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American Tantrum: The Donald J. Trump Presidential Archives
6 Hours and 10 Minutes
A devastatingly hilarious satire that cuts closer to the truth of than any nonfiction account: The creator and star of Comedy Central’s acclaimed The President Show opens the vault and imagines Donald J. Trump’s presidential archives, exposing documents from his childhood in Queens to his toddlerhood in the Oval Office.
The Presidential Archives. Every other president has made a mess of it. Barack Obama is currently spending millions of dollars (probably trillions, if you want to know the truth) building a monument to himself. And they don’t even charge admission at these places! No wonder this country is a zillion dollars in debt. And what’s the point?!: These guys are already out of office and old news. We hate to say it, folks, but the presidential library is totally broken and needs to be made great again.
America, we herewith present the FIRST AND ONLY presidential library to be released in real time, while the president is still in office. (Why delay?) But wait, THERE’S MORE! Who wants the hassle of having to go to some boring building in the middle of nowhere? (The Eisenhower Library is in Abilene, Kansas – yikes!) What if you could have your favorite president’s library delivered to your home, today! THAT’S NOT ALL! What if you could carry that library with you EVERYWHERE!
Introducing THE DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENTIAL ARCHIVES: VOLUME 1. It’s all here: the 45th U.S. president’s letters, diaries, Oval Office recordings, Moscow hotel tapes, grand jury testimony, sealed indictments, financial records, subpoenas, dossiers, Michael Cohen recordings, AND SO MUCH MORE!
It’s available now at the AMAZING PRICE of $24.99!* Never has wisdom been so accessible!
It’s the last book you will ever need to buy. Or maybe just the last book published, period. Get yours NOW before the first amendment is abolished!
*Offer not valid to employees of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Don’t miss VOLUME 2: THE PRISON YEARS – coming soon! Hopefully!
Audiobook
First published October 23, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 7, 2019
I honestly cannot sing enough praises to this book. Absolutely brilliant. What a shame it's not a big hit, poor Anthony Atamanuik... He is of course the star of Comedy Central's President Show, and in my view the greatest 45-impersonator out there. It is a crowded field these days, true, but his oddly deep take analyzes this tragical/satirical era like no one else.
I have no idea why there's not more President Show (or The Opposition for that matter, but that's a lament for another day), damn you Comedy Central!
The premise of American tantrum, is that an editor of a golf magazine is interviewing our illustrious prez for a presidental library pocktbook that needs to come out before Obama's actual presidential library opens. It starts out innocuous enough, this seemingly apolitical fellow as the straight man to Atamanuik's crazed commander-in-chief. In fact, at the start of the book it's pretty funny but not outstanding and one wonders if the joke can be sustained for an entire book.
Then, some kind of a plot begins to develop. The interviewer is apparently an alcoholic, and starts to go on his own rants which can get very dark and very racist, and also involve an infidelity episode. I shouldn't say more and spoil it. Then there's the weird Nikola Tesla references which actually taught me a few things.
Some of the funniest parts were the calls to various world leaders and business tycoons, with more smart impressions and unique takes on the state of the whole world not just America.
I also enjoyed the call to Area 51 and the Illuminati orgy party descriptions. What a wonderful blend of conspiracy theory (JFK stuff there too) and cutting edge topical analysis.
And lest I forget, Bannon's "Jack Renegade" stupid action hero self fan fiction makes horrible anti-Semitism a laugh riot! Seriously, this gets the essence of Bannon like you won't believe.
As the book comes to a climax, the Mueller and Cohen plot becomes more central. (The messages at his "consulting" firm, ha! Those election recordings, like that tower meeting and other collusions, are both absolutely hilarious and also seem surprisingly probable.
The epilogue absolutely blew me away. Like an essay on the darkness of America's soul, exposing what's bigger than who is in office now, the past and future and what to make of humanity's destiny, and then there's the 7-eyed raven. If only it was required reading all through the land...
After reading Woodward's book, I needed this. Even though it's comedy, Atamanuik and Casey are as qualified as anyone to frame just how the world works these days. I suppose one could make comparisons to Fire and Fury, in that much of it may not technically be confirmed but there certainly is a feeling of truth in this kinda-historical document.
