In the President's Secret Service

Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect

By: Ronald Kessler

Narrated by: Alan Sklar

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Secret Service agents, acting as human surveillance cameras, observe everything that goes on behind the scenes in the president's inner circle. Ronald Kessler reveals what they have seen, providing startling, previously untold stories about the presidents, from John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson to George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as about their families, Cabinet officers, and White House aides.

Kessler portrays the dangers that agents face and how they carry out their missions---from how they are trained to how they spot and assess potential threats. With fly-on-the-wall perspective, he captures the drama and tension that characterize agents' lives. In this headline-grabbing book, Kessler discloses assassination attempts that have never before been revealed. He shares inside accounts of past assaults that have put the Secret Service to the test, including a heroic gun battle that took down the would-be assassins of Harry S. Truman, the devastating day that John F. Kennedy was killed in Dallas, and the swift actions that saved Ronald Reagan after he was shot. While Secret Service agents are brave and dedicated, Kessler exposes how Secret Service management in recent years has betrayed its mission by cutting corners, risking the assassination of President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and their families. Given the lax standards, "It's a miracle we have not had a successful assassination," a current agent says. ,p>Since an assassination jeopardizes democracy itself, few agencies are as important as the Secret Service---and few subjects are as tantalizing as the inner sanctum of the White House. Only tight-lipped Secret Service agents know the real story, and Kessler is the only journalist to have won their trust.

©2009 Ronald Kessler (P)2009 Tantor

Entertaining BUT....

The book was a good listen. Less on tactics, etc... and more on Presidential Gossip.

Great Book!

This is a very interesting read. Mr.Kessler's books are all descriptive and full of Secret Service facts.

Too much whining

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The first part is fairly interesting, describing the structure, history, and some anecdotes. But it degenerated into whining about not enough funding, and repetitive complaints about "Management" who does this or that and is out of touch and is ruining the service.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

More actual anecdotes and much less repetitive whining. He keeps saying the same things, the same complaints in the same words, ad nauseum

Which character – as performed by Alan Sklar – was your favorite?

none stood out

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

depends if all the whining is in it

Any additional comments?

This had the potential to be a very good book. Too bad the author chose to display his dissatisfaction with "Management" to the extent he could not stop complaining about it.

one of the best books

One of the best books I have listened to in a long time. If you want an inside look at the leaders of our country get this book.

Interesting stuff...

What made the experience of listening to In the President's Secret Service the most enjoyable?

I liked it. It was fun to hear inside stories about what goes on behind the scenes. Interesting stuff.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In the President's Secret Service?

The fact they are lax in using metal detectors for large crowds, makes me not want to go to a event like that.

Good to know

Excellent book detailing the presidents and how they treat the people who serve them personally, keeping them safe at all times. Interesting how the Democratic presidents come off as being expectant and non caring toward those who serve them. The Republicans seem to want to take them in, be friendly and respectful, appreciative of the service these heroes provide every day. A good read, and one that imparts information the public needs to know. I enjoyed the read, and shared it with friends who enjoyed it as well.

Complain, complain, complain.

While you get a few insights into the secret service the majority of the book is complaining about the management. And funding.

Interesting Read

Interesting insight into this world of protection. I thought too much time was spent lamenting problems, especially toward the end of the book. Overall, an interesting overview of the last 50+ years of Secret Service stories.

The Unsung Hero's

Where does In the President's Secret Service rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the Top 5.

What did you like best about this story?

The bravery of these men and what they and their families have sacrificed to protect the President of these United States.

Which scene was your favorite?

The shooting of JFK and how they did all they could to protect him.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Sacrifice we Americans make to protect our great country.

Any additional comments?

The is an eyeopener to the deceit and dishonesty that goes on in the White House where things should be honest and for the American people who have put their trust in this great country's leaders. So Sad!

Do you like whining?

I thought this was going to be something totally different. It started out with good stories and history, then it turned into a whiny story. It transitioned from the title, to the ulterior motive of air dirty laundry of the USS. Made me mad listening to it, I thought it would change but it didn’t.