Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent
An excellent book on the History of the White House and the people that have lived and worked there.Great pictures, past and present, and an easy to read narrative.The White House furnishings themselves could be a museum and they key ones are detailed.In addition it gives an overview of many of the well and lesser known events that have taken place.Also interesting to read about family life of the President's during the past 200+ years.

GREAT!
this book took you back through the times the each president lived there ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

A Satirical Look at the White House
Having read "No Way to Treat A First Lady" I had to read another Christopher Buckley and while "The White House Mess" is not quite the same entertainment, I was not disappointed.

Buckley is happy to poke fun at politicians and White House staffers. The pompouse self imporant members of staff are ridiculed constantly be it due to their addictions, predilictions or luxury yachts. Meanwhile POTUS himself is portrayed as a man of Clintonesque nature and warmth but not so hot in the speech writing department.

It's all too believable; from the Secret Services Hunt for the First hamster to the covert missions to Havana the reader will identify with more than one administration. It will have you laughing out loud on more than one occasion and is worth the read.

FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY
Here is another great and funny book from Mr. Buckley.
Are these real life situations or just possibilities ?
Just like his father, Christopher finds the right tone and the right sense of humor to make fun of our politicians.
Mr. Buckley please keep writing and amuse us. We need it in today's political environment.
Great book , and as always very well written.

Where to go after "Thank You For Smoking"
"Thank You For Smoking" is still Christopher Buckley's best effort to date.But if you want to know where to go *next*, I suggest this lesser-known volume rather than "Little Green Men" or "Wry Martinis.""Mess" has a psychic feel to it - written during the days of the Reagan Administration, it could just about pass as a roman-a-clef by a Clinton cabinet member.

Is Christopher Buckley a secret psychic friend?
The White House Mess is both a hilarious political satire and an amazingly accurate portrait of the first Clinton Administration.Sure, the names have been changed but anyone who followed politics over the course of the '90s will recognize the characters.Thomas N. Tucker is a so-called "Moderate Democrat" who, after a few terms as Governor of a small Republican state (Idaho, in this case), is elected President over Republican George H.W. Bush.Tucker comes to Washington with a fiercely independent wife and a staff that is an uneasy mix of cynical insiders and idealistically niave (read: stupid) campaign aides with little actual practical experience.Over the course of the next four years, Tucker finds himself embroiled in a sex scandal, has to deal with his idiot brother, fails to establish any firm policy beyond what the polls say he should do, and -- as his Presidency comes to a close -- manages to embroil American soldiers in a futile military campaign.There it is, the Clinton Administration in a nutshell.Of course, what's truly amazing isn't that Buckley managed to write a memoir of the Clinton Presidency but that Buckley did so in 1987 -- five years before anyone outside of Arkansas even knew who Bill Clinton was and certainly before anyone expected this guy to be President.(Of course, what's really funny is that when the book first came out, many critics sniped that Buckley's satire was too outrageous and had no basis in reality.)

Unfairly or not, Clinton hangs over Buckley's satire and, what originally might have seemed as a simple farce, is now tinged with a certain bittersweet feel.You still laugh but its no longer a what-will-he-say-next laugh as much as its a laugh of I-Can't-Believe-This-Actually-Happened.By that same regard, when the book first came out, one of the funniest parts dealt with the difficulty of getting a senile Ronald Reagan to leave the Oval Office following Tucker's inaguration.As funny and well-written as this scene is, its no longer quite as funny with the knowledge that Reagan is -- in real life -- suffering from the late stages of Alzheimer's.

However, these are all minor quibbles and they shouldn't take away from what is one of the funniest, unsung political satires of the previous century.Buckley disguises his book as the political memoir of former Tucker aide Herbert Wadlough.Wadlough, a stuffy, pompous, but well-meaning Englishman, comes across as something of a poor man's Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. and Buckley perfectly captures the man's moralistic yet clueless voice.As well, anyone who has read any of the recent memoirs by various Reagan and Clinton administration veterans will be amused as Wadlough continually tries to overhype his importance and present himself as something other than a rather minor cog in the government.Admitedly, its probably easier to enjoy this book if you're a conservative -- most of Buckley's barbs are reserved for the less-than-worldly liberals who surround Tucker.However, Buckley is hardly a partisan when it comes to throwing his punches.The Republican Party takes it share number of shots.Buckley is truly a bipartisan ridiculer but writes with such good-natured wit and skill that its hard to imagine any sensible person (no matter what their political alignment taking offense).This is a truly hilarious book and a must read for anyone with an interest in politics or a need for a good laugh.

Prophetic Comedy
The book's hook is that it's a parody of White House politics, where the status of the characters' relationships among one another is given more importance than the issues that are being governed over.Written before an Arkansas governor won the real presidency, it's narrated by a sidekick of the [obviously fictional] Democratic Idaho governor that went on to inherit the White house for a term.Buckley does a wonderful job of telling the story with sublety - the narrator is too dignified to admit his own wrongdoings while burying his peers, who have also all written their own memoirs doing the same thing.True to the title, the President's term is embroiled with controversy, ranging from a missing hamster to a poor decision to gas an uprising in the Bahamas.There's a sex scandal involving interns, a first brother that causes some grief, and strain in the bedroom of the first lady.Can you believe it was written before Reagan left office?
Recommended for anyone that can laugh at Presidential politics, political critics, or the pretensions of executive staff members. ... Read more

Book Description
A behind-the-scenes look at people who make presidents talk. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Interesting if a little overblown
"James Humes is over the top!" exclaims the introdcution(written by Humes pal and British MP Jonathon Aiken).Indeed he is.Thisbook reflects that sentiment in both the positive and negative aspects,though on balance it is highly entertaining.Humes has many good storiesto tell and tells them well.He does, however, give off the feel thatthere might be SOME exaggeration going on.Still, the book is quick andenjoyable to read.

Interesting memoirs.
The author, "lawyer, legislator, diplomat, author, historian, actor, professor, and White House speechwriter", recipient of the Order of the British Empire and dance-partner with Queen Elizabeth, seems to have been everywhere and met everyone, most notably theseveral U.S. Presidents for who whom he wrote speeches.
Humes' chatty narrative style, marred only by a few regrettable typos, painlessly shares some remarkable insights into high politics and diplomacy, with such highlights as;Nixon's candidate for "Deep Throat", and the real reason Ford pardoned Nixon.
Not incidentally, Humes is today a professional speaker whose tips on public speaking would be well worth the price of admission here to anyone who speaks publicly.
Very entertaining.
(The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format.This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.) ... Read more

Amazon.com
William F. Knowland was a leading figure in Republican politics during the 1950s. As Senate Majority Leader, he was instrumental in shaping government policy throughout the decade and played a key role in the appointment of Earl Warren to the Supreme Court. But he left Congress to run for governor in his native California in 1958, hoping to set a presidential campaign in motion, and instead brought his political career to a halt. Biographers Gayle B. Montgomery and James W. Johnson both worked for Knowland at the Oakland Tribune, which he published from 1966, taking over after his father's half-century reign, until depression and debt led him to suicide in 1974. Their account of his life is notable for its thoroughness of detail, which--by explaining just how much power Knowland held and just how far he fell--renders its tragic tale all the more powerful. Book Description
During the Cold War years of the 1950s, William F. Knowland was one of the most important figures in American politics. As the Republican leader of the U.S. Senate, the wealthy California newspaper heir was recognized and respected by millions. His influence with President Eisenhower led to Earl Warren's appointment as chief justice, and Knowland set in motion a U.S.-China policy that remains part of our international direction today. Yet he committed suicide in 1974, following a personal decline that included political humiliation, a ruined marriage, and the loss of his family fortune.
This is the first full-scale biography of Bill Knowland, written by two journalists who came to know him after he left Washington in 1958. Gayle B. Montgomery was a political editor at the Oakland Tribune, the newspaper owned by Knowland's father, the power-wielding Joseph R. Knowland. James W. Johnson was a Tribune editorial writer. Both men worked with Knowland when he returned to the newspaper after giving up his Senate seat in a failed bid to become governor of California. Knowland lost the governorship race to Edmund G. (Pat) Brown; had he won, many observers felt Knowland would have had a clear shot at the White House.
This is a book not only about Mr. Republican, but also one that illuminates the strengths and deficiencies of Republican party politics during the years when the party was at its zenith. In portraying the life of Bill Knowland, the authors cast a glaring light both on the machinations of political power and on the Republican establishment's aspirations in the Warren-Eisenhower era. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

ONE STEP FROM THE WHITE HOUSE: SENATOR WILLIAM F. KNOWLAND
Gayle B. Montgomery and James W. Johnson have presented an excellent book on the complex life of Senator William F. Knowland. This book is great history of California and the (SF) East Bay Area;the Republican Party ofthe 1950's and the Oakland Tribune. DanielWyatt, the author of the life of Bill Knowland's father, Joseph RussellKnowland.

