Trump/Russia: A Definitive History

Trump/Russia: A Definitive History examines the connections between Donald Trump's business empire and Russia, tracing relationships and dealings across several decades. Former AP investigative reporter Seth Hettena presents documents, interviews, and research to construct a timeline of events and interactions. The book covers Trump's initial business ventures in Russia during the 1980s through his presidential campaign and early presidency. Hettena maps the network of Russian oligarchs, mobsters, and government figures who intersected with Trump's enterprises and associates over the years. The narrative follows multiple threads simultaneously, moving between Trump Tower deals, Atlantic City casinos, real estate projects, and political maneuvering. Key figures from Trump's inner circle appear throughout as their paths cross with Russian interests. This work serves as a factual chronicle of U.S.-Russia entanglements in business and politics, demonstrating how personal relationships and financial dealings can blur the lines between private enterprise and matters of state. The complex web of connections documented here raises questions about influence and accountability in international relations.

Readers cite the book's detailed timeline and clear explanations of the complex connections between Trump's business dealings and Russian figures. Multiple reviews note it serves as a useful reference guide to follow the various players and events. Liked: - Well-researched with extensive source citations - Balanced tone focused on documented facts - Clear writing style that makes complex relationships understandable - Helpful background on Russian oligarchs and money laundering methods Disliked: - Some found it rushed to publication with editing issues - Several readers wanted more depth on certain incidents - A few noted it could be quickly outdated given ongoing developments - Some felt it repeated information from news coverage Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (447 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (168 ratings) "Reads like a thriller but with thorough journalism" - Goodreads reviewer "Good primer but leaves some threads hanging" - Amazon reviewer "Clear roadmap through a confusing story" - LibraryThing review

Russian Roulette by Michael Isikoff A chronicle of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, from its origins to its impact on American democracy.

House of Trump, House of Putin by Craig Unger An investigation of the connections between Donald Trump's business empire and Russian money dating back to the 1980s.

Collusion by Luke Harding The examination of links between Trump's campaign team and Russian intelligence, based on intelligence reports and insider accounts.

The Plot to Hack America by Malcolm Nance A technical analysis of Russian cyber operations and their role in targeting U.S. political systems.

From Cold War to Hot Peace by Michael McFaul The inside perspective of U.S.-Russia relations from a former U.S. ambassador to Russia who served during the Obama administration.

🔹 Author Seth Hettena is an award-winning investigative journalist who worked for The Associated Press for 17 years, specializing in uncovering corruption and criminal activities. 🔹 The book traces Donald Trump's business connections to Russia back to 1987, when he first visited Moscow at the invitation of the Soviet ambassador to the United States. 🔹 During his research, Hettena discovered that the FBI had been tracking Russian organized crime activity at Trump Tower since 2013, long before Trump's presidential campaign. 🔹 The book reveals that Russian-American businessman Felix Sater, who worked with Trump, had previously been an FBI informant and helped the U.S. government track down mobsters and terrorists. 🔹 The investigation detailed in the book connects over 200 individuals and organizations in a complex web of relationships between Trump's businesses and Russian interests over three decades.