With a subject like Donald Trump, there’s no shortage of reading material these days for those fascinated by the endless stream of news about what Trump has said, done or tweeted over the past two years. Most of what we read in books about the current president is non-fiction. Enter David Dorsen, a former assistant US attorney who has handled two important libel cases and penned other books on important public figures. As a result, Dorsen is well equipped to take on all the legal intricacies that readers of his latest book, Moses v Trump, will encounter.

What’s really interesting about Moses v Trump is that, despite being fiction, it seems so real. That’s because much of what happens in this story is based on Trump’s real life persona and events with which most of us are now familiar as he goes about achieving his current goal of making America great again. It’s hard for many of us to ignore Trump’s tweets along with his inclination to insult people by calling them names and his proclivity for not knowing the facts or distorting them or simply getting them wrong. All of these issues are central to the plot of Moses v Trump wherein Trump calls a recognized and respected lawyer, Moses, a felon…without being fully conversant with the facts of a case previously tried by Moses. When Moses takes Trump to court, of course, Trump is far too busy to defend himself in person, leaving that task to his appropriately named lawyer, Mr. Crunch. Obviously if the judge and jury rule for the plaintiff, the President’s lawyer will be in a crunch. As Dorsen writes: “Trump famously did not like to lose. Likewise, he famously never took responsibility for his failures. If he had to go to trial, it would be Crunch’s fault. If he went to trial and lost, it would be Crunch’s fault. Jason felt some sympathy for Crunch”

Moses v Trump is not an easy read for laymen unfamiliar with court procedures and terminology but Dorsen does a good job of explaining along the way. But through the characters of Jason, his family, friends and colleagues, all of whom come across as very real people, with real concerns, setbacks and joys, and through well-placed humor, he keeps the novel from being overly “heady”. Moses v Trump is a brilliant bit of fiction that captures the personality of Mr. Trump and the current uncertain climate surrounding his presidency. Whether you love or hate Trump, you must read this novel: it’s both challenging and entertaining. Enjoy!

Moses v Trump by David Dorsey is a story based on a real trial about a lawyer named Ira Moses. He sues President Trump and an evangelical magazine and its editor. The magazine had an article that accused him of bribing a juror in his last case. He was Kate Kruiser’s (Trump’s Secretary of Commerce) lawyer. President Trump had accused her of perjury at a Senate Committee meeting. President Trump had also tweeted about it, which is why Moses was suing him. This story is about Judge Jay Jason, who presides over the Moses v Trump case. David Dorsey writes about how the past and recent events might have affected Judge Jason while he was presiding over the case as well as the case itself.

I thought that Moses v Trump by David Dorsey was fascinating. It was like being at the trial, plus learning how they do things behind the scenes. I liked how we get to know the judge through his past mistakes and the sadness he experienced when his wife died. Yet, he was still able to take on a huge case. There was a mystery with a semi threatening letter to add to the intrigue, though we never did find out exactly who it was. There was also a little twist in the case, which made it even more fascinating. I even laughed a few times, though I suppose that depends on what "side of the line" you are on. I also liked how David Dorsey set the scenes. I felt like I was actually there, watching the “show”. This would make a great movie.

Judge Jason is grieving for his late wife, Audrey. At the age of 75, he is contemplating his future and considering what more he can realistically achieve in his career. Meanwhile, the case of the U.S. v Kruiser has raised some eyebrows in the legal world. Former Secretary of Commerce Kate Kruiser successfully won the case against her, represented by her attorney, Ira Moses. True Faith, a magazine designed to appeal to the more religious reader, has published an article that suggests Moses had a hand in influencing a juror. With the magazine stating a litany of facts that seem to be irrefutable, Moses has no choice but to seek redress in court. The case is elevated by the intervention of President Trump and a series of inflammatory tweets in which he suggests that Moses is crooked and the case against Kruiser was tainted. Judge Jason decides to take on the case, despite his grief, and soon finds himself embroiled in a fascinating case. Moses v Trump by David Dorsen is a brilliantly written courtroom drama that will appeal to all.

I found this book a fascinating account of the U.S. judicial system and the current era of a President who has no respect for institutions and legalities. There are so many levels to this book that it will have you gripped from page one. The legal system is explained perfectly, and outside influences add intrigue and humanity. Will the past catch up with Judge Jason or is it just a coincidence? Can the Judge reconnect with his son and will the shared grief of losing another member of the family help them to become close again? Moses v Trump is a thrilling account of a jaw-dropping trial and, as a non-U.S. citizen, I found it a fascinating rhetoric of how the people of the U.S. really see their President.

I must admit, I was deliriously relieved when Moses v Trump proved to be very entertaining and an all-round good read, even though it is about a man whom a lot of people despise. I will try to keep this review all about the book and as little as possible about the man. As previously stated, this is a good read. I want to put it up there with John Grisham. Moses v Trump doesn't have that Southern flavor that Mr. Grisham’s books have, but I found the New York East Coast feel that it does have to be highly appropriate for this story. A good trial story is a good trial story but where a trial takes place is important and Washington D.C. and New York City settings can add a lot to a story. David Dorsen knows these settings well and brought them to life for me.

I liked the well written characters in Moses v Trump. I liked the judges more than I did the lawyers but maybe only because they don’t seem as desperate. I honestly enjoyed this look into the personal lives of a class of people I never meet in real life. That is one of the things that kept me reading. The plot is pulled right from the headlines, a direct result of the impulsive way the current President of the United States does business. The setting and plot combine to give the story a real sense of place and the characters, though not of a class of people I run into every day, seemed very real, and very concerned about what is happening to our country. This is a great book. Maybe an important book as the story of this era is told.