Well-written, informative biography of William Knowland
One Step from the White House is a very satisfying, well-written biography of a pivotal figure in both post-World War II U.S. political history as well as 20th century San Francisco Bay Area history.The book chroniclesWilliam Fife Knowland's life in a straight-forward narrative from his 1908birth to his suicide in 1974.Knowland's life makes a compelling story --from his early days as the favorite son of a politically ambitious father,to his Senate years as a strong voice for the Republican Party'sconservative wing, to his self-destructive golden years.Montgomery andJohnson allow the story to unfold slowly and tell itself without too muchanalysis or summary. While this style gives the book good narrativemomentum as the reader becomes more and more familiar with Knowland, thissometimes analysis-free style resulted in this reader wondering how certainevents came about, such as Knowland's meteoric rise in the RepublicanSenate leadership.The book is also too "soft" on its subject for apost-Watergate era political biography.While the author's introductoryremarks thanking the Knowland family for their confidence and trust seempolite and appropriate, they ultimately reveal an excessive concern for thesubject's descendants at the expense of the story at hand.When Montgomeryand Johnson do impose some analysis on the story, it is sometimesunconvincing.The most prominent example of this is naming the book"One Step from the White House," clearly an appropriate title fora biography of Thomas Dewey or Hubert Humphrey, but the author's do notsuccessfully sell its applicability to Knowland.In spite of such lapses,Montgomery and Johnson deliver a effective chronicle of a fascinating manand flawed man.

A compelling read for everyone.
I knew Senator Knowland well, having worked for twenty years for theOakland Tribune, and having had the unenviable assignment of writing his obituary for the newspaper following his death. Gayle Montgomery and JimJohnson have done a magnificent job of capturing the driving demons of aman whose brusque and hearty demeanor disguised a complex and, in the end,tortured personality. This is a compelling book for every reader, not justthose interested in the social an political history of the time.

One of the finest Amrican political biographies.
" Big Bill " Knowland is the " forgotten man' among the titans of post-war (and Cold war) American politics. Now, thanks to this compassionate, richly detailed biography,people might come to a better understanding of this very able, but tragically flawed , human being. This book also sheds light on the careers of LBJ, Nixon, Eisenhower, Earl Warren, Ronald Reagan , and Barry Goldwater, among others. However, even the reader uninterested in American politics, or the history of California, will find this book fascinating. Knowlands personal tragedies, and the amazing story of his family, are the stuff, if not of Greek tragedy, then at least of a novel byJames Gould Couzzens or John O'Hara. Indeed, attentive readers might be reminded of "The Magnificent Ambersons", the real-life Knowlands in Oakland were very much likeTarkington's ( and Welles) fictional Ambersons, in Indianapolis.

An important insight into Cold War policy and Calif. history
... The story is truly an American tragedy.Knowland in today's political world would have been much different, and he would not have had to lead a double life.He was a victim of his times. ... Read more

Product Description
When President George Washington fell ill six short weeks after his inauguration, he summoned Samuel Bard, one of the most prominent physicians of the day. Thereafter, when residing at his presidential home in Manhattan, Washington consistently relied on Bard for medical care. Thus Bard became the first in a line of presidential physicians, the providers of medical care for America's chief executive.

From George Washington to George W. Bush, this volume examines 217 years of health care in the White House and the men and women who ministered to these presidential patients. Beginning with that first presidential physician's visit on June 13, 1789, it analyzes the relationships--sometimes fruitful and sometimes disastrous--of the presidents with their physicians. While biographical sketches detailing the background of each physician are included, the main focus of the work is the especially complex physician-patient relationship and the ways in which it has changed over time. The evolution of the presidential physician's responsibilities is also discussed, as are developments in American medicine during presidential terms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Fascinating book!
Terrific!This is a thoroughly researched body of work.It contains great insights into the development of American medicine, and I highly recommend it to those interested in American and presidential history.Furthermore, its examination of legal, political, and moral issues make it a must-read for those in the medical profession.

A Fascinating Tale and Rich in Scholarship


Ludwig Deppisch is a medical doctor who has an interest in medical history, and out of that interest he has given us a book that sets out the fascinating story of the doctors who, from the time of the founding of the republic up through the modern era, have served as physicians to the Presidents. This story is doubly fascinating because it not only traces the historical progress of medicine through time but it also reveals how medical practices, sometimes in conjunction with political subterfuge, can impact the presidency itself.

The first part of the book, which covers the practices of the best doctors of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries - the doctors who treated Presidents - exposes the shortcomings of the medical profession in those years, even as medicine itself was becoming more professional. Thomas Jefferson wrote about his friend doctor Benjamin Rush, a greatly influential figure, that the doctor had "done much harm" with the practice of bleeding patients to treat illness. Indeed, calling on the aid of a doctor did not guarantee a cure; just the opposite could be the case. President James Garfield, who lived in a somewhat more advanced medical period, when shot by an assassin had his wound examined by doctors with hands so dirty that, according to the author, the doctors themselves likely caused his fatal infection. Still, a physically tough old President like Andrew Jackson could have a bullet removed from a dueling wound years after the duel and emerge much improved from the surgery.

But it is as the story moves toward the twentieth century, while medical knowledge seems to be progressing, that we see another compelling issue begin to emerge, and that is how political and medical subterfuge can be employed to deceive the citizenry about what is going on in the health of a President. Grover Cleveland had a secret operation, for example, on board a private yacht, to remove a cancerous growth in his mouth. In the event the operation was a success and the public never became aware of what had taken place. Woodrow Wilson, however, had a stroke of such massive proportions that he probably should have left office but he did not. His physician was complicit in keeping Wilson isolated and the public misinformed about his true condition. FDR's health was so badly failing at the end of his third term that he should never have run for a fourth. But we were in the midst of war. His actual medical state was concealed and the reelected President died a short time into his last term. President Eisenhower had a series of serious medical problems which were interpreted to the public through rose tinted glasses. Never the less, Ike was popular, he completed two terms, and what Americans were told about the President's health likely gave them the reassurance most of them were looking for. Finally, it should be noted that JFK deliberately misrepresented his awful health facts to the American people throughout his political career with the audacity of Harry Houdini making an impossible escape. We might admire the audacity, but was it the right thing to do?

The author also raises some related and interesting issues about using psychiatry as a tool both for evaluating the mental fitness of a President and as a mode of treatment. Hindsight suggests it might have been useful to know more about the mental health and psychological makeup of Richard Nixon before he was elected. But would it have been possible, we wonder, to get an objective and non political pre-election evaluation of Nixon's personality? By the same token, Senator Thomas Eagleton was forced off the Democratic ticket as a Vice Presidential candidate in 1972 when it was revealed he had been treated for serious depression. Was this action appropriate? And how would the American people react if they learned that a President was undergoing current psychiatric treatment? These are worthwhile questions to ponder.

All of this leads us to note that there is some useful discussion in this book about the place of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment when it comes to dealing with the ramifications of any severe medical impairment of a President. And while this constitutional amendment was specifically passed to provide guidelines should a crisis occur, we have unfortunately seen, as in the shooting of President Reagan, that when a crisis does occur key officials can still be caught flatfooted in the immediate aftermath as to what to say and do. Moreover, the question of whether a President is medically fit to continue in office places the White House Physician squarely in the cross hairs of decision making. Thus, relevant officials in any new administration need to discuss and understand all of the protocols to be followed and all of the attendant constitutional and medical implications well in advance of any medical emergency. Deception of the public will probably no longer be tolerated as it has been in the past.

Lastly we should note that, like a good novel, this tale contains some rich characters, strong personalities like Dr. Cary Grayson, Wilson's physician, who can color the story and influence the plot. And we see the potential for conflict when there are many doctors involved in treatment, a few of whom may have large egos. Kennedy had a wide range of treating doctors and his titular head physician, Dr. Travell, was shunted aside while the President received secret and controversial treatments from Max Jacobson, the Manhattan doctor known as "Doctor Feelgood" because of the injections he gave the rich and famous, injections that contained amphetamines and steroids.

