Don't Tell the President: The Best, Worst, and Mostly Untold Stories from Presidential Advance
Language: English
Published by HarperCollins and Blackstone Publishing, 2026

Seller: Russell Books, Victoria, BC, CanadaRussell Books
AbeBooks seller since June 1, 1996
Condition: New
£ 38.97
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- Title
- Don't Tell the President: The Best, Worst, and Mostly Untold Stories from Presidential Advance
- Author
- Jean Becker; Tom Collamore
- Publisher
- HarperCollins and Blackstone Publishing
- Publication year
- 2026
- Condition
- New
- Binding
- audioCD
- Language
- English
- ISBN 13
- 9798228693005
Two former staffers to President George H. W. Bush bring together the most harrowing and hilarious stories behind presidential events over the past sixty years--from the Rose Garden to Air Force One, foreign trips to state dinners--detailing the art of preparation that goes into these delicate, high stress operations and revealing how they have often been one step away from disaster.
Featuring a Foreword by Jon Meacham
Don't Tell the President is a collection of the greatest tales of triumph and near-crisis in presidential advance. Behind every seamless campaign appearance and presidential affair lies the meticulous work of event planners and advance teams--the little-known professionals who transform political logistics into carefully choreographed performances.
Here are illuminating first-hand accounts from dedicated employees who worked for every modern-day president from Lyndon Johnson to Barack Obama, a few First Ladies, and vice presidents. Experience some of the most searing events from behind the scenes, including 9/11 from someone who was on Air Force One with President Bush to the day someone tried to assassinate President Ford in California. The professionals sharing their memories are the strategic masterminds who ensure every moment appears effortless and spontaneous, while little is actually left to chance. More than a few went on enjoy influential careers, including Secretary of Defense Robert Gates; radio host and CNN contributor Michael Smerconish; and Fox News anchor Dana Perino.
Allowing us to witness presidential history and politics from a new angle, Don't Tell the President brings together the hilarious chaos of Veep and the grandeur of The West Wing. It is a memorable and at times laugh-out loud funny look at how many presidential events happen--and how many almost went awry.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Jean Becker served as chief of staff for President George H. W. Bush for nearly twenty-five years. She is the editor of Pearls of Wisdom (with Barbara Bush) and the author of the New York Times bestseller The Man I Knew: The Amazing Story of George H. W. Bush’s Post Presidency and Character Matters: And Other Life Lessons from George H. W. Bush. She also served as deputy press secretary to First Lady Barbara Bush and was a newspaper reporter for ten years, including four years at USA Today.
Tom Collamore first met President George H.W. Bush in 1978 as his driver and became part of his inner circle of staffers. Tom served in various senior roles throughout the twelve years of President Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush’s administrations and has been an advisor to the George and Barbara Bush Foundation for over twenty-five years. After government Tom enjoyed a long career as a senior corporate executive and trade association leader. He’s the founder of Collamore Consulting Group, providing strategic counsel to CEO’s of companies, associations and non-profits. He lives in Maryland with his wife Jacqueline and they are the proud parents of four grown children.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Russell Books
Victoria, BC, Canada
AbeBooks seller since June 1, 1996
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