Wayne Barrett

Wayne Barrett (1945-2017) was an American investigative journalist and author, best known for his in-depth reporting on New York City politics and his decades-long coverage of Donald Trump. As a staff writer and senior editor at The Village Voice from 1978 to 2011, Barrett established himself as one of New York's premier investigative reporters. Barrett authored several influential books, including "City for Sale: Ed Koch and the Betrayal of New York" and "Trump: The Deals and the Downfall," which became essential works for understanding New York City politics and real estate development. His meticulous research and extensive documentation of Trump's business dealings made him one of the earliest and most thorough chroniclers of the future president's career. Throughout his career, Barrett trained and mentored numerous journalists who went on to prominent positions in American media. His work frequently exposed political corruption and real estate fraud, leading to multiple investigations and reforms in New York City government. After leaving The Village Voice, Barrett continued his investigative work as a fellow at The Nation Institute and contributed to various publications including The Daily Beast and CNN. His archives, containing decades of research materials, are housed at the New York University Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute.

Readers consistently praise Barrett's detailed research and documentation in his investigative works, particularly noting his thorough sourcing and fact-checking. Amazon reviewers frequently mention the depth of his reporting on Trump's business dealings in "Trump: The Deals and the Downfall." What readers liked: - Comprehensive documentation and primary sources - Clear presentation of complex financial and political dealings - Historical context provided for New York City politics - Straightforward writing style without sensationalism What readers disliked: - Dense material can be challenging to follow - Some found the level of detail overwhelming - Books can feel dated due to their focus on specific time periods - Writing style described as "dry" by some Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "Trump: The Deals and the Downfall" - 3.9/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon: "City for Sale" - 4.2/5 (50+ ratings) "Trump: The Deals and the Downfall" - 4.3/5 (100+ ratings) One reader noted: "Barrett's research is exhaustive - every claim backed by multiple sources."

Trump: The Deals and the Downfall (1992) A detailed examination of Donald Trump's business dealings and financial history from the 1960s through the early 1990s.

Rudy!: An Investigative Biography of Rudy Giuliani (2000) A biography covering Rudy Giuliani's personal life, legal career, and political rise in New York City.

Grand Illusion: The Untold Story of Rudy Giuliani and 9/11 (2006) An analysis of Rudy Giuliani's leadership during and after the September 11 attacks, examining both successes and failures.

City for Sale: Ed Koch and the Betrayal of New York (1988) An investigation into Ed Koch's mayoral administration and its impact on New York City's political and economic landscape.

Jimmy Breslin wrote investigative pieces exposing corruption in New York City politics and organized crime from the 1960s through 2000s. Like Barrett, he focused on power brokers and behind-the-scenes deals that shaped the city.

Jack Newfield specialized in exposing political corruption in New York through his work at the Village Voice and other publications. He wrote extensively about mayors, judges, and real estate developers who abused their positions.

Tom Robbins covered labor unions, politics, and corruption in New York as an investigative reporter for several decades. His work at the Village Voice overlapped with Barrett's and focused on similar themes of power and money in city politics.

Pete Hamill wrote about New York City politics and culture through both journalism and books. His coverage of mayors, crime, and urban development paralleled Barrett's focus on how power operates in New York.

Juan Gonzalez investigated political corruption and corporate misconduct as a longtime columnist for the New York Daily News. His work exposing financial schemes and backroom deals follows similar investigative methods to Barrett's approach.