An upcoming book by former top Obama adviser Ben Rhodes, "The World as It Is," portrays some of the former president's concerns and misgivings in the days and weeks after Donald Trump won the 2016 election.

○ Inside Donald Trump's Stunning Upset

How Trump's Election Shook Obama: `What if We Were Wrong?' | The New York Times - |

The day Mr. Obama hosted Mr. Trump at the White House after the election seemed surreal. Mr. Trump kept steering the conversation back to the size of his rallies, noting that he and Mr. Obama could draw big crowds, but Mrs. Clinton could not, Mr. Rhodes writes.

Afterward, Mr. Obama called a few aides to the Oval Office to ruminate on the encounter. "I'm trying to place him in American history," he said.

"He peddles" bull, Mr. Rhodes answered. "That character has always been part of the American story. You can see it right back to some of the characters in Huckleberry Finn."

"Maybe," Mr. Obama answered, "that's the best we can hope for."

○ Ben Rhodes' Obama legacy defence has weak spots | The Guardian - Book Review |

'Sapere aude'