Great new Clint Hill article
http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/569262/A-witness-to-history.html?nav=5010
tom wells 6 days ago "
Showing posts with label jerry blaine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jerry blaine. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
JFK Secret Service Agent Tom Wells: conceding conspiracy in JFK's death?
On You Tube, there is a version of Clint Hill's poignant December 1975 "60 Minutes" television interview with the late Mike Wallace (also sitting next to Clint is his wife Gwen who, as Clint admitted on C-SPAN a few months ago, left him after decades of marriage). One of the comments is from JFK SECRET SERVICE AGENT TOM WELLS (guarded the Kennedy children and appears on "The Kennedy Detail" documentary and book+ was on one part of the book tour). Here is what he wrote:
"This man was suffering from considerable false guilt. Noone could have stopped the shooter or shooters. This is a good man. God bless him. Read his book "Mrs. Kennedy and me" which is very personal and intimate look at Jackie Kennedy and his professional relationship with her. Hill was assigned as bodyguard during the Kennedy years.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
DUBIOUS New JFK film based on Secret Service member's book
I can see it all now: Blaine will have some cheesey actor portraying JFK, falsely commanding them to get off the limo. Blaine has made a ton of money off the man they failed to protect; this film continues the gravy train for him. Remember: JFK DID NOT ORDER THE AGENTS OFF HIS LIMOUSINE---MY MANY INTERVIEWS WITH FORMER SECRET SERVICE AGENTS AND WHITE HOUSE AIDES DEBUNKS HIS BOOK.
Nice job protecting JFK...not!
New JFK film based on Secret Service member's book
Tim Molloy Reuters
6:02 p.m. CDT, April 16, 2012
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - The producers of a film planned to coincide with the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination say it will set "the record straight in answer to Oliver Stone's fanciful 'JFK.'"
Ramos & Sparks Group of Tallahassee, Fla. and Los Angeles-based Atchity Entertainment International announced Monday that they had obtained the rights to "The Kennedy Detail." The book was written by former Secret Service agent Gerald Blaine and journalist Lisa McCubbin.
Blaine, part of Kennedy's security detail, worked with McCubbin on his first-hand account of serving the president from his election in 1960 through his death on November 22, 1963.
"The unique relationship between this President and those charged with his safety is a story that will add a previously unknown perspective into the brief, but well-chronicled era known as the Kennedy Administration," said Dr. Ken Atchity, president of Atchity, who will produce with partner Chi-Li Wong, as well as Rich Ramos and Bob Sparks.
They made the "fanciful" comment in a news release about the deal. They hope to release the film in late 2013.
An Emmy-nominated documentary based on "The Kennedy Detail," narrated by Martin Sheen, was executive-produced by Atchity and Wong, along with Renegade83, with Blaine and McCubbin serving as producers. It first aired on Discovery Channel in 2010.
New feature film planned as 'answer to Oliver Stone's fanciful 'JFK'
Published: Monday, April 16, 2012, 11:30 AM Updated: Monday, April 16, 2012, 12:42 PM
In marketing Oliver Stone's 1991 New Orleans-shot, Kennedy-assassination conspiracy theory "JFK," Warner Bros. referred to it as "the story that won't go away." Now, some 21 years later, another film company is doing its part to make sure that claim remains true.
The Los Angeles-based Atchity Entertainment, in partnership with the Florida-based Ramos & Sparks Group, announced plans today (April 16) for a feature film based on one insider's account of the Kennedy assassination. The production is described it as an "answer to Oliver Stone's fanciful 'JFK.'"
The new film will be based on the New York Times bestseller "The Kennedy Detail," written by former Secret Service agent Gerald Blaine - a former member of Kennedy's security detail -- with journalist Lisa McCubbin.
The book has already spawned a Discovery Channel documentary, also called "The Kennedy Detail," which was narrated by Martin Sheen and nominated last year for a News and Documentary Emmy in the long-form historical programming category.
For its part, Stone's 1991's "JFK" was based on a book by New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison who -- unsatisfied with the official line -- launched his own investigation into the assassination. Shooting for two months in town in summer 1991, "JFK" stands as one of highest-profile films to shoot in New Orleans prior to the state's 2002 adoption of filmmaking tax incentives.
Upon its release in December 1991, the film earned more than $200 million in worldwide box office, as well as eight Oscar nominations, including for best picture. (It won two, for film editing and cinematography).
It also, however, generated no small amount of controversy, as Stone was widely criticized for playing fast and loose with the facts.
The new film, producer Rich Ramos says, will be different.
"As a life-long student of the Kennedy administration and the events of November 22, 1963, I could see immediately that this book provided a clear picture and keen insight into the everyday workings of the administration as well as that horrible day in Dallas," producer Rich Ramos said today in a news release.
"The true story contained in 'The Kennedy Detail' needs to be brought to theaters around the world so that history can be presented accurately, once and for all."
Producers are targeting a 2013 release date - exactly 50 years after the assassination -- although it's unclear when production will begin or where it will take place. No cast has been announced.
Monday, April 16, 2012
The Blaine propaganda machine rolls on-the book didn't sway anyone, so he's hoping a movie will
Wow---what trouble I have wrought with my 22-page letter to Clint Hill in June 2005! Seeing that his book didn't sway anyone (public opinion polls haven't changed- the overwhelming majority of people STILL believe there was a conspiracy AND most thinking people know that JFK did NOT order the agents off his limo), Blaine is now going to have a movie based on the book, timed for the 50th anniversary. Too bad for Blaine that Leonardo DiCaprio beat him to the punch- he is coming out with a major PRO conspiracy movie---based on a book I AM IN, "Legacy Of Secrecy"---at the very same time...gee, I wonder which movie people will go to haha? I can see it all now: ole Ken and Jer will employ some cheesey actor to portray JFK and the guy will read from their script: "I command you: get off my limo! That is an order! Now...or else!"
Oh, brother.
Well, not to worry- public support (and thinking people) are on my/ our side. They won't be fooled.
Major Motion Picture Based on THE KENNEDY DETAIL Planned for 50th Anniversary of the JFK assassination
Friday, April 13, 2012; 02:04 PM - by BWW News Desk
As the 50th anniversary approaches in 2013 for one of the darkest, saddest days in modern American history – the assassination of President John F. Kennedy – plans have been announced for production of a major motion picture based on the New York Times bestselling book, The Kennedy Detail, written by former Secret Service agent Gerald Blaine and award-winning journalist Lisa McCubbin, with a foreword by former agent Clint Hill.
Ramos & Sparks Group (R&S) of Tallahassee, Florida, in conjunction with Atchity Entertainment International (AEI) of Los Angeles, California, today announced they have secured the rights and optioned the book for an independent feature film closely following the book, thereby “setting the record straight in answer to Oliver Stone’s fanciful JFK.”
The venture will be produced by the collaboration The Kennedy Project, LLC. Blaine, a key member of President John F. Kennedy’s security detail, teamed with McCubbin to provide a first-hand account of protecting the 35th President and his family immediately following his election in November, 1960 through the tragic day in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.
This critically acclaimed account was released in late 2010 as the first book written about the President and his family with the cooperation of the men charged with his protection. The first-hand account, told within the 427 pages of The Kennedy Detail and an Emmy-nominated documentary of the same title, is comprised of individual tales of loyalty, honor and ultimately, loss.
“This book is about a ‘band of brothers’ who committed their lives every day to guarding the President and his family,” said Dr. Ken Atchity, President of Atchity Entertainment International, who will serve as the film’s producer along with AEI partner Chi-Li Wong. “The unique relationship between this President and those charged with his safety is a story that will add a previously unknown perspective into the brief, but well-chronicled era known as the Kennedy Administration.”
“As a life-long student of the Kennedy Administration and the events of November 22, 1963, I could see immediately that this book provided a clear picture and keen insight into the everyday workings of the administration as well as that horrible day in Dallas,” said Rich Ramos, who along with Bob Sparks of Ramos & Sparks Group, will also serve as producers. “The true story contained inThe Kennedy Detail needs to be brought to theaters around the world so that history can be presented accurately, once and for all.”
Plans call for a release in late 2013, nearly 50 years to the day of the assassination of President Kennedy. The Emmy-nominated documentary based on The Kennedy Detail, narrated by Martin Sheen, was executive-produced by Ken Atchity and Chi-Li Wong, along with Renegade83, and first aired on Discovery Channel in 2010. Jerry Blaine and Lisa McCubbin also served as producers.
Read more: http://movies.broadwayworld.com/article/Major-Motion-Picture-Based-on-THE-KENNEDY-DETAIL-Planned-for-50th-Anniversary-of-Assassination-20120413#ixzz1sCX2SyZ2
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Ex-agent refuses to toe party line on JFK slaying
Ex-agent refuses to toe party line on JFK slaying
By Ellen Miller, Special To The News
November 20, 2003
GRAND JUNCTION - Lee Harvey Oswald didn't act alone when he killed
President John F. Kennedy, a retired agent said Wednesday, and the
president died because Secret Service agents failed at their jobs.
"Officially, the answer to Oswald when somebody asks - because we
were ordered to say it - is that the Warren Commission found that he
acted alone," retired agent Jerry O'Rourke said. "But was there more
than one gunman? Yes, personally I believe so. And my personal
opinion about Jack Ruby is that he was paid to kill Oswald."
O'Rourke grew up in Telluride and attended Western State and Regis
colleges, then spent 22 years in the Secret Service. Now retired and
back home, he spoke Wednesday to the downtown Grand Junction [COLORADO] Rotary Club [THIS IS THE SAME CITY WHERE GERALD BLAINE LIVES-VMP].
O'Rourke said his group of agents, about 10 of them, had protected
Kennedy the morning of Nov. 22, 1963, at a breakfast speech in Fort
Worth. Then the group left by air for Austin, the next stop planned
for the president's Texas tour.
"We got the word (of the assassination) in the air, and we didn't
believe it at first," he said. "We were joking. But later, most of
the agents had tears in their eyes. Agents believed in Kennedy, and
we knew we failed our job in Dallas."
After his White House tour ended during Johnson's presidency,
O'Rourke spent a year in the Secret Service intelligence division,
which offered him glimpses into the investigation of Kennedy's death.
Those glimpses, and the accounts of other agents, have convinced
O'Rourke that Oswald didn't act alone. He cited several reasons:
Kennedy had a number of enemies, any of whom could have plotted
against him. They included Southerners angered by his insistence on
civil rights; organized crime; labor unions unhappy with
investigations of them by Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy; Cuban
dissidents angry over the failed Bay of Pigs invasion; and FBI
Director J. Edgar Hoover.
The shots were impossible to make. O'Rourke learned to shoot as a
boy and trained as a marksman in the military. He said his visits to
Oswald's perch at the Texas Book Depository convince him that no one
could have fired a rifle three times so quickly, hitting the
president and Texas Gov. John Connolly.
The trajectory of one of the shots could not have been made from a
gunman on the sixth floor of the Texas Book Depository. The shot
entered Kennedy's body at his lower back and traveled up, to exit
near his throat.
The circumstances of the autopsy were irregular. Texas law requires
autopsies to be done in state, but agents, acting on the orders of
White House, took Kennedy's body back to Washington, D.C. The autopsy
was performed at Bethesda Naval Medical Center under secrecy that
prevails to this day.
Evidence was destroyed. O'Rourke said that on the day of the
assassination, one agent was ordered to clean out the cars used in
the motorcade, getting rid of blood and other evidence. The agent
told O'Rourke that he found a piece of skull, asked the White House
doctor what to do with it, and was told to destroy it.
Instructions were given to lie. The agent in charge of motorcade
protection told O'Rourke that he was told by the Warren Commission
during his testimony that he did not hear a fourth shot and he did
not see someone running across the grassy knoll. But the agent
insisted that his account was accurate.
Evidence about the shots is in conflict. An open microphone on a
motorcycle in the motorcade picked up four shots, not three.
"In my opinion, Hoover wanted the commission to find that Oswald
acted alone," O'Rourke said. "The complete file won't be released
until 2027, and the reason for that is most of us will be dead by
then." [THAT'S O.K.-READ BLAINE'S BOOK IN THE MEANTIME HAHAHA-VMP]
By Ellen Miller, Special To The News
November 20, 2003
GRAND JUNCTION - Lee Harvey Oswald didn't act alone when he killed
President John F. Kennedy, a retired agent said Wednesday, and the
president died because Secret Service agents failed at their jobs.
"Officially, the answer to Oswald when somebody asks - because we
were ordered to say it - is that the Warren Commission found that he
acted alone," retired agent Jerry O'Rourke said. "But was there more
than one gunman? Yes, personally I believe so. And my personal
opinion about Jack Ruby is that he was paid to kill Oswald."
O'Rourke grew up in Telluride and attended Western State and Regis
colleges, then spent 22 years in the Secret Service. Now retired and
back home, he spoke Wednesday to the downtown Grand Junction [COLORADO] Rotary Club [THIS IS THE SAME CITY WHERE GERALD BLAINE LIVES-VMP].
O'Rourke said his group of agents, about 10 of them, had protected
Kennedy the morning of Nov. 22, 1963, at a breakfast speech in Fort
Worth. Then the group left by air for Austin, the next stop planned
for the president's Texas tour.
"We got the word (of the assassination) in the air, and we didn't
believe it at first," he said. "We were joking. But later, most of
the agents had tears in their eyes. Agents believed in Kennedy, and
we knew we failed our job in Dallas."
After his White House tour ended during Johnson's presidency,
O'Rourke spent a year in the Secret Service intelligence division,
which offered him glimpses into the investigation of Kennedy's death.
Those glimpses, and the accounts of other agents, have convinced
O'Rourke that Oswald didn't act alone. He cited several reasons:
Kennedy had a number of enemies, any of whom could have plotted
against him. They included Southerners angered by his insistence on
civil rights; organized crime; labor unions unhappy with
investigations of them by Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy; Cuban
dissidents angry over the failed Bay of Pigs invasion; and FBI
Director J. Edgar Hoover.
The shots were impossible to make. O'Rourke learned to shoot as a
boy and trained as a marksman in the military. He said his visits to
Oswald's perch at the Texas Book Depository convince him that no one
could have fired a rifle three times so quickly, hitting the
president and Texas Gov. John Connolly.
The trajectory of one of the shots could not have been made from a
gunman on the sixth floor of the Texas Book Depository. The shot
entered Kennedy's body at his lower back and traveled up, to exit
near his throat.
The circumstances of the autopsy were irregular. Texas law requires
autopsies to be done in state, but agents, acting on the orders of
White House, took Kennedy's body back to Washington, D.C. The autopsy
was performed at Bethesda Naval Medical Center under secrecy that
prevails to this day.
Evidence was destroyed. O'Rourke said that on the day of the
assassination, one agent was ordered to clean out the cars used in
the motorcade, getting rid of blood and other evidence. The agent
told O'Rourke that he found a piece of skull, asked the White House
doctor what to do with it, and was told to destroy it.
Instructions were given to lie. The agent in charge of motorcade
protection told O'Rourke that he was told by the Warren Commission
during his testimony that he did not hear a fourth shot and he did
not see someone running across the grassy knoll. But the agent
insisted that his account was accurate.
Evidence about the shots is in conflict. An open microphone on a
motorcycle in the motorcade picked up four shots, not three.
"In my opinion, Hoover wanted the commission to find that Oswald
acted alone," O'Rourke said. "The complete file won't be released
until 2027, and the reason for that is most of us will be dead by
then." [THAT'S O.K.-READ BLAINE'S BOOK IN THE MEANTIME HAHAHA-VMP]
Friday, February 24, 2012
"The Kennedy Detail"-another great review
1.0 out of 5 stars Please, No, February 24, 2012
By Dr. Michael D. Halsey "cicero" (Stockbridge, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: The Kennedy Detail: JFK's Secret Service Agents Break Their Silence (Hardcover)
This book is not only poorly written, but it's also a picture of a President and First Lady who can do nothing wrong in the author's eyes. In view of all we now know, it must have been difficult for the author to write such a like as, "The President always put his family first. Yeah, right.
The demand of Jackie Kennedy that she and all the heads of state walk in the funeral procession which put the world leaders and the new President at risk was foolish.
The book becomes repetitious in its relating of how continually exhausted the agents of the SS were and the constant, "Stay on task. Stay on task" mantra becomes just as boring. We read the endless reports of how long they were away from their families, how their holidays were ruined every year. Rather than whining, the tired, exhausted agents who always repeat, "Stay on task, stay on task," could have found other occupations. If you plan to read this publicity piece, get it from the library, or borrow it from a friend--he'll be glad to get it off his hands.
By Dr. Michael D. Halsey "cicero" (Stockbridge, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: The Kennedy Detail: JFK's Secret Service Agents Break Their Silence (Hardcover)
This book is not only poorly written, but it's also a picture of a President and First Lady who can do nothing wrong in the author's eyes. In view of all we now know, it must have been difficult for the author to write such a like as, "The President always put his family first. Yeah, right.
The demand of Jackie Kennedy that she and all the heads of state walk in the funeral procession which put the world leaders and the new President at risk was foolish.
The book becomes repetitious in its relating of how continually exhausted the agents of the SS were and the constant, "Stay on task. Stay on task" mantra becomes just as boring. We read the endless reports of how long they were away from their families, how their holidays were ruined every year. Rather than whining, the tired, exhausted agents who always repeat, "Stay on task, stay on task," could have found other occupations. If you plan to read this publicity piece, get it from the library, or borrow it from a friend--he'll be glad to get it off his hands.
Nice new Amazon review of "The Kennedy Detail"
Apple polishing for the Kennedy Secret Service agents, February 23, 2012
By Gary Warne "Gary Warne" (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: The Kennedy Detail: JFK's Secret Service Agents Break Their Silence (Hardcover)
I picked up this book after reading the back cover blurb that stated it was the first time in almost fifty years that the remaining agents who were a part of Kennedy's protection team were speaking about what happened the day they lost the very person they were tasked to protect. This was their one and only duty at that time and their version of events needed to be set down for posterity. I was very interested in reading their story and I was hoping there would be some new information that came to light along with explanations for events involving agents that, so far, had not been addressed. It was a vain hope.
