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Most Helpful Favorable Review
14 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
Amazing!!!!
Secret Service agents have always facinated me -- their strength, training, "stone faced looks" into the crowds, etc... This book takes you inside their training compound and state of mind. I found their thoughts and rememberances of former presidents and first ladies ...Read More
Secret Service agents have always facinated me -- their strength, training, "stone faced looks" into the crowds, etc... This book takes you inside their training compound and state of mind. I found their thoughts and rememberances of former presidents and first ladies absolutely facinating! Every American knows these agents have an extremely trying job, but I never knew how trying until reading this book. My hope is the management level of the Secret Service takes the time to read this book and make the neccessary corrections to keep our agents and all protectees safe. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about one of the greatest agencies in America!Show Less
posted by MoriartyCat on August 6, 2009
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8 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Book should be retitled to "Why the Secret Service Needs More Money"
This book was a very disappointing read. I purchased it expecting the entire book to be a behind-the-scenes looks of stories about the Service's protectees and instead we get a few stories that are used to then go into great detail on why the Service needs more money,mo...Read More
This book was a very disappointing read. I purchased it expecting the entire book to be a behind-the-scenes looks of stories about the Service's protectees and instead we get a few stories that are used to then go into great detail on why the Service needs more money,more training and more modernization. This would have been better as a script for testimony in a hearing on Capital Hill during budget hearings.Show Less
posted by elo1229 on August 8, 2009
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Amazing!!!!
Secret Service agents have always facinated me -- their strength, training, "stone faced looks" into the crowds, etc... This book takes you inside their training compound and state of mind. I found their thoughts and rememberances of former presidents and first ladies absolutely facinating! Every American knows these agents have an extremely trying job, but I never knew how trying until reading this book. My hope is the management level of the Secret Service takes the time to read this book and make the neccessary corrections to keep our agents and all protectees safe. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about one of the greatest agencies in America!
14 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
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dzt
Posted October 10, 2009
In The President's Secret Serivce
An interesting and fun read. I liked it all, well written, informative with various information about the President's, their wives/families, Secret Service and what they have to do and go through to protect our Presidents. I felt it was worth every penny I paid for it. I would definitely buy it for a gift. I like people and love to know about them and this book gave me that chance.
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted August 18, 2009
I Also Recommend:
indepth look into the world of those who protect the president
"in the presidents secret service" is a one of its kind bestseller writtion by ronald kesseler. the writer has interviwed many active duty and former secrect service agents there is humor as well as alot of history in here. I found this book very hard to put down cause I never knew all of the fasinating and secret details that this elite group of men and women go to to protect our elected officials and for the first time there are some intresting stories about many of our political officials and their familys this book has something for everyone and with my intrest in politics and history I found this book a real first class read. great gift idea for friend or family member
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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elo1229
Posted August 8, 2009
Book should be retitled to "Why the Secret Service Needs More Money"
This book was a very disappointing read. I purchased it expecting the entire book to be a behind-the-scenes looks of stories about the Service's protectees and instead we get a few stories that are used to then go into great detail on why the Service needs more money,more training and more modernization. This would have been better as a script for testimony in a hearing on Capital Hill during budget hearings.
8 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Fascinating Exposé
Living and working in the DC metro area I have seen my share of presidential motorcades, so my interest was piqued in Ronald Kessler's In the President's Secret Service. By interviewing current and former Secret Service agents, Kessler penetrates the wall of mystery surrounding the agency.
The Secret Service was originally created in 1865 to address the issue of widespread counterfeiting. It was not until 1902 that the Service officially assumed responsibility for presidential protection. Although the Secret Service is a dual role agency (presidential protection and financial crimes), Kessler's book is primarily concerned with the Service's protection role.
In the President's Service does a good job of piercing the veil of secrecy of the various White House occupants. For instance, according to the agents, Lyndon Johnson was often drunk; Nixon rarely interacted with his wife; Ford was decent, but cheap; and Amy Carter was a terror. Although many of the presidential tidbits have been printed before reading it from the agents' perspective elevates the stories' credibility.
As one unnamed former agent confessed, "you just shake your head when you think of all the things you've heard and seen and the faith that people have in these celebrity-type people. They are probably worse than most average individuals . . . . Americans have such an idealized notion of the presidency and the virtues that go with it, honesty and so forth. In most cases, that's the furthest thing from the truth. . . ."
Kessler also details the Secret Service's mismanagement of its employees. Turnover is relatively high due to the Service's lack of consideration of family issues (such as mandatory relocations) and its seriously strained budget which necessitates overtime shifts In short, the Service "fosters conditions that lead . . . experienced agents to resign [and] compromises" presidential security.
In the President's Secret Service is a fascinating exposé of the Secret Service.7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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grannyJD
Posted August 21, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Best Selling Author ? ?
I have never in all my years seen a book with so many gramatical and punctuation errors. I've struggled through a couple chapters, but am done. I won't be returning it - but guarantee I won't be misled by the New York Times best selling author list again.