All in all, it would be fair to sum up that the author has given us a book that is not only rich in scholarship, but one that tells a tale which is fascinating on its own merits. Moreover, this is a book that is a significant resource of information for any doctors or officials who are newly being called to serve in an administration and who might have to grapple with a replay of history sometime in the future. For them it might be essential reading; for the rest of us it is just a darn good read.

G. F. Shirley

Comprehensive and highly readable
This is a well crafted, researched and comprehensive treatise, yet it is an entertaining and fluid "read".I did not expect that the topic could be presented in such an interesting and entertaining manner.The book succeeded in educating me not only in the specifics of the various actors, but in the evolution of the roles and responsibilities of the President's physicians.I had assumed that the provision of medical care to the President had been static over the decades; it was fascinating to learn just how much and how recently it has changed. This book not only deals with presidential physicians, the evolution of presidential medical care (including political overlap), but also provides fascinating insights into presidential history. ... Read more

Book Description
Issues of wilderness and wetlands preservation, clean air and clean water, and the sustainable use of natural resources have figured prominently in American political debate of the twentieth century. Presidents since Theodore Roosevelt have addressed these issues, rhetorically in their public addresses and pragmatically in their policies and appointments to pertinent positions.

Green Talk in the White House gathers an array of approachesto studying environmental rhetoric and the presidency, covering arange of administrations and a diversity of viewpoints on how theconcept of the "rhetorical presidency" may be modified in thispolicy area.

Tarla Rai Peterson's introduction to the book discusses both methodological and substantive issues in studying presidentialrhetoric on the environment. In subsequent chapters, noted scholarsexamine various aspects of half a dozen modern presidencies to shedlight not only on those administrations but also on the study ofenvironmental rhetoric itself. The final section of the book thendirects attention to the future of presidential rhetoric andenvironmental governance, with looks "in" at state-levelenvironmental issues and looks "out" at the international context ofenvironmentalism. ... Read more

Book Description
White House Weddings describes in colorful detail all of the weddings that have taken place in the White House from its beginnings through World War II. Thoroughly researched, it includes interviews with all of the then living brides and grooms, and is replete with anecdotes and tales. ... Read more

Download Description
"

The early years of the twenty-first century were a tumultuous time in America. During this time the man beside the President was Ari Fleischer, his press secretary and one of his most trusted confidants. In this role, Fleisher was present for every decision and became an eyewitness to history. In this riveting account, Fleischer goes behind the scenes as he recalls his experiences in the West Wing, including such momentous events as the 2000 election, September 11, 2001 and its aftermath, the anthrax scare, the war in Afghanistan, the pressure-filled buildup to the war in Iraq, and the President's thoughts as the war began. Through the ups and downs of this time, he took the heat, fielded the questions, and brought the President's message into living rooms around the world.

The early years of the twenty-first century were a tumultuous time in America. The country faced a hotly contested presidential election, the largest terrorist attack in the nation's history, and the early stages of war. Through it all, President George W. Bush surrounded himself with a handful of close advisers. During this time the man beside the President was Ari Fleischer, his press secretary and one of his most trusted confidants. In this role, Fleisher was present for every decision and became an eyewitness to history.

In this riveting account, Fleischer goes behind the scenes as he recalls his experiences in the West Wing. Through the ups and downs of this time, he took the heat, fielded the questions, and brought the President's message into living rooms around the world.

In Taking Heat, Fleischer, for the first time, gives his perspective on:

• The 2000 election, from the recounts to thetransition to power
• September 11, 2001, its aftermath, and theanthrax scare
• The pressure-filled buildup to the war in Iraqand the President's thoughts as the war began
• Life in the White House, from learning to adjustto the pace of the West Wing and his earlybriefings to his relationship with the press
• The White House press corps, who they are,and how they report the news
• The factors that led to his decision to leaveWashington behind.

This is the story of the men and women of the White House press corps and the cornerstones of democracy: freedom of speech and the freedom of the press. Fleischer presents an in-depth, insider's view on the Washington political arena from a perspective few have seen.

Fleischer writes of his belief that the press has a bias in Washington. It's not a question of partisanship or press-driven ideology. Instead, it's a focus on conflict, particularly if it's a conflict they can attach to the President. It's the nature of the White House press corps, regardless of who's in power. The members of the White House press corps are masters at being devil's advocate, able to take with passion the opposite side of whatever issue the President supports.Fleischer's job was to calmly field their questions, no matter how pointed.

Taking Heat is an introspective exploration of the top political events in the first half of the Bush administration, as well as the candid observations of a professional who stood in the bright lights of the world stage.

Customer Reviews (32)

Interesting look inside the Bush White House but beware
Ari provides an interesting book in his autobiography as President Bush's White House Press Secretary.I always hate to review books like this because they are so politically charged and ideologues on either side tend to get in a huff over what you say. I will endeavor to keep this as neutral as possible. This book sets out to accomplish many objectives but only hits half of them.First and foremost it is one of the best looks at the role of the press secretary and the sheer stress the job has on a person. Whether you like or hate President Bush there is no one who can deny that the role of press secretary is a hard job especially under a tight lipped and secretive white House.Andy Card's goal as chief of staff was to keep leaks to a minimum which frustrates the press leaving their only source of information the press secretary. When the press secretary is instructed not to discuss military matters it becomes even more adversarial. One of the interesting things learned from the book is what viewpoint the Press Secretary is supposed to have.I found it fascinating that he is only there to represent the views of the president and that does not necessarily have to be the wishes of the branches of government that report to the president.

One of the other objectives was to provide a critical narrative of the press and give insight into the White House Press Crops.I found his look at the White House Press fascinating and he really does put you inside the room of the toughest reporters in the United States. He illustrates well his points about the adversarial nature of the press and the desire of the press to create conflict which leads to stories.Many times the same questions are asked over and over hoping for a slip that the Press Secretary cannot afford to give.One of the angles that I think he does handle poorly is the bias of the press.While there are voluminous studies to show that the press is slanted right Ari seems to not acknowledge that all media is biased in one direction or another.The White House press does not give passes to any president.People today do not trust the news they get from the press and rightly so due to the biases that are present be they Fox News or MSNBC.While he highlights the point of on the liberal media it is done far better by Benard Goldberg in his book Bias.

Finally Ari tries to make a defense of President Bush and his policies/leadership style. Some of his book seems to be aimed at knocking down the arguments in the Price of Loyalty.While this is another viewpoint again the truth probably lies in the middle.Some of his defenses of trying to shift blame to the press for starting up the Iraq war are fairly ludicrous.Ari does not sit in on any of the national security briefings and the president preferred himself to comment on those matters leaving Ari in a hard position to comment on them after the fact.One of the things he does refute well that many agree with is the loyalty that Bush shows to those who are loyal to him.There is a clear look that Bush's leadership style does work within his White House and he is respected by the staff.Ari also seems to take it upon himself to set the record straight and show the country that Bush did not think of the war in Iraq in a vacuum that many other people including the press also had the same idea along the way. He is largely successful in this although he glosses over one of the critical mistakes.The landing on the USS Lincoln with the banner Mission Accomplished was one of the great errors in the press of fighting the war and it is skipped over here. I think Ari is right in saying that the press views any war that is long as a quagmire and Vietnam and any war where we win quickly is Desert Storm and must be over in a week.There is a lack of reality by the press which filters to the country.

Overall an excellent book and very well done.Ari provides unique insight into the Bush White House and while it is biased it does not make it useless.He raises critical questions that require issues to be reexamined and while he is loathe to critize his former boss for the things he did wrong we still see a good look at Bush the man and the President.

I got to be honest here....
When I found this book (on CD) in the sale rack I thought maybe I'd found a rare jewel. Figuring the early Bush years were old news and this book was sent to the sale rack been because of that.

First off Ari should have never read his own book. He came off as a real complainer. A man who had written a book to continue to make excuses for his decisions. Notice I didn't say mistakes. He rarely stated a move of his without showing us how he was forced to do so. It was very sad. Even at one point the old Clinton administration pushes him around.

The few moments he gives us of true inside action where wonderful. There may have only been three in the whole book. The Colin Powell condom story was one of them. Ari that's what the reader wanted in the book.

What scared me was that Ari came off as extremely angry at the press. There is one woman reporter who he mocks endlessly in his vocal impersonation of her. I hope she doesn't hear the CD version or she is going to be super mad. Ari spends a very long chapter expaining how the press is unfair and bias. He uses graduation numbers instead of true stories. We all saw the press eat Bill Clinton alive...so it was hard to believe they were nicer to Bill then they were to George. That chapter should have met the shreader.

