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Product Details
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Crown Forum; First Edition edition (August 5, 2014)
Ronald Kessler is the New York Times bestselling author of The Secrets of the FBI, In the President's Secret Service, and The CIA at War. A former Wall Street Journal and Washington Post investigative reporter, Kessler has won eighteen journalism awards, including two George Polk awards, one for national reporting and one for community service. He was named a Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian magazine. Kessler lives in Potomac, Maryland with his wife, Pamela Kessler.
Since others have prominently noted that this book is very similar to one of Kessler's earlier works, I will say this is my first exposure.
Content: Although I lean conservative, I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican. I was eager to read this book because it interests me how the 'anointed' really live their lives. Opposite my expectation, I did not get the impression that this book's sole purpose was to bash one political party or the other. For example, the Obamas are generally portrayed in a favorable light, but not all good. The same is true of the Bush family. I do believe the author reported accurately what the Secret Service agents revealed to him. It seems that the book has two purposes. First, to expose the true character of our elected officials. And second, to expose how the Secret Service management makes bad decisions which ultimately puts protectee lives in danger. Not that it was wrong, or bad, but one thing that did not grab my interest were the parts that delved into the inner workings of the Secret Service.
Style: This is mostly an easy read. However, in a couple of places in the book the author follows a couple of rabbit trails and then abruptly snaps back to the original subject. I found that to be hard to follow and a bit frustrating, which is why I took one of the stars away.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and learned a few things. What more could you ask for? I will be recommending this book to my friends.
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120 of 144 people found the following review helpful
This review is a little tough to write… so I hope potential readers/purchasers of this book read more than the first sentence or two. I have read a number of this author’s books… and like his style and his content. But there lies the rub… one of his books that I read was “In The President’s Secret Service”… and I not only read it… but I reviewed it… on May 5, 2009. This review that you’re now reading… is the six-hundred-thirteenth… that I’ve written and posted on Amazon. It so happens that the highest rated review I ever had out of the prior six-hundred-twelve… was “In The President’s Secret Service”… which as of this date… I have received four-hundred-twenty-four positive votes for. The reason I have written this preamble… is for credibility… when I tell you… that… though it’s well written… and entertaining… it is “vastly” similar to his prior aforementioned book. I feel bad pointing this out… since the author provided me with such enjoyment in the earlier book… but I feel I owe it to potential buyers… since if the roles were reversed… I would hope for the same honest interpretation… so I would have the opportunity to make an informed decision.
I feel the author would have better served potential readers… if he released this book under the banner… “NEWLY UPDATED AND REVISED” “THE PRESIDENT’S SECRET SERVICE”… then new readers could of course judge it on its own merits as a first time read… and people who read the original one five years ago could make a personal educated decision whether they wanted to invest their time and money in an updated version of what they read before.
I hope this helps potential readers.
P.S. There are some great quotes and situations in this book… but instead of rewriting them here… you can just look at my detailed “first-read” review posted over five years ago.
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22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
After reading other reviews, I noticed this book has come under tremendous scrutiny for being an update to the authors first book on the secret service. Let me say, I didn't read that book and my review is strictly based on this title. I found The First Family Detail to be very informative on the dynamics of the Secret Service. I found it to also be very entertaining with respects given to the politicians that the Secret Service provides protection to -- some of which is humorous and confirms public perception. The balance of the intertwines of the Secret Service and the thought provoking coverage to our politicians and there families is 50/50. Personally, I would have rather had more of the later. I'd give this one a solid 4 stars and I will long remember some of the contents during the upcoming 2016 election because I'm sure some of the personalities covered in this book will be key figures during the election.
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21 of 24 people found the following review helpful
I had previously read Kessler's first book on the secret service and enjoyed it, so bought this one also. Unfortunately, it is essentially the same book, very little new information. I feel like I spent $18 needlessly, and shame on Mr. Kessler for publishing a second book almost exactly like the first one.
I won't be buying any more books by this author.
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27 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Kessler's latest book is a very good tabloid style volume that borrows from his previous books, Clint Hill's books, Dan Emmett's book, and my book, among others. Well written and put together, Kessler will make a mint yet again. Bravo for him! Definitely worth your time.
Vince Palamara Author of "Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service & the Failure to Protect President Kennedy"
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35 of 44 people found the following review helpful
This is a good book, however it is 95% a carbon copy of Kessler's book "In the President's Secret Service." If you have read that already, you are only gaining stories about Joe Biden swimming nude in front of female agents and how he wastes millions of dollars flying back and forth from Washington to Delaware multiple times a day.
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