Rating: 
Summary: Pleasant Light Reading
Review: * Kenneth Walsh's AIR FORCE ONE is a history of the aircraft
of the US presidents and the events of their presidencies that
took place in and around these aircraft.This is not really a book for aviation enthusiasts interested
in learning about the technical details of these aircraft.
I believe there is another book on AIR FORCE ONE that does go
into these details, but the technical descriptions here are
general and informal, with the focus being mostly on portraits
of and stories about presidents. The discussion of the logistics of current Air Force 1 flights
was, however, something of an eye-opener: the flights involve
*two* Boeing 747 jumbo jets, with one flying as a backup, as
well as support aircraft, for example to carry the presidential
armored limousines. Imperial Ceasar could envy travel in such
a grand fashion. In fact, in some ways this book could be retitled THE TWELVE
CEASARS (AND THEIR FLYING MACHINES) -- and by a minor
coincidence there have actually been twelve flying presidents.
Like THE TWELVE CEASARS itself, this is something of a chatty,
celebrity-gossipy book, and as such it is entertaining if
sometimes hard to take very seriously. I did find it amusing to
learn that Richard Nixon was so clumsy around technology that he
could barely operate an AM-FM radio. Brent Scowcroft said that
Nixon could trip over a fleck of dust on the carpet. This is an amusing read, though in the end it doesn't feel
like much more than a glorified magazine essay. It could have
been cut down considerably and not lost much, but since it's not all
that long to begin with that's not much of a problem, and if you
read AIR FORCE ONE with the proper expectations you will likely
find it a good use of your time.
Rating: 
Summary: First Class Ride!
Review: I have just finished reading Kenneth T. Walsh's newest book, "Air Force One: A History of the Presidents and Their Planes". This book, I am happy to report, is as informative and articulate a reading experience as I have had in a long time. Mr. Walsh's long-time "insider" status as well as his exhaustive research and crisp, concise style of writing made this a thoroughly enjoyable read, start to finish. The short history of aviation and it's effect on American history is truly remarkable, as Mr. Walsh reports. Over the few years it has taken for the jet age to develop, our executive branch has been relatively quick to recognize and tap the potential for extending democratic values and influence. Between FDR's first tedious and exhausting hop-scotch to Casablanca and George W. Bush's incredible split-second decision on board Air Force One the day of September 11, 2001, this book gives the reader some wonderful minute-by-minute reporting from the key people involved, right up to the presidents themselves. Each of our presidents has approached the Ait Force One experience in their own unique way, thereby revealing a closer insight into their hearts and minds. This book details each, from Clinton's relatively relaxed and homey flying style, Johnson's bullying, to Nixon's brooding and self-obsessed genius. And for me personally, the detailed descriptions of each airplane's awesome power and capabilities imparted a sense of certainty and reassurance that our leadership is just as secure and in command at 35,000 feet and 700 mph as it has ever been in the White House or Camp David. These airplanes and the phalanx of people who fly them have known more history than one could ever have even imagined. With this book, Mr. Walsh has brought American history buffs as well as casual readers like myself a slice of flying knowlege and experience not soon to be forgotten.
Rating:
Summary: First Class Ride!
Review: I have just finished reading Kenneth T. Walsh's newest book, "Air Force One: A History of the Presidents and Their Planes". This book, I am happy to report, is as informative and articulate a reading experience as I have had in a long time. Mr. Walsh's long-time "insider" status as well as his exhaustive research and crisp, concise style of writing made this a thoroughly enjoyable read, start to finish. The short history of aviation and it's effect on American history is truly remarkable, as Mr. Walsh reports. Over the few years it has taken for the jet age to develop, our executive branch has been relatively quick to recognize and tap the potential for extending democratic values and influence. Between FDR's first tedious and exhausting hop-scotch to Casablanca and George W. Bush's incredible split-second decision on board Air Force One the day of September 11, 2001, this book gives the reader some wonderful minute-by-minute reporting from the key people involved, right up to the presidents themselves. Each of our presidents has approached the Ait Force One experience in their own unique way, thereby revealing a closer insight into their hearts and minds. This book details each, from Clinton's relatively relaxed and homey flying style, Johnson's bullying, to Nixon's brooding and self-obsessed genius. And for me personally, the detailed descriptions of each airplane's awesome power and capabilities imparted a sense of certainty and reassurance that our leadership is just as secure and in command at 35,000 feet and 700 mph as it has ever been in the White House or Camp David. These airplanes and the phalanx of people who fly them have known more history than one could ever have even imagined. With this book, Mr. Walsh has brought American history buffs as well as casual readers like myself a slice of flying knowlege and experience not soon to be forgotten.
Rating:
Summary: Stage for Presidents
Review: Air Force One doesn't break any new ground. There aren't any juicy revelations about our past or present presidents. Air Force One in this book provides a unique stage allowing us to briefly visit all of the "flying presidents" including their personality flaws and greatness. (or the lack thereof) It's an interesting book. You won't end up with it on your all time list of favorites but it's perfect for a summer day at the beach. Enjoyable reading.
Rating:
Summary: Stage for Presidents
Review: Air Force One doesn't break any new ground. There aren't any juicy revelations about our past or present presidents. Air Force One in this book provides a unique stage allowing us to briefly visit all of the "flying presidents" including their personality flaws and greatness. (or the lack thereof) It's an interesting book. You won't end up with it on your all time list of favorites but it's perfect for a summer day at the beach. Enjoyable reading.
Rating:
Summary: A fast riveting read!