To say I am extremely disappointed in Gerald Blaine's whitewash of events surrounding the assassination does a disservice to the word 'disappoint'. This was a lot of fluff with selected remembrances interspersed throughout to show what dedicated men these were, and that they cannot truly be blamed for what transpired on November 22, 1963.
It's interesting to know what individual agents thought about doing as the assassination unfolded, but the only agent who actually reacted, and even his was too late, was Clint Hill, In the book, Blaine's memory doesn't serve him well as what he claims about Clint and the other agent's reactions, and what is evident in the Zapruder film and dozens of other photographs taken during the assassination, are at complete odds. At no point does Blaine explain why the Secret Service, to this day, maintains that shots one and three hit only Kennedy, and shot two hit only Connally. What about the shot that ricocheted off a curb across the plaza and the debris injured James Tague? His wounding doesn't count?
He doesn't address the issue of Dallas policeman Joe M. Smith who confronted a man behind the picket fence at the top of the grassy knoll who showed Secret Service credentials just seconds after the assassination. The Secret Service maintains that ALL of its agents were in the motorcade, at the Love Field, or at the Trade Mart, and that none were anywhere in Dealey Plaza during the shooting, except in the motorcade. One would think the Secret Service would be VERY interested in anyone masquerading as an agent.
What about agent Roy Kellerman who stated that the second and third shots came almost one on top the other, and that that testimony is backed up by Constable Seymour Weitzman who was in the lead car, reporter Mary Elizabeth Woodward; the closest reporter to the assassination at the time it happened, Abraham Zapruder and his secretary, and Linda Kay Willis among others? All of those people testified to the Warren Commission that the second and third shots were very close together, and ALL of their testimonies were ignored. NO ONE testified that the assassination went 'first shot...two and half seconds pass...second shot...two and a half seconds pass...third shot'.
He makes light of the fact that, according to Texas law, it was illegal to remove a homicide victim's body before an autopsy could be performed: calling compliance with that law 'nonsense', 'completely irrational' and 'they didn't have to put up with this crap.' This book is nothing more than apple polishing to exonerate and cover the asses of the agents who lost JFK.
Blaine supports the Warren Commission Report even though the Warren Report came to a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT conclusion than the Secret Service! Laughably, in his attempt to sustain the Warren Commission's fiction, he addresses a handful of conspiracy theories, making sure to only tackle the most bizarre or easily refuted ones, like Bonar Menninger's absurd Mortal Error. What Blaine himself states repeatedly throughout the book can be turned back on him...Where does he come up with this stuff?
Oddly, the book is written in the third person as if Blaine is trying to disassociate himself from the experience. But maybe that was his intent; to somehow be excluded from connection with the event that eliminated the president whose life Blaine was charged with protecting. The only way to justify that loss was to conclude that it wasn't possible to save JFK from a lone-nut assassin. So anything that bolstered that scenario was the only one to support, and that would be the Warren Report.
If you enjoy feces dipped in sugar before consumption, this is the book for you.
By Gary Warne "Gary Warne" (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: The Kennedy Detail: JFK's Secret Service Agents Break Their Silence (Hardcover)
I picked up this book after reading the back cover blurb that stated it was the first time in almost fifty years that the remaining agents who were a part of Kennedy's protection team were speaking about what happened the day they lost the very person they were tasked to protect. This was their one and only duty at that time and their version of events needed to be set down for posterity. I was very interested in reading their story and I was hoping there would be some new information that came to light along with explanations for events involving agents that, so far, had not been addressed. It was a vain hope.
To say I am extremely disappointed in Gerald Blaine's whitewash of events surrounding the assassination does a disservice to the word 'disappoint'. This was a lot of fluff with selected remembrances interspersed throughout to show what dedicated men these were, and that they cannot truly be blamed for what transpired on November 22, 1963.
It's interesting to know what individual agents thought about doing as the assassination unfolded, but the only agent who actually reacted, and even his was too late, was Clint Hill, In the book, Blaine's memory doesn't serve him well as what he claims about Clint and the other agent's reactions, and what is evident in the Zapruder film and dozens of other photographs taken during the assassination, are at complete odds. At no point does Blaine explain why the Secret Service, to this day, maintains that shots one and three hit only Kennedy, and shot two hit only Connally. What about the shot that ricocheted off a curb across the plaza and the debris injured James Tague? His wounding doesn't count?
He doesn't address the issue of Dallas policeman Joe M. Smith who confronted a man behind the picket fence at the top of the grassy knoll who showed Secret Service credentials just seconds after the assassination. The Secret Service maintains that ALL of its agents were in the motorcade, at the Love Field, or at the Trade Mart, and that none were anywhere in Dealey Plaza during the shooting, except in the motorcade. One would think the Secret Service would be VERY interested in anyone masquerading as an agent.
What about agent Roy Kellerman who stated that the second and third shots came almost one on top the other, and that that testimony is backed up by Constable Seymour Weitzman who was in the lead car, reporter Mary Elizabeth Woodward; the closest reporter to the assassination at the time it happened, Abraham Zapruder and his secretary, and Linda Kay Willis among others? All of those people testified to the Warren Commission that the second and third shots were very close together, and ALL of their testimonies were ignored. NO ONE testified that the assassination went 'first shot...two and half seconds pass...second shot...two and a half seconds pass...third shot'.
He makes light of the fact that, according to Texas law, it was illegal to remove a homicide victim's body before an autopsy could be performed: calling compliance with that law 'nonsense', 'completely irrational' and 'they didn't have to put up with this crap.' This book is nothing more than apple polishing to exonerate and cover the asses of the agents who lost JFK.
Blaine supports the Warren Commission Report even though the Warren Report came to a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT conclusion than the Secret Service! Laughably, in his attempt to sustain the Warren Commission's fiction, he addresses a handful of conspiracy theories, making sure to only tackle the most bizarre or easily refuted ones, like Bonar Menninger's absurd Mortal Error. What Blaine himself states repeatedly throughout the book can be turned back on him...Where does he come up with this stuff?
Oddly, the book is written in the third person as if Blaine is trying to disassociate himself from the experience. But maybe that was his intent; to somehow be excluded from connection with the event that eliminated the president whose life Blaine was charged with protecting. The only way to justify that loss was to conclude that it wasn't possible to save JFK from a lone-nut assassin. So anything that bolstered that scenario was the only one to support, and that would be the Warren Report.
If you enjoy feces dipped in sugar before consumption, this is the book for you.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Secret Service Describes JFK as Reckless
Secret Service Describes JFK as Reckless
Monday, 13 Feb 2012 02:37 PM
By Ronald Kessler
During the Cuban Missile Crisis, decisions made by President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev could have plunged both countries into thermonuclear war.
But the 45-year-old president was preoccupied with 19-year-old White House aide Mimi Beardsley Alford, according to her memoir “Once Upon a Secret.”
Secret Service agents assigned to Kennedy’s detail say that his affair with Alford was just the tip of the iceberg.
As revealed in my book “In the President’s Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect,” agents assigned to Kennedy’s detail soon learned that he led a double life.
He was the charismatic leader of the free world. But in his other life, he was the cheating, reckless husband whose aides snuck women into the White House to appease his sexual appetite.
Former agent Robert Lutz remembers a gorgeous Swedish Pan Am flight attendant who was on the press plane following Kennedy on Air Force One. She seemed to take a liking to Lutz, and he planned to invite her out to dinner. The detail leader noticed that they were getting chummy and told the agent to stay away.
“She’s part of the president’s private stock,” he warned Lutz.
Besides one-night stands, Kennedy had several consorts within the White House. Besides Alford, whose book came out on Feb. 8, one was Pamela Turnure, who had been Kennedy’s secretary when he was a senator and then became Jacqueline Kennedy’s press secretary in the White House.
Two others, Priscilla Wear and Jill Cowen, were secretaries who were known, respectively, as Fiddle and Faddle. Wear already had the nickname Fiddle when she joined the White House staff, so Kennedy aides applied the name Faddle to Cowen.
“Neither did much work,” says former agent Larry Newman, who was on the Kennedy detail.
Wear and Cowen would have threesomes with Kennedy.
When I interviewed Cowen some years back in her New York apartment, she would neither admit nor deny the affair. She pointed out that Kennedy’s women had remained loyal to him up to that point, and she said she was not going to be the first one to break silence. An art historian, Cowen died of brain cancer in 2003.
“When Jackie was away, Pam Turnure would see JFK at night at the residence,” says former Secret Service agent Chuck Taylor. “Fiddle and Faddle were well-endowed and would swim with JFK in the pool. They wore only white t-shirts that came to their waists. You could see their nipples. We had radio contact with Jackie’s detail in case she came back.”
One afternoon, Kennedy was cavorting in the White House pool with young women when Secret Service agents on Jackie’s detail radioed that she was returning unexpectedly to the White House.
“Jackie was expected back in 10 minutes, and JFK came charging out of the pool,” says agent Anthony Sherman, who was on his detail at the time. “He had a bathing suit on and a Bloody Mary in his hand.”
Kennedy looked around and gave the drink to Sherman. “Enjoy it, it’s quite good,” the president said.
According to Secret Service agents, Kennedy had sex with Marilyn Monroe at New York hotels and in a loft above the Justice Department office of then-Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, the president’s brother.
Between the fifth and sixth floors, the loft contains a double bed that is used when the attorney general needs to stay overnight to handle crises. Its proximity to a private elevator made it easy for Kennedy and Monroe to enter from the Justice Department basement without being noticed.
“He [Kennedy] had liaisons with Marilyn Monroe there,” a Secret Service agent says. “The Secret Service knew about it.”
Kennedy was following the example of his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, who served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and U.S. ambassador in London.
Like his son Jack, Joe Kennedy mesmerized the press. Until his death in 1969 at the age of 81, Joe would be described in print as a Horatio Alger hero and chaste Roman Catholic, a man who had risen from the home of a saloon keeper in east Boston to become one of the richest men in America.
Usually, Joe Kennedy would be pictured with his wife Rose and one or more of his nine children. The pictures never showed his well-sculpted, green-eyed Hyannis Port secretary, Janet Des Rosiers. As disclosed in my book “The Sins of the Father: Joseph P. Kennedy and the Dynasty He Founded,” she was his mistress for nine years.
Des Rosiers — now Janet Fontaine — concluded that Joe’s wife Rose was aware of Joe’s affair with her and others such as actress Gloria Swanson. She decided that Rose not only tolerated Joe’s philandering but approved of it, since it took pressure off her.
“She must have known I was around all the time and not unattractive,” Des Rosiers told me. “I used to massage Joe’s scalp and neck with Rose in the living room.”
Eventually, Des Rosiers left Joe. She became the stewardess on JFK’s campaign plane and eventually served as one of his secretaries in the White House.
On the plane, Des Rosiers often massaged Jack’s feet and hands behind closed doors. Many reporters thought she must have been having sex with him. In fact, he had made a pass at her, giving her a printed napkin that said, “Don’t you think it’s about time you found me attractive?”
Des Rosiers was not interested.
“A lot of my friends said, ‘Why don’t you get a Kennedy boy?’ I said, ‘I wouldn’t marry one of them for anything.’ I wasn’t impressed by their wealth. They didn’t appeal to me. I didn’t want to be in that group.”
Since the “kill shot” to the president’s head came 4.9 seconds after the first shot that hit him, Secret Service agents would have had a chance to protect him.
“If agents had been allowed on the rear running boards, they would have pushed the president down and jumped on him to protect him before the fatal shot,” former agent Taylor tells me.
Confirming that, Secret Service Director Lewis Merletti later said, “An analysis of the ensuing assassination — including the trajectory of the bullets which struck the president — indicates that it might have been thwarted had agents been stationed on the car’s running boards.”
Monday, 13 Feb 2012 02:37 PM
By Ronald Kessler
During the Cuban Missile Crisis, decisions made by President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev could have plunged both countries into thermonuclear war.
But the 45-year-old president was preoccupied with 19-year-old White House aide Mimi Beardsley Alford, according to her memoir “Once Upon a Secret.”
Secret Service agents assigned to Kennedy’s detail say that his affair with Alford was just the tip of the iceberg.
As revealed in my book “In the President’s Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect,” agents assigned to Kennedy’s detail soon learned that he led a double life.
He was the charismatic leader of the free world. But in his other life, he was the cheating, reckless husband whose aides snuck women into the White House to appease his sexual appetite.
Former agent Robert Lutz remembers a gorgeous Swedish Pan Am flight attendant who was on the press plane following Kennedy on Air Force One. She seemed to take a liking to Lutz, and he planned to invite her out to dinner. The detail leader noticed that they were getting chummy and told the agent to stay away.
“She’s part of the president’s private stock,” he warned Lutz.
Besides one-night stands, Kennedy had several consorts within the White House. Besides Alford, whose book came out on Feb. 8, one was Pamela Turnure, who had been Kennedy’s secretary when he was a senator and then became Jacqueline Kennedy’s press secretary in the White House.
Two others, Priscilla Wear and Jill Cowen, were secretaries who were known, respectively, as Fiddle and Faddle. Wear already had the nickname Fiddle when she joined the White House staff, so Kennedy aides applied the name Faddle to Cowen.
“Neither did much work,” says former agent Larry Newman, who was on the Kennedy detail.
Wear and Cowen would have threesomes with Kennedy.
When I interviewed Cowen some years back in her New York apartment, she would neither admit nor deny the affair. She pointed out that Kennedy’s women had remained loyal to him up to that point, and she said she was not going to be the first one to break silence. An art historian, Cowen died of brain cancer in 2003.
“When Jackie was away, Pam Turnure would see JFK at night at the residence,” says former Secret Service agent Chuck Taylor. “Fiddle and Faddle were well-endowed and would swim with JFK in the pool. They wore only white t-shirts that came to their waists. You could see their nipples. We had radio contact with Jackie’s detail in case she came back.”
One afternoon, Kennedy was cavorting in the White House pool with young women when Secret Service agents on Jackie’s detail radioed that she was returning unexpectedly to the White House.
“Jackie was expected back in 10 minutes, and JFK came charging out of the pool,” says agent Anthony Sherman, who was on his detail at the time. “He had a bathing suit on and a Bloody Mary in his hand.”
Kennedy looked around and gave the drink to Sherman. “Enjoy it, it’s quite good,” the president said.
According to Secret Service agents, Kennedy had sex with Marilyn Monroe at New York hotels and in a loft above the Justice Department office of then-Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, the president’s brother.
Between the fifth and sixth floors, the loft contains a double bed that is used when the attorney general needs to stay overnight to handle crises. Its proximity to a private elevator made it easy for Kennedy and Monroe to enter from the Justice Department basement without being noticed.
“He [Kennedy] had liaisons with Marilyn Monroe there,” a Secret Service agent says. “The Secret Service knew about it.”
Kennedy was following the example of his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, who served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and U.S. ambassador in London.
Like his son Jack, Joe Kennedy mesmerized the press. Until his death in 1969 at the age of 81, Joe would be described in print as a Horatio Alger hero and chaste Roman Catholic, a man who had risen from the home of a saloon keeper in east Boston to become one of the richest men in America.
Usually, Joe Kennedy would be pictured with his wife Rose and one or more of his nine children. The pictures never showed his well-sculpted, green-eyed Hyannis Port secretary, Janet Des Rosiers. As disclosed in my book “The Sins of the Father: Joseph P. Kennedy and the Dynasty He Founded,” she was his mistress for nine years.
Des Rosiers — now Janet Fontaine — concluded that Joe’s wife Rose was aware of Joe’s affair with her and others such as actress Gloria Swanson. She decided that Rose not only tolerated Joe’s philandering but approved of it, since it took pressure off her.
“She must have known I was around all the time and not unattractive,” Des Rosiers told me. “I used to massage Joe’s scalp and neck with Rose in the living room.”
Eventually, Des Rosiers left Joe. She became the stewardess on JFK’s campaign plane and eventually served as one of his secretaries in the White House.
On the plane, Des Rosiers often massaged Jack’s feet and hands behind closed doors. Many reporters thought she must have been having sex with him. In fact, he had made a pass at her, giving her a printed napkin that said, “Don’t you think it’s about time you found me attractive?”
Des Rosiers was not interested.
“A lot of my friends said, ‘Why don’t you get a Kennedy boy?’ I said, ‘I wouldn’t marry one of them for anything.’ I wasn’t impressed by their wealth. They didn’t appeal to me. I didn’t want to be in that group.”
Since the “kill shot” to the president’s head came 4.9 seconds after the first shot that hit him, Secret Service agents would have had a chance to protect him.
“If agents had been allowed on the rear running boards, they would have pushed the president down and jumped on him to protect him before the fatal shot,” former agent Taylor tells me.
Confirming that, Secret Service Director Lewis Merletti later said, “An analysis of the ensuing assassination — including the trajectory of the bullets which struck the president — indicates that it might have been thwarted had agents been stationed on the car’s running boards.”
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
NOW we know why JFK visited NY twice in November 1963...and Blaine's book is further debunked
Once JFK's mistress, N.J. woman tells all in explosive new memoir
Published: Tuesday, February 07, 2012, 7:30 AM
By Amy Ellis Nutt/The Star-Ledger The Star-Ledger
Mimi Alford (aka Marion Beardsley), a former White House intern, is shown in this file photo. This week, the Rumson native details an affair she had with John F. Kennedy during his term in the early 1960s.
Four days after arriving at the White House as a college intern in the summer of 1962, 19-year-old Rumson native Mimi Beardsley lost her virginity to the President of the United States.
In an explosive and salacious new memoir, "Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and its Aftermath," to be published Wednesday by Random House, Mimi Beardsley Alford describes what she says was an 18-month-long tryst with the most powerful man in the world that ended with JFK’s assassination in November 1963.
Fifty years later, Alford’s book, which was obtained early by the New York Post at a Manhattan bookstore, recounts in detail how the president asked her to join him in a swim at the White House pool just days after arriving in Washington, D.C. He then asked her if she wanted a tour of the family quarters and a short time later seduced her in "Mrs. Kennedy’s room."