Ari did show some spots of careless reporting but his use of "you should have believed the White House" was a weak response. After past White House administrations trying to "out sly" the press Ari should have known the press would not simply take him at his word. He came off sounding like a naive high school student.

Several of the world stituations that happened while Ari was in office where handled with amazing skill in real life but Ari made it sound like he was rolled over. The moment where Bush took the megaphone in NYC was the most powerful moment in his presidency. Luckily I saw it because Ari barely mentioned it.

Ari ducked and dodged the press for years. He's mad that he did it. He's still mad at them. The amazing strategies the Bush administration used to keep the American people informed are not mentioned in this book. I wanted to learn something. Instead I see Ari scolding a press member for a inaccurate story that hurt the White House then giving the same guy a hot breaking story in the next breath by accident AND letting the guy run it. What was his reasoning? It sounded weak and also like bad management.

Was Ari out of his league? The book makes it appear so. Luckily I watch all this on television as an American citizen. I know the book paints the wrong picture. To the public Ari did a stand up job and he worked well to keep the American people informed. So next time you write a book Ari stick to your guns and be proud of what you did. It would make for a much better read.

Very fine comedy!
Absolutely rip-roaring hilarious!! It appears that he is actually not trying to be comedic but when one reads "I will always admire the President's calm and self control" (pg. 140, referring to Bush listening to "My Pet Goat" after being informed that his contry is under attack), it should be obvious that we are in the presence of a comedic master or an idiot who manages to be very funny. Either way, one of the funniest books I have read! Minus one star for some tedious passages trying to show himself in a good light without being funny.
The dialogues of george bush that are presented are totally unrealistic and seemed to be calculated to put him in a good light. For eg., he says Bush was a superb military commander as he left all the major decisions to the generals but then conveniently ignores Shinseki. In fact, most of the Iraq war dialogue is very funny now that we know more about what actually happened.

The Rating Depends on Your Point of View
Did my opinion of the president change after reading this book? Not really. I read the book with a somewhat-open mind, in that the book is written from the personal perspective of someone who was there.Fleischer wrote from his perspective; gave his testimoy; in that respect, the books is very well written. We're also talking about someone who trusts the President implicitly, so he's going to defend him. So I can't consider this a totally "objective" account of what was going on in the White House during the time the war was being debated.

I don't particuarly appreciate President Bush's policies and his way of thinking, but I do appeciate the fact that he doesn't change his mind once he makes a decision. (Most might say he won't admit he's made a mistake - that's a risk that's run with standing your ground.)

What I did appreciate about the book was the insight into President Bush's character. It explains to me why he thinks the way he does, and helps me understand why he says what he does. Doesn't mean I appreciate what he says, but understanding a person goes a long way in formulating an opinion.

I also appreciated the behind-the-scenes view into what was going on in the White House during the tense fall of '01.

I loved the insight into the media. Do I think they're biased? Absolutely! The book explains the media as much as it does the White House. Being interested in journalism, I was wrapped up in that part of the book. Doesn't excuse their recent behaviors....but the atmosphere of pressure to get the news out as it happens makes people take corners. I can understand that too.

Bottom line: if you're a Bush supporter, you'll love the book. If you a Bush loather, I don't see this book changing your mind. I wish, however, that you might be able to read it to understand why he is how he is...

Like some people still watch TV: what do they know?
The author, Ari Fleischer, of TAKING HEAT / THE PRESIDENT, THE PRESS, AND MY YEARS IN THE WHITE HOUSE, having been close to events that may yet produce an indictment of presidential adviser Karl Rove, has a point of view which is in need of a form of analysis made possible in modern society by a heady mix of Freud's books on Thomas Woodrow Wilson and WIT AND ITS RELATION TO THE UNCONSCIOUS.People who appreciate this book are likely to be applying the synthesis at the center of the latter, on "The Pleasure Mechanism and the Psychogenesis of Wit" and "The Motives of Wit and Wit as a Social Process."A little old lady named Helen Thomas is so good at filling the role which clowns reserve for representatives of virtue that Chapter 13 (pages 246-258) gives her a platform capable of illustrating section 64 of Nietzsche's THE GAY SCIENCE on "Sceptics. -- I am afraid that old women in their most secret heart of hearts are more sceptical than all men:" only to have her observations about "turmoil in the Arab world, obviously, from all the things we've been doing" answered at the end of the chapter by:

ARI:I think there's a lot of silent rejoicing in the Arab world that Saddam Hussein is gone.

The silent majority was also used by Nixon to justify his policies, which took years and a Congressional action ending American bombing in Southeast Asia instead of the timetable that "Peace is at hand" usually implies.Fortunately for Karl Rove, people tend to allow advisers near the top to expect to get away with a variety of secret circus stunts, justified by ideals worthy of THOMAS WOODROW WILSON, as when George W. Bush stated in March, 2003, "The best thing we have going for us is that our values will unleash that freedom."(p. 335).

Now is hardly the time to use Carl Schmitt's book, THE CONCEPT OF THE POLITICAL, to illustrate what war signifies in modern society:

Hegel has also advanced a definition of the enemy which in general has been evaded by modern philosophers.The enemy is a negated otherness.But this negation is mutual and this mutuality of negations has its own concrete existence, as a relation between enemies; this relation of two nothingnesses on both sides bears the danger of war.([Schmitt's Note], p. 63).

It was in answering a question about the cost of such danger, based on an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office of between $9 and $13 billion, that Ari Fleischer made a famous remark, on October 1, 2002, "The cost of one bullet if the Iraqi people take it upon themselves is substantially less than that."(p. 286).The form of apology demonstrates techniques Freud associated with wit:"I had only one bullet to give my country, and I used it to shoot myself in the foot."(p. 286).Back on May 1, 2002, Helen Thomas was told that regime change in Iraq had already been approved in a law, "passed by the House and Senate, signed into law by President Clinton.Regime change, in whatever form it takes, is the policy of the United States government, under President Clinton, continued under President Bush. . . . Helen, if you were the President, you could have vetoed the law.(Laughter)President Clinton signed it, and the President will keep it enforced."(p. 252).

Politics in America has become so Schmittian that it is not surprising to find that Ari's gratitude to his editor, Claire Wachtel, in the Preface, is primarily about their political differences:

I had the help of many people writing and editing this book.Thank you to my editor at William Morrow, Claire Wachtel.A self-described "knee-jerk liberal," Claire helped me--sometimes forced me--to carefully think through my arguments and back them up.She challenged my assumptions and helped me to move from assertions to reasoned statements supported by evidence.What may seem self-evident to a Republican wasn't good enough for Claire.One of the most helpful and effective "prods" I ever met, I couldn't have written this without her.Thank you for your wisdom.(p. xiii).

To rock and rollers, this might sound too much like the chorus of the song `got my own thing' on Liz Phair's recent `somebody's miracle' (2005) CD."They say that we would get along.So let's just get along.Oooh boy, I'd love to help.Give you enough rope to hang yourself.And watch the silly things you do."The court of public opinion is not as narrow in its scope as the laws which are likely to come to the attention of a special prosecutor who investigates how secret information is used by those who saw a bit more intelligence than the President saw before he claimed that Congress saw the same intelligence he saw."And I hope you're swinging this way too.Boy I do."Liz sounds like part of a war between sexes that becomes "freed from all particular personality" (Schmitt, p. 63), as Hegel put it in "This war is not a war of families against families, but between peoples, and hatred becomes thereby undifferentiated and freed from all particular personality."People at the top like to pretend that they have a frame of reference which is above Hegel's complicated formulation, but then we get a book like TAKING HEAT. ... Read more

Book Description
When Ronald Kessler's The FBI resulted in the dismissal of FBI Director William S. Sessions, it established Kessler as the preeminent examiner of secretive U.S. government organizations. Now Kessler focuses on the most myth-laden and clandestine institution of them all: the modern White House. From the hidden lives of the last seven presidents and first families to the intricate inner workings of this all-powerful institution, Kessler peels away the White House facade to reveal the fascinating and often scandalous reality behind the stately illusion.

With unprecedented access to Secret Service agents, domestic servants, Air Force One Stewards, and military aides, Kessler uncovers the disturbing truth -- from Johnson's blatant infidelities to Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton's sham marriage, and from the excesses of spoiled presidential children to the legendary all-night parties in the White House's underground vaults. Exposing presidential misconduct, blunders, and cover-ups, Inside the White House dramatically lifts the cloak of secrecy surrounding the presidency and reveals the men who acted as monarchs rather than public servants. This fascinating examination ensures that Americans will never view their chief executives the same way again.

