Ruffled Flourishes [Paperback]

Peter Roussel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2001

Peter Roussel is a Texas-born, Texas-raised author who has followed a career path of service in behalf of some of the most notable political figures of our time. He served twice in the White House, for President Ford (1974-76) and President Reagan (1981-87), and as press secretary to President George Bush (1969-74). During his years in Washington and the White House, Roussel faced the toughest reporters. He has now captured the unique perspective he had as a presidential spokesman in his novel, Ruffled Flourishes, which takes the reader backstage at the White House. The result is a humorous look inside the White House by a former insider at the often "unseen layer" of life within those historic walls. The author makes his home in Houston, where he has a public relations company.

Editorial Reviews

Review

..". This is not West Wing television. It's reality--more truth than fiction. Roussel captures the essence of the epic love-and-hate relationship between the daunted White House press corps and the presidency. A really funny book, yet it makes you feel that you're seeing the real thing." --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Peter Roussel is a television commentator and public relations consultant. He has served on the staffs of Presidents Ford and Reagan as well as on the congressional staff of George H. W. Bush.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Eakin Press; 1 edition (January 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571685375
• ISBN-13: 978-1571685377
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,657,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is HILARIOUS!!, January 8, 2003

By 

"amyzolkoski" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ruffled Flourishes (Paperback)

Being a college student often entails way more reading than the normal American can stand, but with "Ruffled Flourishes" I didn't mind it at all. Roussel's charming and witty writing style kept me intrigued and roaring with laughter. The constant stress between the main character, Sox, and his romance Flaxen is addictive. Sox goes through many self- realizations during his time in the White House, and his journey is indefinitely an enjoyable one. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fictional accounts that have striking resemblance to the real deal. Way to go Sox, I mean Peter!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ruffled Flourishes, July 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Ruffled Flourishes (Paperback)

Ruffled Flourishes is the first book I have read of its kind.
I found it to be quite refreshing and entertaining. The human side of the deputy press secretary was very endearing. I kept reading just to see if he would continue to mess things up with the character, Flaxen. It was interesting to get the perspective of the inner workings of the White House Press. It was equally entertaining to read the author's interpretation of the media. Who would have imagined it would be like that? I loved the way the author was able to combine both the professional and human side of the character.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved Ruffled Flourishes!, November 9, 2002

By 

"cleverley" (Houston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ruffled Flourishes (Paperback)

I truly enjoyed this book! I read it slowly because I didn't want it to end. I wanted to keep being a fly on the wall at the White House. More precisely, in the West Wing of the White House. And I wanted to find out what happens between Sox & Flaxen. I want more...how about a sequel...or a movie! Mmmm, who would play Sox? Tom Cruise? Ben Affleck? Vin Diesel? (just kidding)

Roussel gives his characters odd names and I am sure there must be some hidden meaning behind them. The main character is Sox St. Louis. His maybe-love interest is named Flaxen, and Sparta, the TV network correspondent is his media nemesis. The president is named Carl Crayon (that name doesn't exactly instill confidence, does it?). Aren't you just dying to know how and why these characters were named? I am.

Even though Ruffled Flouishes "is a work of fiction and all of its characters and events are imaginary creations of the author" - yadayadayada...you get a real feel for what it must be like to work in the inner sanctum of the White House as the spokesman for the president of the United States. Even the lingo sounds authentic. (And it probably is since Roussel served two tours of duty in the White House under Presidents Ford and Regan.)

For students of crisis management, the transcript of a 40 minute press briefing on pages 73-87 is most enlightening. How White House deputy press secretary St. Louis tap dances around the media, saying just enough to make them think he has said something profound when, in fact, he's said nothing, is a priceless how-to manual.

The book is humorous and a good, fun read. I highly recommend it.