"After he finished, he hitched up his pants and smiled at me," she writes in the memoir, after which Kenndey asked her if she wanted anything to eat, then sent her home in a limousine.
Alford, 69, is a wife, mother and grandmother and lives now in Western Massachusetts. The retired Manhattan church administrator came from a well-to-do Monmouth County family, graduated from Rumson County Day School and had her coming out at the Rumson Debutante Ball in September 1961.
Wednesday evening, she appears on NBC’s "Rock Center" with Brian Williams and describes how she fell under the "aura" of JFK. Although he never kissed her on the lips, she says the fact that he chose her made her "feel very special."
"I’m not going to say he loved me," she tells Meredith Vieira in the interview, "but I think he liked me. I think he cared about me."
Alford, who at the time had just finished her freshman year at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, details sexual escapades that included performing oral sex on one of the president’s close aides while Kennedy watched, as well as taking baths with the president.
The relationship continued even after the teenager returned to Wheaton College for her sophomore year. Kennedy would call her using the pseudonym "Michael Carter" and provide car service and a plane ticket for her to visit D.C.
The story of Kennedy’s liaison with a teenager intern first came to light nine years ago when a reference to an affair with a 19-year-old intern was mentioned in the Kennedy biography, "An Unfinished Life," by Robert Dallek. After the New York Daily News identified the previously unknown woman, Alford, who at the time was married to Anthony Fahnestock, publicly admitted she was the intern.
"From June 1962 to November 1963, I was involved in a sexual relationship with President Kennedy," she said at the time in a written statement.
Not until this week, however, has she publicly discussed the affair. According to recently released audiotapes made by historian Arthur Schlesinger in March 1964, four months after Kennedy’s assassination, the First Lady apparently suspected her husband was having an affair but referred to his extramarital escapades as "Jack’s meaningless flings."
Kennedy and his young lover met for the last time at The Carlyle Hotel in New York City on Nov. 15, 1963, seven days before he was shot to death in Dallas.
Before parting, the president embraced her and said, "I wish you were coming with me to Texas," Alford writes. Then he added, "I’ll call you when I get back."
see also
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/jfk-had-intern-too
-----------
Memoir: Mistress Spills Kinky JFK Sex Secrets
Mimi Alford writes of president pressuring her to do drugs during 18-month affair.
By Daniel Politi | Posted Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at 2:07 PM ET
Tweet 465MYSLATE Save this story. Follow all articles. Follow The Slatest. Follow stories by Daniel Politi.
MySlate is a new tool that you track your favorite parts Slate. You can follow authors and sections, track comment threads you're interested in, and more.
US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy leaves the Saint Stephen Martyr catholic church after attending mass, on October 29, 1962 in Washington DC Photo by STF/AFP/Getty Images
Mimi Alford has officially broken her silence and recounts details of her affair with John F. Kennedy in her memoir, Once Upon a Secret: My Affair With President John F. Kennedy and its Aftermath. The book is to be released Wednesday but the New York Post apparently got a copy at a Manhattan bookstore and reveals lots of salacious details.
Mimi Alford, then Mimi Beardsley, interned at the White House in the summer of 1962, quickly caught the president’s eye. The 19-year-old joined the 45-year-old president for a noon swim four days into her internship. Later that day, he took her virginity in “Mrs. Kennedy’s room.”
“After he finished, he hitched up his pants and smiled at me.” Alford says their sex life was “varied and fun” and describes an affair that was more than just sex. They apparently spent an “inordinate amount of time taking baths” and listened to music together. He confided in her during key personal and professional moments, such as when his infant son died and during the Cuban Missile Crisis. But he never kissed her on the lips.
At one point, during another noon swim, Kennedy allegedly asked Alford to “take care” of an aide. He watched as she performed oral sex on him. Kennedy ended up apologizing to both of them. At a later date, Kennedy asked her to “take care of my baby brother,” meaning Ted Kennedy, during a Democratic fund-raiser. She refused.
Alford also describes a party in Bing Crosby’s desert ranch when “yellow capsules” that were “most likely amyl nitrate” were passed around. The president asked her if she wanted to try it. She said no, but “he just went ahead and popped the capsule and held it under my nose.”
Alford’s identity was first revealed in 2003 when Robert Dallek published portions of a 1964 oral history that described the affair. A press aide had described the affair to a researcher but had asked that it be kept secret. Dallek convinced her to release the interview for his book. The New York Daily News then tracked down Marion Fahnestock, who, faced with a media frenzy, confirmed the affair.
At the time, the late Hugh Sidey, who covered Kennedy at the White House, wrote in Time, confirming that “there was a Mimi,” quickly adding: “there was also a Pam, a Priscilla, a Jill (actually, two of them), a Janet, a Kim, a Mary and a Diana I can think of offhand.”
In 2009, the New York Times wrote that Alford was working on a memoir. Random House’s executive editor said she bought the book after seeing 20 pages, noting it would have “an extraordinary heart and soul.” The editor also insisted that Alford’s “just not that type of person, where she’s going to spill her guts about intimate stuff for the whole country to see.”
Published: Tuesday, February 07, 2012, 7:30 AM
By Amy Ellis Nutt/The Star-Ledger The Star-Ledger
Mimi Alford (aka Marion Beardsley), a former White House intern, is shown in this file photo. This week, the Rumson native details an affair she had with John F. Kennedy during his term in the early 1960s.
Four days after arriving at the White House as a college intern in the summer of 1962, 19-year-old Rumson native Mimi Beardsley lost her virginity to the President of the United States.
In an explosive and salacious new memoir, "Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and its Aftermath," to be published Wednesday by Random House, Mimi Beardsley Alford describes what she says was an 18-month-long tryst with the most powerful man in the world that ended with JFK’s assassination in November 1963.
Fifty years later, Alford’s book, which was obtained early by the New York Post at a Manhattan bookstore, recounts in detail how the president asked her to join him in a swim at the White House pool just days after arriving in Washington, D.C. He then asked her if she wanted a tour of the family quarters and a short time later seduced her in "Mrs. Kennedy’s room."
"After he finished, he hitched up his pants and smiled at me," she writes in the memoir, after which Kenndey asked her if she wanted anything to eat, then sent her home in a limousine.
Alford, 69, is a wife, mother and grandmother and lives now in Western Massachusetts. The retired Manhattan church administrator came from a well-to-do Monmouth County family, graduated from Rumson County Day School and had her coming out at the Rumson Debutante Ball in September 1961.
Wednesday evening, she appears on NBC’s "Rock Center" with Brian Williams and describes how she fell under the "aura" of JFK. Although he never kissed her on the lips, she says the fact that he chose her made her "feel very special."
"I’m not going to say he loved me," she tells Meredith Vieira in the interview, "but I think he liked me. I think he cared about me."
Alford, who at the time had just finished her freshman year at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, details sexual escapades that included performing oral sex on one of the president’s close aides while Kennedy watched, as well as taking baths with the president.
The relationship continued even after the teenager returned to Wheaton College for her sophomore year. Kennedy would call her using the pseudonym "Michael Carter" and provide car service and a plane ticket for her to visit D.C.
The story of Kennedy’s liaison with a teenager intern first came to light nine years ago when a reference to an affair with a 19-year-old intern was mentioned in the Kennedy biography, "An Unfinished Life," by Robert Dallek. After the New York Daily News identified the previously unknown woman, Alford, who at the time was married to Anthony Fahnestock, publicly admitted she was the intern.
"From June 1962 to November 1963, I was involved in a sexual relationship with President Kennedy," she said at the time in a written statement.
Not until this week, however, has she publicly discussed the affair. According to recently released audiotapes made by historian Arthur Schlesinger in March 1964, four months after Kennedy’s assassination, the First Lady apparently suspected her husband was having an affair but referred to his extramarital escapades as "Jack’s meaningless flings."
Kennedy and his young lover met for the last time at The Carlyle Hotel in New York City on Nov. 15, 1963, seven days before he was shot to death in Dallas.
Before parting, the president embraced her and said, "I wish you were coming with me to Texas," Alford writes. Then he added, "I’ll call you when I get back."
see also
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/jfk-had-intern-too
-----------
Memoir: Mistress Spills Kinky JFK Sex Secrets
Mimi Alford writes of president pressuring her to do drugs during 18-month affair.
By Daniel Politi | Posted Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at 2:07 PM ET
Tweet 465MYSLATE Save this story. Follow all articles. Follow The Slatest. Follow stories by Daniel Politi.
MySlate is a new tool that you track your favorite parts Slate. You can follow authors and sections, track comment threads you're interested in, and more.
US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy leaves the Saint Stephen Martyr catholic church after attending mass, on October 29, 1962 in Washington DC Photo by STF/AFP/Getty Images
Mimi Alford has officially broken her silence and recounts details of her affair with John F. Kennedy in her memoir, Once Upon a Secret: My Affair With President John F. Kennedy and its Aftermath. The book is to be released Wednesday but the New York Post apparently got a copy at a Manhattan bookstore and reveals lots of salacious details.
Mimi Alford, then Mimi Beardsley, interned at the White House in the summer of 1962, quickly caught the president’s eye. The 19-year-old joined the 45-year-old president for a noon swim four days into her internship. Later that day, he took her virginity in “Mrs. Kennedy’s room.”
“After he finished, he hitched up his pants and smiled at me.” Alford says their sex life was “varied and fun” and describes an affair that was more than just sex. They apparently spent an “inordinate amount of time taking baths” and listened to music together. He confided in her during key personal and professional moments, such as when his infant son died and during the Cuban Missile Crisis. But he never kissed her on the lips.
At one point, during another noon swim, Kennedy allegedly asked Alford to “take care” of an aide. He watched as she performed oral sex on him. Kennedy ended up apologizing to both of them. At a later date, Kennedy asked her to “take care of my baby brother,” meaning Ted Kennedy, during a Democratic fund-raiser. She refused.
Alford also describes a party in Bing Crosby’s desert ranch when “yellow capsules” that were “most likely amyl nitrate” were passed around. The president asked her if she wanted to try it. She said no, but “he just went ahead and popped the capsule and held it under my nose.”
Alford’s identity was first revealed in 2003 when Robert Dallek published portions of a 1964 oral history that described the affair. A press aide had described the affair to a researcher but had asked that it be kept secret. Dallek convinced her to release the interview for his book. The New York Daily News then tracked down Marion Fahnestock, who, faced with a media frenzy, confirmed the affair.
At the time, the late Hugh Sidey, who covered Kennedy at the White House, wrote in Time, confirming that “there was a Mimi,” quickly adding: “there was also a Pam, a Priscilla, a Jill (actually, two of them), a Janet, a Kim, a Mary and a Diana I can think of offhand.”
In 2009, the New York Times wrote that Alford was working on a memoir. Random House’s executive editor said she bought the book after seeing 20 pages, noting it would have “an extraordinary heart and soul.” The editor also insisted that Alford’s “just not that type of person, where she’s going to spill her guts about intimate stuff for the whole country to see.”
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Jack Walsh, 79, Secret Service agent who guarded JFK’s family
Jack Walsh, 79, Secret Service agent who guarded JFK’s family
Jack Walsh was a relatively new Secret Service agent when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and he soon was assigned to protect Jacqueline Kennedy and her two young children, Caroline and John Jr.
“Those were difficult times,’’ said Jim Christian, a retired special agent in charge with the Secret Service. “The nation was in mourning, she was probably the most important person in the United States, and the country pretty much adopted the children.’’
The assignment brought Mr. Walsh more than the standard chores of missing his children’s birthdays so he could guard the children of America’s Camelot. As fascination with the Kennedys increased, writers sought him out to see if he would share secrets.
“We would get repeated calls from people writing the unauthorized Kennedy books. He wouldn’t take a call,’’ said Mr. Walsh’s son David, of Cincinnati. “Whatever happened behind the walls at the Kennedy compound, stayed behind those walls.’’[Hmmm--I first became aware of the name Jack Walsh from an interview he gave with the tabloid The Globe right after Jackie's death in May 1994-VMP]
Mr. Walsh, who became agent in charge of protecting the late president’s children and was so well loved by the family that he was a pallbearer at the funeral of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, died in his home of cancer Thursday. He was 79 and had lived in Milton for more than 40 years.
“Jack had one of the more difficult jobs in the Secret Service,’’ Christian said. “He had to keep Washington happy and that meant keeping the children safe, and it also meant keeping her happy. That was an enormous balancing act.’’
When the president’s widow lived in New York City, she “wanted to keep those children safe, but she also wanted them to have normal lives,’’ Christian said. “The desire was that the children and their friends would not see the agents, but the agents had the responsibility of not letting anything happen. With all the other protectees, you were right there. Here, you were trying to stay out of the way, sometimes on busy New York streets.’’
Mr. Walsh, he said, “did it all, and he did it well.’’
Despite efforts to fade into the scenery, Mr. Walsh occasionally showed up in books by and about the Kennedys, or on the Globe’s front page, as he did May 17, 1965. In a photo, John Kennedy Jr. runs joyously down a street in England as a smiling Mr. Walsh towers over him, keeping pace.
Sarah Bradford’s 2000 book, “America’s Queen,’’ quoted a letter Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis wrote in 1967 about a trip to Ireland. She thought she was swimming alone on the coast when a current threatened to sweep her away.
“I was becoming exhausted, swallowing water and slipping past the spit of land, when I felt a great porpoise at my side,’’ she wrote. “It was Mr. Walsh. He set his shoulder against mine and together we made the spit.’’
She recommended that the Secret Service award Mr. Walsh its highest commendation and requested that he lead the detail protecting the family.
“He was fiercely loyal and loved loyalty more than anything else,’’ said Geoffrey Kierstead, a friend and retired Secret Service agent. “And he was so loyal to the Kennedy family.’’
The feeling was mutual. Raymond L. Flynn, a former mayor of Boston, knew Mr. Walsh and his family since their childhoods in South Boston.
“I was in New York jogging one day through Central Park, and Jacqueline Kennedy was there,’’ he said. “She was sitting by herself trying not to be noticed, but I recognized her. I went over and introduced myself and said, ‘I’m a friend of Jackie Walsh.’ I ended up sitting with her for 45 minutes. All she wanted to do was talk about him.’’
John F. Walsh grew up in South Boston and, despite traveling the world with the Kennedys, never really left.
Photos of Southie hang in his Milton home. He attended Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston and its high school.
When he served in Korea with the Marines, he answered the obligatory “where you from’’ with: “Gate of Heaven.’’ Pressed to provide more, he would add: “I and 8th,’’ the street corner close by his family’s home.
Mr. Walsh was part of the Aces, a street gang from the days when pride was the weapon young guys wielded.
“He was known as Jack Walsh, I and 8th, one of the Aces,’’ David said. “He hadn’t lived in Southie for a long, long time, but you’d never know it.’’
Standing several inches above 6 feet, Mr. Walsh started going gray while still in high school.
“He had silver hair at 18 years old,’’ said his son John II, of Milton.
After returning home from Korea, Mr. Walsh graduated from Suffolk University and worked at City Hall until he became a Secret Service agent.
When the Kennedy children were too old for Secret Service protection, Mr. Walsh switched to the Boston office and coordinated protection when Pope John Paul II visited Boston in 1979. The Walsh family was up front during Mass, receiving Communion from the pope.
In 1963, Mr. Walsh married Ann Welch, whom he always called “my Ann.’’ Family was so important that while guarding the Kennedys in New York, he sometimes drove to Milton just to spend the night, and headed back the next day.
As if to make up for holidays and birthdays he missed while on duty, in retirement “he went to every one of his grandchildren’s games,’’ David said.
In addition to his wife and two sons, Mr. Walsh leaves a daughter, Maura Walsh-Hammer of Hingham; another son, Matthew of New York City; a brother, Joseph of Hyde Park; a sister, Ellen Concannon of South Boston; and nine grandchildren
A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. today in Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston. Burial will be in Milton Cemetery.
When his illness progressed, Mr. Walsh “had three requests: ‘I want to die in my bedroom, I want to be waked at O’Brien’s Funeral Home in South Boston, and I want my funeral at Gate of Heaven,’ ’’ David said.
Mr. Walsh may have spent years training his watchful gaze on those who made history, but in the end his own past was most important.
“The best praise is when the people you grew up with and lived with respect you,’’ Flynn said. “That’s the greatest tribute that Jackie got. He traveled with presidents, popes, and prime ministers, but the people who love him the most are the people he grew up with.’’
Jack Walsh was a relatively new Secret Service agent when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and he soon was assigned to protect Jacqueline Kennedy and her two young children, Caroline and John Jr.
“Those were difficult times,’’ said Jim Christian, a retired special agent in charge with the Secret Service. “The nation was in mourning, she was probably the most important person in the United States, and the country pretty much adopted the children.’’
The assignment brought Mr. Walsh more than the standard chores of missing his children’s birthdays so he could guard the children of America’s Camelot. As fascination with the Kennedys increased, writers sought him out to see if he would share secrets.
“We would get repeated calls from people writing the unauthorized Kennedy books. He wouldn’t take a call,’’ said Mr. Walsh’s son David, of Cincinnati. “Whatever happened behind the walls at the Kennedy compound, stayed behind those walls.’’[Hmmm--I first became aware of the name Jack Walsh from an interview he gave with the tabloid The Globe right after Jackie's death in May 1994-VMP]
Mr. Walsh, who became agent in charge of protecting the late president’s children and was so well loved by the family that he was a pallbearer at the funeral of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, died in his home of cancer Thursday. He was 79 and had lived in Milton for more than 40 years.
“Jack had one of the more difficult jobs in the Secret Service,’’ Christian said. “He had to keep Washington happy and that meant keeping the children safe, and it also meant keeping her happy. That was an enormous balancing act.’’
When the president’s widow lived in New York City, she “wanted to keep those children safe, but she also wanted them to have normal lives,’’ Christian said. “The desire was that the children and their friends would not see the agents, but the agents had the responsibility of not letting anything happen. With all the other protectees, you were right there. Here, you were trying to stay out of the way, sometimes on busy New York streets.’’
Mr. Walsh, he said, “did it all, and he did it well.’’