6 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted November 15, 2009
Florida Reader
This was an interesting read about the Secret Service and the past Presidents and their wives. If you think the Secret Service is a nothing job, this will change your mind.
Our son is Special Agent and he can not tell us about his protection details so I learned a good deal from this book.
The information, other than the protection details is everything he has told me.5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted October 26, 2009
interesting read
confirms rumors in some cases, new information in others.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Grannykins
Posted September 26, 2009
Interesting insider's view.
Ron Kessler is a savvy political journalist who gets the information needed to make an interesting read for those of us interested in the inner workings of the politics today. He managed to find people willing to talk and voice their opinions on national leaders and their activities, good and bad. Like a novel, but yet it is based on experience of his subjects in their views. I enjoy this author and will read his next book!
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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LoveMuscle
Posted November 11, 2009
Outstanding!!!
THis book was a great read. Very entertaining.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted October 26, 2009
The President's Secret Service
A lot of redundancy in the writing. Many stories taken from news articles. Some stories were known not to be factual. Do not recommend purchase.
3 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted October 23, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Great Book!
This book takes you behind the scene of so many accidents or near accidents of our Presidents, past and present. I think everyone would enjoy reading this book. It's very well written.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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scottsman
Posted September 26, 2009
If this does not shock the daylights out of you...
This should be required reading in high schools and colleges! The truth is scary but must be told! Good read for any polictal party.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Don't bother
This book is so poorly written and so totally lacking in research as to be a complete waste of time and money . . . Not even entertaining! The author, editor and publisher should be ashamed to have produced such a disaster -- and yet it sells -- I am amazed.
3 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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KrittersRamblings
Posted March 20, 2011
Kritters Ramblings
An interesting read that I sit on the fence about, even after sitting and waiting to write the review for a bit.
I absolutely loved the behind the scenes stories of life with a president. All the little tid bits that don't come into the news. As I am related to someone in the service (his photo is in the book), I was aware that there were many threats that never hit the news, but never the personal stories and personalities of each president. How crazy that they were complete demons behind the scenes?
I was appalled to learn that some of the past president's children would evade their protection and complain. I know that their parents put them in that place, BUT if a child of the president was ever in danger it would be a reflection on the United States. As well, to hear that some presidents of the past did not treat their detail as human beings, absolutely rude.
This book could be read by both males and females. I found it especially interesting after reading some books by presidents and presidential candidates recently and living so close to the capital.2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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MICowboy
Posted November 26, 2010
Quick Read
Very interesting book. It was a very intersesting look into how our nations leaders act while out of the public's view.
I found that what goes on behind the senes and how the U. S. Secret Service have to adapt to a very wide range of personalities on top of the fact that their jobs are very hard and dangrous to start with. Before I purchased this book, I had read some of the reviews. I have to disagree on reviews on the issue : Fact or Fiction.
In my opinion I feel that the Author and the interviews he had conducted with members of the Secret Service Agents were honest recollections and based on fact.
The individuals that told their stories are the same individuals that had the responsability to protect the most powerful man in the world and had tov put their lifes on the line, to protect our nations top leaders, anyone with this kind of personal sacrifice and honor I believe would not when asked for the truth on what they wittnessed while on the job make up a lie. This book rings too true in my opinion, that it hits the nail on the head as to what really goes on in our nations goverment and how the Secret Service has to struggle and fight the political system for every little bit it can get.2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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SheReader
Posted November 16, 2010
Highly recommended - Enjoyed it!!
I loved this book with all its inside details about the Secret Service detail as it relates to the President of the US. I could not get enough of this book and I was rather sad when it came to an end. Great Book. If I had 1 critical point it would be that Kessler got on his soapbox too many times about changes he would like to see made and his discontent with the organization. But overall, excellent book.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted September 8, 2009
Never Should Have Been Written...
Never Should Have Been Written...
I congratulate Mr. Kessler for writing a highly interesting book filled with insider dirt on many recent presidents... for the most part, dirt that US Secret Service Agent and USSS Uniformed Division personnel broke their oath of confidence and secrecy to reveal. Interesting stuff, but shame on them. Now, they're just another federal agency that no one can trust to keep their mouths shut. Ethics and integrity down the toilet.
More importantly however, this book reveals tradecraft and special methods employed by the USSS to protect US Presidents. For those revelations, Mr. Kessler and his USSS Sources should be indicted in front of Grand Jurys wherever they now live.
Skip this book and at least keep the royalties from Mr. Kessler.2 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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MikeMI
Posted August 9, 2010
Very disappointing
Waste of time....the information was just fluff along with what appeared to be a liberal political slant. Must have been ghost written by the agents union representative.
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted May 19, 2010
Save your money
Don't waste your money or time on this book. I continued to read this book, hoping that it would get better but it in fact got progessively worse! Kessler bashes the Secret Service and anything associated with DHS but he sure shows his love for the FBI. Hey Kessler, why not just write books on only the FBI if you're so in love with them and they're the best thing since sliced bread?!?!?
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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