In fact, Anthony Atamanuik has come up with actual predictions in character on multiple occasions. Look it up: he's done ridiculous bits on his show and then they've turned out to come true later. That's how good he is at getting into our demented leader's head.
This is a valuable skill. I just wish this book stood out more among all political tomes that swell the bookstore.
Lastly, give audiobooks a chance and experience this book by listening. With the prez in character among other great actors, it's basically a comedy album. Which also happens to be the culmination of the legendary President Show.
What a ride. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face as I'm crying.
Recommended.
I have no idea why there's not more President Show (or The Opposition for that matter, but that's a lament for another day), damn you Comedy Central!
The premise of American tantrum, is that an editor of a golf magazine is interviewing our illustrious prez for a presidental library pocktbook that needs to come out before Obama's actual presidential library opens. It starts out innocuous enough, this seemingly apolitical fellow as the straight man to Atamanuik's crazed commander-in-chief. In fact, at the start of the book it's pretty funny but not outstanding and one wonders if the joke can be sustained for an entire book.
Then, some kind of a plot begins to develop. The interviewer is apparently an alcoholic, and starts to go on his own rants which can get very dark and very racist, and also involve an infidelity episode. I shouldn't say more and spoil it. Then there's the weird Nikola Tesla references which actually taught me a few things.
Some of the funniest parts were the calls to various world leaders and business tycoons, with more smart impressions and unique takes on the state of the whole world not just America.
I also enjoyed the call to Area 51 and the Illuminati orgy party descriptions. What a wonderful blend of conspiracy theory (JFK stuff there too) and cutting edge topical analysis.
And lest I forget, Bannon's "Jack Renegade" stupid action hero self fan fiction makes horrible anti-Semitism a laugh riot! Seriously, this gets the essence of Bannon like you won't believe.
As the book comes to a climax, the Mueller and Cohen plot becomes more central. (The messages at his "consulting" firm, ha! Those election recordings, like that tower meeting and other collusions, are both absolutely hilarious and also seem surprisingly probable.
The epilogue absolutely blew me away. Like an essay on the darkness of America's soul, exposing what's bigger than who is in office now, the past and future and what to make of humanity's destiny, and then there's the 7-eyed raven. If only it was required reading all through the land...
After reading Woodward's book, I needed this. Even though it's comedy, Atamanuik and Casey are as qualified as anyone to frame just how the world works these days. I suppose one could make comparisons to Fire and Fury, in that much of it may not technically be confirmed but there certainly is a feeling of truth in this kinda-historical document.
In fact, Anthony Atamanuik has come up with actual predictions in character on multiple occasions. Look it up: he's done ridiculous bits on his show and then they've turned out to come true later. That's how good he is at getting into our demented leader's head.
This is a valuable skill. I just wish this book stood out more among all political tomes that swell the bookstore.
Lastly, give audiobooks a chance and experience this book by listening. With the prez in character among other great actors, it's basically a comedy album. Which also happens to be the culmination of the legendary President Show.
What a ride. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face as I'm crying.
Recommended.
November 21, 2018
I have never seen Anthony Atamanuik’s Comedy Central television series The President Show; however, judging from Atamanuik’s book, I’m really missing something. American Tantrum, which I was lucky enough to read in the Audible format with Anthony Atamanuik creating a spot-on portrait of Donald Trump, proves beyond hilarious. Atamanuik captures Trump’s patter, self-absorption, lack of focus and incoherence perfectly. Once upon a time, there was a parlor game where you’d see examples of real National Inquirer headlines and mockery headlines from The Onion, and the challenge was to guess which was which. So would it be just as challenging, if we paired real examples of Trump’s babble with Atamanuik’s satirical versions, to decide which was which.
Neil Casey, a writer for The President Show and Inside Amy Schumer, does yeoman’s work playing Trump’s idolizing ghost writer, who is putting together a book version of Trump’s “Presidential Archives” so as to have a presidential “library” before President Barack Obama gets his. While I’m sure the book is great, the absolute best way to enjoy American Tantrum: The Donald J. Trump Presidential Archives is by listening to Atamanuik and Casey (along with some guests) send up the foibles of the Trump Administration. It will be the funniest thing you’ve heard in a long, long time.