Despite efforts to fade into the scenery, Mr. Walsh occasionally showed up in books by and about the Kennedys, or on the Globe’s front page, as he did May 17, 1965. In a photo, John Kennedy Jr. runs joyously down a street in England as a smiling Mr. Walsh towers over him, keeping pace.
Sarah Bradford’s 2000 book, “America’s Queen,’’ quoted a letter Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis wrote in 1967 about a trip to Ireland. She thought she was swimming alone on the coast when a current threatened to sweep her away.
“I was becoming exhausted, swallowing water and slipping past the spit of land, when I felt a great porpoise at my side,’’ she wrote. “It was Mr. Walsh. He set his shoulder against mine and together we made the spit.’’
She recommended that the Secret Service award Mr. Walsh its highest commendation and requested that he lead the detail protecting the family.
“He was fiercely loyal and loved loyalty more than anything else,’’ said Geoffrey Kierstead, a friend and retired Secret Service agent. “And he was so loyal to the Kennedy family.’’
The feeling was mutual. Raymond L. Flynn, a former mayor of Boston, knew Mr. Walsh and his family since their childhoods in South Boston.
“I was in New York jogging one day through Central Park, and Jacqueline Kennedy was there,’’ he said. “She was sitting by herself trying not to be noticed, but I recognized her. I went over and introduced myself and said, ‘I’m a friend of Jackie Walsh.’ I ended up sitting with her for 45 minutes. All she wanted to do was talk about him.’’
John F. Walsh grew up in South Boston and, despite traveling the world with the Kennedys, never really left.
Photos of Southie hang in his Milton home. He attended Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston and its high school.
When he served in Korea with the Marines, he answered the obligatory “where you from’’ with: “Gate of Heaven.’’ Pressed to provide more, he would add: “I and 8th,’’ the street corner close by his family’s home.
Mr. Walsh was part of the Aces, a street gang from the days when pride was the weapon young guys wielded.
“He was known as Jack Walsh, I and 8th, one of the Aces,’’ David said. “He hadn’t lived in Southie for a long, long time, but you’d never know it.’’
Standing several inches above 6 feet, Mr. Walsh started going gray while still in high school.
“He had silver hair at 18 years old,’’ said his son John II, of Milton.
After returning home from Korea, Mr. Walsh graduated from Suffolk University and worked at City Hall until he became a Secret Service agent.
When the Kennedy children were too old for Secret Service protection, Mr. Walsh switched to the Boston office and coordinated protection when Pope John Paul II visited Boston in 1979. The Walsh family was up front during Mass, receiving Communion from the pope.
In 1963, Mr. Walsh married Ann Welch, whom he always called “my Ann.’’ Family was so important that while guarding the Kennedys in New York, he sometimes drove to Milton just to spend the night, and headed back the next day.
As if to make up for holidays and birthdays he missed while on duty, in retirement “he went to every one of his grandchildren’s games,’’ David said.
In addition to his wife and two sons, Mr. Walsh leaves a daughter, Maura Walsh-Hammer of Hingham; another son, Matthew of New York City; a brother, Joseph of Hyde Park; a sister, Ellen Concannon of South Boston; and nine grandchildren
A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. today in Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston. Burial will be in Milton Cemetery.
When his illness progressed, Mr. Walsh “had three requests: ‘I want to die in my bedroom, I want to be waked at O’Brien’s Funeral Home in South Boston, and I want my funeral at Gate of Heaven,’ ’’ David said.
Mr. Walsh may have spent years training his watchful gaze on those who made history, but in the end his own past was most important.
“The best praise is when the people you grew up with and lived with respect you,’’ Flynn said. “That’s the greatest tribute that Jackie got. He traveled with presidents, popes, and prime ministers, but the people who love him the most are the people he grew up with.’’
Friday, January 6, 2012
Great tidbits from the NEW edition of "Murder From Within" (1974/ 2011)- blames LBJ & the Secret Service for JFK's death
PAGE 104:
"Indeed, the Secret Service made an effort "...to ascertain whether any [movie news] film could be found showing special agents on the ground alongside the Presidential automobile at any point along the parade route." [Commission Document No. 87, page 434]
PAGE 142:
"A new story at Connally's death on June 15, 1993, quoted a friend about Connally's concern for security [Connally was wounded on 11/22/63 and was later the Secretary of the Treasury during the Nixon years!]. When he ran for president as a Republican he refused Secret Service protection. "I don't want Secret Service protection that's going to get you killed", Connally told his fiend." [NPR Radio Austin Texas 6/16/93 Wade Goodwin reporter]
"Indeed, the Secret Service made an effort "...to ascertain whether any [movie news] film could be found showing special agents on the ground alongside the Presidential automobile at any point along the parade route." [Commission Document No. 87, page 434]
PAGE 142:
"A new story at Connally's death on June 15, 1993, quoted a friend about Connally's concern for security [Connally was wounded on 11/22/63 and was later the Secretary of the Treasury during the Nixon years!]. When he ran for president as a Republican he refused Secret Service protection. "I don't want Secret Service protection that's going to get you killed", Connally told his fiend." [NPR Radio Austin Texas 6/16/93 Wade Goodwin reporter]
Thursday, January 5, 2012
"Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath" by Mimi Alford
"Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath" by Mimi Alford
Product Description
In the summer of 1962, nineteen-year-old Mimi Beardsley arrived by train in Washington, D.C., to begin an internship in the White House press office. The Kennedy Administration had reinvigorated the capital and the country—and Mimi was eager to contribute. For a young woman from a privileged but sheltered upbringing, the job was the chance of a lifetime. Although she started as a lowly intern, Mimi made an impression on Kennedy’s inner circle and, after just three days at the White House, she was presented to the President himself.
Almost immediately, the two began an affair that would continue for the next eighteen months.
In an era when women in the workplace were still considered “girls,” Mimi was literally a girl herself—naïve, innocent, emotionally unprepared for the thrill that came when the President’s charisma and power were turned on her full-force. She was also unprepared for the feelings of isolation that would follow as she fell into the double life of a college student who was also the secret lover of the most powerful man in the world. Then, after the President’s tragic death in Dallas, she grieved in private, locked her secret away, and tried to start her life anew, only to find that her past would cast a long shadow—and ultimately destroy her relationship with the man she married.
In 2003, a Kennedy biographer mentioned “a tall, slender, beautiful nineteen-year-old college sophomore and White House intern, who worked in the press office” in reference to one of the President’s affairs. The disclosure set off a tabloid frenzy and soon exposed Mimi and the secret that she had kept for forty-one years. Because her past had been revealed in such a shocking, public way, she was forced, for the first time, to examine the choices she’d made. She came to understand that shutting down one part of her life so completely had closed her off from so much more.
No longer defined by silence or shame, Mimi Alford has finally unburdened herself with this searingly honest account of her life and her extremely private moments with a very public man. Once Upon a Secret offers a new and personal depiction of one of our most iconic leaders and a powerful, moving story of a woman coming to terms with her past and moving out of the shadows to reclaim the truth.
From the Hardcover edition.
About the Author
Mimi Alford lives in western Massachusetts with her husband, Dick. Together they have seven grandchildren. This is her first book.
Product Description
In the summer of 1962, nineteen-year-old Mimi Beardsley arrived by train in Washington, D.C., to begin an internship in the White House press office. The Kennedy Administration had reinvigorated the capital and the country—and Mimi was eager to contribute. For a young woman from a privileged but sheltered upbringing, the job was the chance of a lifetime. Although she started as a lowly intern, Mimi made an impression on Kennedy’s inner circle and, after just three days at the White House, she was presented to the President himself.
Almost immediately, the two began an affair that would continue for the next eighteen months.
In an era when women in the workplace were still considered “girls,” Mimi was literally a girl herself—naïve, innocent, emotionally unprepared for the thrill that came when the President’s charisma and power were turned on her full-force. She was also unprepared for the feelings of isolation that would follow as she fell into the double life of a college student who was also the secret lover of the most powerful man in the world. Then, after the President’s tragic death in Dallas, she grieved in private, locked her secret away, and tried to start her life anew, only to find that her past would cast a long shadow—and ultimately destroy her relationship with the man she married.
In 2003, a Kennedy biographer mentioned “a tall, slender, beautiful nineteen-year-old college sophomore and White House intern, who worked in the press office” in reference to one of the President’s affairs. The disclosure set off a tabloid frenzy and soon exposed Mimi and the secret that she had kept for forty-one years. Because her past had been revealed in such a shocking, public way, she was forced, for the first time, to examine the choices she’d made. She came to understand that shutting down one part of her life so completely had closed her off from so much more.
No longer defined by silence or shame, Mimi Alford has finally unburdened herself with this searingly honest account of her life and her extremely private moments with a very public man. Once Upon a Secret offers a new and personal depiction of one of our most iconic leaders and a powerful, moving story of a woman coming to terms with her past and moving out of the shadows to reclaim the truth.
From the Hardcover edition.
About the Author
Mimi Alford lives in western Massachusetts with her husband, Dick. Together they have seven grandchildren. This is her first book.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
2011: what a year! (and please "View My Complete Profile" for MANY more blogs!)
194 BLOGS IN 2011-INCREDIBLE! More than the last two years COMBINED (for those doing the math, 123+68=191)...and almost DOUBLE the first three years combined (13+19+68=100)...and that is NOT including all the many NEW blog sites I created.
Let's see: I heard from Mark Lane, then I appear in his great book; I hear from (my favorite) former agent Robert DeProspero and, later, his daughter-and current Secret Service employee-Robin---quite a thrill for me (and my name was added to the nomination for a prestigious award in Bob's honor!!!); former agent Dan Emmett seeks out my input for his forthcoming book (read on); I appear in several other books; my PA Cable Access show continues from 2010 into early 2011; I visit Washington D.C. and the White House; many more videos were produced for my booming You Tube channel; and my C-SPAN appearance from November 2010 is shown at least one more time in 2011. Pretty damn good.
Alas, it's ultimately not about QUANTITY, but QUALITY. I hope I have achieved a good measure of that here. And yes: it is quite obvious that the news of the forthcoming publication of Gerald Blaine's "The Kennedy Detail" [Nov 2010] in late 2009 was the reason for the sharp spike in blog activity from that point onward...that and Gerald Blaine's attorney sending me that pesky letter LOL :)
The coming year promises a whole lot, as well: my C-SPAN "sparring partner", former agent Clint Hill, is coming out with a book entitled "Mrs. Kennedy & Me" in May (co-written with "Kennedy Detail" co-author Lisa McCubbin); former agent and newfound friend Dan Emmett is coming out with his outstanding book "Within Arm's Length" in late January (my positive blurb will be on the cover and, among many former agents who will read the book, President Clinton is getting a copy, as well); author David Wayne's book should be out (using my research materials); and a whole lot more.
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! ALL THE BEST IN 2012 AND BEYOND! :o)
Vince Palamara :O)
Let's see: I heard from Mark Lane, then I appear in his great book; I hear from (my favorite) former agent Robert DeProspero and, later, his daughter-and current Secret Service employee-Robin---quite a thrill for me (and my name was added to the nomination for a prestigious award in Bob's honor!!!); former agent Dan Emmett seeks out my input for his forthcoming book (read on); I appear in several other books; my PA Cable Access show continues from 2010 into early 2011; I visit Washington D.C. and the White House; many more videos were produced for my booming You Tube channel; and my C-SPAN appearance from November 2010 is shown at least one more time in 2011. Pretty damn good.
Alas, it's ultimately not about QUANTITY, but QUALITY. I hope I have achieved a good measure of that here. And yes: it is quite obvious that the news of the forthcoming publication of Gerald Blaine's "The Kennedy Detail" [Nov 2010] in late 2009 was the reason for the sharp spike in blog activity from that point onward...that and Gerald Blaine's attorney sending me that pesky letter LOL :)
The coming year promises a whole lot, as well: my C-SPAN "sparring partner", former agent Clint Hill, is coming out with a book entitled "Mrs. Kennedy & Me" in May (co-written with "Kennedy Detail" co-author Lisa McCubbin); former agent and newfound friend Dan Emmett is coming out with his outstanding book "Within Arm's Length" in late January (my positive blurb will be on the cover and, among many former agents who will read the book, President Clinton is getting a copy, as well); author David Wayne's book should be out (using my research materials); and a whole lot more.
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! ALL THE BEST IN 2012 AND BEYOND! :o)
Vince Palamara :O)
Monday, December 5, 2011
When you Google "The Kennedy Detail"...
When you Google "The Kennedy Detail", Blaine's page reads:
The Kennedy Detail, JFK Conspiracy, JFK Assassination Storywww.kennedydetail.com/Cached - Similar
Welcome to The Kennedy Detail. A book written about the JFK assassination and John F Kennedy conspiracy and true stories.
?!?!?!
Just a shameless way, via HTML,to pull people in to his site?
The Kennedy Detail, JFK Conspiracy, JFK Assassination Storywww.kennedydetail.com/Cached - Similar
Welcome to The Kennedy Detail. A book written about the JFK assassination and John F Kennedy conspiracy and true stories.
?!?!?!
Just a shameless way, via HTML,to pull people in to his site?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
"The Kennedy Detail": "'a guide on how to cover your a** after a tragedy'"
'a guide on how to cover your a** after a tragedy'
I am mixed on my review for this one... On one hand its an interesting read with some great inside info on the behind the scenes goings of the secret service; on the other hand I detested the third person narrative it was written in. It really could have been written without all of the whining about lack of sleep, etc.... I also didn't like how the book seemingly blamed Kennedy for his own murder or the ignorant stance that The Warren Report was correct.... Please! These men were enlisted to protect the president and failed. That is a terrible tragedy in its self but don't take the stance that Kennedy had a death wish when the agents rolled over and didn't stand up and realistically relay the risks.
I am mixed on my review for this one... On one hand its an interesting read with some great inside info on the behind the scenes goings of the secret service; on the other hand I detested the third person narrative it was written in. It really could have been written without all of the whining about lack of sleep, etc.... I also didn't like how the book seemingly blamed Kennedy for his own murder or the ignorant stance that The Warren Report was correct.... Please! These men were enlisted to protect the president and failed. That is a terrible tragedy in its self but don't take the stance that Kennedy had a death wish when the agents rolled over and didn't stand up and realistically relay the risks.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Rating the Secret Service books, videos, and dvds- thumbnail sketchs by Vince Palamara (saving the best for last)
Note: My reviews of each book differentiate between entertainment value, overall worth, and if the book is a specialty item; meaning, it has a narrow appeal (i.e. a book about a specific agent and his narrow view and time served in the agency). Also, please keep in mind that these are my thoughts circa late 2011---I may have been a little more forgiving at the time of publication several years back. I now take into account how well a book has aged, as well as entertainment and information factors.
Rating the Secret Service books, videos, and dvds- thumbnail sketchs by Vince Palamara (saving the best for last)
(in no order)
1) "In The President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect" by Ronald Kessler (2009)
There are currently 301 reviews on Amazon.Com for this book, with an aggregate average of 3.0 (1.0 being awful and 5.0 being great). Needless to say, the reviews vary widely; a very mixed bag. While I originally gave the book a 5 star rating, time has not been kind to this work---a 2.5 to 3 stars for depth of research would be more appropriate (at the time, I was swayed by the ENTERTAINMENT factor). What is most exasperating: JUST 5 PAGES FOR THE ENTIRE JFK ERA (LIFE AND DEATH)?!?!? In addition, Mr. Kessler unfortunately accepts at face value the whole notion of "JFK-as-scapegoat" for his very brief foray into the assassination, not letting the readers know that many NAMED agents are on the record (and have been for years) as debunking the whole idea that a) President Kennedy was difficult to protect, b) was reckless in his views on security, or c)that he ordered the agents off his limousine. The Special Agent in Charge of the White House Detail, Jerry Behn, as well as his assistant, Floyd Boring, not to mention MANY others (Rufus Youngblood, Winston Lawson, Bob Lilley, Art Godfrey, Sam Kinney, Sam Sulliman, Frank Stoner, Jerry O'Rourke, etc. etc. etc.) stated forcefully to myself, in no uncertain terms, that JFK was NOT difficult to protect, was in fact easy going, and NEVER ordered the agents off his limousine! To sum it up: you can have Oswald all by himself in the window shooting and no conspiracy and, yet, if the agents would have performed as they normally did, President Kennedy would have lived. THAT is the real story of November 22, 1963.
Also, many agents (perhaps out of necessity) are left unnamed, which can be frustrating to researchers and inquiring minds. In that regard, there are NO SOURCE NOTES OR END NOTES! Being that the book is a rather slim size (288 pages), especially for a work covering decades of intrigue, I am suprised at the lack of attribution.
Finally, although I personally love it (!), the book sometimes comes across as a Kitty Kelley/ C. David Heymann affair rather than a work of serious scholarship. I am specifically refering to the lurid tales of sex and drinking alleged by several (often unnamed)agents. I can see why Director Sullivan, Nick Trotta, and many of the agents who fully participated in this project felt betrayed. I have corresponded with Kessler and I was almost in his book but he was unable to locate me at the time (!)
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 2.5-3.0
2)"The Echo From Dealey Plaza: The true story of the first African American on the White House Secret Service detail and his quest for justice after the assassination of JFK" by Abraham Bolden (2008)
I highly recommend this seminal work from former Secret Service hero Abraham Bolden. The book is very well written and gripping in its narrative. Whether one views the JFK assassination as the work of one man (who beat the conspirators to the punch) or the work of a deadly conspiracy, Bolden's book holds up in any case, for it is the tale of injustice done to him, as well as the detailing of prior threats to President Kennedy's life.
As one who has studied the Secret Service and President Kennedy's life and death in great detail, I find this book fascinating and indispensable. What more can I say? Get this asap! Publishers Weekly said: "Conspiracy theories haunt the Kennedy assassination; Bolden offers a new one, concerning discrimination and evidence suppression. Becoming, in JFK's words, the Jackie Robinson of the Secret Service, Bolden joined the White House detail in 1961. Already beset by racism (he once found a noose suspended over his desk), his idealism is further shattered by the drinking and carousing of other agents. Soon after the assassination, he receives orders that hint at an effort to withhold, or at least to the color, the truth. He discovers that evidence is being kept from the Warren Commission and when he takes action, finds himself charged with conspiracy to sell a secret government file and sentenced to six years in prison, where both solitary confinement and the psychiatric ward await. That there was a conspiracy to silence him seems unarguable, but Bolden's prose is flat; so is his dialogue. This story is more enthralling than Bolden's telling of it, but the reader who sticks with it will enter a world of duplicitous charges and disappearing documents fit for a movie thriller."