Expanded and updated to include the remarkable political transformation that resulted in President Clinton's loss of power. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

A peek at some presidents and first ladies
This book makes interesting reading, since it lifts the curtain slightly and gives us a peek inside the White House and Air Force One.In doing so, we're able to see some of our beloved presidents and their families as they really were when behind closed doors.A few of the resulting revelations may seem startling to some but all appear to be in line with the character of those being peeked upon.

The book is essentially a compilation of observations and information gleaned from those who worked in the White House and on Air Force One, or supported the Presidents or their families, from the beginning of Lyndon Johnson's Administration up to about the middle of the Clinton Administration.It also touches briefly on President Kennedy and includes a broad discussion of Clinton's many escapades while Governor of Arkansas.In my view, this latter discussion was most likely appended because the author was unable to acquire significant information from his sources while Clinton was still in office.

The president who came across the best in this book seemed to be Ronald Reagan.The presidents who came across the worst were Lyndon Johnson and Bill Clinton.The first lady who came across the best was Barbara Bush.The worst would probably have to be Rosalynn Carter.The best presidential child would have to be Chelsea Clinton.

The observations and excerpts which follow reveal the tenor of the book.John F. Kennedy was a known womanizer in an unhappy marriage, but the press never reported it that way, and Jacqueline Kennedy made all staff members sign a pledge not to talk about their experiences in the White House.Lyndon Johnson was not only unscrupulous, but almost as bad a womanizer as Bill Clinton.Once, while on a trip with two governors, Johnson reportedly made the following comment in explaining why the civil rights bill was so important to him.He said it was simple: "I'll have them niggers voting Democratic for two hundred years."One of the author's sources said that President Nixon wasn't an "out-and-out thief for his own personal gain," as Lyndon Johnson was.Instead he had his staff do it.Gerald Ford liked to pass gas and then try to blame it on his Secret Service agents.Jimmy Carter micromanaged to such an extent that White House aides had to call him on Air Force One to get permission to use the tennis courts.Ronald Reagan was said to be "down to earth and easy to talk to," but Nancy was described as strict and demanding.The first President Bush was said to be so out of touch with everyday America that he was amazed to see an electronic price scanner in a supermarket checkout counter.Bill Clinton was described by one insider as "...not doing the hard work of being the CEO, of thinking, planning, and strategizing.He is a mediocre guy getting his kicks out of being the top politician in the land."

Readers of this book, of course, will have to make their own decisions as to what to believe and what not to believe, probably based on their own political persuasions.But it does make interesting reading, and I suspect that most of it is true.

You would've thought I country bumpkin wrote this book.
Johnson's part was hilarious. I was crying with laughter. But the rest of the book was boring, just a bunch of gossip. No juicy details. No funny lines. And definitely anti-Democrats.

Biased
This book looks to be an in-depth expose of the lives of presidents since Kennedy.However, it quickly turns into a anti-Democrat and Clinton-bashing book.Johnson is portrayed as a compulsive liar and serial adulterer and Carter is described as a disingenuous hypoctite.Reagan, on the other hand, is portrayed as a nice man who was a wonderful human being.While this may be true, it is worth noting that this is the same man who lied to the American people about his knowledge of the Iran-Contra scandal and who left office with the worst budget deficit and highest unemployment rate in American history.This man also declared war on the world power that is Granada and bombed that country back to the Stone Age.The auther seems enthralled by Reagan and repeatedly describes him as a great communicator (which he was) and a man who could make you feel good.Of course Reagan could do these things...he was an ACTOR!That is what actors do!The worst part of the book is the end.Kessler wrote this piece in 1995, just over 3 years into the Clinton presidenc.Yet, criticism of Clinton dominates the book and is almost 2.5 times as long as the chapters on Reagan, Johnson, and Nixon who each served over 4 years.Kessler condemns the press for not investigating Clinton's lies about his philandering and makes the case that since Clinton can't keep his Billy in his pants he is unfit to be president.If that were the ultimate judge of a man's ability to govern a country, most of the world's countries would be left without a leader.Also, U.S. presidents throughout history have had mistresses: Jefferson, Cleveland, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Roosevelt among others.The fact is this book does not reveal any bombshells about president's secret lives; all it reveals is Clinton's healthy extramarital sexcapades.Clinton-haters should love this book, though there are better books available on the subject.

wanted to give this a 5 rating
i wanted to give this a 5 rating but after finishing it, you notice that carter and clinton are so much more picked apart than nixon, ford, regan and bush. the republicans are held, for the most part, in highter esteem than the democrats. i recommend this book still though.

More of the Same
Kessler really wants to be a hard-hitting reporter; he takes on the government at every chance he gets, the CIA, the FBI and now the President.Unfortunately with this book he tended to pick the low hanging fruit and gave us more of the same old stuff, the "shocking but true" and the "they don't want you to find out" info.He rattles off some well-used stories about many of the last holders of the office meant to show that power corrupts etc.The only thing I found new was some of the descriptions of the everyday employees of the White House and their daily jobs.Overall this is an average book.I would suggest the better book would be "Shadow" by Woodward - not the best but an improvement over this book. ... Read more

Product Description
special edition signed by author limited to 3500 copies. This is number 2233. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a great read
Henry Kissinger gets slammed for self-promotion, but like the saying goes, 'it ain't bragging if you've done it,' and this volume is full of 'been there, done that' anecdotes. ... Read more

Book Description

Reaching for Glory lets us eavesdrop on LBJ's private, often tortured thoughts during the most crucial year of his presidency -- when his dreams of being hailed as the equal of Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt were destroyed by the war in Vietnam.

As Reaching for Glory opens, LBJ is campaigning for the greatest presidential landslide in history. To win, he hands embarrassing secrets about Barry Goldwater to friendly reporters. When Johnson's closest aide is arrested in a sex scandal, he tries to keep it from exploding before the election.

This audiobook reveals the secret history of how Lyndon Johnson took us step by step, often by stealth, into Vietnam. While publicly boasting that there will be victory in Vietnam, he privately worries that the war can never be won and that it will crush his presidency. He foresees the backlash against the war, civil rights, and the Great Society that will bring Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan to power.

Reaching for Glory lets us hear LBJ's private telephone conversations with Jacqueline Kennedy just after her husband's assassination. It allows us to live at Lyndon Johnson's side, day by day, through the dramatic, triumphant, catastrophic, and pivotal year of a turbulent presidency that continues to affect all of our lives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

LBJ's Secrets Revealed
Michael Beschloss's "Reaching for Glory" is a follow- up book to "Taking Charge". Both of these books contain secretly taped White House conversations from the Johnson presidency. This book covers from early Fall, 1964 through late summer, 1965.

LBJ shows, through his own words, how frustrating and stressful life can be in Washington, especially when engaged in an unpopular war. Read as LBJ expresses his disgust with those who oppose the war while at the same time admitting in private that the Vietnam War cannot be won. He felt that the commitment had been made and there was no way to turn back, even though the chances for victory were slim to none.

Besides the Vietnam War, LBJ has a full plate of other problems to deal with. Racial tensions at home, civil rights, voting rights, the Great Society, possible Communism in the Dominican Republic, and a sex scandal involving one of his closest aides has the president up in arms and stressed to the max. LBJ seems exhausted throughout most of this book, and consistently in a bad mood. He battles depression and anxiety throughout this year of his presidency, knowing that things are not the way they should be and feeling helpless to make them any better.

LBJ was worried about his legacy and always wanted to be remembered as the next Lincoln or FDR and not as "another Harding" as he would often say. But he didn't really get a chance to fulfill his desires as president, thanks to the Vietnam War and other obstacles. He was paranoid and distrustful of most everyone, including many of his friends. Aside from his immediate family, his relationships were not very strong at all during this time in his presidency.

"Reaching for Glory" is, overall, a fun and informative book to read. You feel like you're eavesdropping on the former president and his associates as they converse on the phone. It's all here, with only a small amount of editing and it shows what life was like in the LBJ White House as he tackled the difficult issues during his second year in office.

Finally!the story is told!
I don't mean LBJ's real thoughts about the Vietnam war, although obviously that is a great revelation.I mean that I know why it took Michael Beschloss so long to finish this follow-up to "Taking Charge"....these tapes aretough to listen to. They are not the entertaining excerpts of the previous volume. The '64-'65 excerpts show more of LBJ's warts, andcover painful ground, primarily concerning the war in Vietnam. Also, there is so much material that, unlike with the first volume, I found myself getting bored at times.Surely Beschloss himself must have found putting this volume together more difficult.

