Don’t Tell the President: The Best, Worst, and Mostly Untold Stories from Presidential Advance

Summary

Two former staffers to President George H. W. Bush bring together the most harrowing and hilarious stories behind presidential events over the past sixty years—from the Rose Garden to Air Force One, foreign trips to state dinners—detailing the art of preparation that goes into these delicate, high stress operations and revealing how they have often been one step away from disaster.

Featuring a Foreword by Jon Meacham

Don’t Tell the President is a collection of the greatest tales of triumph and near-crisis in presidential advance. Behind every seamless campaign appearance and presidential affair lies the meticulous work of event planners and advance teams—the little-known professionals who transform political logistics into carefully choreographed performances.

Here are illuminating first-hand accounts from dedicated employees who worked for every modern-day president from Lyndon Johnson to Barack Obama, a few First Ladies, and vice presidents. Experience some of the most searing events from behind the scenes, including 9/11 from someone who was on Air Force One with President Bush to the day someone tried to assassinate President Ford in California. The professionals sharing their memories are the strategic masterminds who ensure every moment appears effortless and spontaneous, while little is actually left to chance. More than a few went on enjoy influential careers, including Secretary of Defense Robert Gates; radio host and CNN contributor Michael Smerconish; and Fox News anchor Dana Perino.

Allowing us to witness presidential history and politics from a new angle, Don’t Tell the President brings together the hilarious chaos of Veep and the grandeur of The West Wing. It is a memorable and at times laugh-out loud funny look at how many presidential events happen—and how many almost went awry.