Don't Tell the President: The Best, Worst, and Mostly Untold Stories from Presidential Advance
Don't Tell the President: The Best, Worst, and Mostly Untold Stories from Presidential Advance
Don't Tell the President: The Best, Worst, and Mostly Untold Stories from Presidential Advance
Description
Description
Dukakis is in the tank! The Queen looks like a talking purple hat! We didn't leave Chelsea Clinton in Moscow, right?
The most harrowing and hilarious stories behind presidential events over the past sixty years--from the Rose Garden to Air Force One, foreign trips to the campaign trail--detailing the art of preparation that goes into these delicate, high stress operations and revealing how they have often been one step away from disaster. Featuring a foreword by Jon MeachamDon't Tell the President is a collection of the greatest tales of triumph and near-crisis in presidential advance. Behind every seamless campaign appearance and presidential affair lies the meticulous work of event planners and advance teams--the little-known professionals who transform political logistics into carefully choreographed performances.
Here are illuminating first-hand accounts from dedicated employees who worked for every modern-day president from Lyndon Johnson to Barack Obama, a few First Ladies, a few vice presidents, and a few wannabes.
Experience some of the most searing events from behind the scenes, including:
- Memorable moments from the campaign trail, including Lyndon Johnson's 1960 trip to Boston as John Kennedy's newly minted running mate and Barack Obama's first rally appearance with Oprah.
- Riveting accounts from the advance team with President Reagan on the day he was shot to the terrible hours on 9/11 from someone who was on Air Force One with President Bush.
- Those hectic and often historic foreign trips including Vice President George Bush's cloak-and-dagger trip in Communist Poland; President Reagan's "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" speech in Berlin; and President George W. Bush's secret trip to Iraq on Thanksgiving Day.
- And a few stories when the foreign dignitaries came to visit us, including Queen Elizabeth's famous "talking purple hat" speech on the South Lawn of the White House.
- And an all-star team of advance contributors - many who went on to be political figures themselves including former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates; radio host and CNN contributor Michael Smerconish; and former Senator Rob Portman. Also, a first-hand account from former Secret Service agent Barbara Riggs who had to deal with inappropriate advances of Manuel Noreiga.
- And yes, the regrettable and now infamous gaffes, when Bob Dole's campaign event turned into a photo op with Woody Woodpecker, Frankenstein, Charlie Chaplin, and Mae West; and when a pig relieved himself on Vice President George Bush on a farm in Iowa.
Allowing us to witness presidential history and politics from a new angle, Don't Tell the President brings together the hilarious chaos of Veep and the grandeur of The West Wing. It is a memorable and at times laugh-out loud funny look at how many presidential events happen--and how many almost went awry.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
"Not only is 'Don't Tell the President consistently entertaining, it shows us crucial usually-hidden aspects of the Presidency that tell us much about the office and about many of those who have served. Jean Becker and Tom Collamore have given us a volume that is both a treat and public service." -- Michael Beschloss, author of Presidents of War
"Too often, historical memoirs are cut and dried--often boring. Not this one! This collection of memories and stories about the modern American presidency has everything: never before told tales, near disasters and last minute saves, insider intrigue, dramatic events and humor. Lots of humor. Don't Tell the President is a unique blend of serious history and Keystone Kops as told by eyewitnesses, most of whom were not fired." -- Robert M. Gates, Former U.S. Secretary of Defense
"Mark Twain once said truth is stranger than fiction. Here's the proof in this incredible behind-the-scenes look at presidential advance. The stories are wild--you won't be able to put it down. " - Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling author of The JFK Conspiracy
"Don't Tell the President is the book you didn't know you needed. I delighted in the behind the scenes tales of putting together presidential events. What a triumph for Jean and Tom -- we owe them a debt of gratitude for writing these stories down. They are priceless! Long live the advance teams -- no longer the best kept secret in political communications." - Dana Perino, New York Times bestselling author of I Wish Someone Had Told Me...
"Don't Tell the President is the best kind of White House history--a front row seat to the chaos, comedy, and choreography that keeps the leader of the free world looking confident and composed. Or not. Sharp, hilarious, and full of behind-the-scenes surprises, these stories from presidential advance prove that history doesn't just happen--it's meticulously (and sometimes manically) pulled off." -- George Stephanopoulos, bestselling author of The Situation Room
"Too often, historical memoirs are cut and dried--often boring. Not this one! This collection of memories and stories about the modern American presidency has everything: never before told tales, near disasters and last minute saves, insider intrigue, dramatic events and humor. Lots of humor. Don't Tell the President is a unique blend of serious history and Keystone Kops as told by eyewitnesses, most of whom were not fired." -- Robert M. Gates, Former U.S. Secretary of Defense
"Mark Twain once said truth is stranger than fiction. Here's the proof in this incredible behind-the-scenes look at presidential advance. The stories are wild--you won't be able to put it down. " - Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling author of The JFK Conspiracy
"Don't Tell the President is the book you didn't know you needed. I delighted in the behind the scenes tales of putting together presidential events. What a triumph for Jean and Tom -- we owe them a debt of gratitude for writing these stories down. They are priceless! Long live the advance teams -- no longer the best kept secret in political communications." - Dana Perino, New York Times bestselling author of I Wish Someone Had Told Me...
"Don't Tell the President is the best kind of White House history--a front row seat to the chaos, comedy, and choreography that keeps the leader of the free world looking confident and composed. Or not. Sharp, hilarious, and full of behind-the-scenes surprises, these stories from presidential advance prove that history doesn't just happen--it's meticulously (and sometimes manically) pulled off." -- George Stephanopoulos, bestselling author of The Situation Room
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Harper
Pub date:
2026-02-03
Length:
320 pages
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