meeting core human needs can improve productivity and satisfaction.
The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal (2003) A systematic approach to energy management in both professional and personal life, co-authored with Jim Loehr.
Be Excellent at Anything: The Four Keys to Transforming the Way We Work and Live (2010) An examination of four principles for achieving high performance through better energy management and work habits.
👥 Similar authors
Michael Lewis writes investigative narratives about business, finance, and success stories with deep character development and insider perspectives. His books like "Moneyball" and "The Big Short" share Schwartz's ability to translate complex business concepts for general audiences.
David Remnick combines journalism and biography through his work as a writer and New Yorker editor, exploring power and ambition. His profile writing and long-form journalism parallel Schwartz's early career path and examination of influential figures.
Daniel Goleman focuses on performance, leadership, and human behavior in organizational settings. His work on emotional intelligence and workplace dynamics aligns with Schwartz's later focus on sustainable workplace practices and employee well-being.
Sam Walker examines leadership and success through research-based analysis of high-performing teams and individuals. His work in "The Captain Class" shares Schwartz's interest in analyzing what drives success in business and organizations.
Bob Woodward produces detailed accounts of power figures and institutions based on extensive insider access and reporting. His approach to investigating and documenting powerful personalities mirrors Schwartz's experience with profile writing and ghost-writing.
David Remnick combines journalism and biography through his work as a writer and New Yorker editor, exploring power and ambition. His profile writing and long-form journalism parallel Schwartz's early career path and examination of influential figures.
Daniel Goleman focuses on performance, leadership, and human behavior in organizational settings. His work on emotional intelligence and workplace dynamics aligns with Schwartz's later focus on sustainable workplace practices and employee well-being.
Sam Walker examines leadership and success through research-based analysis of high-performing teams and individuals. His work in "The Captain Class" shares Schwartz's interest in analyzing what drives success in business and organizations.
Bob Woodward produces detailed accounts of power figures and institutions based on extensive insider access and reporting. His approach to investigating and documenting powerful personalities mirrors Schwartz's experience with profile writing and ghost-writing.