I have spoken to and corresponded with Bolden on many occasions and I find him credible; a good guy.
28 Amazon.Com reviews, mostly positive; 4.5 aggregate
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 5.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (former JFK era agent and his quest for justice)
3) "Riding With Reagan" by John Barletta (2005)
Barletta has written a warm, well-written and touching book about President Reagan, especially Reagan's time on his ranch, as Barletta is a former Secret Service agent who often rode with the President, thus, the title of the book. That said, Barletta definitely wears his admiration for Reagan on his sleeve, which may be a little much for some. There is a fair amount of the inner workings of the Secret Service and their protection of Reagan.
I have corresponded with Barletta and he is most definitely an advocate for Reagan's greatness which, depending on your point of view, is either a good thing or a bad thing LOL
27 Amazon.Com reviews; 5.0 aggregate
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 4.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (Pro-Reagan agent and his biased look at his time protecting the president on the ranch)
4) "Standing Next to History: An Agent's Life Inside the Secret Service" by Joseph Petro (2005)
Joe Petro has written a fascinating account of life in the Secret Service-especially protecting President Reagan-in "Standing Next To History." If the Secret Service were embarrassed (and they WERE) by fellow agent Dennis V.N. McCarthy's "Protecting The President," not to mention Marty Venker's "Confessions Of An Ex-Secret Service Agent," [more on those books in a moment] they won't be with Petro's tome. It reads like Petro was careful not to make waves with his colleagues.
From Booklist
Former Secret Service agent Petro protected Henry Kissinger, Nelson Rockefeller, Gerald Ford, Walter Mondale, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Dan and Marilyn Quayle, and Pope John Paul II. His memoir of 20-plus years standing post or watching crowds is replete with anecdotes arranged to show what the Secret Service does. Petro stresses the friction inherent between safety and public visibility, and illustrates that point by recounting the negotiations that occurred between those being protected and the men and women with the earplugs and impassive visages. Petro introduces this main topic with an account of his arrangement of a Reagan trip to a baseball game, and sustains it though various settings, whether an international summit conference or a restaurant. More personally, the author confides his recruitment to the Secret Service and his investigations, such as infiltrating John Kerry's antiwar group. True to the Secret Service's ethos of confidentiality, Petro shies from gossip but imparts just enough to imply his opinions of the people he guarded, which is the part that will be of most interest to his readers.
Definitely one of the better Secret Service books.
58 Amazon.Com reviews, mostly postive; 4.5 aggregate
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 5.0
5) "Get Carter: Backstage in History from JFK's Assassination to the Rolling Stones" By Bill Carter (2006)
Former JFK era agent Bill Carter has written a decent (but obscure) book that, while it most definitely has its moments, it has not aged well already. The non-Secret Service related chapters are definitely an acquired taste. Carter supports the Warren Commission version of events and does offer some decent anecdotes from his days with the agency.
9 Amazon.Com reviews; 5.0 aggregate
Entertainment: 2.5-3.0; Overall: 2.5-3.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (former JFK era agent who was also in the Rolling Stones entourage)
6) "Looking Back and Seeing the Future: The United States Secret Service, 1865-1990" by Association of Former Agents of the United States Secret Service [AFAUSSS](1991)
I was lucky to have been supplied a copy of this fascinating, somewhat private publication by the late PRS agent Frank Stoner; an expensive used copy will sometimes crop up on Amazon. Although there are a trove of very nice pictures, the work is largely dated and biased via the late Agent/ Historian Harry Neal's point of view.
Entertainment: 2.5; Overall: 2.5
7) "American Gunfight: The Plot to Kill President Truman-and the Shoot-out That Stopped It" by Stephen Hunter and John Bainbridge, Jr (2005)
Definitely a specialty item, as this book deals exclusively with the 11/1/50 assassination attempt on President Harry Truman. This was a major release with help from the Secret Service, then (Boring, Mroz, etc) and now (Historian Mike Sampson). Warts and all, I would say this is the definitive book on the attempt on Truman's life, although the reviews on Amazon are decidedly mixed.
38 Amazon.Com reviews; 3.5 aggregate
Entertainment: (2.5-)3.0; Overall: 3.5 (-4.0); SPECIALTY BOOK (11/1/50 Truman attempt and the agent's responses and reactions)
8) "The Kennedy Detail" by Gerald Blaine and Lisa McCubbin; Foreword by Clint Hill (2010)
Oh, my: where do I begin? I have pontificated many times over about the book's inherent bias, fabrications, twisted views, etc., not only here but on Amazon, You Tube, and my CTKA review:
http://www.ctka.net/reviews/kennedydetailreview.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbD1shPmla8
(note: I am the unnamed Secret Service expert on pages 359-360 and I have answered his criticisms many times over)
Blaine states that this was "a book that had to be written." I would add: "yeah, it had to be written...because of my 22-page letter to Mr Hill that greatly alarmed you both." [I spoke to Blaine and many of his colleagues long before his book appeared] Blaine is a past President and last surviving founding member of the AFAUSSS; 'nuff said.
172 Amazon.Com reviews [although many of the 5 star reviews are from former agents, colleagues, and friends]; 4.0 aggregate
Entertainment: 3.5; Overall: 2.5 (1.0 for 11/18/63 and 11/22/63 falsehoods; 3.0 or better for the non-controversial aspects of the book)
9) "Special Agent A Quarter Century With The Treasury Department And The Secret Service" by Chief Frank J Wilsom and Beth Day (1965)
Definitely a dry and dated book. No index hinders research, although there are definitely items of interest to be found within.
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.0-3.0
10) "20 years in the Secret Service: My Life with Five Presidents" by Rufus Youngblood (1973)
Definitely NOT dry, Rufe's fine book could be considered dated, but that would be unfair to him and his book. Rufus Youngblood told me that his ghost writer was Richard Hardwick, duly thanked on page 5. That said, Rufe (and co.) wrote a nice book about his time serving 5 Presidents, with particular emphasis on LBJ, the President who called Youngblood "the dearest of all" agents. It's funny, thought-provoking, and well-written. As the leading civilian authority on the U.S. Secret Service, I am impressed, as I was with Rufe (rest in peace, my friend). One of the better Secret Service books, despite its age and his belief in the Warren Commission's findings.
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 4.0-5.0
11) "Secret Service Chief" by U.E. Baughman (1962)
I modestly recommend this book by JFK's first Secret Service Chief, Urbanus Edmund "U.E." Baughman (who was replaced as Chief in late 1961 by the SAIC of the WHD, James J. Rowley). The book is readable and pretty well put together. There are many examples of rich irony throughout: Baughman receiving the call to become Chief on November 22 [1948]...Baughman is, ahem, "retired" by a President who would meet his ultimate fate on November 22 [1963]...Baughman waxes on about the virtues of Richard Nixon for President at a time when Tricky Dicky was dead in the water, politically speaking...etc.
Entertainment: 2.5; Overall: 3.0
12) "Dar's Story: Memoirs of a Secret Service Agent" by Darwin Horn (2002)
Darwin Horn is a nice guy with whom I corresponded with quite a bit a few years back. Unfortunately, his book does not age well and, to be honest, was rather dry and clinical at the time. Former Agent Walt Coughlin told me his book was "ok"...that would be my assessment now. Horn just did not have that exciting of a career or background to warrant a book.
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.5
13) "Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan" by Del Quentin Wilber (2011)
As someone who has also spoken to the great Jerry Parr, a true hero from 3/30/81, as well as a gaggle of other former agents from the FDR-Reagan era, let me tell you, in no uncertain terms: this book is outstanding, Anyone who gives it less than 5 stars needs his/ her head examined. As the leading civilian authority on the United States Secret Service, I was very much impressed with the research, writing, and narrative; incredible. Just how close we came to losing yet another president is made manifest in this terrific work. In fact, this book is a true tale of heroism, in stark contrast to the gross lies and profiteering of "The Kennedy Detail", falsely blaming JFK for his own death. Unlike that sad chapter in American history, THESE agents reacted properly, did not seek to blame the President for their collective ineptitude, nor did they seek to profit from their actions. Buy this book a.s.ap.!
I have spoken to and corresponded to Del several times since publication; great guy, as well.
101 Amazon.Com reviews, overwhelmingly 5 star/ positive (not one 1 star review!); 4.5 aggregate
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 5.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (albeit a great and recommended one: the 3/30/81 assassination attempt on President Reagan, with the agent's reactions and responses. Like Hunter's 11/1/50 book, above, the definitive book on the 3/30/81 attempt, but a better read)
14) "Protecting the President: The Inside Story of a Secret Service Agent" by Dennis V.N. McCarthy and Philip W Smith (1985)
The late Dennis (no relation to Tim) McCarthy (with some help from his co-author, Philip W. Smith) wrote this book. While it reads very well, is funny, informative, and even has a nice photo section, to boot, the Secret Service was NOT pleased with this book. Former Agents Walt Coughlin, Darwin Horn and Bob Snow told me the book was an embarrassment, with Coughlin adding that McCarthy "never could carry his weight." In hindsight, although he received a medal, Dennis McCarthy's role that fateful day on 3/30/81 was relatively minor, especially in comparison to the bravery (and bloodshed) of Jerry Parr, Tim McCarthy, Drew Unrue, and Ray Shaddick, among others [see "Rawhide Down", above]. In fact, on the video "Inside The Secret Service," an actor portraying a threat to the President is shown reading a copy of this book (!) and, if that weren't enough, a still photo of the four agents decorated for valor for their heroics---Parr, Shaddick, McCarthy, and TIM McCarthy---is depicted with DENNIS McCarthy cropped out and not even mentioned!
Entertainment: 4.0-5.0; Overall: 3.0-4.0 (keeping in mind the reservations noted above. Some in the Service would say 1.0!)
15) "Confessions of an Ex-Secret Service Agent: The Marty Venker Story" by George Rush (and Marty Venker) (1988)
Along with Dennis McCarthy's book, above, this is the OTHER book that gives the Secret Service fits...and for good reason. That said, I get a kick out of Marty Venker: he is alot like one of his evident heroes, Brooks Keller (the wild former agent chronicled briefly in both his book and Dennis McCarthy's). Venker's book, actually 'written' by George Rush, is a funny yet informative chronicle of a square peg in a round hole---Venker, the wild child, trying to conform to rigid, structured, pressure-packed duty as a Special Agent. The lack of an index will frustrate you (at least in the paperback), but there are many nice nuggets and anecdotes to be found here.
George Rush was asked to work on an article, and met Marty Venker. They turned on the tape recorder and listened to his memories. The result was an article for "Roling Stone" magazine. More talks and recordings led to this book. Seventeen chapters cover his experiences over the ten years in the Secret Service during the 1970s, and afterwards. An interesting read.
Entertainment: 4.0-5.0; Overall: 3.0-4.0 (once again, keeping in mind the reservations noted above. Some in the Service would say 1.0!)
16) "Reilly of the White House" by Michael Reilly (1947)
A dry and dated book from the SAIC of FDR's Detail (who replaced Colonel Edmund Starling). This has historical importance, so I would not be too hard on it, overall. Members of the late Mike Reilly's family have contacted me through the years.
Entertainment: 2.0-3.0; Overall: 2.0-3.0
17)"Starling of the White House: The story of the man whose Secret Service detail guarded five presidents from Woodrow Wilson to Franklin D. Roosevelt" by Colonel Edmund Starling (1946)
Yet another somewhat dry and dated book, albeit one that is slightly superior to Reilly's book, above. Interestingly, Starling's book has 8 Amazon.Com reviews with a 4.5 aggregate (the book has recently seen new life in a reprinted version, as well as turning up in used condition). Starling is a legend in Secret Service lore...and rightfully so.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.0
18) "The Secret Service: The Hidden History of an Engimatic Agency" by Philip Melanson (2002; revised and expanded version, 2005)
The late Philip Melanson was a prolific author and colleague--in fact, I am IN this book on several pages, as well as the bibliography. This book was greatly improved, in my opinion, when Melanson got rid of the co-author from the original 2002 edition (Peter F Stevens [21 Amazon.com reviews, 3.0 aggregate; very mixed]) and revised and expanded the work for the 2005 release (10 Amazon reviews, 4.0 aggregate). Here is my Amazon.Com review:
New & improved...sort of (4.5 stars, anyone?)
As the leading civilian authority on the U.S. Secret Service, I was much looking forward to the REVISED AND EXPANDED version of this book, as ***my*** own book ("The Third Alternative-Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service & The JFK Murder" [1993-1998], now massively expanded and updated as "Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service & The Failure To Protect The President", available now!)was listed in the original version and it is obvious Melanson made good use of my material for his chapter on the JFK assassination entitled "Losing Lancer." [pages 74, 77, 80, 87, 343-344 (endnotes), 358 (bibliography), & 371 (index) ["etc."]
Well, Melanson evidently heard all the first-edition bad reviews regarding editing and typos and the like: gone is his co-author, Peter F. Stevens. Also, he added a nice new cover and TWO new chapters, as well as sourcing former agent Joseph Petro's excellent 2005 book entitled "Standing Next To History." (It still says "the authors" [plural] in the Bibliography and, from the larger font, you can tell that Petro's book was added!]
That said, I highly recommend this book (as I did with regard to the poorly edited/ proofread first edition)---still alittle bit of a "dry" text, but he listened to all the criticisms regarding STYLE. And, while I achieved a world's record---SIXTY SEVEN former agent interviews (the old record was by the HSCA: 44)---Melanson did interview a handful of former agents (such as Winston Lawson, also interviewed numerous times by myself)and his book serves as a good general overview---using mostly secondary sources--- of the (history of) the Secret service, 1865-2005 (while my work focuses more on the FDR-Reagan days, with special emphasis on the JFK/ LBJ years...and alot more PRIMARY research). For the record, my work is now credited on pages 72, 74, 77, 85, 388, 389, 408, 424 ["uncredited": pages 59, 60, 70, 71, 73, 75-76]
Potscript: Melanson writes on page 61: "Some of the agents, THOUGH NOT WINSTON G. LAWSON, lied to the Warren Commission about how thorough they were [my emphasis]." It is obvious that Melanson didn't want to ruffle Lawson's feathers, as he interviewed him and probably feared he would take exception to that!
If you want an extremely thorough, take-off-the-gloves approach to the Secret Service, get my 276-page book "Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service & The Failure To Protect The President." In the meantime, Melanson's 30 pages regarding 11/22/63 should suffice...and the rest of the book, now mostly improved and expanded, should still be a good start for anyone interested in the U.S. Secret Service.
---
Former JFK era agent Tony Sherman highly recommended the book to myself (evidently forgeting, for the moment, that I was IN the book!), and it was a major, over-the-counter release. However, like Kessler's controversial book, above, the reaction has been mixed and there are flaws. Still, recommended, nonetheless.
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 4.0
19) "Murder From Within: Lyndon Johnson's Plot against President Kennedy" by Fred Newcomb and Perry Adams (1974; new edition 2011)
My Amazon.Com review:
Important, seminal work, regardless of your take on one aspect of this great book
The entire research community is so indebted to Fred Newcomb: he gave us the body alteration theory (years before David Lifton), cogent criticisms of the Secret Service (while I was in diapers!), analysis of the LHO backyard photos (later made famous by Jack White), the Dodd/ Seaport Traders theory (in "Reasonable Doubt" and "Ultimate Sacrifice", among others), and, although I do not believe it, the Greer-shot-JFK theory (years before William Cooper et. al.). This book, the new and improved edition, reads well and even has good comments about JFK's foreign policy (Vietnam). I am a proud owner of an original. Do NOT let your feelings about the Greer-shot-JFK theory deter you from getting this important, seminal volume asap---there is ALOT of good, pioneering work contained herein. We are all indebted to Tyler Newcomb, Fred Newcomb, and Perry Adams. Buy this asap!
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 4.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (pro-conspiracy book that, on the plus side, demonstrates Secret Service malfeasance on 11/22/63 but, on the negative side, also included the absurd driver-did-it theory)
20) "Last Word: My Indictment of the CIA in the Murder of JFK" by Mark Lane (2011)
My Amazon.Com review:
FANTASTIC! GET THIS A.S.A.P.! THE KENNEDY DETAIL DEBUNKED!
Attorney Mark Lane thoroughly destroys Gerald Blaine & Lisa McCubbin's book "The Kennedy Detail": on the merit of this alone, every person who purcashed and/ or read that book needs to read this as the antidote. Lane saves his best JFK work for last with his appropriately titled tome "The Last Word", a book that joins Jim Douglass "JFK & The Unspeakable" and Douglas Horne's 5-volume series "Inside The Assassination Records Review Board" in the "holy troika" of essential, must-read (and own) Kennedy assassination books. Lane skillfully takes apart Vincent Bugliosi's magnum opus on the Oswald-did-it side entitled "Reclaiming History" and, most of all, Gerald Blaine's fraudulent "JFK-told-us-not-to" book "The Kennedy Detail"---for the latter, Lane used my research materials, for which I am most grateful. In addition, Lane adds further credibility to the tale of former Secret Service Agent Abraham Bolden and his book "The Echo From Dealey Plaza." It never ceases to amaze me how much great literature and research has come forth in the last 5-10 years. Mark Lane's book "The Last Word" adds to his legacy greatly. Get this one asap---Bugliosi, Blaine, and the CIA have a lot to answer for! Highly recommended; fantastic!
17 Amazon.Com reviews, 4.0 aggregate
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 4.0 (5.0 for Secret Service related chapters); SPECIALTY BOOK (pro-conspiracy book that does debunk "The Kennedy Detail" and adds support to Bolden's book, above)
21) "Robert DeProspero" (2011)
A currently out-of-print slim volume that contains my Wikipedia article on Robert DeProspero, as well as several other former agents (and my contributions!).
