Prisoners of the White House looks at the isolation experienced by presidents of the United States in the White House, a habitat almost guaranteed to keep America's commander in chief far removed from everyday life. The authors look at how this is emerging as one of the most serious dilemmas facing the American presidency. As presidents have become more isolated, the role of the presidential pollster has grown. Ken Walsh has been given exclusive access to the polls and confidential memos received by presidents over the years, and has interviewed presidential pollsters directly to gain their unique perspective. Prisoners of the White House gets inside the bubble and punctures the mythology surrounding the presidency.

It didn t take long for Barack Obama to make his mark as the biggest political star to ever occupy the White House. Over the course of his two terms in office, Obama has injected the American presidency deeper into popular culture than any of his predecessors. He and his wife Michelle have become iconic figures, celebrities of the first order.This book, by award-winning White House correspondent and presidential historian Kenneth T. Walsh, discusses how the Obamas reached this point. More important, it takes a detailed and comprehensive look at the history of America s presidents as celebrities in chief since the beginning of the Republic. Walsh makes the point that modern presidents need to be celebrities and build on their fame in order to propel their agendas and rally public support for themselves as national leaders so that they can get things done.Combining incisive historical analysis with a journalist s eye for detail, this book looks back to such presidents as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as the forerunners of contemporary celebrity presidents. It examines modern presidents including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, Franklin Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt, each of whom qualified as a celebrity in his own time and place. The book also looks at presidents who fell short in their star appeal, such as George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon Johnson, and explains why their star power was lacking.Among the special features of the book are detailed profiles of the presidents and how they measured up or failed as celebrities; an historical analysis of America s popular culture and how presidents have played a part in it, from sports and television to movies and the news media; the role of first ladies; and a portfolio of fascinating photos illustrating the intersection of the presidency with popular culture."

"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.

With the advent of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton as presidential nominees, the examination of the role of celebrity culture in the White House takes on a fresh appeal. This book, by award-winning White House correspondent and presidential historian Kenneth T. Walsh, takes a detailed and comprehensive look at the history of America's presidents as "celebrities in chief" since the beginning of the Republic. Walsh makes the point that modern presidents need to be celebrities and build on their fame in order to propel their agendas and rally public support for themselves as national leaders so that they can get things done. Combining incisive historical analysis with a journalist's eye for detail, this book looks back to such presidents as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as the forerunners of contemporary celebrity presidents. It examines modern presidents including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, Franklin Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt, each of whom qualified as a celebrity in his own time and place. The book also looks at presidents who fell short in their star appeal, such as George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon Johnson, and explains why their star power was lacking. Among the special features of the book are detailed profiles of the presidents and how they measured up or failed as celebrities; an historical analysis of America's popular culture and how presidents have played a part in it, from sports and television to movies and the news media; the role of first ladies; and a portfolio of fascinating photos illustrating the intersection of the presidency with popular culture. An update looking at Hillary and "the Donald" puts contemporary politics in perspective with the evolution of presidential celebrity.

With the advent of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton as presidential nominees, the examination of the role of celebrity culture in the White House takes on a fresh appeal. This book, by award-winning White House correspondent and presidential historian Kenneth T. Walsh, takes a detailed and comprehensive look at the history of America's presidents as "celebrities in chief" since the beginning of the Republic. Walsh makes the point that modern presidents need to be celebrities and build on their fame in order to propel their agendas and rally public support for themselves as national leaders so that they can get things done. Combining incisive historical analysis with a journalist's eye for detail, this book looks back to such presidents as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as the forerunners of contemporary celebrity presidents. It examines modern presidents including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, Franklin Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt, each of whom qualified as a celebrity in his own time and place. The book also looks at presidents who fell short in their star appeal, such as George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon Johnson, and explains why their star power was lacking. Among the special features of the book are detailed profiles of the presidents and how they measured up or failed as celebrities; an historical analysis of America's popular culture and how presidents have played a part in it, from sports and television to movies and the news media; the role of first ladies; and a portfolio of fascinating photos illustrating the intersection of the presidency with popular culture. An update looking at Hillary and "the Donald" puts contemporary politics in perspective with the evolution of presidential celebrity.