Of course, the fact that negative and humdrum things characterized part of the Johnson's presidency during the two years covered was not Beschluss's fault.But I felt some material, most notably some of the well-wishing calls made by the President and Lady Bird to friends, could have been left out or shortened.

Speaking of Lady Bird, however, she becomes a larger and refreshing presence in these tapes.Johnson apparently looked to her as his best critic (in the best sense of the word); she is heard giving him feedback about many speeches. In an era where we tend to think of Hilary Clinton as the first "co-president", it is interesting to learn how much Johnson relied on his wife.

Although it might not be a CD set to take to the beach, I still recommend the audio version of this work (not the written version; Johnson's delivery is an indivisible component of his personality). These annotated tape excerpts are nothing less than a piece of history.

a must for LBJ enthusiasts!
I listened to the cassette versions of "Taking Charge" and "Reaching for Glory" when they first appeared. I listened to "Reaching for Glory" again after two LBJ bios and LBJ does indeed come alive. LBJ was, in the words of Robert Dalleck, a flawed giant. So many contradictions, so much hypocrisy - but yet - not... he was just LBJ.

The tape system which proved to be Nixon's downfall was also used by LBJ and JFK. Luckily for us 40 years later, we have wonderful insight into LBJ and the operation of his administration. The cassette versions are abridged, but getting to hear the actual recordings is fantastic. I anxiously await the third volume of the trilogy.

Listening to the tapes is truly compelling and interesting!
After having thoroughly enjoyed the previous tapes and book in Reaching for Glory, Michael Beschloss again delivers an amzaing account of President Lyndon Johnson's years during the continuing entanglement of Vietnam and the Civil Rights years.Also featured are the interesting relationships he had with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Kennedy, and a horde of other notables that characterized the 60s.The tapes leave little out- to LBJ's private worries about Vietnam, the behind-the-scenes arm twisting and politicking, and the issues of elections and affairs.Michael Beschloss' book itself is good reading, but for the true feeling of the subject material, listening to these tapes of his many secretly recorded conversations is much more revealing a look.

NEW APPRECIATION OF JOHNSON
In rating a book I feel I am usually rating the author as well.However, in books such as this that is based upon transcripts it is hard to truly rate the author.Mr. Beschloss' contribution was limited to doing research to explain the circumstances of the transcripts, choosing the transcripts to use, and the tedious task of transcribing.Original thought, though, is not part of the book.The actual content was provided by Lyndon Johnson and many of the major government movers and shakers of the mid-1960s.

I was a little disappointed and surprised at how "sanitized" the tapes were.I had always thought Johnson's vocabulary was one of the more profane and obscene of all presidents but in both this book and in "Taking Charge" you do not see much evidence of this.

As I read the transcripts I gained a new appreciation for the man.Although I inherited a dislike for the Kennedys and LBJ from my parents, I found myself impressed with many aspects of LBJ.Unlike many others then and now, he was not awed by the Kennedys -- he feared them but was not awed by them.I thought the transcripts of his conversations with Jackie Kennedy in the weeks after the assassination (left out of "Taking Charge" at the request of the Kennedy family) were interesting and even flirtatious as he tried to woo her and keep her friendly while Bobby was becoming less friendly.

I was impressed with the progression into that nightmare in southeast Asia as the President, his senior staff, and Congressional leaders all saw little good coming out of the Vietnam adventure, yet despite their misgivings could not avoid it.There were too many factors that made the decision to escalate that conflict the right choice in the mid-1960s although the risks were well known and the suspicions about the Joint Chiefs of Staff were apparent.Many are critical of President Johnson for publicly proclaiming the conflict as winnable while privately proclaiming the conflict as unwinnable -- yet sending many brave men there anyway.I still recall how the liberal news media proclaiming men such as Senators Church, McGovern, Fulbright, etc as being courageous for being critical of the administration's decision to escalate, but the decision to escalate was in itself was courageous.I also know that Bobby Kennedy was critical of LBJ and that many of President Kennedy's aides and supporters have proclaimed that if JFK had been allowed to serve two full terms we would have pulled out and avoided the problems that LBJ put us through.However, JFK was a politician too.JFK was going to delay any major withdrawals until after the 1964 elections so as to avoid the specter of losing Vietnam during an election campaign.After winning re-election, though, he may have felt compelled to maintain and escalate our involvement because the public was still supportive and to avoid the specter of losing Vietnam during the 1966 mid-term election campaign.After 1966 he may have felt compelled to maintain and escalate our involvement because the public was still supportive and to avoid the specter of losing Vietnam during the 1968 election campaign to choose his successor.And so it goes...

This book covers a short period of the Johnson years.It covers the 1964 campaign and election, the Walter Jenkins sex scandal of October 1964, the crisis in the Dominican Republic in spring 1965, the gradual escalation of forces in Vietnam, etc.I understand Mr. Beschloss is limiting this series to three books so the next book will have a lot to address including the 1966 mid-term elections, the continued escalation of Vietnam and increasing demonstrations against his policies there, race riots, the Pueblo incident, the TET offensive, his decision not to seek re-election, the campaign within the Democratic party to succeed him, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy, the Chicago convention, the 1968 campaign, the transition to Richard Nixon, etc.Wow!That will be a lot to cover for one book! ... Read more

Book Description
Never-before-heard recordings of secretly taped oval office conversations with eight US presidents.

The President doesn't know the position of the administration so you can't know it.—President Lyndon Johnson to Walt Rostow on Vietnam policy, March 4, 1964

Historian John Prados and The New Press have procured recordings made by eight Presidents of their oval office conversations. Never intended for public consumption, these recordings offer portraits of the nation's chief executives responding to and taking action on some of the most critical events of the late twentieth century.

Including phone conversations and confidential meetings, the set offers candid, unscripted exchanges with top aides, political figures, and heads of state. One exchange constitutes the famous "smoking gun" tapes of the Watergate era. Another sequence has Lyndon Johnson finding out from J. Edgar Hoover about the murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi just as he also learns from Robert McNamara about the breaking crisis in Vietnam's Gulf of Tonkin.

The set includes eight digitally remastered CDs of presidential conversations and transcripts of the conversations with historical introductions by John Prados. An additional CD features the companion radio documentary "White House Tapes: The President Calling," produced by Stephen Smith of American RadioWorks® for an upcoming national broadcast on public radio. Boxed set: hardcover with 9 one-hour CDs.

Contents include:
Franklin D. Roosevelt
• the racial integration of the Armed Forces
Dwight D. Eisenhower
• the situation in the Far East
Harry Truman
• the Marshall Plan
John Kennedy
• the March on Washington
• the Diem coup in Vietnam in 1963
Lyndon B. Johnson
• the murders of civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964
• the Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Richard Nixon
• "Smoking Gun" tapes
• The Vietnam War and the invasion of Laos in 1971
• Discussion of Jews in the media, with Billy Graham
Gerald R. Ford
• the first US/Russian joint space mission
• Middle East Peace Agreement in 1975
Ronald Reagan
• the Iran-Contra Affair in 1986 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

good content, bad audio
I absolutely loved this collection.The content is wonderful.I want more!

I would give it five stars if it weren't for the audio quality.

There are eight disks plus a disk called "the white house tapes: the president calling".This last disk was just wonderful with good audio quality. You can listen to this online at the american radioworks website.It will get you hooked.

However, the other disks were hit or miss because they can be really difficult to hear.Many disks "Truman, Roosevelt and Eisenhower", (and to a lesser extent Kennedy and Nixon) were completely unintelligible in the car.Think old-time PA system in a concrete room.Johnson was very good, although there were repetitive sounds from the tape recorder. Ford was good too. I guess listening on a home stereo or with headphones might be a different story.

Maybe the recording technology on many of the tapes just wasn't there.You figure with today's technology there would be some way to clean up the audio, especially when you're paying so much for the collection.

a great, great thing...
okay... this is fantastic.Its great listening to all this stuff!I first heard it on NPR, and then went out to buy the CDs...I absolutely loved it!(it aired again recently, I think... for president's day)So why the 4 stars, instead of 5?Its pricey.But I promise, it's totally worth it too.You just have to bite the bullet on this one. ... Read more

Book Description

"I didn't touch the book. It was Ellen who ruined it," Anne Randolph's words echoed through the president's library.

Thomas Jefferson's New Testament has been cut to ribbons, and his granddaughter, nine-year-old Ellen Randolph, is blamed by her older sister, Anne. Just after Ellen clears her name, a skeleton model is smashed, and Ellen is in trouble again.