Review: From Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush, this is a look at the presidents as never seen before. The pages on Lyndon Johnson sizzle. I had enjoyed some of the recent scholarship on this president but must admit that the perspective in this book makes the man come alive, good and bad. The author pulls no punches, obviously has no favorites or allegiances other than history itself. Bill Clinton really comes alive and you can just see George W. with all his bravado and smart-talk-humor. This is one of those books that you will hate to finish. Revealing and mesmerizing!
Rating: 
Summary: Presidents in Private: An Engaging Look
Review: Getting on Air Force One is like being a kid in a candy store, whether you're a new president or a seasoned journalist. And only a seasoned journalist could combine technical details, a sense of history and the gossip we're really looking for. The theme of the book is that Air Force One is more than a plane. It's a symbol of the US and of presidential power. Most important, AF One offers presidents a chance to be alone -- and a chance to take off their suits and reveal themselves in jeans, sweats and Boxer shorts. Some presidents come alive more than others in this account. We get a feel for Nixon, Clinton and Ford, but less for Kennedy and the present Bush. The Carter chapter surprised me: the public persona contrasts with the private man and Amy turns out to be a spoiled brat. Ford was the most decent and caring of all past presidents. And we learn that Reagan was far more disciplined than most of us realized. We begin to realize that Bill Clinton, the first Baby Boomer president, brought a new era to the Presidency as well as the plane: he was actually comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt, and his open expressions of emotion are contemporary. His predecessors seem stiff by comparison. Wisely, the author remains carefully neutral when writing about the current president. I'd have liked to learn more about the crew who serve AF One. How are they chosen? Do they get special training? What's it like to be a flight attendant or a steward? And I'd like to hear more about some of the notable reporters, such as Barbara Walters, who gets mentioned only for her dismay at being served a spam sandwich. And Walsh's journalistic role has a downside. I'd have liked to see a chapter with some insights that cut across individual presidents rather than straight reporting. As a reader, I found myself astonished at the ordinary qualities of the leaders of the free world. Some were not accustomed to being served. Others seemed so ill-suited to the presidency that I wondered how they got so far. Overall, they're downhome, at least a little chauvinistic, insulated from much of the rest of the world because they're too busy with the president to develop a broad exposure. They play cards and watch light movies. Most have a roving eye: Kennedy, Johnson and Clinton are well-known but apparently Nixon liked to look, too. Reading this book is like going to Epcot: you feel as though you're getting educated when you're really being entertained, and you can't help enjoying the experience. For an eerie contrast, read The Ship Who Sang, a classic sci fi novel by Anne McCaffrey.
Rating:
Summary: Presidents in Private: An Engaging Look
Review: Getting on Air Force One is like being a kid in a candy store, whether you're a new president or a seasoned journalist. And only a seasoned journalist could combine technical details, a sense of history and the gossip we're really looking for. The theme of the book is that Air Force One is more than a plane. It's a symbol of the US and of presidential power. Most important, AF One offers presidents a chance to be alone -- and a chance to take off their suits and reveal themselves in jeans, sweats and Boxer shorts. Some presidents come alive more than others in this account. We get a feel for Nixon, Clinton and Ford, but less for Kennedy and the present Bush. The Carter chapter surprised me: the public persona contrasts with the private man and Amy turns out to be a spoiled brat. Ford was the most decent and caring of all past presidents. And we learn that Reagan was far more disciplined than most of us realized. We begin to realize that Bill Clinton, the first Baby Boomer president, brought a new era to the Presidency as well as the plane: he was actually comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt, and his open expressions of emotion are contemporary. His predecessors seem stiff by comparison. Wisely, the author remains carefully neutral when writing about the current president. I'd have liked to learn more about the crew who serve AF One. How are they chosen? Do they get special training? What's it like to be a flight attendant or a steward? And I'd like to hear more about some of the notable reporters, such as Barbara Walters, who gets mentioned only for her dismay at being served a spam sandwich. And Walsh's journalistic role has a downside. I'd have liked to see a chapter with some insights that cut across individual presidents rather than straight reporting. As a reader, I found myself astonished at the ordinary qualities of the leaders of the free world. Some were not accustomed to being served. Others seemed so ill-suited to the presidency that I wondered how they got so far. Overall, they're downhome, at least a little chauvinistic, insulated from much of the rest of the world because they're too busy with the president to develop a broad exposure. They play cards and watch light movies. Most have a roving eye: Kennedy, Johnson and Clinton are well-known but apparently Nixon liked to look, too. Reading this book is like going to Epcot: you feel as though you're getting educated when you're really being entertained, and you can't help enjoying the experience. For an eerie contrast, read The Ship Who Sang, a classic sci fi novel by Anne McCaffrey.
Rating:
Summary: Insider look I won't forget
Review: Here is an insider look at the presidents that I will never forget. They are in shirt sleeves, chowing down food, playing cards and telling shady jokes. This is a very insightful account that was a sure winner from its very conception. Still, Ken Walsh is so tidy with the intricate details that there are many extras I didn't expect. Fun reading... much new information, critical to any serious student of presidential history.
Rating:
Summary: Insider look I won't forget
Review: Here is an insider look at the presidents that I will never forget. They are in shirt sleeves, chowing down food, playing cards and telling shady jokes. This is a very insightful account that was a sure winner from its very conception. Still, Ken Walsh is so tidy with the intricate details that there are many extras I didn't expect. Fun reading... much new information, critical to any serious student of presidential history.
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