Robert Lee DeProspero was a respected United States Secret Service agent, serving from 1965 to 1986. He is notable for serving on the Presidential Protective Division (PPD) during a large part of the Reagan administration, and for heading that division towards the end of his tenure.DeProspero attended West Virginia University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in physical education in 1959 and a master's degree in education in 1960.DeProspero devised several very important and innovative security measures during his time in the Secret Service that are used today: the "hospital agent" (stationing an agent at the nearest primary trauma hospital on a presidential movement), as well as the creation of metal detector checkpoints to screen every individual who could get a view of the president.
Entertainment: 2.5; Overall: 3.0
22) "United States Secret Service Agents" (2011)
Another currently out-of-print slim volume that contains my Wikipedia article on Robert DeProspero, as well as several other former agents (and my contributions!).
Entertainment: 2.5; Overall: 3.0
23) "Saving Mrs. Kennedy: The Search for an American Hero" by Harvey Sawler (2005)
I highly recommend this well written novel about Secret Service agent Clint Hill. Hill is the agent who was awarded a Medal for protecting Mrs. Kennedy on that fateful day in Dallas on 11/22/63. This book is a very fine novel covering this brave and dedicated public servant. However, this book is very FACTUAL, too: while it uses the novel format, this is only as a device to lay out the facts. There is also a Foreward from former Chair of the Assassination Records Review Board, Judge John Tunheim, as well. The author went to a great deal of effort to flesh out the details of Hill's life (contacting Concordia College friends and professors, as well as family and friends, although it appears that the elusive Mr. Hill himself did not cooperate [I did speak to him, but that is another story]).
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 3.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (novel re: Clint Hill)
24) "The U.S. Secret Service: Protecting Our Leaders" by Connie Colwell Miller (2008)
A nice KID's book on the Secret Service
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 2.5-3.0
25) "Introduction to Executive Protection" by Dale L. June (1998)
Product Description: An Introduction to Executive Protection provides beginners in the occupation of executive protection with the tools they need to know and appreciate the profession; to enable them to realize what is expected when they are placed in positions of confidence and trust; and to understand the implications of being responsible for the safety and lives of others.
This guide emphasizes the basic elements of executive protection which are often neglected or overlooked in practical application, even by professional schools of executive protection instruction which sometimes mistakenly assume all enrollees are practiced journeymen. In addition to practical and technical considerations of the profession, "executive protection" means working with people on a personal level. The author draws on his extensive and varied experience in the field to share events that inform and enlighten students of executive protection and teach them how to best avoid endangering those they protect.
My short Amazon.Com review:
Excellent book on executive protection
As the leading civilian authority on the U.S. Secret Service, I highly recommend this book from distinguished former agent Dale June. It is well written and very informative. Simply put, you cannot go wrong in purchasing this volume. I was a little disappointed with the 11/22/63 "whitewash", but that was to be expected, quite frankly (what is Mr. June going to say : "My colleagues screwed up in Dallas?"). Get this!
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 4.0
26) "The United States Secret Service" by Walter S. Bowen & Harry Neal (1960)
I believe that this book, though valuable for the time it was written, is dated and dry by today's standards. Obviously, a lot has transpired since this was written over four decades ago. Still, some worthwhile information for the Secret Service enthusiast out there.
Entertainment: 2.0; overall: 3.0
27) "Secret Service Agent: And Careers in Federal Protection (Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Careers)" by Gerry Souter (2006)
I highly recommend this great "starter" book on the agency. There are nice graphics and the book, albeit short in length, is well written and incisive. That said, this is, like Connie Miller's book (above), a KID's book.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 2.5-3.0
28) "Definitive Proof: The Secret Service Murder of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy" by Dan Robertson (2006)
My Amazon.Com review:
Lots of good information, sincere intent...wrong conclusion
I commend Dan Robertson for a well written and researched book. There is a lot of good information on the Secret Service and their role, innocent and otherwise, on 11/22/63 during the JFK assassination, as well as before and after (Robertson makes good use of my material, as well as doing some original research, too). There is no doubt: Robertson's intent was sincere; he's no loony but a successful, intelligent lawyer. That said, the ultimate conclusion of the book, that Secret Service driver William R. Greer shot JFK, is simply not supported by any credible evidence (and the allegation is hardly a new---and unknown---one: Fred Newcomb, Perry Adams, Lars Hansen, and William Milton Cooper, among others, espoused this decades ago, and many 'common folk' are much aware of this fringe theory). Still, this book is a worthwhile addition to the collection (and for anyone interested in the Secret Service and JFK).
Entertainment: 3.5; Overall: 3.5; SPECIALTY BOOK (pro-conspiracy book that, on the plus side, demonstrates Secret Service malfeasance on 11/22/63 but, on the negative side, also included the absurd driver-did-it theory)
29) "Secret Service Agent (Uniformed)" by Jack Rudman (2004)
From my Amazon.Com review: This is a very dry, clinical book (5 stars for content, 2-3 stars for "readability": it's for those wishing to join the UD---Uniformed Division---of the USSS!). Hey, SAIC of PPD (for George W. Bush) Nick Trotta started out this way---the UD division is very important.
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.5
30) "Whitewash II: The FBI-Secret Service Coverup" by Harold Weisberg (1967)
From my Amazon.Com review: While I have the original edition, this nice "update" of sorts is a welcome addition to the collection. That said, this book IS a little dated and not as earth-shattering as Mr. Weisberg's other seminal works. Still, I recommend it nonetheless.
Entertainment: 2.5; Overall: 2.5; SPECIALTY BOOK (pro-conspiracy book)
31) "Not On The Level" by Michael V Maddaloni (2006)
From my Amazon.Com review: Wow! What a page turner "Not On The Level" is! I am very impressed with this well-written, entertaining, and thought-provoking book by former Secret Service agent Mike Maddaloni. Uncle Tony and Uncle Sal will be burned into your brain, while Joe De Falco's narration pulls it all together. Get this book asap!
I corresponded with Maddaloni several times.
Entertainment: 4.5; Overall: 3.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (a novel from an agent who served on PPD Carter-Reagan)
32) "To Be a U.S. Secret Service Agent" by Henry Holden (2006)
While somewhat akin to Souter's and Miller's KID'S books on the Secret Service, this slightly longer work has great graphics and is actually written with adults in mind, as well.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.5
33) "The United States Secret Service in the Late War" by LaFayette C Baker (1895?)
Ancient book, very dry and dated.
Entertainment: 1.5; Overall: 2.5
34) "American Secret Service agent" by Donald Wilkie (1934)
ditto on all counts
35) "Politics of Protection: The U.S. Secret Service in the Terrorist Age" by Philip Melanson (1984)
Get Melanson's 2005 work instead. This is somewhat dated and made completely redundant by his later work.
36) "The Dark Side of Camelot" by Seymour Hersh (1997)
From my Amazon.Com review:
worth it for the comments of former Secret Service agents Newman, Sherman, McIntyre & Paolella
I recommend this book [a massive best-seller] primarily for the comments of former Secret Service agents Larry Newman, Tony Sherman, Tim McIntyre, and Joe Paolella, all of whom I also spoke to and/ or corresponded with. Like what they say or not, it is also supported by what others have said, including the comments to myself from former SAIC of PRS Robert I. Bouck on 9/27/92, among others. (Hersh also interviewed Bouck and Marty Underwood, both of whom I ALSO spoke to, as well)
Entertainment: 4.5; Overall: 3.5; SPECIALTY BOOK (worth it for the agent's comments re: JFK that Blaine avoided)
37) "In Crime's Way: A Generation of Secret Service Adventures" by Carmine Motto (1999)
Book description: A retired Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service's special anti-counterfeiting detail in New York and author of the bestseller Undercover, Carmine J. Motto has lived a long and storied life. From witnessing a triple execution at New York's notorious Sing-Sing prison to thwarting an assassination attempt on the life of Harry Truman, Motto's name would make the list of any Law Enforcement Hall of Fame. In fact, so renowned are his exploits, that they were portrayed in a 20th Century Fox motion picture starring Burt Lancaster as Motto (Mr. 880).
Now, readers can learn all about the real-life experiences of this "Top Cop." In Crime's Way: A Generation of Secret Service Adventures, is a series of true, authentic and fascinating stories of Motto's 60 years in law enforcement bringing counterfeiters, conspirators and scoundrels to justice. Follow his colorful career from police officer to secret service agent as he tells about being a cop in New York the night of the famous Orson Wells's "Invasion from Mars" radio broadcast, tracking a suspect who murdered his parents for their life insurance, or showing up to arrest a suspect, only to find himself as the witness for the man's marriage.
While the book is written by and is about Motto, he is not the central character, but can be viewed almost like a narrator. Motto observes and participates in the action, but the real story is about the people he encounters. Most are presented in their own environment and situations of their own making as a result of their pursuit of an "easy dollar." No hot pursuits, exploding cars, or gun battles here. With his remarkable aptitude for story telling, Motto has preserved actual stories of life and the underworld as he saw it from his position as a renowned counterfeit investigator.
Review by fellow author and agent Dale June: When I was asked by the publisher and Mr. Motto to help in preparing this book for publication and to write this forward, I was more than pleased, I was honored. This, for me, has been like traveling through a time tunnel and sharing moments, as an unseen observer, in the life of people as they matched wits with a legend of the U.S. Secret Service...If there is ever such a thing as a Hall of Fame for Law Enforcement, Carmine J. Mottos name will be there.
-Dale L. June, Co-Author, Undercover, Second Edition
From my Amazon.Com review:
Carmine and Robert Motto [served in Chicago office with Bolden: see his book]: brothers in the Secret Service
I highly recommend this thriller of a book. Very well written as well. For True Crime ethusiasts. For the Secret Service enthusiasts, some interesting background---
Robert J. Motto, 88, a former Secret Service agent who protected five
presidents in his 21-year career, died Tuesday, March 19, 2002, in his
Downers Grove, Illinois, home after a heart attack. Born in Brooklyn,
N.Y., Mr. Motto attended City College of New York and served in the
U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946 in counterintelligence. After the war, he
was an investigator with the U.S. Postal Service in New York. Mr.
Motto joined the Secret Service in 1949 and over the years worked in
field offices in St. Louis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Springfield and
Washington, D.C. He retired in 1970 as the assistant to the special
agent in charge of the Chicago field office. Mr. Motto and his late
brother Carmine, also a Secret Service agent, were renowned for their
undercover work, colleagues and family members said. "Both my dad and
my uncle were very, very low-key people," said Mr. Motto's niece,
Irene Kaufman. "I think that's what helped them both be very
successful undercover agents."
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 3.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (Motto's narrow lens on Secret Service items)
38) "Mortal Error: The Shot That Killed JFK, A ballistics expert's astonishing discovery of the fatal bullet that Oswald did not fire" by Bonar Menninger (and Howard Donahue) (1992)
From my Amazon.Com review:
good book about the shot LHO DIDN'T fire, silly on who he thinks did it
Secret Service agent George W. Hickey, jr. did not and could not have accidentally shot JFK from the follow-up car--among other reasons, the Bronson film and the numerous eyewitnesses debunk this notion. That said, this book is very worthwhile for ballistically proving that LHO did not fire the fatal shot. I spoke to and corresponded with the late Howard Donahue, the true author of this book (Bonar Menninger was merely the writer, so to speak). Interesting are the passing comments by many of the agents I also spoke to who debunk his theory of Hickey shooting JFK: Sam Kinney, Jerry Behn, Floyd Boring, James Rowley, Richard Johnsen, and Win Lawson.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 2.5; SPECIALTY BOOK (silly theory that JFK was accidentally killed by Agent Hickey)
39) "JFK: Breaking the Silence" by Bill Sloan (1993)
From my Amazon.Com review:
Good book, worth it for former Secret Service officer John Norris and former agent Robert Steuart's comments
As confirmed to myself from the author, Bill Sloan, the unnamed agent at the beginning of the book who spoke with much trepidation was former Dallas office agent Robert Steuart (I spoke to Steuart in 1992 and 1993). Although good, the best parts of the book are the aforementioned comments from Steuart as well as the chapter on former Secret Service officer John Norris (since deceased). [I spoke to Norris, as well]
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 3.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (pro-conspiracy book with two Secret Service related chapters)
40) "The Story of the Secret Service" by Ferdinand Kuhn; Foreword by U.E. Baughman (1957)
I modestly recommend this 1957 book by Ferdinand Kuhn (pen name?). This book is not to be confused---as I and others have been---with the 1971 Grossett and Dunlap book of the same title, written by former Secret Service agent Harry Neal. As for this book, it is dry and dated, but it is worth it for a few items (and the foreward by former Chief U.E. Baughman).
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.0
41) "In the Line of Fire" novel by Max Allan Collins (1993)
From my Amazon.Com review:
Nice novel (that the movie was based off of)...but the movie is better. That said, this is an enjoyable read and the story does indeed come to life. It is just very hard to compete with Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, and Renee Russo!
Entertainment: 4.0 (movie: 5.0); Overall: 3.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (novel)
42) "In The Line Of Fire" movie/ dvd (1993)
I highly recommend this very entertaining thriller starring the great CLINT Eastwood as CLINT Hill (sort of). For the Secret Service enthusiast, there is great bonus footage from several of the technical consultants such as former Secret Service agents Robert Snow (I corresponded with him), Jerry Parr (protected Reagan on 3/30/81; I spoke to him), Hubert Bell, etc. Get this!
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 4.5; SPECIALTY ITEM (movie made with Secret Service help)
43) "Death Of A President" by William Manchester (1967)
I modestly recommend this classic and controversial book for the many Secret Service/ primary witness interviews Manchester conducted between 1964-1965 (he spoke to 20+agents; I spoke to 80+). That said, several agents I spoke to, three of whom also spoke to Manchester, including Rufus Youngblood, Sam Kinney, and Jerry Behn, among others, denounced this book. Most importantly, ASAIC FLOYD BORING IS QUOTED IN THE BOOK BUT WAS NOT INTERVIEWED FOR IT (AS VERIFIED BY BORING TO MYSELF) AND HE VEHEMENTLY DENIES THE VERACITY OF THE INFO. ATTRIBUTED TO HIM!!
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 4.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (11/22/63)
44) "The Day Kennedy Was Shot: An Hour-by-Hour Account of What Really Happened on November 22, 1963" by Jim Bishop (1968)
From my Amazon.Com review:
ANOTHER CLASSIC BUT FLAWED BOOK.
I recommend this book for its classic status. That said, there are several errors throughout and, like Manchester before him, Bishop has an obvious lone-nut bias. I know for a fact that Bishop spoke to former Secret Service agents Bill Greer and Jim Rowley...beyond that, it is hard to tell who (if anyone) else.
Entertainment: 3.5; Overall: 3.5; SPECIALTY BOOK (11/22/63)
45) "The Men Who Killed Kennedy" by Nigel Turner (video/ dvd) (1988;1991;1995;2003)
From My Amazon.Com review:
Amazing series (I was on part 7) :)
You have to own this whole set (parts 1-9). Flawed but indispensable; Nigel Turner has done it again (and again). Excellent films/ photos and primary witnesses, too.
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 4.5; SPECIALTY ITEM (11/22/63)
46) "Stalking the President: A History of American Assassins" video (1995)
I modestly recommend this video, as it is a decent overview of past assassinations. I did not care for the annoying "official" story re: 11/22/63 and Oswald but, other than that, this serves as a nice primer on the history of political violence in our country.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.0
47) "Dangerous World: The Kennedy Years" ABC/ video 1997
(BASED ON SEYMOUR HERSH'S BOOK, ABOVE)
I modestly recommend this video, as it contains the on-camera comments of former Secret Service agent's Tony Sherman, Larry Newman, Joe Paolella, and William "Tim" McIntyre, all of whom I have spoken to and/ or corresponded with myself. That said, I do not endorse Seymour Hersh's book, per se...but there is much of value in what these agents have to say.
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 4.0
48) "Presidential Limousines" video (1996)
I highly recommend this video for the great video/ film footage of the many presidential limousines and the Secret Service detail accompanying them. You will see SAIC's Ray Shaddick, Bob DeProspero, Jerry Parr, and others. I spoke to both the producer, Rick Boudreau, as well as the one Secret Service agent listed in the credits, Sam Kinney. Get this!
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 5.0
49) "The Story of the Secret Service" by Harry Neal (1971)
From my Amazon.Com review:
I'm confused...
As the leading civilian authority on the U.S. Secret Service, I am confused about this book: there is a book in my possession entitled "The Story of the Secret Service" by FERDINAND KUHN, with a foreward by then-Secret Service Chief U.E. Baughman...is THIS the same book (and is KUHN a penname for NEAL)? The book I have was published in 1957 by Random House. However, when I ordered it here, I received not the 1971 "Neal" book with the same title, but this one...? That aside, this book is o.k.; no great shakes. It's very dry and dated. For the curious only.
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.5
50) "Secret Service History, Duties and Equipment" by C.B. Colby (1966)
From my Amazon.Com review:
Decent short book for the young (and old)
I reluctantly impose a 3-star rating on this work. It may be short, dated, and intended for a young audience, but it DOES have some good moments, especially the photographs (I especially like the one of Stu Knight and Art Godfrey at target practice on page 20). For the Secret Service enthusiasts out there only.
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.0
51) "What Does a Secret Service Agent Do?" by W. Hyde (1962)
From my Amazon.Com review:
Good but dated book on the Secret Service; ironic, too
I feel this book, while certainly having its moments, is alittle dated and under-developed. There are some eerie moments in this work, too, especially considering it was written in 1962, the year before JFK's assassination---a picture from the supposedly apolitical Secret Service headquarters with the picture of Ike that contains the sticker "I Miss IKE" (what, don't like JFK too much, huh?), as well as some of the comments made between pages 26-30. Buy this if you are curious.
Entertainment: 2.5; Overall: 2.5
52) "Secret Service In Action" by Harry Neal (1980)
I was disappointed with this error-ridden book by the legend-in-his-own-mind Harry Neal. There IS some surprisingly good information on former Director H. Stuart "Stu" Knight. It has its moments, I guess...but needed a co-writer to flesh out the style and especially the FACTS.
