GREAT READS

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

Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy.

"The Presidents Club: Inside the World's Most Exclusive Fraternity" by Time editors, Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy is a readable and informative history of the little-known relationship between past and present presidents of the U.S.

This unique club was established by George Washington and John Adams. Adams was the first to realize that, whatever angst or jealousies lingered in private, a former president could be highly useful. Of course, Adams had only one former president to rely on!

Over time, the club's ranks rose and fell. On January 20, 1953, at the inauguration of Dwight Eisenhower, Truman greeted Herbert Hoover and Hoover replied, "I think we ought to organize a former presidents club." Thus the modern fraternity was created. Truman, Hoover and Eisenhower went on to confer on many national and international projects.

This extensively researched and well-documented book is full of anecdotes, conversations, letters and insights. While reading it one gains new perspectives on our political past. We learn of on-going contributions as well as publicized and unpublicized conflicts. When presidents leave office they relinquish power but not influence. This book reveals how the president in office calls on "The Club" for guidance.

This "peek into politics" is a compelling read!

Recommended by Ruth Ann Johnson