I’ll admit, I found this book far more captivating than I expected. “American Reckoning” gives you a front-row seat to the absolute circus that is Donald Trump’s felony trial, with Alter offering his personal take on all the madness that went down. Blending Trump’s chaotic rise with his own sharp political insights, it felt like I was getting an incredibly rare, behind-the-scenes look at a courtroom drama—especially considering cameras were banned like it was some top-secret operation. Alter’s storytelling is vivid and electric, bringing the entire mess to life as he introduces the key players, the wild plot twists, and all the jaw-dropping drama, while also weaving in his own career highs, lows, and those oh-so-human moments that make you realize even insiders like Alter are just trying to make sense of it all. With a perfect blend of snark, passion, and surprisingly hopeful moments, “American Reckoning” is so much more than just another trial recap. It’s essential reading for anyone trying to untangle the chaos that’s shaping the future of American politics. If you’re looking for an insightful (and honestly entertaining) look at this chaotic chapter in history, do yourself a favor and grab a copy. You won’t regret it.

A huge thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to experience this ARC!!

How can I enjoy a book so much that makes me physically nauseous? Amazing writing with perfect descriptions of the trial. It brought so much anxiety with the president elect. I cannot believe that he is going to be our president after this trial!

An interesting look at the trial of Donald Trump, that must have been written quick and published quickly. I enjoyed listening to the book.

Jonathan Alter, who was at the Stormy Daniels trial, writes a mostly engaging and opinionated take on the proceedings. He also touches on his own health and mortality, which is interesting, but feels a little out place here. This is strictly for fans of the author/journalist.

GREAT READ! Just in time for the election. I feel energized again. I think that this is definitely left leaning (hard) but Jonathan Alter provides enough context related to him as a person to understand his opinions without making the book about him. Which is cool.

First thing’s first: thank you Netgalley for the ALC of this book!
American Reckoning: Inside Trump’s Trial- And My Own was a first hand account of Trump’s criminal trial written and narrated by Jonathan Alter, one of the few journalists who was allowed in the courtroom.
I thought this book was well written and interesting. The author has obvious opinions but did a good job at reporting the trial, both the actual happenings and the vibes in the courtroom, objectively. I don’t know that I really learned anything that new, but I did enjoy hearing a first hand account of the events.
3.75⭐️ rounded up to 4⭐️

From start to finish, the author lays bare the facts of Trump’s actions and guilt. The book starts as a narration of his indictment in the Stormy Daniels hush money case (in which he is found guilty). It ends with an analysis of past pivotal presidential elections including Lincoln’s election which changed the course of American democracy. The book is current up to Kamala’s nomination and Trump’s floundering responses. It appeals to our better nature to elect a president who will not hold onto power at any cost. It is published just in time for the election. We know what a Trump presidency will look like and we can’t go back to that. I’m in shock that anyone wants to elect an insurrectionist but here we are. “With fear for our democracy, I dissent.”

Thanks so much for the opportunity to listen to this book.
If only we could get every American able to vote to listen to this. So very interesting.
I will be recommending this.

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy of this audiobook.

This was more interesting than I thought it was going to be. I found the book to be a very detailed account of Trump’s trial with call backs to other Trump history. It weaves in the author’s personal experiences during this time as well. Alter’s personal and family history in politics and as a writer and author prove to be an interesting lens in which to view this damning trial.

This is a book that I wish did not have to be written, but is an important account of this unfortunate period of history that we are living through in present time. This book will probably be a valuable historical account for generations.

This is an odd one. A memoir, a biography, a hot take on one of the most explosive legal events in modern American history, bolstered by an insider's perspective ... Alter narrates his diary pre, during, and post the Trump trial. We go all the way back to his mother's political charting (now that would be an interesting read ... hint, hint) to the latest events (as of recording), including Kamala Harris taking over after Biden stepped down. Alter offers details that the reader may or may not know about what when on in the trial itself, including his own opinions and ponderings and a few trips down memory lane. I'm just left wondering ... to anyone who supports Trump, after all this, why? How? I would love to read a sober, reasoned position statement that goes beyond emotional appeal and superficial claims ... and is based in reality. I commiserate with Alter on one point in particular: I yearn to go back to a time where facts mattered, where words matters, where reality mattered.

Alter, formerly of Newsweek, does a commendable job of offering us a blow by blow inside the courtroom during the criminal trial of Donald Trump in New York. His detailed account is passionately written, but is fatally flawed by his constant resort to ad hominem references to Trump himself. While Alter has always been known to have his opinions, this kind of tone exemplifies the problems which plague our current discourse. Constantly reminding readers that he finds Trump loathsome diminishes from otherwise valid historical and sociopolitical points and alienates the very readers Alter seems most to want to reach: those Trump supporters who might, with persuasion, change their minds. An entertaining listen, enjoyably narrated for what it is, but not recommended for purchase for the foregoing reasons.

I couldn't be there to watch the trial, and I'm glad there's such a thorough account of this significant part of American history. House Republicans said when they acquitted him in his second impeachment that he should be tried in the criminal courts instead, and it's fascinating how different it looks from a regular trial.
I listened to the audiobook, which was a good experience, because the narrator had the right balance of objectivity and interest. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this

The only Trump criminal trial to take place before the 2024 election and Alter was there and has been able to report on not just the facts of the case but also the vibe, jury reactions, Trump's demeanor. Read the by author, this was easy to listen to and covered the facts without getting too much in the weeds of all the testimony.

It also covered some personal history and some political history - all very helpful to orient the listener.

I recommend this for anyone interested in Trump's legal morass.

I was given this audiobook by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.