As Ellen and her older brother Jeff search the President's house for clues about the skeleton, they only find more mysteries. What happened to the president's pet mockingbird? And who has been printing Anne's private mail in the newspaper?

But the question most dear to Ellen is How can I get along with Anne? As she searches the New Testament for an answer, she uncovers a wonderful secret that will change her life.

Marianne Hering was on the staff of Clubhouse magazine for eight years. She has written the Lights, Camera, Action Mysteries and articles for many Christian magazines. Marianne lives in Colorado with her husband, Doug, and daughter, Danielle.

Ages: 7-10
Value: Love

Customer Reviews (1)

Long book but worth the while
Bought this book for my in law since he loves to read. He mentioned for me to give it a whirl so I did. Great details from a woman whose life itself was under a microscope. ... Read more

Book Description
A fighter pilot in Spain, Luke Winslow loses the woman heloves and turns from his faith. When he accidentally kills an old friendwhile drunk, out of guilt, he tries to help his friend's sister, Joelle, inher work with troubled girls. In the Army Air Corps, he fights his nemesisfrom the war in Spain, the Black Knight. Now dubbed the White Knight, Lukefights his foe and for the woman he loves, Joelle. In the heat of life'sbattles, will Luke turn to his only true refuge? Book 40 in the bestsellingHouse of Winslow. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

End of the House of Winslow
After reading "The White Knight" I decided it must be time for the House of Winslow to come to an end. I have read all 40 books and did enjoy the series and historical accounts. I suppose I enjoyed the earlier books much more than the later ones. I really got into the characters of Sky Winslow and his family and that era. Probably the highlight of this book were the reunions of the Winslows. I had difficulty warming up to Luke or Noelle either one. I finally skimmed through the pages of Luke's drunken days. I felt that went on too long. So much of the story line and phrases we have read in other Gilbert Morris books. However, when you are on the 40th in a series, I'm sure it must be difficult to come up with new ideas. It had a good story line but so familiar as if I had read it in other Morris Books. However, I would read any Gilbert Morris books as they are always a favorite of mine.

End of an era
The House of Winslow series finally comes to an end with the story of Luke Winslow in "The White Knight". He's a pilot fighting in the Spanish Civil War when his girlfriend's family is killed by German bombers. Feeling depressed he returns home to his family only to become a drunk who mopes around all the time. When one of his war buddies offers him a job, Luke attempts to sober up for it but finds he can't. This mistake costs the life of his friend, which Luke feels responsible for. Ironically Luke finds himself later employed by his friend's sister, who he has kept his identity a secret from. The two fall in love but under false pretenses. When Joelle finds out Luke is in danger of losing her forever. Then Pearl Harbor happens and when Luke feels the call to go into war, he must decide how to prove that he has to be true to himself.

I felt this book was an improvement over the last few that have come out in the series. Luke and Joelle aren't cardboard characters and neither are they complete repeats of Morris' former characters. As always with Morris's books is the rich detail of the culture and history of the time period. I did like how there was a family reunion because the last few books have isolated the main Winslow character with no contact from other family members. It was nice to see some of the older clan from Sky Winslow's descendants back in the story again. I guess however it was wishful thinking to include every Winslow in the reunion, the family tree is way too big and confusing. Also maybe it's just me the two people on the cover, representing Luke and Joelle, look just like Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four, Amazing Grace) and Kate Beckinsale in Pearl Harbor. So that's who I kept picturing the entire time I was reading the book. While there is some plot that seems to be repeated (hiding true identity, being the only non Christian in the family), this book seemed on par with the earlier novels in the series.

I'm really sad to see the series ending, I mean WWII isn't even halfway over. I always wonder why Christian historical fiction never goes past WWII. There might be one or two books about the fifties, but other than flashbacks we hardly ever read about the 60s, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, anything in the 80s. Do they consider it too recent to be history? Do we have to wait another 50 years before they'll start writing historical fiction about that age? I wish though they could have at least updated the tree to include the last few books. Alana still isn't married and I still feel sorry for poor Dan Greene and Anne Winslow's family from back in the 1800s, they got mentioned in book 7 and then disappeared right after that! I also never understood why they created a new entire family line with Maylon Winslow, and the whole bit with Lance Winslow all of a sudden becoming a southerner was ridiculous. Little discrepancies aside, I really enjoyed reading HOW, this was one of the first Christian fiction series I read after becoming a Christian so I've grown up with it. I've learned a lot from reading these books, in fact it's one of the reasons I got interested in history. While plots tended to repeat themselves and some characters were intolerable, the series does show a good representation that the changes in America do not affect a family of strong Christian faith. ... Read more

Amazon.com
For 13 days in October 1962, the United States and the Soviet Unionteetered on the brink of a nuclear exchange after the Soviets placedintermediate-range missiles on the island of Cuba. U.S. forces were poised atred alert while the Soviets pledged to launch nuclear weapons if the island wasinvaded. As the world watched anxiously, President John F. Kennedy and SovietPremier Nikita Khrushchev negotiated a truce that averted disaster. Throughoutthis tense period, Kennedy and his closest advisors planned their strategycarefully, while--unknown to all but Kennedy, his secretary, and possibly hisbrother Robert--the historic discussions were being taped by hidden microphonesplaced in the Oval Office. More than 23 hours of meetings and telephone callswere recorded, all of which have been painstakingly transcribed and documentedin The Kennedy Tapes, providing an intimate perspective on the decision- making process and the personalities involved. Enhanced by the commentary andanalysis of historians Ernest R. May and Philip D. Zelikow, this volume is theessential reader on the Cuban missile crisis. Book Description
The closest most of us will ever come to being inside the Oval Office at a moment of crisis. For sheer drama, this work of history may never be duplicated. The events of the Cuban Missile Crisis unfold in the actual words of President John F. Kennedy and his top advisers. Now available in a new, concise edition, this book retains its gripping sense of history in the making. 20 photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Behind closed doors ...
Have you ever wondered what is being said behind closed doors, in those places where important decisions are made?. If you have, Ernest R. May and Philip D. Zelikow allow you to learn just that, at least regarding the conversations that took place in the White House during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

This book contains the transcriptions of those discussions, and many notes that contribute to clarify certain details that the reader might well not be aware of. The editors of "The Kennedy tapes" are able to offer us this unexpected treat thanks to the fact that an audio tape recorded the conversations of the committee that was formed to deal with the crisis. It is generally thought that only President Kennedy and his secretary knew that their words were being recorded, and we can easily believe that when we realize that the different functionaries said exactly what they thought, without wasting time in order to formulate their ideas in a politically correct way :)

It is almost scary to know how little did the persons involved in the decision making process know about what was really happening at that time, and about how would the URSS react to their optional courses of action. But then, I guess that complete information is never available, and less during a crisis of that magnitude... However, after reading these pages, I cannot help but wonder what would have happened if, for example, USA had launched a preventive attack on Cuba. The answers to that question are many, and none of them is good. I suppose we should be grateful to President Kennedy and his advisors, for somehow arriving to a course of action that avoided the real possibility of a nuclear war.

I think it is worthwhile to point out that the editors of this book wrote not only an interestingintroduction, but also an excellent conclusion to this book. The introduction explains very well the Cold War context in which this crisis developed, and how recent and ongoing events affected the perspective of the decision makers. On the other hand, the conclusion sums up what happened, taking into account "the other side" (URSS), and the peculiarities of the decision-making process in Soviet Russia. The editors also include their own considerations, all of which I consider worthwhile remembering. For example, when they reflect on the kind of lesson they think this book can teach to the reader, they say that "Someone who wants to learn all that can be learned from this extraordinary record of decision-making needs not only to notice how the process stutters and veers amid barrages of detail but also to infer how individuals of different backgrounds and temperaments are sorting the detail, discerning choices, and electing among those choices (...)".

"The Kennedy tapes" is a rather impressive book due to the fact that it is quite long. However, it is also very helpful if you want to know more about the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the kind of environment that surrounds difficult decisions in the higher levels of authority. It is certainly more comfortable to believe that those decisions are at all times informed and rational, but unfortunately (as this book shows) that not always happens. May and Zelikow say that "Reconstruction that oversimplifies or ignores the incessant tension between realities and beliefs makes us no wiser. By coming fully to grips with the particulars of past moments of choice, we may become better able to handle our own". We can only hope that is the case...

