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

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Not so good

The reader had a whiny voice and the text was too self deprecating (personally aggrandizing) to be fully credible. There were some very good points but FAR too repetitive.

Meh

Not that bad, but not that great either. Can't tell if the Secret Service should have our praise, our sympathy, or just be disbanded all together.

Total Waste of a credit...Don't waste your time!

Would you try another book from Ronald Kessler and/or Alan Sklar?

No

What could Ronald Kessler have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

If you are a right wing conservative it will right up your alley.

Any additional comments?

How can the Democratic Presidents of the last 50 years all be so horrible to work for and Republicans all be so sweet and accommodating.

A lightweight gossip rag

This was quite a let down. I was expecting an in depth and captivating read but instead endured a salacious kiddie pool of a book filled with excitable gossip and unsubstantiated drivel.

A Dissapointment

I had hoped for deep insightfulness related to the history and workings of the Secret Service. What I found was a much repeated theme describing how the Secret Service does not get its funding due as compared to the FBI. A one-time description of how they are underfunded would have sufficed (if this were indeed true). But, just in case we readers could not get it the first time, this subject was repeated throughout the book. Same goes for the poor management of the Secret Service - not caring for the needs of its staff. Once would have been enough.

And, it appears the Republician Presidents and their families have been MUCH nicer to the Secret Service employees than their Democratic counterparts. Interesting.....but there appeared an aura of bias in those descriptions.

Overall, a dissapointment.

Just quit toward the end!

At times informative, gossipy, snarky ; this book just left me cold . I did enjoy hearing good things about politicians that I was not fond of ! Conversely bad actions by those I though better of.

mainly gossip about the first family

mainly gossip about the first family, I was hoping for more on Secret Service tactics and training.

Just a gossip rag

I purchased this book expecting to learn how the secret service works, but all I learned was useless gossip and one sided opinions of the author. I did learn an important lesson, read other member reviews before purchasing. Most of the reviewers share my opinion regarding the book. The book contained very little actual history or a "behind the scene" look at the secret service. I wish I could return this download, at least I can delete it and warn others before they make the same mistake.

In the President's Secret Service

I found the book to be disjointed, boring and most of all self serving. I would not recomment it. To much like a cry baby's persective.

just horrible

Such a waste of money or credits. Please don't waste yours.