Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump

Rick Reilly

Quick Take

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "Reilly pokes more holes in Trump's claims than there are sand traps on all of his courses combined. It is by turns amusing and alarming." -- The New Yorker "Golf is the spine of this shocking, wildly humorous book, but humanity is its flesh and spirit." -- Chicago Sun-Times "Every one of Trump's most disgusting qualities surfaces in golf." -- The Ringer An outrageous indictment of Donald Trump's appalling behavior when it comes to golf -- on and off the green -- and what it reveals about his character. Donald Trump loves golf. He loves to play it, buy it, build it, and operate it. He owns 14 courses around the world and runs another five, all of which he insists are the best on the planet. He also claims he's a 3 handicap, almost never loses, and has won an astonishing 18 club championships. How much of all that is true? Almost none of it, acclaimed sportswriter Rick Reilly reveals in this unsparing look at Trump in the world of golf. Based on Reilly's own experiences with Trump as well as interviews with over 100 golf pros, amateurs, developers, and caddies, Commander in Cheat is a startling and at times hilarious indictment of Trump and his golf game. You'll learn how Trump cheats (sometimes with the help of his caddies and Secret Service agents), lies about his scores (the "Trump Bump"), tells whoppers about the rank of his courses and their worth (declaring that every one of them is worth $50 million), and tramples the etiquette of the game (driving on greens doesn't help). Trump doesn't brag so much, though, about the golf contractors he stiffs, the course neighbors he intimidates, or the way his golf decisions wind up infecting his political ones. For Trump, it's always about winning. To do it, he uses the tricks he picked up from the hustlers at the public course where he learned the game as a college kid, and then polished as one of the most bombastic businessmen of our time. As Reilly writes, "Golf is like bicycle shorts. It reveals a lot about a man." Commander in Cheat "paints a side-splitting portrait of a congenital cheater" (Esquire), revealing all kinds of unsightly truths Trump has been hiding.

Reader's Review

Book Review Summary: Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump

Introduction

"Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump" by Rick Reilly is a New York Times bestseller that delves into the world of golf and sheds light on the character of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The book explores how Trump's behavior on and off the golf course provides insights into his personality and leadership style. Reilly, a renowned sportswriter, draws on his own experiences, interviews with over 100 golf professionals, amateurs, developers, and caddies to present a damning indictment of Trump's golf game. This article will provide a comprehensive review of the book, analyzing common opinions and summarizing reasons for both recommending and not recommending it.

About Rick Reilly

Rick Reilly, the author of "Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump," is a distinguished sportswriter with a long career in the field. He has covered numerous sports events and athletes, including golfers, and has published several books on the subject. With his extensive knowledge and experience, Reilly brings a unique perspective to the analysis of Trump's golf game and its implications for his character.

Analysis of Views

Golf as a window into Trump's character: Many readers appreciate how Reilly uses golf as a lens to examine Trump's character. By analyzing his behavior on the golf course, the author provides valuable insights into the president's values, ethics, and integrity. Readers find this approach to be a refreshing departure from typical political critiques that often become emotionally charged.
Humorous and engaging writing: Reilly's writing style is praised for its humor and engaging narrative. The book is described as a side-splitting portrait of a congenital cheater, with hilarious anecdotes and well-crafted prose that keeps readers hooked. Reilly's ability to balance humor with serious analysis makes "Commander in Cheat" a delightful read for both sports enthusiasts and political aficionados.
Documented evidence of Trump's cheating: The book presents a wealth of documented evidence of Trump's cheating in golf. From exaggerating his handicap to bragging about tournament victories that cannot be verified, Reilly exposes the president's dishonesty and lack of integrity. Readers find this aspect of the book particularly compelling, as it provides concrete examples of Trump's unethical behavior.
Insight into Trump's business practices: "Commander in Cheat" delves into Trump's business practices, particularly his golf courses. The book examines his tendency to sue contractors, his struggle with paying full contractor fees, and his controversial decisions regarding golf courses in Muslim countries. Readers appreciate the author's exploration of these topics and find it enlightening to see how Trump's golf interests intersect with his political agenda.
Revealing connections between golf and politics: The book sheds light on the connections between Trump's golf game and his political decisions. Reilly examines how Trump's obsession with winning extends beyond the golf course to his political career. Readers find this exploration fascinating, as it provides a deeper understanding of the president's motivations and priorities.

Reasons for Recommendation

Comprehensive analysis of Trump's character: "Commander in Cheat" offers a comprehensive analysis of Trump's character, using golf as a lens to examine his values, ethics, and integrity. Readers appreciate the author's ability to provide insights into the president's personality and leadership style based on his behavior on the golf course.
Engaging writing style: Reilly's writing style is praised for its humor and engaging narrative, making "Commander in Cheat" an enjoyable read for both sports enthusiasts and political aficionados. The book's ability to balance humor with serious analysis makes it accessible to a wide audience.
Documented evidence of Trump's cheating: The book presents a wealth of documented evidence of Trump's cheating in golf, providing concrete examples of his dishonesty and lack of integrity. Readers find this aspect of the book particularly compelling and believe it adds credibility to the author's claims about Trump's character.

Reasons for Not Recommendation

Polarizing political content: Some readers may find the book polarizing due to its focus on Trump's political affiliations and his controversial actions as president. While the author attempts to distance himself from political discussions and focus on Trump's golf game, some readers may still perceive the book as a political critique rather than an objective analysis.
Limited scope: Some readers may feel that "Commander in Cheat" has a limited scope, focusing primarily on Trump's golf game rather than delving deeper into other aspects of his presidency or personal life. While this may be seen as a strength by those interested in golf, others may find it lacking in depth or breadth compared to other books about Trump.

Conclusion

"Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump" by Rick Reilly offers a unique perspective on former U.S. President Donald Trump by examining his behavior on the golf course. The book provides valuable insights into Trump's character, ethics, and leadership style through a lens that many readers find refreshingly unbiased. Reilly's engaging writing style and documented evidence of Trump's cheating make "Commander in Cheat" an informative and entertaining read for sports enthusiasts and political aficionados alike. While some readers may find the book polarizing due to its focus on politics or feel that its scope is limited, overall, "Commander in Cheat" is recommended for those seeking a comprehensive analysis of Trump's character through the lens of golf.