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Assholes: A Theory of Donald Trump Hardcover – May 3, 2016

by Aaron James (Author)

48 customer reviews

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Make America Great Again? Donald Trump is an asshole is a fact widely agreed upon—even by his supporters, who actually like that about him. But his startling political rise makes the question of just what sort of asshole he is, and how his assholedom may help to explain his success, one not just of philosophical interest but of almost existential urgency.
Enter the philosopher Aaron James, author of the foundational text in the burgeoning field of Asshole Studies: the bestselling Assholes: A Theory. In this brisk and trenchant inquiry into the phenomenon that is Donald Trump, James places the man firmly in the typology of the asshole (takes every advantage, entrenched sense of entitlement, immune to criticism); considers whether, in the Hobbesian world we seem to inhabit, he might not somehow be a force for good—i.e., the Stronger Asshole; and offers a suggestion for how the bonds of our social contract, spectacularly broken by Trump’s (and Ted Cruz’s) disdain for democratic civility, might in time be repaired.
You will never think about Donald Trump and his Art of the Deal the same way after reading this book. And, like it or not, think about him we must.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

AARON JAMES holds a PhD from Harvard and is professor and chair of philosophy at the University of California, Irvine. He is the author of Assholes: A Theory and Fairness in Practice: A Social Contract for a Global Economy, and he was awarded a Burkhardt Fellowship from the American Council of Learned Societies and spent the 2009–10 academic year at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. He was a visiting professor in the Department of Philosophy at New York University in 2013.

Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Doubleday (May 3, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385542038
ISBN-13: 978-0385542036
Product Dimensions: 4.7 x 0.7 x 6.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 48 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,445 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #138 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Elections & Political Process > Political Parties
- #217 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Elections & Political Process > Elections
- #439 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Political

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Top customer reviews

Actually a serious study of Donald Trump's personality, in pop-psychology form

ByWilliam A. Barretton January 14, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This was written at least a year before the election. I found the cover interesting, but the book is in fact a serious study of the personality of Donald Trump, and the sort of person he is. Since the election, we have learned more about this man.

0Comment 5 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Wow interesting

ByKindle Customeron January 22, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Very thought provoking. The name of the book may put you off but the concepts within are worth it. Neither left nor right, it is a book for those who wish to understand the Trump phenomenon.
There is more to this than Trump, there is also an element of devolution within our system which is revealed to have opened the door to someone like trump.

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Hope Trump doesn't see this one.

ByRSLon January 31, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Really a good book. Follows up on Assholes: A Theory by the same author. A simple but helpful explanation for what we are seeing.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Disappointed

ByKathleen Kuepperson January 13, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I did not gain any insight into trump from this book. I also did not gain a glimmer of hope regarding what he might be able to accomplish. My own thoughts and feelings about the man were, however, affirmed.

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

For the sheep who sing, the pigs who drink and the worker sent to the knacker

ByFelis Amicuson December 20, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Cicero to Romney.
Human egocentricity to utopian ideology.
Why doesn't the system keep working as it did on the beginning?
For the same reason that continually using the low end of the gene pool to breed the next generation of any species is guaranteed to create the weakest, most sickly and insane/mentally-deficient stock on the farm.

Enter Trump. The flashiest of the low watt bulbs on the evergreen has attracted the attention of the sheep who sing, "4 legs good..."

0Comment 11 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Good references. Some wry humor

ByTrisha Johnsonon September 20, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Lucid style. Good references. Some wry humor. Gratifying to find many of my understandings of Trump' behavior expressed here in addition to some new insights. Enjoyed the book very much.

0Comment 9 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Five Stars

ByRichard A. Melaragnion September 6, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Very thorough. Provocative.Serious.

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Four Stars

ByPat Crum Kessleron August 9, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Pretty interesting quick read. Definitely gave me more insight into the bizarre Trump behavior!!

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most recent customer reviews

Two Stars

Weak tea.

Published 1 month ago by Gary Larsen

The analysis makes sense

The analysis makes sense. Thank you Aaron.

Published 2 months ago by Rory S.

James demonstrates insider qualifications to write about @holes

The lack of companion volumes, @holes: A Theory of Clinton and @holes: A Theory of Sanders, along with the sanctimonious hypocrisy that oozes from every page, illustrate the...Read more

Published 3 months ago by DavidRoss

Title is true!

Title remains true

Published 4 months ago by M. Malin

Five Stars

No words necessary self explanitory title

Published 4 months ago by Kindle Customer

Five Stars

Thank you Aaron James. Truly. Thank you.

Published 5 months ago by Amazon Customer

An insulting title contributes nothing to a book, but ...

An insulting title contributes nothing to a book, but insulting readers' intelligence. If the contents are serious and justifiable, be serious.Read more

Published 5 months ago by Amazon Customer

One of the best books I have ever read as you explain AssHoldom ...

One of the best books I have ever read as you explain AssHoldom in the realm of the AH-Kingdom. Particularly shining the light on today's political landscape is a treasure of...Read more

Published 6 months ago by Quinlan B Zerfas

Malignant Narcissists: A Theory

Alternative title: Malignant Narcissists: A Theory.
This is not a joke. You live with people like this.
Dear Abby asked: Are you better off with them or without them?

Published 7 months ago by J. Muraoka

Bluster

This is an examination of people who resort to bluster to get what they want. Also mentions other people who behave this way. Insightful with swearing.

Published 7 months ago by ellison

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