The Making of Donald Trump

The Making of Donald Trump is a 2016 biography by investigative journalist David Cay Johnston, drawing from nearly three decades of reporting on Trump's business dealings and personal life. Johnston completed the book in just 27 days, compiling his extensive research into 24 chapters plus introduction and epilogue. The book traces Trump's family history and examines his path through real estate development, business ventures, and personal relationships. Through documentation and firsthand accounts, Johnston presents Trump's business practices, dealings with various figures, and his rise to prominence in American culture. The text focuses primarily on Trump's pre-political career, exploring his business methodology and philosophy rather than his later political aspirations. The narrative covers significant projects, partnerships, and conflicts that shaped Trump's public persona and business empire. This biography aims to provide context for understanding Trump's approach to power, negotiation, and public image - themes that would later influence his entry into politics. The work stands as a chronicle of Trump's evolution from real estate developer to celebrity businessman.

Readers describe this as a straightforward investigative account of Trump's business dealings and background, compiled from Johnston's 30 years of reporting. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear documentation and sourcing of claims - Details about lesser-known legal cases and business ventures - chronological organization that's easy to follow - Johnston's first-hand interactions with Trump Common criticisms: - Information feels dated/recycled from previous reporting - Tone comes across as biased against Trump - Some readers wanted more depth on certain topics - Writing style can be dry Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (7,400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "Well-researched but tells me nothing new that wasn't already covered in the news." - Goodreads reviewer Another reader noted: "The strength is in the details of specific business deals and court cases, not in broad political commentary." - Amazon reviewer

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🔍 Johnston won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for his innovative coverage of U.S. tax policy while at The New York Times. 📚 The author's first encounter with Trump occurred at a casino opening, where Trump mistook Johnston for another reporter who had written unfavorably about him. 🏗️ The book reveals that Trump's grandfather Friedrich Trump made his initial fortune by operating restaurants and hotels during the Klondike Gold Rush. ⚖️ Johnston was one of the few journalists who obtained and analyzed Trump's 1995 tax returns, which showed a $916 million loss. 🎯 As a young reporter in 1968, Johnston lived undercover in the Mojave Desert for weeks to investigate land fraud schemes, demonstrating his commitment to investigative journalism long before covering Trump.