The Art of the Deal -
Donald Trump

Donald Trump with the Art of the Deal reminds me why I like to read of people making it big. He does not mince his words and speak with such authority and style that you can't helped but be impressed by him. I cannot speak on the finer points of writing, but I eagerly devoured the book from side to side within two days and that says something.

He begins by giving us a view of his typical week, i.e. lots of telephone calls. He speaks with his investment broker on acquiring stock, he speaks with the commissioner of the USFL, he calls a few people to express interest in their property, and the list goes on. Also telling from this section is whom he'll take calls from. He takes a call from his son, he calls his attorney, he calls his accountant, and, still, the list goes on.

The second chapter, The Elements of the Deal, to me, is the most important chapter where he summarizes what he have learned from all his deals. In short, he offers the following advice:

• Think big. He is happy while you are not thinking big, because then you won't be a competitor of his.
• Protect the downside and the upside will take care of itself. He states he is more of a negative thinker in this regard and in this way protects his capital, or the downside of a deal.
• Maximize your options. By having more options going into a deal so that in the case of one failing you can go on to another.
• Know your market. Do not worry too much about what the 'experts' say, but use your own knowledge and conduct grass roots surveys.
• Use your leverage. It is best to go into a deal with something that the other guy wants or, better yet, needs.
• Enhance your location. Besides location, location, location, work to make it a better location.
• Get the word out. Market your product or service so that people know about you.
• Fight back. Do not let anyone trample on you or abuse you unfairly.
• Deliver the goods. What more do I need to say - deliver the goods!
• Contain the costs. Spend what you have to but do not overpay.
• Have fun. Live life and have some fun.

He also discusses how and where he grew up as well as his education and you can read about it in his biography section. When he moved to Manhattan he started moving on some big deals and whole chapters are dedicated to each of these, as they are sagas in their own right. It is all about making deals. Big deals. These are the story of the old Commodore and the new Grand Hyatt Hotel; the construction of the magnificent Trump Tower; the stakes of gambling in Atlantic City; battle for the Hilton - later to become Trump Castle; the showdown with tenant on a rent-control property; the USFL long shot and the spectacle of the Wollman Rink Spectacle. The last chapter of the book he uses to tell us how the different deals that he mentioned in the first chapter turned out.

The Art of the Deal was published in 1988 and since then Donald Trump has been bankrupt. Yet, he made it back big-time and that in itself lends major impetus to the fact hat Donald Trump can 'deliver the goods'.

The art of the deal gives you a glimpse into the thoughts of this enigmatic man called Donald Trump. It almost makes you feel if you are living the life of Donald Trump, not the glitz and the glamour associated with it, but more the energy and passion for making incredible deals. "As long as you are going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big." If YOU like to think big, get Trump: The Art of the Deal, and start feeling what it is like.