Dennis Daley

Excellent stories, review of Israel’s History and culture, biblical references and quotes from scripture, photos of current locations in Israel, paintings by masters depicting Jesus life, work, and miracles, maps, archeological sites and findings from excavations. Dr. Isbouts’ lectures, courses, videos and books are informative, inspiring, and exceptional. A true scholar and creative filmmaker and author.

I think Woodward provides an excellent discussion of how President Trump thinks, acts, makes decisions (sometimes impulsively), relates to others (attacks as well as positive relationships with people he trusts), and communicates to the world (mainly via twitter, TV appearances, and political rallies). He also shows why the President’s response to the Covid-19 epidemic was inadequate and may be the deciding factor in the upcoming election. Woodward presents many specific responses of the President to his questions (in actual quotes), and gives him plenty of opportunites to show that he understands the American peoples’ views of his style of governing. Considerable time is spent on discussing the process of dealing with Covid-19 and how his response is viewed by US citizens and those from other countries. Woodward also discusses how the President related to a number of individuals he fired as well as how he relates to those he continues to work with. There were instances when the author provided the Persident with the opportunity to express empathy and concern towards many groups within the US (minorities, DACA children, etc), but he was unable to get this response. Woodward’s summary of the President shows him as a strong and charismatic personality who lacks discipline, often has trouble trusting others he hires who disagree with him (or our government institutions), does not attempt to use calm or healing in his voice (what he says and how he says it) when addressing serious problems we face in our country. The author’s conclusion is that when looking at the entirety of the President’s time in office he can only reach one conclusion: “Trump is the wrong man for the job.” This book is well researched, based on 17 interviews with the President (all but one were taped), interviews with many others who had firsthand experience with the President, and many documents, emails, meeting notes, diaries, and letters (such as those from the leader of North Korea). I think Woodward like many of us wanted Trump to succeed in his role as President, but was not a good fit for the job. Trump deserves credit for speaking his mind on many topics and issues raised by Woodward, although some of his answers can be questioned for truthfulness. The President did acknowledge creating rage is one of his common ways of dealing with others. I’ve read other Woodward books about politicians and believe he is fair in his assessment of them. Woodward also shares his concerns about different Presidents based on some of their behaviors or policies, which he believes harmed their legacy or the country.