Neil Casey, a writer for The President Show and Inside Amy Schumer, does yeoman’s work playing Trump’s idolizing ghost writer, who is putting together a book version of Trump’s “Presidential Archives” so as to have a presidential “library” before President Barack Obama gets his. While I’m sure the book is great, the absolute best way to enjoy American Tantrum: The Donald J. Trump Presidential Archives is by listening to Atamanuik and Casey (along with some guests) send up the foibles of the Trump Administration. It will be the funniest thing you’ve heard in a long, long time.
December 29, 2018
American Tantrum is hilarious, insightful, and terrifyingly accurate. The Trump voice was so dead-on, I often forgot I was reading a comedy piece. The writing is witty and intelligent, and the whole thing is somehow both light and dark--it's the perfect companion piece for surviving this hellacious presidency. Thankfully, there are a number of laugh out loud moments--I especially loved all the insane Steve Bannon novel excerpts. Bravo, Anthony and Neil! I expected nothing less from this powerhouse comedy duo.
December 7, 2018
In these sad, scary and infuriating times with that idiot in the White House....these guys are an oasis of funny, funny, funny stuff. A favorite tv show, a favorite book.
November 5, 2018
Awesome. Surreal, surprising, thoughtful and willing to go very far.
January 2, 2019
I was a big fan of the sadly ended The President Show, and this book continues the theme from that show. While one would think the Trump era would produce lots of great satire and comedy, that frankly hasn't really been the case. Most of it has been lazy and relies on base observations (Trump is loud! And orange!), and old stalwarts like The Daily Show and, notably, Saturday Night Live, featuring Alec Baldwin's incredibly lousy Trump impression (maybe the worst political impression in SNL's long history) have only disappointed. But Atamanuik is an exception - his impression is not only pitch-perfect, but he finds actual things to say about Trump and his policies, and the state of things that brought his presidency to fruition. Atamanuik and his writers are smart enough to recognize that Trump is less the disease and more its natural symptom, an exaggerated symbol of everything that was already wrong with the country.
The book is perhaps not as consistently hilarious as The President Show or Atamanuik's "Trump v. Bernie" debates with James Adomian, but it is still very clever and funny, and is able to dive into areas that the TV series was less able to, such as the media apparatus that enabled Trump's rise. It also allows more time for things like Steve Bannon's deranged novel featuring himself as a character - though fictitious, those chapters aren't all that far from similar writing by right-wing media figures like Ben Shapiro - and extended chats between Trump and the likes of Michael Cohen, Robert Mueller, or the book's fictional "author," a parody of every Joe Scarborough-like media ghoul who sucked up to Trump for years only to realize too late what a fraud he is.
I should note that I have only read the printed version, and not listened to the audiobook. If there is one thing this book is sorely lacking, it is the actual delivery of Atamanuik's hilarious Trump impression, but the writing is strong enough to evoke it, and reading one of "Trump's" unhinged rants (sometimes stretching for a couple pages) is often hilarious in print. And obviously, the audio version would presumably give you the full effect. There are however some funny visual elements in the book that you would miss in that format, so you'll have to weigh those.
All in all, this is a very funny, entertaining book that gives you more to think about than your average piece of Trump-era satire.
The book is perhaps not as consistently hilarious as The President Show or Atamanuik's "Trump v. Bernie" debates with James Adomian, but it is still very clever and funny, and is able to dive into areas that the TV series was less able to, such as the media apparatus that enabled Trump's rise. It also allows more time for things like Steve Bannon's deranged novel featuring himself as a character - though fictitious, those chapters aren't all that far from similar writing by right-wing media figures like Ben Shapiro - and extended chats between Trump and the likes of Michael Cohen, Robert Mueller, or the book's fictional "author," a parody of every Joe Scarborough-like media ghoul who sucked up to Trump for years only to realize too late what a fraud he is.
I should note that I have only read the printed version, and not listened to the audiobook. If there is one thing this book is sorely lacking, it is the actual delivery of Atamanuik's hilarious Trump impression, but the writing is strong enough to evoke it, and reading one of "Trump's" unhinged rants (sometimes stretching for a couple pages) is often hilarious in print. And obviously, the audio version would presumably give you the full effect. There are however some funny visual elements in the book that you would miss in that format, so you'll have to weigh those.
