Bearister's Book Blog

In this book, the author, Ronald Kessler, takes the reader "behind the scenes" in the lives of several of our presidents.  Many of us have probably wondered (with respect to any of the presidents) "what's the president really like?"  Well, to some extent, this book answers that question.  The viewpoints expressed are those of former Secret Service Agents who served on the presidential protection detail.

I wasn't surprised that President Jimmy Carter was, in the view of the agents protecting him, one of the most aloof and unfriendly presidents. Carter would treat the agents protecting him as servants.  These men were not allowed to make eye contact with him much less greet him with a "good morning" or "good evening."  He expected the agents to carry his bags when he was traveling, something which one agent expressed "is beyond our job description."

On the other hand, one of the agents' favorite presidents was Ronald Reagan - no surprise here.  He treated the men and women who protected him with genuine respect and a sense of humor.

The "crudest" president, by far, was Lyndon B. Johnson who, in private, was foul-mouthed and bigoted and thought nothing of "relieving" himself off the deck of his ranch home in "the rolling hills" of Texas.  This description of Johnson reminded me of a "spoof" book that appeared in the late 1960s:  "Quotations from Chairman LBJ."  At the beginning of this little "red book," which mocked another little red book during the same time period (Quotations from Chairman Mao), Johnson was quoted as saying "Don't spit in the soup, we all gotta eat."

There are many other fascinating revelations in this book and if you did ever wonder "what is he like" you will enjoy this book!

It's been years since I've taken up a John Sanford novel.  I decided to take another "chance" with his latest:  Silken Prey.  The blurbs on Amazon all speak of Sanford in sparkling terms  - "this novel is not to be missed."  Well, I've not finished it but I think I'll miss the rest of it.  I like novels that MOVE and move quickly.  This one doesn't.  I was acquainted with Lucas Davenport in Sanford's books that I read years ago and now I understand why I stopped reading them.  They just "poke along."  

This novel was supposed to involve the best aspects of a political thriller and a murder mystery.  Well, it does include both of these elements but after a hundred pages it still has not gone anywhere fast.  So, Goodbye, John Sanford.

I've started this book three or four times and have come to the conclusion that it's no "thriller" but rather a "sleeper."  That's right, it just drones on and on.  The characters aren't the least bit interesting and living on the Mississippi River can certainly be no joy in Spring when there's tons of rain.