AUGUST, 2020
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ISSUE 314
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BOOK REVIEW | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 35
Qsaltlake.com
the bookworm sez REVIEW BY TERRY SCHLICHENMEYER
Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man BY MARY L. TRUMP, PH.D., C.2020, SIMON AND SCHUSTER, $28, 227PP
You hadn’t seen that container in ages. You really can’t remember when you put it on the shelf. Sometime this year, six years ago, when you moved last? What’s in it must be worth something, though, or you wouldn’t’ve saved it. Now, as in the new book Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump, PhD, digging may yield answers. No one has to explain to you who Donald Trump is but, for anyone who’s been completely
q scopes AUGUST BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS
ARIES March 20–April 19
The closer you are to someone, the more likely becoming dependent will be. While friendship means togetherness, you could end up smothering certain people. Stay in check and have confidence. No one is running away, but some need more space. Take time off in order to keep friendships fresh and fascinating.
TAURUS Apr 20–May 20
With an abundance of tasks to complete, the best method is to push like a boss! Don’t let distractions stump progress, especially when so much is at stake. A goal must be accomplished, but a sense of duty could be holding you back. Do the right thing, but don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions of others.
GEMINI May 21–June 20
Nothing is more intrusive to you than bossy people. Even if good ideas come from them, an opportunity to learn could be lost. Don’t let pride stop you from learning. In fact, staying focused is the best way to demonstrate
out of the loop, Mary Trump is Donald’s niece (she uses his first name, always, and to avoid confusion, so will we). Trump has a PhD in psychology, worked at Manhattan Psychiatric Center while in school, was once a therapist, and taught graduate psychology. The point is, she got chops and it shows, especially when this book — a look at her family and, specifically, her Uncle Donald — reads like something from the True Medicine genre. Indeed, medically-based passages are nearly emotionless in their clinicality. To fully understand this story and where it leads, Trump begins with brief accounts of her great-grandfather, who came to America from Germany in order to avoid military service. After the elder man died, Trump’s grandfather “Fred” (as she refers to him) became business partners with his mother, and expanded the family fortune. Trump asserts that Fred was
“a high-functioning sociopath” who put his own self-interests above everything else. He was cruel for cruelty’s sake and ultimately used that against his eldest son and namesake, “Freddy,” whom Fred hoped would assume the family business but who didn’t have the heart for it. When Freddy proved to be a disappointment, Fred turned to Donald, his second son, and gave him free-reign, an open bank account, and the paternal approval Trump suggests that Donald craved. Once you get this far into Too Much and Never Enough, it shouldn’t surprise you; none of it will, going forward, because you know how this book ends. Long before that, though, Trump shares details of growing up, noting nuances within the Trump sibling group and the family at large, learning to read silences, and hearing regular racist or homophobic comments that made her, years later, keep mum on her
resolve and earn respect. While admiration isn’t required, it helps in boosting confidence.
must be positive.
CANCER June 21–July 22
A conflicting opinion has you questioning the validity of a deep-seated belief. Even if faith has not always been a trusted guide, it has never let you down. The best way to proceed is by prioritizing beliefs that matter most, and stop worrying about the rest. The only true choice is whether to be good or delightfully bad.
LEO July 23–August 22
Treasure could be found in someone you cherish very much. Love isn’t something that comes easily, but deep fondness can provide a lot of good times. The past has a way of conditioning, so learn to let go of methods that don’t work anymore. Fear and suspicion is a default position, but love is worth the risk.
VIRGO August 23–Sep. 2
Treading into a dangerous place isn’t normal practice for you. Even so, it may become necessary to explore a side of you that could lead to emotional pain. But the goal is to overcome that, and sometimes diving into hell is required to get past it. Only then will it become clear that change
LIBRA Sept 23–October 22
No one sets out to lose their mind, but some friends feel you’ve intended to do just that. Figure out what is troublesome and make changes. The hardest task is cutting things most cherished. But there is indeed a greener side to be found. Stop settling for second best and enjoy by making some progress.
SCORPIO Oct. 23–Nov. 21
Take a break from the things you enjoy. The reset button of life is found inside you and it’s time to push it. There is a capacity to do some really great things, but it’s time to let go of some bad habits. A mental malfunction could be a real problem, so don’t try doing anything that could lead to embarrassment.
SAGITTARIUS
Nov. 22–December 20.
Something amazing is always on the horizon. It may grow tiresome waiting for life to get better, and there is a lot to enjoy right now. Take time with your family and friends, and the company will provide a path to feeling better. Stop the trend of waiting for tomorrow. Realize that today is actually pretty good.
marriage to (and subsequent divorce from) a woman. The cruelty, as she describes it, can sometimes read like a TV documentary on wolves at a kill. Disappointment was thick on both sides. Readers may occasionally note something like sour grapes, too, but even that offers more of an understanding of Trump’s observations. While this memoir somewhat culminates with the fight over Trump’s grandfather’s will, a skewed inheritance, subsequent lawsuit, and the truth she says she found with the urging of the New York Times, the story — as she indicates — won’t begin to be finished until January, or a January four years hence. Until then, this is a mustread for left and right alike but beware that it might leave you feeling mournful — not for any one person, but overall, in general: Too Much and Never Enough just contains a lot of sadness. Q
CAPRICORN Dec 21–Jan 19
Head toward a safe place and spend time with someone you love or trust. Family members aren’t the best ones to confide in now, so seek out objectivity. Everything you have worked for will either pay off big or fizzle out in an instant. The result depends on your willingness to rely on logic and reason for a change.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20–Feb. 18
Knock out important work and don’t procrastinate. It may seem tempting to put off a dreaded task, but a lot of distractions are headed your way. Sometimes the straight and narrow path is the correct one, but make sure you’re hitting the right target. There is a lot that can go wrong simply by not looking out.
PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19
The temptation to run and hide could be very strong. Anxiety runs high by caring too much. It is good to have empathy, but for your sake, identify whether you have the power to change things that are bothersome. If action is possible, take it. But realize that there are some situations that are bigger than your will. Q
