Trump: The Art of the Deal Audiobook by Donald J. Trump, Tony Schwartz

There’s something about rainy Saturday mornings in Portland that invite introspection, and I found myself curling up by the window with a mug of black coffee to listen to “Trump: The Art of the Deal.” I’ll admit—my interest was as much curiosity as skepticism. Business memoirs can run the gamut from dazzlingly insightful to dry self-promotion, but this one, buoyed by Donald Trump’s unfiltered bravado (with acknowledged help from Tony Schwartz), had me genuinely intrigued.

From the start, there’s no mistaking Trump’s larger-than-life presence. He approaches deal-making—and really life itself—with an audacity that sometimes borders on theatrical. The central message is bold and clear: think big or don’t bother thinking at all. This isn’t just advice; it seems almost a worldview for Trump. As someone who grew up believing modesty was a virtue (and still do!), hearing his relentless confidence was both jarring and oddly energizing.

The audiobook feels like sitting across from an old-school New York hustler at a dimly lit steakhouse, listening to story after story of wins, near-misses, gut instincts and outmaneuvering naysayers. Some anecdotes are entertaining—the Manhattan real estate stories especially pulled me in with their high stakes and quick turns—but others felt repetitive or tailored too neatly around his own legend.

What resonated most for me were moments when he described stripping away negativity—be it people who wasted his time or worries that threatened progress. There’s a certain clarity in “trimming the fat,” whether in relationships or ambitions, that reminded me of times I’ve had to declutter my own priorities, albeit on a less grand scale than negotiating skyscrapers! But where I approach failure as inevitable and instructive, Trump regards it almost as an alien concept—not part of his vocabulary or mindset. That makes for bracing listening but left me wishing for more reflection on losses or vulnerability; success stories told without shadows risk feeling incomplete.

Narration-wise: while multiple editions exist and narrator details weren’t available for my version (a minor frustration), what came through strongly was Trump’s distinct cadence—punctuated sentences charged with certainty—even if delivered through another voice. If you’re hoping for dynamic characterizations or warm narration style à la Jim Dale or Bahni Turpin, you won’t find it here; this is straight-shooting business talk without much dramatic flourish.

On balance, “Trump: The Art of the Deal” delivers exactly what its title promises—a blueprint (albeit often hyperbolic) for how one man made himself synonymous with big deals and bigger ambition. I wouldn’t call it essential if you’re seeking nuance about business ethics or psychological depth. But if you want insight into how relentless optimism and unapologetic self-confidence can drive someone forward—or just want an undeniably American story—you’ll find yourself alternately inspired and challenged by this audiobook.