On the whole, I think you will benefit a lot from reading this book. It allows you the opportunity to really "listen" to what happened in the discussions surrounding the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, without intermediaries. Take advantage of the privilege of listening to what happens behind closed doors!.

Belen Alcat

The Evil Voice of The Council on Foreign Relations Speaketh
The Authors, Ernest R. May and Philip D. Zelikow, (both billed as editors-supposedly of the tapes) are members of the super-evil Council on Foreign Relations (CFR,) a secret society founded by the Rockefellers for the sole benefit of the Rockefellers and their small cadre of treasonous lap dogs who control scads of other secret societies under the guise of tax-exempt foundations that collectively, persistently, even feverishly work toward that sacrosanct goal that despots and tyrants like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, the Rockefellers, John McCloy, Prescott Bush, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry have sought to enforce upon mankind for centuries; globalization under a New World Order absolutely controlled by the Rockefellers and their cohorts; a world order under one world government under which the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and U.S. sovereignty would cease to exist!

Like the Warren Report, this work covers only what the CFR wants Americans to believe on the subject.Americans are supposed to naively believe that nothing else of consequence can be found on those tapes by other researchers.This is utter whitewash.Don't waste a penny on this un-American trash.If you love America and cherish the freedom guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, invest the money you would spend on this propaganda in whatever it takes to ensure that these monsters are stopped once and for all.

A definite "insiders" tale...
I'd really like to give this 3 1/2 stars (not quite 4 stars). This book is not for the average history reader...you will be confused and sometimes mis-led as you slog through these transcripts. The saving grace for this book is the authors' interjections at the beginning and end of each chapter to kind of summarize what just transpired (...a complete sentence is a rarity here...just what you'd expect from real time transcripts). Also, the Introduction and Conclusion sections are classic history telling and made me wish that the authors would write their own story of the "Crisis". Overall, worthwile for the Cuban Missile Crisis buff, but be prepared for slow reading.

Fascinating Actual Account of History
To be honest, I bought this book used after seeing the movie "13 Days." In fact, I ordered this book the very night I came home from the movie, wondering if it would be worth the money spent.. Now, having read through it, I must admit that this was a very fascinating and intriguing book.

The book is an actual copy (i.e. transcript) of taped conversations that occurred in the Whitehouse during the Cuban Missile crisis. The book was so fascinating for the sole fact that it presents (true to life) all the details which were actually being spoken of, on, about, etc. The reader can actually sense the emotion, tension, anguish, and despair that comes out in some of these conversations. In fact, the intensity in this book puts the movie to shame (which is usually the case with most good books).

This book consists of conversation's of the National Security Council, President Kennedy,Robert Kennedy, and the President's advisors. The book is very revealing and honest (since it is true to life) and it paints a very vulnerable picture of just how easy things could fall apart in this 'invincible' place we call home. Fortunately, we as readers today actually know the outcome is positive. However, the terror comes through the pages when, as I read, the realization that these men have no idea what is going to happen as this whole situation unfolds. That was one of the riveting things about this book.

Overall, this is a great book for those who are interested in American history, or Presidential history, etc. I recommend it, especially since it is so fascinating and also because it is an actual account word for word accurate. That makes for great objective history.

One of the best books ever written.
I think that this is a very interesting book.When I found out that it was being published, I bought it right away.I've read a lot of books about the Cuban Missile Crisis, but this is the first book that I've read about this subject that has the truth about events that occurred in the White House during the crisis.The book had a lot of action and suspense that kept me interested and excited throughout the entire book.It also accurately includes Kennedy's attempts to end the crisis and to avoid the pressures by the Joint Chiefs to make President Kennedy either attack the missile sites or invade Cuba.I thought that this was a really good book and I really enjoyed reading it.I also think that this book is worth reading. ... Read more

Book Description
"Fascinating. . . . First Ladies is a wonderfully generous look at the women who, often against their wishes, took on what Truman calls 'the world's second toughest job.' "
--The Christian Science Monitor
Whether they envision their role as protector, partner, advisor, or scold, First Ladies find themselves in a job that is impossible to define, and just as difficult to perform. Now Margaret Truman, daughter of President Harry Truman and an acclaimed novelist and biographer in her own right, explores the fascinating position of First Lady throughout history and up to the present day.
With her unique perspective as the daughter of a First Lady, Ms. Truman reveals the truth behind some of the most misunderstood and forgotten First Ladies of our history, as well as the most famous and beloved. In recounting the charm and courage of Dolley Madison, the brazen ambition of Florence Harding, the calm, good sense of Grace Coolidge, the genius of Eleanor Roosevelt, the mysterious femininity of Jackie Kennedy, and the fierce protectiveness of Nancy Reagan, among others, Margaret Truman has assembled an honest yet affectionate portrait of our nation's First Ladies--one that freely acknowledges their virtues and their flaws. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

History plus!
I have been collecting First Ladies' autographs as a hobby, and wanted to know more about the women whose signatures I was hanging on my office walls. This book takes the reader through an exciting, humorous, interesting, and at times touching ride through our country's history. Even though I am a long-term history afficionado, I can honestly say I learned a lot from this book. There are so many things that seem to have been glossed over in "traditional" history education, and this book helps to fill in many gaps by revealing a very human side to both the presidents and their wives. By reading this book, one not only learns about the first ladies, but also about the period in American history that corresponds with the respective husband's tenure as President. Of note, the information provided is mostly limited to the time spent as "First Lady", but does give a bit of background on the women's lives prior to their White House days. In addition, there is a chapter entitled "Is There Life After The White House?" which explores in more depth certain First Ladies' (Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis, Ladybird Johnson for ex)travels and doings after their husbands were no longer president. After each chapter, I found myself looking up portaits online, and wanting to know more. Though this book does not cover every First Lady, and does not include the current First Lady (Hillary Clinton is the last), it is nonetheless a well-written, thorough book on the First Ladies that it does discuss, and is guaranteed to bring a new vantage point to the reader on American history, social life, and human perserverance. Of note, this is not a book with a feminist slant - it is objective, and intelligently written, with only slight opinion commentary by the author. Even the commentary that does exist is presented as an "aside"; in otherwords, the reader is not made to feel that Mrs. Truman's opinions are the only valid ones, but instead, the reader is allowed to form opinions from the facts presented. I highly recommend this book.

FIRST LADIES: AN INTIMATE GROUP PORTRAIT OF WHITE HOUSE WIVES
THIS WAS A VERY INTERESTING BOOK AND GAVE AN INSITE TO THE LIVES OF THE WHITE HOUSE FIRST LADIES. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.

Excellent and Informative History on First Ladies
This book is a very well researched, excellently written piece of history.Highly recommended non-fiction when you're looking to learn something you didn't learn in high school.

Political Partners
From her unique perspective and personal contacts with many Twentieth Century First Ladies, Margaret Truman has told their stories in a most interesting way.The brief biographies primarily cover the years each of these Ladies resided in the White House, although their roles in getting there are not overlooked.

The concept of President and First Lady as political partners is central to the book.How and to what extent each First Lady fits into this mold is carefully examined.The influence that each First Lady has had on her husband and his administration brings some surprises.

We know of the public partners, such as Rosalynn Carter and Hillary Clinton, as well as those such as Lady Bird Johnson, who would do anything to advance Lyndon's career, and Eleanor Roosevelt, the eyes and ears of Franklin, but there were others.Who would have thought of Julia Tyler, the young second wife of John Tyler who, in her year in the White House, orchestrated a whirlwind entertainment campaign to achieve the annexation of Texas.Another second wife, Edith Wilson, virtually ran the country during her husband's two year illness after his stroke.There were those, such as Julia Grant and Helen Taft, who wanted the White House worse than their husbands.

Margaret Truman does an excellent job at categorizing the First Ladies topically.Among the tragic topics are those who may have been killed by newsprint, Rachel Jackson and Lou Hoover.Maligned First Ladies, such as Mary Lincoln, and those who lived with domineering husbands, such as Grace Coolidge, get sympathetic reviews.No sympathies are wasted on the undeserving, prominently Florence Harding.

Inthis book Margaret Truman gives us a splendid introduction to one of the most crucial jobs in our country.I am glad that I read it.You will be too.

First rate praise for "First Ladies"
Thank you Ms. Truman for doing what our high school teachers never quite accomplished. You made the past come alive with colorful characters who changed the world. I have a new appreciation for our Presidents and their wives. You accomplished what your father wished -- you wrote the definitive book on the subject and spoke to our hearts. I would love for you to add a chapter about Laura Bush, who has been such an inspiration to us all since 9-11. ... Read more