One Sentence Summary
Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, written by Michael Wolff, is an explosive and gripping account of the inner workings of the contentious Trump administration.
Book Genre
Nonfiction (Political Commentary and Journalism)
Main Topic of the Book
The main topic of the book is an inside-look at the Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign and subsequent Trump Administration. It details the complexities of various aspects of the Trump presidency from the viewpoint of the people who were present throughout the tumultuous journey.
Key Ideas
- The chaotic nature of the Trump administration
- The struggles faced in governing the country due to the lack of political expertise
- The lack of competence and accountability with top-level government officials
- The unwillingness of the president to listen to the experienced advice of his staff
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
The book starts off with a description of Donald Trump’s ascension to power and the atmosphere of the Trump White House. It then delves into the personalities and rivalries of the people who made up the Trump administration. There are chapters focusing on each of the key players such as Steve Bannon, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, Reince Priebus and Michael Flynn. The book also details the strategic internal and external battles between the Trump administration as well as with the media, other politicians and foreign countries.
Key Takeaways
- The Trump presidency has brought with it a host of problems which are the result of a lack of political experience and dysfunctional relationships with staff
- The people in the Trump administration, especially those closest to the President, are willing to do whatever is necessary to maintain their positions
- The Trump presidency has been chaotic since day one and will likely continue down the same path
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Michael Wolff is a widely respected journalist and biographer, having written nine books including The Man Who Owns The News: Inside The Secret World of Rupert Murdoch. He has been a contributing writer at Vanity Fair and New York Magazine. He was also the founding editorial director of Adweek and Adweek Media.
Target Audience
The target audience of the book is anyone interested in the workings of the Trump administration, the people involved in it, and the overall political climate of the United States at the time of the Trump presidency.
Publisher and First Publication Date
Henry Holt & Co., January 5th, 2018