Air Force One: The Aircraft that Shaped the Modern Presidency

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Summary: But where is Harrison Ford?
Review: No symbol of American strength and progress says super power more vividly than Air Force One, the flying center of democratic government when our president travels. This informative and interesting book traces the history of chief executive flying from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush. Each president brought his own personality to the plane: John Kennedy was often hoisted in a steel cage to the entrance to avoid climbing the stairs with his ailing back; Richard Nixon preferred to remain isolated once aboard and seldom moved about the plane; Jimmy Carter used flights on Air Force One as a reward or inducement for congressional members' votes; Bill Clinton liked to pack the plane with political luminaries; in November Bush flew Air Force One into the heart of a hostile Baghdad to have Thanksgiving with our military in Iraq. There are numerous photographs and anecdotes about the plane and its place in history. There's also a foreword by broadcast journalist Bob Schiefer who was on board many flights in the Gerald Ford and Carter administrations.

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Summary: Fascinating Presidential History
Review: OK, I admit it! I'm an aviation nut, and am in awe of the presidency and its trappings. I watch West Wing every Wednesday to get the inside view of the White House, and I own the DVD of Air Force One starring Harrison Ford. So this book was a natural for me, and I knew that I would love it even before I picked it up.

That said, once I started getting into the book, it was better than I ever anticipated. The authors do a great job of laying out the history of air travel and the office of the President, and you quickly realize how Air Force One was instrumental in creating the world view that the United States was (and is) a SuperPower nation. Not only do you get a great history lesson as to the importance of modern avaiation and the American presidency, you are also enlightend as to the technology and logisitcs involved in keeping the president moving around the globe.

This book is great for anyone who has an interest in presidential history, as well as people who love aviation history. The pictures, while many have been seen previously, make for a great and welcome addition to the text. You certainly feel as if you have had an opportunity to fly on Air Force One.

I really enjoy having this book in my library, and if I owned a coffee table, I'd have it sitting on the coffee table.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book!
Review: This book would be of great interest to "presidential" buffs! There are wonderful, never before seen photos (at least to me)! I especially love the photo of President & Mrs. Reagan greeting their dog! However, I beleive the Reagans' dog was named "Rex" not Millie..as the caption states!

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Summary: Well worth having
Review: This is an interesting book both textually and visually. It shows how aviation made the Presidency a world office. Aviation buffs will enjoy the lineage of Presidential Aircraft and the inside and outside views. Much history occured on Air Force One and newsman Bob Schieffer presents some of the more historic moments for us. There is a table inside which shows how many assets and resources are necessary just to move the President of the United States which is an eye-opener. A fascinating book and a great gift idea for the holidays. It's one of those books that you'll look at again and again over the years.

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Summary: A reader engaging, informed and informative presentation
Review: Van Hardesty brings a special expertise to this specialized aviation history by being the curator of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Air Force One: The Aircraft That Shaped The Modern Presidency is a reader engaging, informed and informative presentation on those advances in air travel which have affected the American Presidency and enabled America's leaders to make more and farther-ranging visits around the world. More than 260 color and archival photographs illustrate this absorbing story of the air vehicles that have served the American President in the twentieth century. Air Force One is a strongly recommended contribution to both Aviation History reference collections and American Political Science supplemental reading lists.