wannabaudrey's review
5.0
I loved this book. It was interesting, educational, and easy to listen to. The author didn’t brag or sensationalize. Great read!
meganmccamy's review
4.0
The only thing I wish this book included was how being a secret service agent affected Hill’s family. He only very briefly included info about his wife and sons. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned several things about presidential history.
shells's review against another edition
5.0
In my endeavor to read more nonfiction, I picked this book out probably based on a YouTube Booktuber recommendation or something; I honestly don't remember. It took me a while to read because I read nonfiction differently from fiction, and the library took it back twice before I could finish it.
All that to say, I really enjoyed this book in a way I wasn't expecting. As someone that was born in the 80s, I always heard about a lot of these historical events, and learned some aspects through various books, shows, etc.; however, this first-hand account through 5 presidents was enlightening and educational. Not just in regards to the presidents, but a lot of changes that Clint Hill was a part of or experienced throughout the time period this book spans.
It was interesting to know some more intimate aspects of presidential figures who presented a particular persona to the public. I was fascinated by some of the similarities I saw between Nixon and Trump. It was enlightening to learn the cost accrued by each president with constant stays on yachts, ranches, helicopter rides, and plane trips around the world and the lack of concern for their own safety at times. But also the great pressures and challenges each one faced.
All that to say, I really enjoyed this book in a way I wasn't expecting. As someone that was born in the 80s, I always heard about a lot of these historical events, and learned some aspects through various books, shows, etc.; however, this first-hand account through 5 presidents was enlightening and educational. Not just in regards to the presidents, but a lot of changes that Clint Hill was a part of or experienced throughout the time period this book spans.
It was interesting to know some more intimate aspects of presidential figures who presented a particular persona to the public. I was fascinated by some of the similarities I saw between Nixon and Trump. It was enlightening to learn the cost accrued by each president with constant stays on yachts, ranches, helicopter rides, and plane trips around the world and the lack of concern for their own safety at times. But also the great pressures and challenges each one faced.
rross374's review
5.0
Secret Service Agent Clint Hill's experiences serving Five Presidents each different and each with a huge ego. Eisenhower, the General with organizational experience; Kennedy, the charismatic intellect with great communication skills and the capacity to inspire; Johnson, the deal-making politician with the oversized personality; Nixon the opportunisitic introvert with his emotional flaws and insecuity that led to his downfall and Ford , the ordinary man intent on doing the right thing. The author was the agent that jumped on the back of the car that held President Kennedy and he was able to push Jackie back into the car as the assassin's bullets ended President Kennedy's life. I now want to read Mr. Hill's other books Mrs. Kennedy and Me and Five Days in November.
shelfreflectionofficial's review
4.0
This one is a long one, but I really enjoyed it! It helped put different historical events in order and made connections I hadn't thought of before. I know I learned a lot of it in school, but you don't really try to remember it that much and once you're an adult, you realize more why remembering is so important. So I learned a lot from this book! The goings-on of the White House is always so secretive, so it was fun to read about some of the behind-the-scenes happenings, how certain things function, and about who some of our presidents were. I think it's also a good reminder that, no matter who is in office, there is always violence, unrest, threat of war, and striving to fix the country's problems. The job is not easy, and there is a lot we don't know about that goes on. My thoughts also go out to the families of the Secret Service agents because apparently they can go a majority of the year without seeing them. They sacrifice a lot to protect our leaders.
Lastly, a sidenote: you will read the word 'motorcade' a great many times in this book!
Lastly, a sidenote: you will read the word 'motorcade' a great many times in this book!
kgimm29's review
4.0
I’ve always found presidential history incredibly fascinating, and when it’s insider stories like this I’m all about it. I feel like it humanizes the person when someone that actually knows them on a more intimate level tells these stories. Did I learn anything ground breaking that I didn’t already know? No, but it was still a great read.
jcm196's review
4.0
This book provides a uniquely interesting outlook on one of America's most hectic and traumatizing political times. The account provided by Hill gives so much insight into the personal qualities of each president during this time, that I'm not sure any other person could have provided. My only peeve with the book was that I wish it was a little more personal about Hill. To me, the book seemed more like a chronology of political events viewed through the lens of a secret service agent. At times, I would've liked to hear more about Hill and his experience as an agent while these political events occurred.
maryrobinson's review
3.0
Interesting memoir of former Secret Service agent Hill who served administrations from Eisenhower to Ford. Sometimes it read like a repetitive daily diary as it covered the same kind of details/work pattern over and over. But there is a lot of fascinating insight into the presidents and the life of a Secret Service agent, which involves a 24-hour a day commitment. I especially was surprised at how I came to admire the passion and amazing stamina of Lyndon Johnson, as he pursued Civil Rights reform and tried to resolve the Vietnam War. I also was very moved by the effect of the Kennedy assassination on everyone involved, and how it resulted in post-traumatic stress syndrome for many of those people, including Clint Hill who never forgave himself for not being able to save the President.