The Presidents Club: Inside the World's Most Exclusive Fraternity

A rare treat among the many books on the US presidency. Starting with the relationship between Hoover and Truman, the "club" comes down to the present time. The relationships developed between our modern presidents are fascinating. The loss of three past presidents, Eisenhower, Truman and Johnson, during Nixon's presidency left him alone without those whom he stayed in touch for advice. Several times in our history, we had six presidents alive: the sitting president and five others. With the death of George H.W. Bush, there were five presidents in the front pews of the National Cathedral: his son George W., Carter, Clinton, Obama and Trump. And not to forget that president Woodrow Wilson was buried nearby in the Cathedral. A lively and deeply interesting read.

This is an interesting, little known story of how the Presidents starting with Truman and Hoover came together for support and service of those who had previously been President. Interestingly enough this was true regardless of political party nor the negative comments that usually appear during campaigns. Hoover was asked by Truman to head the relief effort for starving Europeans at the end of WWII. With the exception of Kennedy who died early in office the others after FDR lived long lives. Some of course are still alive today. It was not all positive but overall it was nice to learn of the comradeship. I did not like to read that LBJ relied so heavily on Eisenhower for advice during the Vietnam War. He encouraged LBJ to push the fight; a war we all now know was a disaster. On two occasions Carter diffused tension; once by going to N. Korea and the second Haiti. Both times he was successful. I leave it to you to read for yourself. I only mentioned the above to get your interest. It is well worth you taking the time to read.

Being the President of the United States is a very unique position...think about it...only 45 people in this entire world have ever held this office. So many people think that it is an easy position to be in. Most everyone are know it alls that are not taking the fall that and the responsibility the President will in history if the decision goes south.What I loved best is seeing how some of them have tried to redeem themselves on the backs of their current presidents. Some were pests, some were humble, all wanted to be useful. I would love to see an addendum made to include #44 and 45 to see how they will fair as being part of this club.Reading this was great...listening to the audio version was a GEM. I would like for them to continuously add to this book as old administrations go by.

This was an interesting read for several reasons; but probably not the reasons you're thinking of. What struck me most was how sensitive, needy (and dare I say, childish) these men turned out to be after leaving office. I think it goes without saying that these were some accomplished individuals; each with a different set of talents, but the level of attention most that of them seemed to need after leaving office was surprising and a bit disappointing. In any event, it was an eye-opening read and I recommend it to anyone interested in the often untold stories of world leaders.

"The Presidents Club: Inside The World's Most Exclusive Fraternity" is a fascinating read. I enjoyed it tremendously, especially since I'm interested in American history and our presidents. As authors Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy explain, the only members in the relatively modern invention of the club are the men who have been President of The United States.The authors explain that once a man joins the club (and perhaps some day we'll have a woman club member), the other members (for the most part) close ranks around him and do what they can to provide assistance. Gibbs and Duffy state that former presidents rarely criticize their successors because they are the only people who truly understand how difficult the job is.The authors write:"For the former presidents, the club can be a vital, sometimes surprising benefit of post-presidential life. They have relinquished power, but not influence; and so their influence becomes a piece of the sitting president's power. They can do more together than apart, and they all know it; so they join forces as needed, to consult, complain, console, pressure, protect, redeem."Here are some bits of information from the book that I found interesting:The club's formal beginning took place at the inauguration of Dwight Eisenhower when Herbert Hoover suggested to Harry Truman that they organize a former presidents club. "Fine," Truman replied. "You be the President of the club. And I will be the Secretary."Truman had already helped to rehabilitate Hoover's image by requesting his assistance with the problems of post-World War II Europe.When Johnson had to assume the presidency abruptly, Eisenhower became one of his most trusted confidantes. Johnson told Eisenhower that he was the best chief of staff Johnson had.In a breach of loyalty to our country and to his Commander in Chief, Nixon sabotaged Johnson's efforts to end the war in Vietnam. Nixon wanted the war to continue so he would be needed as the president who could achieve peace.The enmity between Ford and Carter ended during the plane trip back to the U.S. following Anwar Sadat's funeral. Ford and Carter then became close friends, and teamed up on many projects.Reagan taught Bill Clinton how to salute properly; Nixon became a close adviser to Clinton.When George W. Bush was elected and greeted his father, former President George H.W. Bush in the Oval Office, both men were so overcome by emotion that they couldn't speak.President George W. Bush asked his father and Bill Clinton to work together to raise funds to provide assistance following catastrophes. Bush (41) and Clinton went on to become such close friends that Bush 43 joked about Clinton recovering from heart surgery -- that Clinton "woke up surrounded by his loved ones: Hillary, Chelsea . . . my Dad."I learned many interesting tidbits of information about U.S. history and our presidents from this book. The Presidents Club has The Janie Junebug Highest Seal of Approval.

This is an interesting and well reasearched account of the relationships between each president since Truman with their predecessors right through to Obama and his relationships with Clinton and Bush.In telling the story of these relationships this book covers pretty much all of the major points of US history since WII in a very readable way. I thouroughly enjoyed this book and learned a great deal - some of which - for example the warm relationships between Bill Clinton and both Bush father and son surprised me a liitle.Interesting and informative - a very humane account of the pressures of very high office and what it is like to move on from the summit of power

This book wonderfully describes the relationships between the sitting and the former - never really retired - presidents. It is interesting to see that the most fruitful relationships do occur when they both are at the opposite of the political spectrum.The most striking example is the alliance forged after the end of the second world war between Hoover and Truman. The help and the restless travels that Hoover did averted another tragedy in Europe for bringing food and restoring the economies to a functioning state.Eisenhower and JFK relationship remains also essential since they very much despised each other at begin of their encounter but finally manage to form an almost workable relationship . Eisenhower was proved to be a definitive help and a loyal ally during the Cuban crisis when he advised JFK to pursue and announce the quarantine of Cuba.The example of Jimmy Carter in this book is also striking, the very fact that he criticizes publicly Clinton's foreign policy decisions labelled him as "black sheep" of the club.The relationships between Senior Bush and Clinton are also worth to read, notably in the role they both play following the contentious election in 2000 between Al Gore and Junior Bush.Reagan and Nixon remains a fascinating relationship . It is Reagan whom restated Nixon by seeking his advice during the most dangerous years of the Cold War.The open question remains with whom 44 will be friend with when his term finishes in 2016 ??

Really interesting look at US history from the perspective of former presidents helping sitting incumbents I'm not a huge history fan/buff - but this book was gripping and well written.

This is a fascinating insight into the US Presidents from Hoover to Obama and their campaigns for the 'top job and the politics involved. It is interesting to see how devious some were and how helpful others could be to the new President. It is an very exclusive Club and I would certainly recommend this to anyone interested in American Presidents and politics

Fascinating