The Presidents Club

Inside the World's Most Exclusive Fraternity

By: Nancy Gibbs, Michael Duffy

Narrated by: Bob Walter

Length: 22 hrs

Publisher's summary

The Presidents Club was born at Eisenhower’s inauguration when Harry Truman and Herbert Hoover first conceived the idea. Over the years that followed - and to this day - the presidents relied on, misunderstood, sabotaged, and formed alliances with one another that changed history. The world’s most exclusive fraternity is a complicated place: its members are bound forever because they sat in the Oval Office and know its secrets, yet they are immortal rivals for history’s favor.

Some presidents needed their predecessors to keep their secrets; others needed them to disappear. Most just needed help getting the job done. Truman enlisted Hoover to help him save Europe; Kennedy turned to Ike on Cuba; Nixon sought Johnson’s advice on getting reelected, but then tried to blackmail him; Ford and Carter couldn’t stand each other until they saw what they had in common; Reagan and Clinton relied on Nixon as an off-the-books emissary to Russia; Bush put Clinton and his father to work and they became like father and son; and Obama and Clinton became quiet rivals for the same crown.

Journalists and presidential historians Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy unravel the secret compacts, the shared scars, and the private cease-fires from Hoover to Obama. The Presidents Club will change the way we think about the presidency, for the club itself is an instrument of presidential power.

©2012 Nancy Gibbs, Michael Duffy (P)2012 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

"This is essential reading for anyone interested in American politics.” (Robert Dallek, best-selling author of An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917–1963)

“Forget Rome’s Curia, Yale’s Skull and Bones and the Bilderbergs - the world’s most exclusive club never numbers more than six. Its rules are inscrutable, and its members box the compass politically and stylistically.... Michael Duffy and Nancy Gibbs have penetrated thick walls of secrecy and decorum to give us the most intimate, revealing, and poignant account of the constitutional fifth wheel that is the ex-presidency. Readers are in for some major surprises, not to mention a history they won’t be able to put down.” (Richard Norton Smith, author of Patriarch: George Washington and the New American Nation)

“ The Presidents Club is magnetically readable, bursting with new information and behind-the-scenes details. It is also an important contribution to history, illuminating the event-making private relationships among our ex-Presidents and why we should do a far better job of drawing on their skills and experience.” (Michael Beschloss, best-selling author of The Conquerers)

A fascinating read

The surprise is how much of a brotherhood this group has often been. Though it shouldn’t be considering the magnitude of the job. It was a great insight into the better nature of almost every president covered (with the exception of Carter).

The best book I've listened to this year, so far!

If you could sum up The Presidents Club in three words, what would they be?

Detailed, Historical, Important

Who was your favorite character and why?

I learned more and appreciated more about every president. Their need for confidants and trust was evident and important to learn about. How, even those that history may not appreciate, that they were all extremely helpful and knowledgable and appreciative of America and their successors and predecessors.. I really loved every bit of the book. I can't think of even one criticism.

What does Bob Walter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I like listinening to my books at 3x the speed and when going that fast he was still very clear and understandable.

Outstanding

This book gave me a whole new understanding of of various aspects of the "Theater of politics". It has inspired me to read more into each president.

The club you've never heard of

I enjoyed this book, and not only because I did not know of the club's existence. Good history, interesting facts - would recommend.

Great to relive this history

Where does The Presidents Club rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best histories I have listened to because of the personal characterization it brought to our modern presidencies. I have relived the history of my youth with details that were not known to the public at that time in order to illustrate the relationships ex-presidents have with current presidents. It gives you a new outlook on presidents you thought you knew.

A must read

This is a must read for students of American History, or those curious about the modern days presidents and their relations. It may very well change your perception about one or two of the last ten or so presidents.

Amazing book!!

Extremely informative and captivating!! This book will change how you view politics. I highly recommend.

A tour de force of contemplatuve informatiob

Due to my going back through portions if the book repeatedly, it took me several days to finish. This was done from intrigue with the information given. An xcellent and compelling read!

Only Those Who’ve Sat In The Chair

I love the perspective in this book. It is said in these times that the only statesmen we have are the ones out of office.

This inside look shows both the presidencies and post-presidencies of every American President from Herbert Hoover forward. It gives me hope that the nation can eventually come together.

And it is rollicking good history.

Outstanding look at presidential power after the time in office

Fascinating look at what happens after a president leaves office. Some just drift away others, even though the title is gone try to hold on to power.