In the President's Secret Service

Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect

By: Ronald Kessler

Narrated by: Alan Sklar

Secret Service agents, acting as human surveillance cameras, observe everything that goes on behind the scenes in the president's inner circle. Ronald Kessler reveals what they have seen, providing startling, previously untold stories about the presidents, from John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson to George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as about their families, Cabinet officers, and White House aides.

Kessler portrays the dangers that agents face and how they carry out their missions---from how they are trained to how they spot and assess potential threats. With fly-on-the-wall perspective, he captures the drama and tension that characterize agents' lives. In this headline-grabbing book, Kessler discloses assassination attempts that have never before been revealed. He shares inside accounts of past assaults that have put the Secret Service to the test, including a heroic gun battle that took down the would-be assassins of Harry S. Truman, the devastating day that John F. Kennedy was killed in Dallas, and the swift actions that saved Ronald Reagan after he was shot. While Secret Service agents are brave and dedicated, Kessler exposes how Secret Service management in recent years has betrayed its mission by cutting corners, risking the assassination of President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and their families. Given the lax standards, "It's a miracle we have not had a successful assassination," a current agent says. ,p>Since an assassination jeopardizes democracy itself, few agencies are as important as the Secret Service---and few subjects are as tantalizing as the inner sanctum of the White House. Only tight-lipped Secret Service agents know the real story, and Kessler is the only journalist to have won their trust.

©2009 Ronald Kessler (P)2009 Tantor

Interesting stuff...

What made the experience of listening to In the President's Secret Service the most enjoyable?

I liked it. It was fun to hear inside stories about what goes on behind the scenes. Interesting stuff.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In the President's Secret Service?

The fact they are lax in using metal detectors for large crowds, makes me not want to go to a event like that.

Good to know

Excellent book detailing the presidents and how they treat the people who serve them personally, keeping them safe at all times. Interesting how the Democratic presidents come off as being expectant and non caring toward those who serve them. The Republicans seem to want to take them in, be friendly and respectful, appreciative of the service these heroes provide every day. A good read, and one that imparts information the public needs to know. I enjoyed the read, and shared it with friends who enjoyed it as well.

Inside more than just the Secret Service

Let the contents of this book be a cautionary lesson to all future presidents, first family members, presidential candidates, etc:
The Secret Service agents who protect you will eventually give Ronald Kessler all of the embarrassing details about you that they were able to observe, along with a candid assessment of how well or poorly you treated the people around you.

Very Informative

So much one had no idea about the people we elect to govern our country and how they are when not in the spotlight. Seems as if some of the elected presidents were less than than their public images portrayed them.

Worth Reading

informative. Even though one would have to be extremely naive to believe the Warren Commission and the FBI regarding the JFK Assassination.