All in all, this is a very funny, entertaining book that gives you more to think about than your average piece of Trump-era satire.
January 12, 2019
I don’t know anything about Anthony Atamanuik but I heard he was making fun of Trump in his new book and it became a must read for me. The bulk of the book is in transcript format as if someone dictated the conversation between two people. Most of the conversation takes place between a fictitious Trump and his newly appointed fictitious archivist, Kelsey Nelson. The Trump rantings, ravings, and musings are quality stuff.
To truly enjoy this book you must read it in Trump’s voice. I don’t mean read out loud in a voice mimicking Trump but reading to yourself imagining Trump saying the Trump lines. It is so much more enjoyable that way and you will have several LOL moments.
Like most parodies, while trying to make us laugh it is a hypothetical form of the real thing. Even though these events and conversations never happened no one doubts that they could. As silly as Trump is made to look in this book it is only based upon a public profile he has already given us. Atamanuik took the persona that we all know and gave us the private conversations that very well could have happened and some of them are hilarious.
To truly enjoy this book you must read it in Trump’s voice. I don’t mean read out loud in a voice mimicking Trump but reading to yourself imagining Trump saying the Trump lines. It is so much more enjoyable that way and you will have several LOL moments.
Like most parodies, while trying to make us laugh it is a hypothetical form of the real thing. Even though these events and conversations never happened no one doubts that they could. As silly as Trump is made to look in this book it is only based upon a public profile he has already given us. Atamanuik took the persona that we all know and gave us the private conversations that very well could have happened and some of them are hilarious.
December 27, 2018
This is a great book! Atamanuik’s Trump voice is scary accurate. I especially enjoyed the Epilogue section. Good book!
April 2, 2019
Atamanuik is the only Trump impersonator worth his salt. Trump is a complex stew of neuroses, all of which Anthony latches onto to great effect. (He also does the voice really well.) He didn't just rely on a good impression to leverage a job at Comedy Central, though, he also came up with a pretty brilliant concept for a show. The President Show has Trump starting his own late night talk show while being president. Simple yet perfectly encapsulating the ridiculousness of Trump, the show is/was hilarious. Wittily portraying Trump as an almost tragic figure, a victim of his psyche, was interesting, funny, and almost surely accurate.
Fresh off season 1 (the only season?) of The President Show, Atamanuik—with his buddy Neil Casey (SNL, Inside Amy Schumer, Kroll Show)—resurrects his Trump to text via Kelsey Nelson, an archivist who is working to bring to life his presidential library. Through a predictably zany series of journals, interviews, phone calls, itineraries, and other documents, we see Trump’s life—particularly his election and presidency—develop into a series of national scandals and international incidents. The events in the book are loosely based on real events; the authors’ deep knowledge of Trumpian lore enables them to create some clever fun out of completely forgettable news items: in one bit, Elon Musk, about to quit the business round table in the White House, is approached by Trump about Fred Trump’s snatching of recently deceased Nicola Tesla’s blueprints. I won’t give away the punchline (trust me it’s funny). The point is, it’s not quite as hackneyed as you might assume a Trump-satire to be.
There are a few bits in here that could have been excised, but there are also some really terrific bits here and there. If, for some reason, you can stomach more Trump, go ahead and read American Tantrum and do yourself a favor and watch The President Show on Comedy Central as well.
Fresh off season 1 (the only season?) of The President Show, Atamanuik—with his buddy Neil Casey (SNL, Inside Amy Schumer, Kroll Show)—resurrects his Trump to text via Kelsey Nelson, an archivist who is working to bring to life his presidential library. Through a predictably zany series of journals, interviews, phone calls, itineraries, and other documents, we see Trump’s life—particularly his election and presidency—develop into a series of national scandals and international incidents. The events in the book are loosely based on real events; the authors’ deep knowledge of Trumpian lore enables them to create some clever fun out of completely forgettable news items: in one bit, Elon Musk, about to quit the business round table in the White House, is approached by Trump about Fred Trump’s snatching of recently deceased Nicola Tesla’s blueprints. I won’t give away the punchline (trust me it’s funny). The point is, it’s not quite as hackneyed as you might assume a Trump-satire to be.