Entertainment: 1.5; Overall: 1.5
53) "U S Secret Service (Know Your Government)" by Gregory Matusky (1988)
I modestly recommend this work, especially for those with a keen interest in the Secret Service. There are some fine photographs and, with a nice introduction by Arthur Schlesinger, you just can't lose. It's alittle dated, but it's still essential. Get it! P.S. That is agent Ron Pontius beside LBJ on page 66
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.5
54) "The Secret Service Story" by Michael Dorman (1967)
I reluctantly give this partial propaganda a 3-star rating, largely for the GOOD, non-propaganda information contained within. Dorman, a staunch government friend and anti-Garrison advocate, had Secret Service help with this book...which definitely tainted the results in the JFK areas of the book. If you are a Secret Service enthusiast, you have to get it, though; it's that simple.
Entertainment: 2.5-3.0; Overall: 3.0
55) "Secret Service: Life Protecting the President (Extreme Careers)" by David Seidman (2003)
I was greatly surprised and impressed with this "kids" book about the Secret Service. Some very good information about the modern Secret Service is captured in good detail. In addition, there are several nice photographs included. Buy it!
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.0
56) "The U.S. Secret Service (Your Government: How It Works)" by Ann Gaines (March 2001)
Author Ann Graham Gaines should be commended for putting together, along with Senior Consulting Editor Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., such a fine volume on the Secret Service. The funny thing is: this book may be intended for a young audience, but is actually quite appropriate for an older readership, as well! Richly illustrated with some rare photographs, I only feel it appropriate, as the leading civilian authority on the U.S. Secret Service, to say: buy this!
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.0
57) "Secret Service (High Interest Books: Top Secret)" by Mark Beyer (2003)
Richly illustrated, well written, and very informative, Mark Beyer does a fine job of providing a "Cliff Notes" tome about the Secret Service that is especially geared for the young. That said, this book is surprisingly good and can even find an audience with people of all ages. As the leading civilian authority on the U.S. Secret Service, I was not disappointed (despite the slim number of pages). ;-)
Entertainment: 2.5-3.0; Overall: 2.5-3.0
58) "Secret Service" History Channel 4-video set 1995
I must say I am very enthusiastic in my praise for this 4-video set about the Secret Service. A nice cast of characters---former agents Clint Hill, Jerry Parr, Rufus Youngblood, & Larry Beundorf among them---really makes this series come alive. In addition, very nice archival footage is used appropriately throughout. In particular, the segments on FDR, JFK, and Reagan shine the most. Highly recommended!
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 4.5
59) "Inside The Secret Service" Discovery Channel video (1995)
My Amazon.Com review:
I must say I was somewhat impressed with this particular program. Specifically, the producers should be thanked for getting former agents' Winston Lawson and Floyd Boring on camera (at that time in 1995, this was their first appearance on tv/ video). Also, the program does a nice job (visually) with telling the story of the Secret Service from the 19th century up to/ inc. the 3/30/81 attack on Pres. Reagan (esp. former SAIC Jerry Parr's comments). It is also nice to see future SAIC Bobby DeProspero hanging on to the limousine during Reagan's first inaugural prade (he was then an asst. to Parr). The program drops a notch when discussing counterfeiting, investigations, and training, but not enough to sway my five-star review. Buy it.
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 3.5-4.0
60) "National Geographic: Inside The U.S. Secret Service" dvd (2004)
From my Amazon.Com review:
A reluctant 5 stars...read on
While I think this dvd is highly entertaining and informative, and while I also think the layman out there will truly enjoy it, for the very well informed like myself (I am the leading civilian authority on the Secret Service, especially with regard to the period from FDR to Reagan), I have some mixed emotions. For one, like the 1995 History Channel and 1995 Discovery Channel documentaries (both available only on vhs), this was an officially-sanctioned production, so, needless to say, trade secrets and controversy are kept to a bare minimum, to put it mildly. Second, while Clint Hill appears on all 3 productions, I feel even more could have been said by him about not only the events of 11/22/63, but with regard to the JFK/ LBJ years, in general (he DOES state that the back of the head behind the right ear was gone, thus corroborating his own 1963 SS report and 1964 WC testimony; it's good to hear him actually say the words). In addition, as with the Discovery Channel production (and the 1996 PBS special re: Truman), former ASAIC/ #2 agent under JFK Floyd M. Boring makes a noteworthy appearance, but, as with his other two appearances, only to deal with the infamous 11/1/50 Blair House assassination attempt on President Truman; nothing about his role as planner of the Texas trip and so forth.
In addition to the "usual suspects" (Hill, Boring, Jerry Parr), it would have been nice to seem some new faces like Joe Petro (with a book out right now) and Robert DeProspero (SAIC during part of the Reagan years, between Parr and Shaddick).
Still, for 90-99% of the viewing audience, you will find much to like about this documentary, arguably the best of the 3, although I feel the 1995 History Channel documentary is the best for the early days of the Secret Service. For the JFK years, please read "Murder In Dealey Plaza" by Fetzer and "The Secret Service" by Melanson, as well as "Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service & The Failure To Protect The President" by yours truly
--
Probably the best Secret Service documentary to date
Entertainment: 4.5; Overall: 4.0-4.5
61) "Secrets of the Secret Service" Discovery Channel video/ dvd (2009)
A real mixed bag here---some good, some not so good. Former agents Funk and Petro perhaps gave compromising, error-laced comments, but it was good to see the 11/22/63 Love Field agent recall video and the relatively-correct spin on what it depicts.
Entertainment: 3.5; Overall: 3.0-3.5
62) "Walking With Presidents: Stories From Inside The Perimeter" by Michael Endicott (2009)
Michael Endicott graduated from St. Martin's University in 1965. He was a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service from 1965–1985. He was assigned to President Nixon and Secretary of State Kissinger and was Operations Supervisor to Vice Presidents Rockefeller and Mondale. He was also head of former President Nixon's detail from 1979–1985. When Nixon relinquished his government provided Secret Service detail, Mr. Endicott retired and took responsibility for Nixon’s protection under his own company, Endicott Associates, and became a Special Assistant to Richard Nixon, traveling with him as Staff Assistant in meetings with world leaders and high government officials.
This is a decent book that certainly has its moments, while it's pro-Nixon feel may turn off some readers.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.0
63) "Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service & The Failure To Protect The President" by Vince Palamara [reviewer] (1993/2006)
My book is listed in many other book's bibliographies (Vincent Bugliosi,Philip Melanson, Phillip Nelson, etc.) , as well as being referenced in the actual text of many more (Mark Lane, Noel Twyman, Harry Livingstone, William Law, etc). Since I feel it is crass to review one's own book, I will just say this: warts and all, it is the antidote to "The Kennedy Detail". After being available in softcover (self-published [1993-1996; 1998-2006] JFK LANCER [1997-1998]), the book was made available as a free online work in 2006:
http://www.assassinationresearch.com/v4n1.html
See also:
http://www.assassinationresearch.com/v4n2.html
SPECIALTY ITEM (11/22/63)
64) "Behind Closed Doors With The Secret Service" by Joan Lunden (2000)
Pretty cheesey production alleging to depict the "behind the scenes" of the agency. While it has its moments, it left this reviewer cold.
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.0
65) "Secret Service Files" National Geographic dvd (2011)
Product Description: With unprecedented access, National Geographic goes behind the scenes with Secret Service agents as they work each day to protect the president, foreign leaders, and even our economy.
In four programs, we'll go inside a counterfeit sting operation in Miami, search for a cyber theft mastermind in New York City, shadow undercover agents deep within the Bogota criminal underworld, and go where no cameras have gone before to reveal the extreme security measures taken to prepare for the Annual General Assembly of the United Nations.
Verdict: skillfully done with the best of intentions, but perhaps TOO much is revealed for comfort.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.0
66) "The President's Book of Secrets" History Channel dvd (2010)
A decent, entertaining program which includes a segment with former agent Joe Petro exclaiming a few times that he is "not at liberty to discuss" certain security measures...he finally caught on. :-)
I was almost on this program---the producer contacted me earlier in 2010 but we could not agree to terms as far as travel costs, etc.
Entertainment: 3.5-4.0; Overall: 3.0
----------------------------------
Saving the best for last...
67)"Within Arm's Length" by Dan Emmett (2012) [NOT RELEASED YET; PRELIMINARY THOUGHTS AS OF 11/28/11-MORE TO COME]
I must say, in all candor, after having read all the good, not so good, pathetic, and "kiddie" books on the Secret Service, many of which are dry, clinical, dated, or pontificate on and on about positive or negative feelings about certain protectees, this work stands head and shoulders above the rest; a breath of fresh air...a refreshing change. Only Petro's book competes, which really says alot coming at this late juncture. Emmett has a very fine and distinguished background (Marine Corps Officer, Secret Service [Reagan to Bush, serving on CAT and/ or PPD for Bush #41-Bush #43, rising to the position of ATSAIC], CIA, Adjunct Professor, Consultant)to write such a tome; perhaps that is the difference (even his wife has a fairly distinguished background as an agent herself). The book is very well written and put together, especially for a first time author (the work also includes some nice graphics depicting Emmett with Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, & George W Bush, as well as Ted Kennedy). What I especially like about this book is that you really visualize what the author is depicting in text---you almost feel like YOU have lived through the fascinating situations outlined. Much more to come...this is just a short, thumbnail sketch (halfway through reading at the moment). BUY THIS WHEN IT IS RELEASED ASAP!
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 5.0; TIED WITH PETRO'S FOR BEST OVERALL SECRET SERVICE BOOK BUT SURPASSES IT FOR BEING EVEN MORE UP TO DATE AND CURRENT WHILE COVERING MORE INTERESTING GROUND
Rating the Secret Service books, videos, and dvds- thumbnail sketchs by Vince Palamara (saving the best for last)
(in no order)
1) "In The President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect" by Ronald Kessler (2009)
There are currently 301 reviews on Amazon.Com for this book, with an aggregate average of 3.0 (1.0 being awful and 5.0 being great). Needless to say, the reviews vary widely; a very mixed bag. While I originally gave the book a 5 star rating, time has not been kind to this work---a 2.5 to 3 stars for depth of research would be more appropriate (at the time, I was swayed by the ENTERTAINMENT factor). What is most exasperating: JUST 5 PAGES FOR THE ENTIRE JFK ERA (LIFE AND DEATH)?!?!? In addition, Mr. Kessler unfortunately accepts at face value the whole notion of "JFK-as-scapegoat" for his very brief foray into the assassination, not letting the readers know that many NAMED agents are on the record (and have been for years) as debunking the whole idea that a) President Kennedy was difficult to protect, b) was reckless in his views on security, or c)that he ordered the agents off his limousine. The Special Agent in Charge of the White House Detail, Jerry Behn, as well as his assistant, Floyd Boring, not to mention MANY others (Rufus Youngblood, Winston Lawson, Bob Lilley, Art Godfrey, Sam Kinney, Sam Sulliman, Frank Stoner, Jerry O'Rourke, etc. etc. etc.) stated forcefully to myself, in no uncertain terms, that JFK was NOT difficult to protect, was in fact easy going, and NEVER ordered the agents off his limousine! To sum it up: you can have Oswald all by himself in the window shooting and no conspiracy and, yet, if the agents would have performed as they normally did, President Kennedy would have lived. THAT is the real story of November 22, 1963.
Also, many agents (perhaps out of necessity) are left unnamed, which can be frustrating to researchers and inquiring minds. In that regard, there are NO SOURCE NOTES OR END NOTES! Being that the book is a rather slim size (288 pages), especially for a work covering decades of intrigue, I am suprised at the lack of attribution.
Finally, although I personally love it (!), the book sometimes comes across as a Kitty Kelley/ C. David Heymann affair rather than a work of serious scholarship. I am specifically refering to the lurid tales of sex and drinking alleged by several (often unnamed)agents. I can see why Director Sullivan, Nick Trotta, and many of the agents who fully participated in this project felt betrayed. I have corresponded with Kessler and I was almost in his book but he was unable to locate me at the time (!)
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 2.5-3.0
2)"The Echo From Dealey Plaza: The true story of the first African American on the White House Secret Service detail and his quest for justice after the assassination of JFK" by Abraham Bolden (2008)
I highly recommend this seminal work from former Secret Service hero Abraham Bolden. The book is very well written and gripping in its narrative. Whether one views the JFK assassination as the work of one man (who beat the conspirators to the punch) or the work of a deadly conspiracy, Bolden's book holds up in any case, for it is the tale of injustice done to him, as well as the detailing of prior threats to President Kennedy's life.
As one who has studied the Secret Service and President Kennedy's life and death in great detail, I find this book fascinating and indispensable. What more can I say? Get this asap! Publishers Weekly said: "Conspiracy theories haunt the Kennedy assassination; Bolden offers a new one, concerning discrimination and evidence suppression. Becoming, in JFK's words, the Jackie Robinson of the Secret Service, Bolden joined the White House detail in 1961. Already beset by racism (he once found a noose suspended over his desk), his idealism is further shattered by the drinking and carousing of other agents. Soon after the assassination, he receives orders that hint at an effort to withhold, or at least to the color, the truth. He discovers that evidence is being kept from the Warren Commission and when he takes action, finds himself charged with conspiracy to sell a secret government file and sentenced to six years in prison, where both solitary confinement and the psychiatric ward await. That there was a conspiracy to silence him seems unarguable, but Bolden's prose is flat; so is his dialogue. This story is more enthralling than Bolden's telling of it, but the reader who sticks with it will enter a world of duplicitous charges and disappearing documents fit for a movie thriller."
I have spoken to and corresponded with Bolden on many occasions and I find him credible; a good guy.
28 Amazon.Com reviews, mostly positive; 4.5 aggregate
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 5.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (former JFK era agent and his quest for justice)
3) "Riding With Reagan" by John Barletta (2005)
Barletta has written a warm, well-written and touching book about President Reagan, especially Reagan's time on his ranch, as Barletta is a former Secret Service agent who often rode with the President, thus, the title of the book. That said, Barletta definitely wears his admiration for Reagan on his sleeve, which may be a little much for some. There is a fair amount of the inner workings of the Secret Service and their protection of Reagan.
I have corresponded with Barletta and he is most definitely an advocate for Reagan's greatness which, depending on your point of view, is either a good thing or a bad thing LOL
27 Amazon.Com reviews; 5.0 aggregate
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 4.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (Pro-Reagan agent and his biased look at his time protecting the president on the ranch)
4) "Standing Next to History: An Agent's Life Inside the Secret Service" by Joseph Petro (2005)
Joe Petro has written a fascinating account of life in the Secret Service-especially protecting President Reagan-in "Standing Next To History." If the Secret Service were embarrassed (and they WERE) by fellow agent Dennis V.N. McCarthy's "Protecting The President," not to mention Marty Venker's "Confessions Of An Ex-Secret Service Agent," [more on those books in a moment] they won't be with Petro's tome. It reads like Petro was careful not to make waves with his colleagues.
From Booklist
Former Secret Service agent Petro protected Henry Kissinger, Nelson Rockefeller, Gerald Ford, Walter Mondale, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Dan and Marilyn Quayle, and Pope John Paul II. His memoir of 20-plus years standing post or watching crowds is replete with anecdotes arranged to show what the Secret Service does. Petro stresses the friction inherent between safety and public visibility, and illustrates that point by recounting the negotiations that occurred between those being protected and the men and women with the earplugs and impassive visages. Petro introduces this main topic with an account of his arrangement of a Reagan trip to a baseball game, and sustains it though various settings, whether an international summit conference or a restaurant. More personally, the author confides his recruitment to the Secret Service and his investigations, such as infiltrating John Kerry's antiwar group. True to the Secret Service's ethos of confidentiality, Petro shies from gossip but imparts just enough to imply his opinions of the people he guarded, which is the part that will be of most interest to his readers.
Definitely one of the better Secret Service books.
58 Amazon.Com reviews, mostly postive; 4.5 aggregate
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 5.0
5) "Get Carter: Backstage in History from JFK's Assassination to the Rolling Stones" By Bill Carter (2006)
Former JFK era agent Bill Carter has written a decent (but obscure) book that, while it most definitely has its moments, it has not aged well already. The non-Secret Service related chapters are definitely an acquired taste. Carter supports the Warren Commission version of events and does offer some decent anecdotes from his days with the agency.
9 Amazon.Com reviews; 5.0 aggregate
Entertainment: 2.5-3.0; Overall: 2.5-3.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (former JFK era agent who was also in the Rolling Stones entourage)
6) "Looking Back and Seeing the Future: The United States Secret Service, 1865-1990" by Association of Former Agents of the United States Secret Service [AFAUSSS](1991)
I was lucky to have been supplied a copy of this fascinating, somewhat private publication by the late PRS agent Frank Stoner; an expensive used copy will sometimes crop up on Amazon. Although there are a trove of very nice pictures, the work is largely dated and biased via the late Agent/ Historian Harry Neal's point of view.
Entertainment: 2.5; Overall: 2.5
7) "American Gunfight: The Plot to Kill President Truman-and the Shoot-out That Stopped It" by Stephen Hunter and John Bainbridge, Jr (2005)
Definitely a specialty item, as this book deals exclusively with the 11/1/50 assassination attempt on President Harry Truman. This was a major release with help from the Secret Service, then (Boring, Mroz, etc) and now (Historian Mike Sampson). Warts and all, I would say this is the definitive book on the attempt on Truman's life, although the reviews on Amazon are decidedly mixed.
38 Amazon.Com reviews; 3.5 aggregate
Entertainment: (2.5-)3.0; Overall: 3.5 (-4.0); SPECIALTY BOOK (11/1/50 Truman attempt and the agent's responses and reactions)
8) "The Kennedy Detail" by Gerald Blaine and Lisa McCubbin; Foreword by Clint Hill (2010)
Oh, my: where do I begin? I have pontificated many times over about the book's inherent bias, fabrications, twisted views, etc., not only here but on Amazon, You Tube, and my CTKA review:
http://www.ctka.net/reviews/kennedydetailreview.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbD1shPmla8
(note: I am the unnamed Secret Service expert on pages 359-360 and I have answered his criticisms many times over)
Blaine states that this was "a book that had to be written." I would add: "yeah, it had to be written...because of my 22-page letter to Mr Hill that greatly alarmed you both." [I spoke to Blaine and many of his colleagues long before his book appeared] Blaine is a past President and last surviving founding member of the AFAUSSS; 'nuff said.
