Trump: The Art of the Deal

Trump: The Art of the Deal chronicles Donald Trump's rise in the New York real estate world, from his early days working with his father in Queens to his major Manhattan developments. The book, co-written with journalist Tony Schwartz, became a #1 New York Times bestseller and remained on the list for 48 weeks. The narrative follows Trump's career through several significant projects, including the Grand Hyatt Hotel renovation and the construction of Trump Tower. Trump outlines his negotiation strategies and business philosophy, presenting an 11-step formula for success based on his experiences in real estate development. Through a mix of personal anecdotes and business instruction, the book examines Trump's approach to deals, media relations, and construction management. His childhood in Queens, family influences, and early career choices provide context for his later business decisions. The book stands as a key text in the business memoir genre, presenting a particular vision of American entrepreneurship and deal-making in the 1980s real estate market.

Readers view the book as a mix of business advice and autobiographical stories from Trump's early real estate career. Positive reviews focus on: - Deal-making tactics and negotiation strategies - Behind-the-scenes look at major Manhattan developments - Straightforward writing style and memorable anecdotes - Insights into Trump's business mindset and work habits Common criticisms: - Questions about how much was written by ghostwriter Tony Schwartz - Self-promotional tone and exaggerated claims - Dated 1980s references and examples - Limited practical business applications Ratings: Amazon: 4.6/5 (13,000+ reviews) Goodreads: 3.8/5 (32,000+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Teaches concrete negotiation tactics I've used in my business" - Amazon reviewer "More autobiography than business manual" - Goodreads reviewer "The ego comes through on every page" - Goodreads reviewer "Provides a framework for thinking about deals" - Amazon reviewer

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★ Tony Schwartz, the co-author, spent 18 months shadowing Trump and later expressed regret for his role in crafting Trump's public image through the book ★ The original advance for the book was $500,000, of which Trump reportedly gave Schwartz half, an unusually generous split for a ghostwriter ★ The book's success helped inspire Trump's role on "The Apprentice," with many of the show's catchphrases originating from principles outlined in the book ★ Trump's "11 steps to success" were influenced by Norman Vincent Peale, author of "The Power of Positive Thinking" and minister at Marble Collegiate Church, which Trump attended ★ The initial print run was 250,000 copies, and the book has sold over one million copies in total, making it one of the most successful business memoirs of the 1980s