Russian Roulette - the book

[KeithE]

Bought this book () yesterday and have read the Intro and Chapter 1. I’ll give a running commentary and ya’ll can react to if you like. I don’t have much time to read lately - too much Discovery Center, bridge playing, vacations, and being a chaffier for my daughter (yes she is still not well - suffering from fainting spells and prohibited from driving for at least the next two months)

Introduction - "It’s a Shakedown”
This was Trump’s reaction to the Intel Briefing he was given on Jan 6, 2017 before his Innaguration. This was when Trump was told by the Intel Community that Russia covert action to influence the US 2016 Election to help him and hurt Clinton. Comey also handed him the Dossier that had comprising material on Trump. Trump’s reaction seems more defensive than someone who wanted to defuse these claims or defend America from further election meddling.

Chapter 1 - “Mr. Putin would like to Meet Mr. Trump”
This chapter is mostly about the 2013 Miss Universe contest in Moscow and Trump’s friendship with the Agalarov’s/Rob Goldstone (mostly participating in lewd partying in Moscow and Las Vegas). Agalarov is a Russian oligarch (and his son Emin is an aspiring singer) with “close ties" to Putin through massive construction projects. On his visit Moscow for the Miss Universe contest Trump told them that Mr. Putin wanted to talk with Trump and will attend the contest. Putin did not do either despite multiple Trump attempts asking Putin to talk; Trump was caught red faced in his typical braggadocio. Trump did receive a “black lacquered box" with a note inside after he returned the USA. The contents of that note has never been revealed. Imo, that note should be subpoenaed (perhaps Mueller has does that) - if this is some innocent note apologizing for not being able to talk with Trump or some other goodwill note, then there would be no shame in that being revealed.

I‘ll be comparing this book’s information to that of by Luke Hardin. Harding's account (pg 239-244) confirms Isikoff/Corn’s account about the Miss Universe experience and much of the ‘interactions' with the Agalarovs/Goldstone in Moscow and Las Vegas but I don’t remember Harding telling about the note Trump received from Putin in late 2013. Harding’s book is more disjointed time wise. Isikoff/Corn's book is better written, imo.

Here are as of March 14 11:28am (book was released Midnight March 13, I bought about 9:30am on March 13). Over a 3:1 (5 stars to 1 star) and if you look at the 1 star and there are no Verified Purchases and they all 8 votes short one liners like “ This book needs to be re-categorized for the Adolescent Fictions section. Fake news.” and "ABSOLUTE GARBAGE PROPAGANDA”. Most 5 stars are “Verified Purchase” or “Audio Format” , most (but not all) are substantial comments that show specifics brought up in the book.

[Jim]

[KeithE]

[Jim]

Like they say about DATA--garbage in, garbage out!

[KeithE]

[Sandy]

I picked up a copy while waiting for a long-delayed flight last weekend. The references in this book are cited in context, not in bits and pieces like most conservative books of the same category, and you can take a laptop or tablet and dig in. Isikoff and Corn are far more credible than anyone on the right, and they include the facts while getting them straight. The circumstances around the dossier have given Isikoff credibility, not subtracted it, and Corn never offers anything without sources. I have another plane trip tomorrow, so I'll get a chance to get through most of it.

[KeithE]