2020: The Lost Year Under King Trump

"Good luck. We gotta start somewhere though. It will only work with social distancing... I sure hope we can get our world back soon."

Gismondi's work is the text version of a time capsule, ideal for future generations to grasp the gravity of the events that unfolded in 2020 and will largely define life for decades to come. On the surface, the focus may seem like it is on politics and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, digging deeper, Gismondi has astutely chosen headlines from the Orlando Sentinel that, when woven together, forge an unforgettable tapestry of calamity and chaos.

With each headline, the author presents a portal for audiences to rekindle their memories of both monumental tragedies like the George Floyd shooting and news that would otherwise have likely been forgotten, such as 100,000 civilians being injured or killed over the last decade in Afghanistan and, according to Michael Cohen, Trump's disparaging remarks on Nelson Mandela. To describe this book as comprehensive would be an understatement as Gismondi does justice to domestic and global, political and environmental, and even historical events. From blocking witnesses at Trump's impeachment trial to highlighting a one-dollar mugging death on Christmas eve, the work is a copious snapshot of the year, a SparkNotes version for audiences seeking to better understand how the world is evolving.

Perhaps what makes this work refreshing is the author's ability to simultaneously demonstrate a level of impartiality in the articles he has chosen while being unafraid to take a stand and voice his commentary on those he feels require further thought. In the process, those living through these unprecedented times as well as future generations will gain a layer of perspective on the events that shaped major topics like climate change, gun control, the balance between work and the rest of life, and racial relations. Gismondi's clear and concise writing style combined with his flair for infusing personality and keeping readers engaged makes this a must-have on every shelf.

- The US Review of Books

Author Steve Gismondi gives a recap of the events that happened in 2020. He does it so well, with humor, light jokes and sarcasm that the reader enjoys reading the content. 2020 was a remarkable year, as so many things were happening across the world, some good, others bad. 2020 was also significant for many in the United States because of the November elections. Emotions ran high, states were full of political activities, people were still learning how to deal with the COVID 19 virus, mass protests were occurring in different cities across the country and many people were facing economic challenges. 2020 was no regular year for many. In his book, 2020: the Lost Year Under King Trump, Steve Gismondi writes about the year and how different demographics of people were affected.

I like that the author started the book by writing about some events of 2019. It was refreshing to be reminded about some of the happenings in 2019 that shaped how 2020 was. He also compares 2020 to other years. One thing I enjoyed about Steve Gismondi is that he will take you back in 2020 and make you laugh about some things that appeared to be too serious. Steve Gismondi is a great storyteller as his narration skills together with his way of introducing new events is excellent. Reading his book will have you appreciate the art of writing, and documenting for future reference.

One of the best elements in Steve Gismondi’s book gets displayed whenever he talks about the former president Trump and all the circus that happens in the senate and the white house. The author gives you a visual of how things were, and why 2020 will always remain to be an interesting year for many. I enjoyed reading about the impeachment articles, Trump outbursts, conflicts among political parties and the wars between conservatives and liberals. Reading this book makes you appreciate the freedom of expressions and democracy in the United States. Being the leader of the free world is no easy feat and the author writes about some of the major challenges associated with running an administration.

This book will serve well as a historical document in future. It is also a great material for readers that want to learn more about how governments are run. 2020: the Lost Year Under King Trump is your go-to-book if you feel as if you missed some of the actions in 2020. The author also writes of his experiences and gives life tips when in different situations. The author does not just talk to his readers, but also those that run the nation.

Steve Gismondi writes about missteps the government made and how they can be rectified. You will enjoy the content in this book whether you are in politics or not. The author addresses socio-economic issues in a subtle and gentle way and will get readers curious about not just how the government is run, but also how to make their communities better.

- Pacific Book Review