The Devil's Bargain: Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, and the Storming of the Presidency

The Devil's Bargain chronicles the rise of Steve Bannon and his role in Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Through extensive research and interviews, Joshua Green traces Bannon's path from his Navy career through Goldman Sachs, Hollywood, and Breitbart News. Green examines the intersection of populism, nationalism, and media that defined the Trump campaign strategy. The book follows the development of Bannon's political ideology and his efforts to harness voter discontent through alternative media platforms. The narrative covers key moments of the 2016 campaign season and the power dynamics between Trump, Bannon, and other principal figures. Green provides context for how Bannon's worldview and tactical approach influenced campaign messaging and strategy. The Devil's Bargain reveals the mechanics of modern political movements and how outsider figures can reshape establishment politics. The book raises questions about the role of media, ideology, and personality in American democracy.

Readers found this book provided clear insights into Steve Bannon's influence on Trump's 2016 campaign strategy and victory. Many noted Green's neutral reporting style and deep research spanning years before the election. Liked: - Detailed background on Bannon's time at Goldman Sachs, Breitbart, and World of Warcraft - Clear explanation of campaign messaging and strategy - Well-sourced insider accounts - Accessible writing style for complex political topics Disliked: - Some felt it focused too much on Bannon vs Trump - A few readers wanted more post-election coverage - Critics said it didn't dig deep enough into ideology - Some found the tone too sympathetic to Bannon Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (17,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,300+ ratings) Notable review: "Reads like a political thriller but it's all documented fact" - Washington Post reader comment Sample criticism: "Too much rehash of known campaign events, not enough new revelations" - Goodreads reviewer

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📚 The book spent multiple weeks as #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was named one of the "Best Books of 2017" by both The Washington Post and NPR. 🎮 Before joining politics, Steve Bannon was CEO of a company that employed gamers in China to collect virtual gold in World of Warcraft, which they would then sell to Western players for real money. 📝 Author Joshua Green spent over six years tracking and interviewing Steve Bannon before writing the book, starting when Bannon was still running Breitbart News. 💰 The book reveals that the Mercer family, particularly hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer, played a crucial role in connecting Bannon with Trump and funding their political endeavors. 🎬 Prior to his political career, Bannon worked in Hollywood as an executive producer, helping to create several films including "Titus" (1999) starring Anthony Hopkins and a documentary about Ronald Reagan called "In the Face of Evil" (2004).