(Originally Published 2012, Paperback Edition 527 pages)
Ms. Gibbs's and Mr. Duffy's book portrays the all-too-human
relationships between former and sitting U.S. Presidents from Herbert
Hoover through the first few years of Barack Obama's tenure. What many
Americans take for granted is the repeated, amazing, near-seamless
transition of one person handing over power to another even if they are
political polar opposites. Consider the statistical tie in the highly
contentious Bush/Gore race. We eventually transferred power to the
opposite party without there being civil war or blood in the streets.
That in itself says something about our country. Anyone who has been
President of the United States understands maintaining the dignity of
the Executive Office trumps an individual's personal desires. The
authors show how even presidents of opposite political philosophies have
put aside their differences to help our country and usually this was
done without the public being aware it was occurring.
The book covers many key events in which ex-presidents helped sitting presidents. Feeding the war-torn victims after World War II, the Marshall Plan, the Bay of Pigs debacle, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Clinton Impeachment proceedings, 9/11, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake are but a few of the topics reviewed. One thing that did stand out to me was Presidents Nixon and Carter seemed to be especially highlighted by the authors for less than admirable character flaws.
The ability of the living ex-presidents to aid any sitting Chief Executive when called to action is a wonderful testament to the caliber of men who have attain the Office. Not only does the book show our leaders as men with strengths and flaws, but it also reveals that politics and paranoia as well as hateful factions in both parties have always been part of our country's character. The authors admire certain actions done by the leaders, but no president is placed on a pedestal. All of them, rightly, receive a few critical raspberries. People who believe either FDR or Ronald Reagan could do no wrong will be upset by how the book portrays some of their nastier qualities. The passage of time and top-notch research, such as Ms. Gibbs's/Mr. Duffy's work, allows us to get a better measure of the people and events. It is history that is not only entertaining, gossipy, and great reporting but also helped me feel proud of our country.
The book covers many key events in which ex-presidents helped sitting presidents. Feeding the war-torn victims after World War II, the Marshall Plan, the Bay of Pigs debacle, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Clinton Impeachment proceedings, 9/11, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake are but a few of the topics reviewed. One thing that did stand out to me was Presidents Nixon and Carter seemed to be especially highlighted by the authors for less than admirable character flaws.
The ability of the living ex-presidents to aid any sitting Chief Executive when called to action is a wonderful testament to the caliber of men who have attain the Office. Not only does the book show our leaders as men with strengths and flaws, but it also reveals that politics and paranoia as well as hateful factions in both parties have always been part of our country's character. The authors admire certain actions done by the leaders, but no president is placed on a pedestal. All of them, rightly, receive a few critical raspberries. People who believe either FDR or Ronald Reagan could do no wrong will be upset by how the book portrays some of their nastier qualities. The passage of time and top-notch research, such as Ms. Gibbs's/Mr. Duffy's work, allows us to get a better measure of the people and events. It is history that is not only entertaining, gossipy, and great reporting but also helped me feel proud of our country.
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