There are a few bits in here that could have been excised, but there are also some really terrific bits here and there. If, for some reason, you can stomach more Trump, go ahead and read American Tantrum and do yourself a favor and watch The President Show on Comedy Central as well.
December 20, 2020
Like Alec Baldwin's spoof Trump book, I went into this thinking it'd be pretty fun.... but ended up being a total flop. Which is a real bummer. Both Baldwin and Atamanuik do great Trump impersonations, but both their books were boring and not even remotely funny. Oh well... I will definitely say that there was a lot of dialog in this book that did sound exactly like Trump. So Atamanuik nailed it there.
December 22, 2018
I liked the President Show. This book follows that path. It loses something without the visual and aural contributions of Anthony Atamanuik. I would venture that this would make a better audio book than traditional written one.
January 2, 2019
I got this in audio format because I saw the author interviewed on a nighttime show talking about his new book. He's really a perfect impersonator and does an incredible Trump rendition. BUT I couldn't listen to the book for very long as I really can't stand Trump... even in humor.
April 1, 2019
Truth is funnier than fiction
You"'ll laugh a lot while reading this Trump tale--all the while reminding yourself that although this book is hilarious, the truth upon which it is based is not, there is only a fine line between the comedy and tragedy Of this experience.
You"'ll laugh a lot while reading this Trump tale--all the while reminding yourself that although this book is hilarious, the truth upon which it is based is not, there is only a fine line between the comedy and tragedy Of this experience.
May 8, 2019
Absurdly authentic depiction
This was a real treat; I suspect the audio version would have been even better. Having enjoyed the television show, I could picture Atamanuik as well as Trump as the character being interviewed.
This was a real treat; I suspect the audio version would have been even better. Having enjoyed the television show, I could picture Atamanuik as well as Trump as the character being interviewed.
October 28, 2019
I am a huge fan of Anthony Atamanuik’s portrayal of Trump in ‘The President Show’ so this political satire written with Neil Casey was a must have.
I obtained it in audiobook format as Atamanuik captures Trump’s voice so perfectly. Just hilarious from start to finish.
I obtained it in audiobook format as Atamanuik captures Trump’s voice so perfectly. Just hilarious from start to finish.
June 1, 2021
This was probably more amusing earlier in Trump’s presidency. I actually stopped reading to check if this was satire or truth during the first chapter.
Sorry, I find no humor in anything Trump these days—perhaps I’ll feel differently if the threat to our democracy has passed.
Sorry, I find no humor in anything Trump these days—perhaps I’ll feel differently if the threat to our democracy has passed.
December 17, 2018
Pre-ordered this from Amazon.
January 7, 2019
Good listening as you get different voices. Some really funny bits but unbelievable how D
Trump thinks in the book.
Trump thinks in the book.
March 6, 2019
Pretty lame. I've been to parties where Canadians have done funnier Trump impersonations.
May 5, 2019
This is our president. Sad. Funny if not so true.
June 24, 2019
Love this guy (the author/comedian, not the subject)! If you loved The President Show, you'll love this batch of caustic pieces, with a strange and serious conclusion.
January 18, 2020
Very, very funny. I LOL’d.
July 29, 2020
Needed some humor detox after reading real books about the Trump administration. Has a lot of funny moments. Really liked The President Show and Anthony Atamanuik does a great Trump.
March 18, 2024
Provided some good laughs on a sad situation
April 7, 2022
I have listened to this audiobook at least 10 times it is absolutely brilliant. I've read 75 Trump books - biographies, election books etc - but this is the one that comes closest to getting to the strange madness of Trumpism. Atamanuik brilliantly captures the demented stream of consciousness that is funny and scary all at once. There are so many brilliant scenes: Trump phoning the Mar a Lago restaurant to make sure the waiters are pushing the salad becasue he's always hustling for a buck and then he ends up sleaing onto the guest he gets on the phone. Steve Bannon's idiotic Dan Brown style obsessions are wonderfully parodied.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews