2024 the best national team in the world review

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USA Today Bestseller

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Residence and First Women—also a New York Times bestseller—comes a poignant, news-making look at the lives of the five former presidents in the wake of their White House years, including the surprising friendships they have formed through shared perspective and empathy.

After serving the highest office of American government, five men—Jimmy Carter, the late George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama—became members of the world’s most exclusive fraternity. In Team of Five, Kate Andersen Brower goes beyond the White House to uncover what, exactly, comes after the presidency, offering a glimpse into the complex relationships of these five former presidents, and how each of these men views his place in a nation that has been upended by the Oval Office’s current, norm-breaking occupant, President Donald Trump.

With an empathetic yet critical eye and firsthand testimony from the Carters, Donald Trump, and the top aides, friends, and family members of the five former presidents, Team of Five takes us inside the exclusive world of these powerful men and their families, including the unlikely friendship between George W. Bush and Michelle Obama, the last private visits Bill Clinton and Barack Obama shared with George H.W. Bush, and the Obamas’ flight to Palm Springs after Donald Trump’s inauguration. Perhaps most timely, this insightful, illuminating book overflows with anecdotes about how the ex-presidents are working to combat President Trump’s attempts to undo the achievements and hard work accomplished during their own terms.

Perhaps most poignantly, Team of Five sheds light on the inherent loneliness and inevitable feelings of powerlessness and frustration that come with no longer being the most important person in the world, but a leader with only symbolic power. There are ways, though, that these men, and their wives, have become powerful political and cultural forces in American life, even as so-called “formers.”

Team of Five includes 16 pages of color photographs.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper; Illustrated edition (May 19, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062668978
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062668974
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.08 x 9 inches
Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great book on an exclusive club
Review: I really liked this book. It didn't side with Democrat or Republican and it didn't go after President Trump. It stayed honest to me. It was great to read about former Presidents and how they related to each other and to the current President. I felt there could have been more stories written but it was good not to have top much. Would love to see an update to this book with former President Trump and current President Biden. I would recommend this to any body interested in the Office of the President.

Reviewer: Billiam54
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Five Friends
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Five former presidents, their wives and their families. How they overlooked their political differences, family differences, their backgrounds and stayed in touch in and out of the White House. Five former presidents who were able and are still able to respect each other and to remain cordial regardless of their political feelings. The decisions and the frustrations that come with being the president and the inner workings of each administration are things that most of us would not want to deal with. The former presidents, their wives and families have dealt with all of this. This book told of these presidents during their time in office or out of office that there can be a relationship of respect between them. These gentlemen respected the office of "The President". I have read including this book three of Kate Andersen Brower's books. They were very informative and I have enjoyed them all.

Reviewer: Pseudo D
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: one of these is not like the others...
Review: Kate Andersen Brower continues her interest in the Presidency with the story of the ex-Presidents in thetime of Trump. While there are references to Truman and LBJ, the focus begins with Ford (d. 2006) andCarter. At the time of DJT's inauguration, the living Presidents were Carter, H.W. Bush, Clinton, W. Bushand Obama. Bush 41 couldn't make it because of illness. But the others were there, and it was awkwardin the "American Carnage" address as Donald attacked the politicians who went to Washington for themselves.He promised to put America first and return power to the people, especially the many forgotten men andwomen of the country.There is some stuff on Jackie Kennedy and Nancy Reagan, who had a sense of class, while Rosalynn Carterwas more focused on advocacy. Ronald Reagan died in 2004. So Brower's first living President to look atis Jimmy Carter. Carter was an outlier in the President's Club, criticizing all of his successors. But he hadan effective post-Presidency with advocacy and humanitarian work. He was less critical of Trump becausethe others had that covered, and because he hoped to be an advisor, but while there was more communication,it was not effective.The great story is the bond between Bush 41 and Clinton. They had tough elections in 92 and 2000 whenGeorge W. defeated Gore, and promised to restore integrity to the White House. But the tsunami of 2004brought George H.w. Bush and Clinton together as the A team. Bill had great need of a father figure andBush was that in many ways. Bill's personality looms throughout this book as he always shows up late,ticking off Dick Cheney, and he wears everybody out with his enthusiastic conversations. Sen. Al Simpson'seulogy for Bush 41 was great. He said "those who walk the high road of humility in Washington DC arenot bothered by heavy traffic" and Bill, always in the middle of it, was cracking up. The transition fromBush 43 to Obama was a real ideological shift, with Obama running against the Iraq war and to the leftof Hillary. But W. was a real class act like his father. Obama then got Bill Clinton to talk about the dealto extend the tax cuts after the 2010 midterms. Bernie Sanders opposed the deal with the 8 1/2 hourspeech. But that press conference with Obama and Bill, with Barack leaving for the Christmas party, wasgreat. The bond between George W. and Michelle Obama has also been really nice, passing candy atthe funerals.Donald Trump, of course, has shown contempt for his predecessors, especially Obama, but also theClintons because of Hillary, and Steve Bannon's bringing Bill's accusers to the debate. But Trump hasn'thad much more luck with his own party, with all the previous nominees opposing him-the Bushes, McCainand Romney, with Bob Dole somewhat quieter. So it will be interesting to see Donald when he becomesan elder statesman!

