From Mount Vernon to Crawford: A History of the Presidents and Their Retreats

This book, written by Kenneth Walsh, author of Air Force One is every bit as interesting. It brings out the human side of the various holders of the office of the President of the United States. Unlike his previous book, this one goes all the way back to George Washington (who never flew on Air Force One). No matter what your opinion is of the various presidents, this book shows that from the very beginning, the stresses of the office are such that each needs a "personal place" to get away. Most of the presidents have, to some extent been criticized for their numerous "vacations" or "holidays" away from the official office to their homes or private spots. This book illustrates that, for many of these executives, the only time that they really had to foment their plans for handling the decisions of their office was when they were out of the grind of their daily duties in the White House (or, for Washington, the President's home in Philadelphia). I feel that this is an excellent book (just like Air Force One) for illustrating the personal side and the real working side of the office of the President

Everyone needs a place to "get away from it all." While presidents are never free from the responsibilities of their office, especially with modern technology, each president has a place to get away as much as possible, and this book tells us about them. It is interesting to read about how they chose their get-aways, and what they do while they're at their favorite places. I learned more about the physical layout and multiple projects going on at Prairie Chapel Ranch (current President Bush's favorite get-away), and Camp David, a weekend retreat of presidents since Franklin Roosevelt. "From Mount Vernon to Crawford" is an informative, fun, and easy read.

Walsh focuses on presidents at leisure, how their retreats from the White House reflect their presidencies. He doesn't treat all presidents, just the best-known early ones, then all from FDR on. The earlier benefit from the best recent scholarship, like Pinsker's of the Soldiers' Home cottage where Lincoln spent a quarter of his presidency. Where White House correspondent Walsh really shines, however, is with the modern presidents he or his contacts covered, especially from LBJ on: great detail! The special glimpse of Camp David is especially insightful. It's as close to an inside view as you can find.

One of the few great teachers I had in college made history come to life with timely anectodes. Ken Walsh provides rich and fascinating lessons about American presidents with great stories that are both fun to read and amazingly revealing about the men who have been our presidents. He presents us with an easy read that is, thankfully, devoid of the cynicism that permeates today's journalism. And he does so without fawning over any of his subjects. His treatment, for example, of Richard Nixon's western White House in San Clemente helps us understand the crazed complexity that was Nixon. Or the way he describes Gerald Ford's skiing vacations in Vail with photographers only interested in capturing the inevitable spills in the snow, shows the impossibility of being both presidennt and 'normal.' Or his contrast between two contemporary presidents returning to their land -- Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush -- demonstrates ultimately the values of both men. This is a book worth reading, worth sharing, worth giving to friends and family.

Considering the amount of information this book about presidential retreats contains, I was amazed at how easy and exciting it was to read. The author keeps an interesting pace, but he packs every paragraph with new information about the places our Commanders-in-chief have frequented beyond the White House gate. From George Washington to George Bush, each chapter is a fascinating and in-depth account of our major president's hideaways and getaways. Every location reveals fascinating facts and insight into the inner workings of our leaders as human beings in their most authentic and vulnerable moments. The history and development of Camp David is a chapter worth the price of this book in itself. This isolated location, so close to the U.S. seat of power, is the one place where every modern president has been able to unbend entirely. Perhaps ironically, it has also been the site for some of the most intense and successful international detante in modern history. It was after intense meetings at Camp David that George W. Bush made the fateful decision to "put boots on the ground" in Afghanistan. Yet each weekend the president and his family can read, swim or fish in privacy and comfort, away from D.C. and the media spotlight. Mr. Walsh has produced an excellent, intelligent book - easy to read and digest. I learned some great things and could not recommend it more.