Air Force One - A History of the Presidents and Their Planes (Hardcover, 1st ed)

"An engaging look into presidential behavior aboard them." --Booklist

From Franklin Roosevelt's prop-driven Pan Am to the glimmering blue-and-white jumbo 747 on which George W. Bush travels, the president's plane has captured the public's awe and imagination and is recognized around the world as a symbol of American power. It has emerged as a force in popular culture, appearing in television shows and movies, and is seen regularly on the news as the president gives his famous wave from the top of the stairs. Air Force One is associated with iconic images, such as the instantly recognizable photograph of Lyndon Johnson's swearing-in following John F. Kennedy's assassination. It has transported presidents on historic trips, such as Richard Nixon's pathbreaking China visit and Ronald Reagan's superpower summit meetings with Mikhail Gorbachev. And the plane itself has been the site of significant moments in our nation's history: For example, it hopscotched George W. Bush from one secure location to another in the harrowing hours after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

In addition to making history and serving as an international symbol, Air Force One has evolved into a very special habitat, created by each commander in chief, that functions as an invaluable window on the presidents themselves. Aboard his plane, a president has control over his surroundings without the intrusions, routines, and protocols of the West Wing. As a result, he tends to let his guard down and expose his true nature. Johnson would abuse his staff, for example, whereas Bill Clinton would goof around with them and Nixon would just keep his distance. In this unique history book, the first of its kind, Kenneth T. Walsh, the chief White House correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, looks at the personality traits and peccadilloes that our last twelve presidents revealed on the plane, and the way they each established a distinctive mood aboard that was a reflection of themselves and their times.

Based on interviews with five living presidents, scores of past and present government officials, and staff and crew members of Air Force One, Walsh's book features countless fascinating -- and often outrageous-stories of life aboard the "flying White House." In addition to such entertaining anecdotes, the book is filled with never -- before-heard revelations, as well as interesting descriptions of the food, the décor, the bedrooms, the medical clinic, and much more -- not to mention extraordinary photos of the presidents and the planes. In short, readers will find here everything they ever wanted to know about Air Force One -- and a behind-the-scenes look at sixty years of American history.

General

Imprint:	Hyperion
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	May 2003
First published:	May 2003
Authors:	Kenneth T Walsh
Foreword by:	Robert Dallek
Dimensions:	240 x 163 x 25mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover - Sewn / Cloth over boards / With dust jacket
Pages:	288
Edition:	1st ed
ISBN-13:	978-1-4013-0004-3
Categories:	Books > Sport & Leisure > Transport: general interest > Aircraft: general interest Books > Humanities > History > American history > General Books > History > American history > General
LSN:	1-4013-0004-9
Barcode:	9781401300043

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!