Reviewer: Tony Maida
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Read
Review: I loved this book from cover to cover. Insightful, informative and very enjoyable. A great tapestry of events that provide wonderfully written tales about the current President’s Club. Filled with great stories about these Presidents and their wives. It also illuminates how the current President has adversely impacted the importance of the transition of power. No surprise. Great writing and a great book to read during this election year ! I highly recommend it and feel confident you will enjoy every word.

Reviewer: CB
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Team of Five Book
Review: It’s rare to have a book that let us see beyond all the political nasty bashing to something that shows the value of no division or unjust motives. It’s called genuine respect. Long after their duty is done the real heartfelt work that unites the former Presidents and First Ladies shows the genuine effort put forth and continues when leaving office. They become aligned as not separate parties, but instead members of a very special group who still feels the need to advance our country into its best and needed place. For that I am thankful.This book allowed me a special look of the continuation that goes on because they want to continue to be of service. With real hearts and care to see all do better.

Reviewer: Judith
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Light and chatty
Review: What is it like to be a former President or former First Lady? This chatty, light book covers the post-presidential lives of Carter, Bush the elder, Clinton, Bush the younger, Obama, and a little about Trump. It’s important to know that the author works for FOX, and thus has some obvious biases. My mother, who is Republican, and I, a Democrat leaning Independent, agreed that she was overly harsh to both Carters. My mother, who adores the Bushes, thought she was fair to them. I thought she was a Bush sycophant. However, I looked past all that because the book is not to be taken that seriously. Do be aware, if you are a Trumper, you’re not going like the realistic way she covers him. She is a Bush Republican, not a Trump Republican.The writing style is rather average. It is somewhat repetitive, but not to the point of being annoying.This is a good book to listen to while doing busy work. My elderly mother, who no longer reads complex books, enjoyed this very much.

Reviewer: Charlie Mart
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Team Five. Great book
Review: Great book. Gave great insights into the presidents interesting to see how they got alongA lot of research into this book

Reviewer: JustaRegularGuy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Really enjoy the book. Got onto this author after reading "The Residence" while on vacation. Well written and engaging.

Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Interesting and well written. It is very little political but still gives a clear idea of the men behind the most powerful job in the world.

Reviewer: Verity Reads Books (a lot of them)
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Kate Andersen Brower specialises in writing about the White House and the people who live and work in it and her latest book is a look at the relationships between ex-presidents and between the ex-presidents and the current president. Donald Trump gave the author an interview for the book, but he’s not the centre of the story. Started when there were five living ex-presidents (George H W Bush died in late 2018 but is a prominent part of the story), Team of Five looks at the relationships between Jimmy Carter, the two Presidents Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. It looks at how they have dealt with the norm busting presidency of Donald Trump, but also at what you do when you’re no longer the leader of the free world and the different ways they have handled their post presidency career – from learning to paint (George W Bush) to moving back to a tiny town in Georgia and starting a foundation that has helped eradicate guinea work (Jimmy Carter). As with Andersen Brower’s books about the vice-presidents (First in Line) and the First Ladies (First Women), it is big on the interpersonal relationships and less on the policy minutiae. This is a really good and interesting look at what presidents do after they finish their terms, how they get on with each other - and how Donald Trump fits (or seems not to) into the club. Worth a read - and not as depressing as the Trump presidency books tend to be.

Reviewer: G Plante (BC)
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Great bookI started with the preface and solidly into chapter one!I need more time!! LoLSummer vacation coming though... so...Will be a great read at the cabin! 🙂

Reviewer: LoLo
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This book highlights the four former presidents who are still living today as well as 41: George H.W. Bush. Only they can truly understand what it is like to be President and how to transition to private life after leaving the White House. It is uplifting to read how mortal enemies on the campaign trail can build life long friendships. The book left me wanting more of the stories of how those friendships enriched the lives of each unique individual on the Team of Five.