It didn t take long for Barack Obama to make his mark as the biggest political star to ever occupy the White House. Over the course of his two terms in office, Obama has injected the American presidency deeper into popular culture than any of his predecessors. He and his wife Michelle have become iconic figures, celebrities of the first order.This book, by award-winning White House correspondent and presidential historian Kenneth T. Walsh, discusses how the Obamas reached this point. More important, it takes a detailed and comprehensive look at the history of America s presidents as celebrities in chief since the beginning of the Republic. Walsh makes the point that modern presidents need to be celebrities and build on their fame in order to propel their agendas and rally public support for themselves as national leaders so that they can get things done.Combining incisive historical analysis with a journalist s eye for detail, this book looks back to such presidents as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as the forerunners of contemporary celebrity presidents. It examines modern presidents including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, Franklin Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt, each of whom qualified as a celebrity in his own time and place. The book also looks at presidents who fell short in their star appeal, such as George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon Johnson, and explains why their star power was lacking.Among the special features of the book are detailed profiles of the presidents and how they measured up or failed as celebrities; an historical analysis of America s popular culture and how presidents have played a part in it, from sports and television to movies and the news media; the role of first ladies; and a portfolio of fascinating photos illustrating the intersection of the presidency with popular culture."

2014 is a milestone in African American history, marking 50 years since the passage of the Civil Rights Act, the establishment of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the run-up to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In this book, longstanding White House correspondent Kenneth T. Walsh examines the intertwined relationships between US presidents and the African Americans who have been an integral part of the White House certainly 50 years ago, but also going back all the way to the beginning of the Republic. The book opens with the slave-owning presidents, moves through emancipation under Abraham Lincoln, and includes the Jim Crow era and the civil-rights breakthroughs under Lyndon Johnson in concert with the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. It concludes with an insightful analysis of the presidency of Barack Obama, the first African American president, including Ken Walsh s exclusive interview with Obama. As Obama s second term in office proceeds, the story of racial relations not just in the White House but in the country writ large is more timely now than ever.Watch Ken Walsh's interview on C-SPAN2 Book TV"

Prisoners of the White House looks at the isolation experienced by presidents of the United States in the White House, a habitat almost guaranteed to keep America's commander in chief far removed from everyday life. The authors look at how this is emerging as one of the most serious dilemmas facing the American presidency. As presidents have become more isolated, the role of the presidential pollster has grown. Ken Walsh has been given exclusive access to the polls and confidential memos received by presidents over the years, and has interviewed presidential pollsters directly to gain their unique perspective. Prisoners of the White House gets inside the bubble and punctures the mythology surrounding the presidency.

2014 is a milestone in African American history, marking 50 years since the passage of the Civil Rights Act, the establishment of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the run-up to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In this book, longstanding White House correspondent Kenneth T. Walsh examines the intertwined relationships between US presidents and the African Americans who have been an integral part of the White House certainly 50 years ago, but also going back all the way to the beginning of the Republic. The book opens with the slave-owning presidents, moves through emancipation under Abraham Lincoln, and includes the Jim Crow era and the civil-rights breakthroughs under Lyndon Johnson in concert with the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. It concludes with an insightful analysis of the presidency of Barack Obama, the first African American president, including Ken Walsh s exclusive interview with Obama. As Obama s second term in office proceeds, the story of racial relations not just in the White House but in the country writ large is more timely now than ever.Watch Ken Walsh's interview on C-SPAN2 Book TV"

Virtually unknown to the public or historians, White House photographers have developed amazing access to the presidents of the United States over the past half-century. In this book, long-time White House correspondent Kenneth T. Walsh tells their stories, emphasizing observations about the presidents the photographers got to know so well along with other key figures close to those presidents-including the first ladies, members of Congress, and important world leaders. This book shows how official White House photographers have morphed into ultimate insiders within the American presidency, allowed to observe and take pictures of nearly everything Chief Executives do related to their job. The "photogs" have often become close friends with the presidents they have served. Using these bonds of trust and their own powers of observation, they created fundamental impressions and public images of the presidents through the art of photography. Acting not only as image makers but as visual historians, they have built pictorial chronicles of the presidency-intimate narratives of America's leaders in public and private, showing how they dealt with everyday life as well as moments of great crisis and opportunity. From children playing in the Oval Office to decisions to send troops into harm's way, images created by White House photographers can make or break a presidential administration as well as define an era.

Now in paperback, this definitive history of Air Force One by the award-winning chief White House correspondent for U.S. News & World Report is a "marvelous book brimming with unforgettable anecdotes" (David Brinkley).
From FDR'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. In this unique book, Air Force One is revealed as a very special habitat that functions as an invaluable window on each of the presidents who occupy it.
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."