Inside the White House: The Hidden Lives of the Modern Presidents and the Secrets of the World's Most Powerful Institution

This book was dropped shipped to my aunt in another state. The book arrived promptly and frankly in better shape than anticipated. Am very pleased with this book seller and highly recommend them.

I'm a mystery writer, and my first book takes place inside the White House. So, in preparation for writing my story, I needed to find good resources for what life is really like inside the White House. And this book was a major find and a thrilling read! From John F. Kennedy to Bill Clinton, Mr. Kessler goes behind the scenes and gives you an intimate picture of daily life in the White House. This book is filled with facts about the House itself, like the fact it has 132 rooms, 30 bathrooms, 7 staircases, 28 fireplaces, 6 floors, and 3 elevators! You get to read about the hidden tunnels (yes, they are there! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise..)You'll find out about which federal departments control what part of the house. For example, the Navy controls the Mess, the Army the cars, the Marines the helicoptors, and Air Force the planes. Kessler also paints detailed pictures of the presidents as they really were when not in front of a camera or behind the spin of Washington media. I was quite surprised to learn, for example, that Jimmy Carter was very controlling/micro managing in his leadership style, not at all the kind smiling laid back southern gentleman in front of the camera. Kessler has great inside sources for this book. I got a kick out of learning the Secret Service codenames for each president. There is some juicy stuff in this book. But that is to be expected in a book about Washington inside the Beltway! A great entertaining and informative read for anyone who likes politics and loves to watch cable news programs! You won't want to put this book down!

Ronald Kessler's book is absolutely compelling from start to finish. WOW! I will never view the "Presidency" the same way, again. Truly, "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely!" Fortunately, there were a few good men...God bless Truman, Ford, and Reagan (and we need to PRAY for the ones in the future)!

Most people will not enjoy seeing their heroes revealed as the human beings they are, full of faults and failures. Nor will they like the principle players in the Whitehouse game appearing weak and petty. Kessler raises may interesting questions, and details some disturbing behavior. Whether these stories are true or not, and they most likely are as I have not heard of any libel suit filed against Kessler for this book, is not the real point of the book. The creation of an institution that allows this sort of behavior without accountability is the real story, the more disturbing aspect of the book. Mr. Kessler should be commended for raising an issue with the secrecy that surrounds the most "visible" member of our national government.

"Inside the White House" offers a revealing look behind the workings of Americas highest office and the people who occupied it. It gives an interesting account of the lives of the modern presidents as well as the technical facts behind the Executive Branch, how much we spend on it, and how many are employed to protect and upkeep it. Interesting revelations about Johnson, Carter and Reagan. - Jim Stiene