Publication Date September 17, 2024

Published just seven weeks prior to the Presidential Election of 2024, the stunningly well researched and written Lucky Loser, the sordid tale of “How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success” makes me even more afraid of another term with this con man/grifter in charge. I sort of understand how people might be taken in by his schtick, but I just can’t see how they could advocate for him to he handed the nuclear codes after reading this book.

Buettner and Craig are investigative reporters for The New York Times (she is Canadian) and have done a mountain of research into this sleazy story. Although Trump likes to present himself as a successful businessman, the truth is that he inherited a boatload of cash from his father, squandered it and lost millions upon millions in one terrible business failure after another, only gaining any real financial success with his TV show The Apprentice. He has sold the rights to his name over and over, cheated seemingly everyone who had the bad luck to work for him, and has a seemingly endless supply of the”ick” factor, increasing each year.

He might be President again…really? Incredibly true, but many of us live in hope that he will wear an orange junmpsuit before he enters the Oval Office again. Regardless of one’s political leanings, this is truly astonishing reporting, investigative journalism at its best. If he IS elected, we will get what we deserve. No one can say they weren’t warned…especially if they have read this book. Five stars.