When we think of exclusive clubs and secret societies, we often connect them with the world's most powerful men. It should come as no surprise, then, that the most exclusive club is composed entirely of men who have previously been the most powerful man in America.
The world's most exclusive club never has more than six members, and its membership varies only through election or death. The only prerequisite for joining the club is having been elected President of the United States.
The Presidents Club: Inside the World's Most Exclusive Fraternity gives readers a look at the club, conceived in 1953 by members Harry Truman and Herbert Hoover. Since that time, The Presidents Club has allowed sitting presidents to call on past presidents -- sometimes former political rivals -- when they need help getting the job done. Hoover helped in Europe after Truman's call, John F. Kennedy needed Eisenhower's help in Cuba and Richard Nixon went to Russia for Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.
The President's Club covers the one-on-one interactions of presidents and past presidents from Hoover through Barack Obama. Surprisingly, the book doesn't discuss much about the office of president. Rather, it explores the relationships between the men who have worked from the Oval Office. It also provides a behind-the-scenes look at each of the men as individuals, and how they grew both during their tenure and after.
The President's Club is the second book written by Michael Duffy and Nancy Gibbs, following 2007's The Preacher and the Presidents: Billy Graham in the White House. Both Gibbs and Duffy work for Time magazine. Duffy serves as the Washington bureau chief and an executive editor while Gibbs is an editor at large. Both are known for their work in political writing and are considered top commentators on politics and values in the United States.
"I really thought this would be a boring audiobook and only began listening since my husband wanted to listen to it on a long trip and thought we'd both enjoy it. I have to admit he was right and I found that I did not want to stop listening. There are so many interesting facts presented that I lost count. It was an intriguing look at presidential friendships as well as rivalries. Highly recommended to history and political science buffs."
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JD137 (5 out of 5 stars)