Sex with Presidents

The Ins and Outs of Love and Lust in the White House

By: Eleanor Herman

Narrated by: Emily Rankin

Length: 12 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

In this fascinating work of popular history, the New York Times best-selling author of Sex with Kings and The Royal Art of Poison uncovers the bedroom secrets of American presidents and explores the surprising ways voters have reacted to their leaders’ sex scandals.

While Americans have a reputation for being strait-laced, many of the nation’s leaders have been anything but puritanical. Alexander Hamilton had a steamy affair with a blackmailing prostitute. John F. Kennedy swam nude with female staff in the White House swimming pool. Is it possible the qualities needed to run for president - narcissism, a thirst for power, a desire for importance - go hand in hand with a tendency to sexual misdoing?

In this entertaining and eye-opening book, Eleanor Herman revisits some of the sex scandals that have rocked the nation's capital and shocked the public, while asking the provocative questions: does rampant adultery show a lack of character or the stamina needed to run the country? Or perhaps both? While Americans have judged their leaders' affairs harshly compared to other nations, did they mostly just hate being lied to? And do they now clearly care more about issues other than a politician’s sex life?

What is sex like with the most powerful man in the world? Is it better than with your average Joe? And when America finally elects a female president, will she, too, have sexual escapades in the Oval Office?

©2020 Eleanor Herman (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Who knew?

Entertaining review of Presidential affairs. This is a reminder that there is nothing new in men’s behavior, just things that were covered up and swept under the rug.

A bit explicit but...

I found it interesting how history (Watergate, Vietnam) changed the way we, as a society, and the press treat presidential sex scandals.

Excellent story but obvious author’s political bias.

This is a fun listen. Too bad the author’s political bias against conservatives was so obvious.
Clinton great deeds in office and Trump none.
Gary Hart likely would have been wonderful President.
Made me shutter.
Just facts ma’am, just the facts.

Fascinating Insights from history

Initially leery about whether to listen to this book, I found it helpful in understanding current social response to politicians’ flagrant sexual behaviors. Society has, apparently since the beginning of time, chosen to ignore powerful leaders’ sexual practices outside of marriage as at the least ‘acceptable’ and often ‘normal’ and to be ignored as not important to their public leadership work. These deeply rooted beliefs and almost pervasive practices continue to have a hold over American society. There seems to be now distinction between the who, what, when, where, or why’s of the sexual practices.

What men will do.

Insightful reading on a subject so prevalent in the world . I would recommend reading this book.

Worth a listen

I enjoyed the book. It was well narrated and interesting. I didn't notice a political bias, and I lean to the right. I especially enjoyed the chapters on JFK, LBJ and the brief exploits of Italian PM Silvio Burlusconi in the Prologue. Some stories are really heart beaking, others are softer and make for a well-rounded listen. I also liked the female narrator, she did a great job.

Wow

This book it’s addictive. And the narrators voice makes it better. A must read asap

lots of speculation no facts

I wish I could return this book. if you want wild speculation, this is it

Yawn…used fast forward a lot.

Some fact, lots of speculation and assumption. Didn’t care for the “victimization” of women narrative or inference that women will behave differently because women are somehow morally superior.