172 Amazon.Com reviews [although many of the 5 star reviews are from former agents, colleagues, and friends]; 4.0 aggregate
Entertainment: 3.5; Overall: 2.5 (1.0 for 11/18/63 and 11/22/63 falsehoods; 3.0 or better for the non-controversial aspects of the book)
9) "Special Agent A Quarter Century With The Treasury Department And The Secret Service" by Chief Frank J Wilsom and Beth Day (1965)
Definitely a dry and dated book. No index hinders research, although there are definitely items of interest to be found within.
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.0-3.0
10) "20 years in the Secret Service: My Life with Five Presidents" by Rufus Youngblood (1973)
Definitely NOT dry, Rufe's fine book could be considered dated, but that would be unfair to him and his book. Rufus Youngblood told me that his ghost writer was Richard Hardwick, duly thanked on page 5. That said, Rufe (and co.) wrote a nice book about his time serving 5 Presidents, with particular emphasis on LBJ, the President who called Youngblood "the dearest of all" agents. It's funny, thought-provoking, and well-written. As the leading civilian authority on the U.S. Secret Service, I am impressed, as I was with Rufe (rest in peace, my friend). One of the better Secret Service books, despite its age and his belief in the Warren Commission's findings.
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 4.0-5.0
11) "Secret Service Chief" by U.E. Baughman (1962)
I modestly recommend this book by JFK's first Secret Service Chief, Urbanus Edmund "U.E." Baughman (who was replaced as Chief in late 1961 by the SAIC of the WHD, James J. Rowley). The book is readable and pretty well put together. There are many examples of rich irony throughout: Baughman receiving the call to become Chief on November 22 [1948]...Baughman is, ahem, "retired" by a President who would meet his ultimate fate on November 22 [1963]...Baughman waxes on about the virtues of Richard Nixon for President at a time when Tricky Dicky was dead in the water, politically speaking...etc.
Entertainment: 2.5; Overall: 3.0
12) "Dar's Story: Memoirs of a Secret Service Agent" by Darwin Horn (2002)
Darwin Horn is a nice guy with whom I corresponded with quite a bit a few years back. Unfortunately, his book does not age well and, to be honest, was rather dry and clinical at the time. Former Agent Walt Coughlin told me his book was "ok"...that would be my assessment now. Horn just did not have that exciting of a career or background to warrant a book.
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.5
13) "Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan" by Del Quentin Wilber (2011)
As someone who has also spoken to the great Jerry Parr, a true hero from 3/30/81, as well as a gaggle of other former agents from the FDR-Reagan era, let me tell you, in no uncertain terms: this book is outstanding, Anyone who gives it less than 5 stars needs his/ her head examined. As the leading civilian authority on the United States Secret Service, I was very much impressed with the research, writing, and narrative; incredible. Just how close we came to losing yet another president is made manifest in this terrific work. In fact, this book is a true tale of heroism, in stark contrast to the gross lies and profiteering of "The Kennedy Detail", falsely blaming JFK for his own death. Unlike that sad chapter in American history, THESE agents reacted properly, did not seek to blame the President for their collective ineptitude, nor did they seek to profit from their actions. Buy this book a.s.ap.!
I have spoken to and corresponded to Del several times since publication; great guy, as well.
101 Amazon.Com reviews, overwhelmingly 5 star/ positive (not one 1 star review!); 4.5 aggregate
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 5.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (albeit a great and recommended one: the 3/30/81 assassination attempt on President Reagan, with the agent's reactions and responses. Like Hunter's 11/1/50 book, above, the definitive book on the 3/30/81 attempt, but a better read)
14) "Protecting the President: The Inside Story of a Secret Service Agent" by Dennis V.N. McCarthy and Philip W Smith (1985)
The late Dennis (no relation to Tim) McCarthy (with some help from his co-author, Philip W. Smith) wrote this book. While it reads very well, is funny, informative, and even has a nice photo section, to boot, the Secret Service was NOT pleased with this book. Former Agents Walt Coughlin, Darwin Horn and Bob Snow told me the book was an embarrassment, with Coughlin adding that McCarthy "never could carry his weight." In hindsight, although he received a medal, Dennis McCarthy's role that fateful day on 3/30/81 was relatively minor, especially in comparison to the bravery (and bloodshed) of Jerry Parr, Tim McCarthy, Drew Unrue, and Ray Shaddick, among others [see "Rawhide Down", above]. In fact, on the video "Inside The Secret Service," an actor portraying a threat to the President is shown reading a copy of this book (!) and, if that weren't enough, a still photo of the four agents decorated for valor for their heroics---Parr, Shaddick, McCarthy, and TIM McCarthy---is depicted with DENNIS McCarthy cropped out and not even mentioned!
Entertainment: 4.0-5.0; Overall: 3.0-4.0 (keeping in mind the reservations noted above. Some in the Service would say 1.0!)
15) "Confessions of an Ex-Secret Service Agent: The Marty Venker Story" by George Rush (and Marty Venker) (1988)
Along with Dennis McCarthy's book, above, this is the OTHER book that gives the Secret Service fits...and for good reason. That said, I get a kick out of Marty Venker: he is alot like one of his evident heroes, Brooks Keller (the wild former agent chronicled briefly in both his book and Dennis McCarthy's). Venker's book, actually 'written' by George Rush, is a funny yet informative chronicle of a square peg in a round hole---Venker, the wild child, trying to conform to rigid, structured, pressure-packed duty as a Special Agent. The lack of an index will frustrate you (at least in the paperback), but there are many nice nuggets and anecdotes to be found here.
George Rush was asked to work on an article, and met Marty Venker. They turned on the tape recorder and listened to his memories. The result was an article for "Roling Stone" magazine. More talks and recordings led to this book. Seventeen chapters cover his experiences over the ten years in the Secret Service during the 1970s, and afterwards. An interesting read.
Entertainment: 4.0-5.0; Overall: 3.0-4.0 (once again, keeping in mind the reservations noted above. Some in the Service would say 1.0!)
16) "Reilly of the White House" by Michael Reilly (1947)
A dry and dated book from the SAIC of FDR's Detail (who replaced Colonel Edmund Starling). This has historical importance, so I would not be too hard on it, overall. Members of the late Mike Reilly's family have contacted me through the years.
Entertainment: 2.0-3.0; Overall: 2.0-3.0
17)"Starling of the White House: The story of the man whose Secret Service detail guarded five presidents from Woodrow Wilson to Franklin D. Roosevelt" by Colonel Edmund Starling (1946)
Yet another somewhat dry and dated book, albeit one that is slightly superior to Reilly's book, above. Interestingly, Starling's book has 8 Amazon.Com reviews with a 4.5 aggregate (the book has recently seen new life in a reprinted version, as well as turning up in used condition). Starling is a legend in Secret Service lore...and rightfully so.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.0
18) "The Secret Service: The Hidden History of an Engimatic Agency" by Philip Melanson (2002; revised and expanded version, 2005)
The late Philip Melanson was a prolific author and colleague--in fact, I am IN this book on several pages, as well as the bibliography. This book was greatly improved, in my opinion, when Melanson got rid of the co-author from the original 2002 edition (Peter F Stevens [21 Amazon.com reviews, 3.0 aggregate; very mixed]) and revised and expanded the work for the 2005 release (10 Amazon reviews, 4.0 aggregate). Here is my Amazon.Com review:
New & improved...sort of (4.5 stars, anyone?)
As the leading civilian authority on the U.S. Secret Service, I was much looking forward to the REVISED AND EXPANDED version of this book, as ***my*** own book ("The Third Alternative-Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service & The JFK Murder" [1993-1998], now massively expanded and updated as "Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service & The Failure To Protect The President", available now!)was listed in the original version and it is obvious Melanson made good use of my material for his chapter on the JFK assassination entitled "Losing Lancer." [pages 74, 77, 80, 87, 343-344 (endnotes), 358 (bibliography), & 371 (index) ["etc."]
Well, Melanson evidently heard all the first-edition bad reviews regarding editing and typos and the like: gone is his co-author, Peter F. Stevens. Also, he added a nice new cover and TWO new chapters, as well as sourcing former agent Joseph Petro's excellent 2005 book entitled "Standing Next To History." (It still says "the authors" [plural] in the Bibliography and, from the larger font, you can tell that Petro's book was added!]
That said, I highly recommend this book (as I did with regard to the poorly edited/ proofread first edition)---still alittle bit of a "dry" text, but he listened to all the criticisms regarding STYLE. And, while I achieved a world's record---SIXTY SEVEN former agent interviews (the old record was by the HSCA: 44)---Melanson did interview a handful of former agents (such as Winston Lawson, also interviewed numerous times by myself)and his book serves as a good general overview---using mostly secondary sources--- of the (history of) the Secret service, 1865-2005 (while my work focuses more on the FDR-Reagan days, with special emphasis on the JFK/ LBJ years...and alot more PRIMARY research). For the record, my work is now credited on pages 72, 74, 77, 85, 388, 389, 408, 424 ["uncredited": pages 59, 60, 70, 71, 73, 75-76]
Potscript: Melanson writes on page 61: "Some of the agents, THOUGH NOT WINSTON G. LAWSON, lied to the Warren Commission about how thorough they were [my emphasis]." It is obvious that Melanson didn't want to ruffle Lawson's feathers, as he interviewed him and probably feared he would take exception to that!
If you want an extremely thorough, take-off-the-gloves approach to the Secret Service, get my 276-page book "Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service & The Failure To Protect The President." In the meantime, Melanson's 30 pages regarding 11/22/63 should suffice...and the rest of the book, now mostly improved and expanded, should still be a good start for anyone interested in the U.S. Secret Service.
---
Former JFK era agent Tony Sherman highly recommended the book to myself (evidently forgeting, for the moment, that I was IN the book!), and it was a major, over-the-counter release. However, like Kessler's controversial book, above, the reaction has been mixed and there are flaws. Still, recommended, nonetheless.
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 4.0
19) "Murder From Within: Lyndon Johnson's Plot against President Kennedy" by Fred Newcomb and Perry Adams (1974; new edition 2011)
My Amazon.Com review:
Important, seminal work, regardless of your take on one aspect of this great book
The entire research community is so indebted to Fred Newcomb: he gave us the body alteration theory (years before David Lifton), cogent criticisms of the Secret Service (while I was in diapers!), analysis of the LHO backyard photos (later made famous by Jack White), the Dodd/ Seaport Traders theory (in "Reasonable Doubt" and "Ultimate Sacrifice", among others), and, although I do not believe it, the Greer-shot-JFK theory (years before William Cooper et. al.). This book, the new and improved edition, reads well and even has good comments about JFK's foreign policy (Vietnam). I am a proud owner of an original. Do NOT let your feelings about the Greer-shot-JFK theory deter you from getting this important, seminal volume asap---there is ALOT of good, pioneering work contained herein. We are all indebted to Tyler Newcomb, Fred Newcomb, and Perry Adams. Buy this asap!
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 4.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (pro-conspiracy book that, on the plus side, demonstrates Secret Service malfeasance on 11/22/63 but, on the negative side, also included the absurd driver-did-it theory)
20) "Last Word: My Indictment of the CIA in the Murder of JFK" by Mark Lane (2011)
My Amazon.Com review:
FANTASTIC! GET THIS A.S.A.P.! THE KENNEDY DETAIL DEBUNKED!
Attorney Mark Lane thoroughly destroys Gerald Blaine & Lisa McCubbin's book "The Kennedy Detail": on the merit of this alone, every person who purcashed and/ or read that book needs to read this as the antidote. Lane saves his best JFK work for last with his appropriately titled tome "The Last Word", a book that joins Jim Douglass "JFK & The Unspeakable" and Douglas Horne's 5-volume series "Inside The Assassination Records Review Board" in the "holy troika" of essential, must-read (and own) Kennedy assassination books. Lane skillfully takes apart Vincent Bugliosi's magnum opus on the Oswald-did-it side entitled "Reclaiming History" and, most of all, Gerald Blaine's fraudulent "JFK-told-us-not-to" book "The Kennedy Detail"---for the latter, Lane used my research materials, for which I am most grateful. In addition, Lane adds further credibility to the tale of former Secret Service Agent Abraham Bolden and his book "The Echo From Dealey Plaza." It never ceases to amaze me how much great literature and research has come forth in the last 5-10 years. Mark Lane's book "The Last Word" adds to his legacy greatly. Get this one asap---Bugliosi, Blaine, and the CIA have a lot to answer for! Highly recommended; fantastic!
17 Amazon.Com reviews, 4.0 aggregate
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 4.0 (5.0 for Secret Service related chapters); SPECIALTY BOOK (pro-conspiracy book that does debunk "The Kennedy Detail" and adds support to Bolden's book, above)
21) "Robert DeProspero" (2011)
A currently out-of-print slim volume that contains my Wikipedia article on Robert DeProspero, as well as several other former agents (and my contributions!).
Robert Lee DeProspero was a respected United States Secret Service agent, serving from 1965 to 1986. He is notable for serving on the Presidential Protective Division (PPD) during a large part of the Reagan administration, and for heading that division towards the end of his tenure.DeProspero attended West Virginia University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in physical education in 1959 and a master's degree in education in 1960.DeProspero devised several very important and innovative security measures during his time in the Secret Service that are used today: the "hospital agent" (stationing an agent at the nearest primary trauma hospital on a presidential movement), as well as the creation of metal detector checkpoints to screen every individual who could get a view of the president.
Entertainment: 2.5; Overall: 3.0
22) "United States Secret Service Agents" (2011)
Another currently out-of-print slim volume that contains my Wikipedia article on Robert DeProspero, as well as several other former agents (and my contributions!).
Entertainment: 2.5; Overall: 3.0
23) "Saving Mrs. Kennedy: The Search for an American Hero" by Harvey Sawler (2005)
I highly recommend this well written novel about Secret Service agent Clint Hill. Hill is the agent who was awarded a Medal for protecting Mrs. Kennedy on that fateful day in Dallas on 11/22/63. This book is a very fine novel covering this brave and dedicated public servant. However, this book is very FACTUAL, too: while it uses the novel format, this is only as a device to lay out the facts. There is also a Foreward from former Chair of the Assassination Records Review Board, Judge John Tunheim, as well. The author went to a great deal of effort to flesh out the details of Hill's life (contacting Concordia College friends and professors, as well as family and friends, although it appears that the elusive Mr. Hill himself did not cooperate [I did speak to him, but that is another story]).
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 3.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (novel re: Clint Hill)
24) "The U.S. Secret Service: Protecting Our Leaders" by Connie Colwell Miller (2008)
A nice KID's book on the Secret Service
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 2.5-3.0
25) "Introduction to Executive Protection" by Dale L. June (1998)
Product Description: An Introduction to Executive Protection provides beginners in the occupation of executive protection with the tools they need to know and appreciate the profession; to enable them to realize what is expected when they are placed in positions of confidence and trust; and to understand the implications of being responsible for the safety and lives of others.
This guide emphasizes the basic elements of executive protection which are often neglected or overlooked in practical application, even by professional schools of executive protection instruction which sometimes mistakenly assume all enrollees are practiced journeymen. In addition to practical and technical considerations of the profession, "executive protection" means working with people on a personal level. The author draws on his extensive and varied experience in the field to share events that inform and enlighten students of executive protection and teach them how to best avoid endangering those they protect.
My short Amazon.Com review:
Excellent book on executive protection
As the leading civilian authority on the U.S. Secret Service, I highly recommend this book from distinguished former agent Dale June. It is well written and very informative. Simply put, you cannot go wrong in purchasing this volume. I was a little disappointed with the 11/22/63 "whitewash", but that was to be expected, quite frankly (what is Mr. June going to say : "My colleagues screwed up in Dallas?"). Get this!
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 4.0
26) "The United States Secret Service" by Walter S. Bowen & Harry Neal (1960)
I believe that this book, though valuable for the time it was written, is dated and dry by today's standards. Obviously, a lot has transpired since this was written over four decades ago. Still, some worthwhile information for the Secret Service enthusiast out there.
Entertainment: 2.0; overall: 3.0
27) "Secret Service Agent: And Careers in Federal Protection (Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Careers)" by Gerry Souter (2006)
I highly recommend this great "starter" book on the agency. There are nice graphics and the book, albeit short in length, is well written and incisive. That said, this is, like Connie Miller's book (above), a KID's book.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 2.5-3.0
28) "Definitive Proof: The Secret Service Murder of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy" by Dan Robertson (2006)
My Amazon.Com review:
Lots of good information, sincere intent...wrong conclusion
I commend Dan Robertson for a well written and researched book. There is a lot of good information on the Secret Service and their role, innocent and otherwise, on 11/22/63 during the JFK assassination, as well as before and after (Robertson makes good use of my material, as well as doing some original research, too). There is no doubt: Robertson's intent was sincere; he's no loony but a successful, intelligent lawyer. That said, the ultimate conclusion of the book, that Secret Service driver William R. Greer shot JFK, is simply not supported by any credible evidence (and the allegation is hardly a new---and unknown---one: Fred Newcomb, Perry Adams, Lars Hansen, and William Milton Cooper, among others, espoused this decades ago, and many 'common folk' are much aware of this fringe theory). Still, this book is a worthwhile addition to the collection (and for anyone interested in the Secret Service and JFK).
Entertainment: 3.5; Overall: 3.5; SPECIALTY BOOK (pro-conspiracy book that, on the plus side, demonstrates Secret Service malfeasance on 11/22/63 but, on the negative side, also included the absurd driver-did-it theory)
29) "Secret Service Agent (Uniformed)" by Jack Rudman (2004)
From my Amazon.Com review: This is a very dry, clinical book (5 stars for content, 2-3 stars for "readability": it's for those wishing to join the UD---Uniformed Division---of the USSS!). Hey, SAIC of PPD (for George W. Bush) Nick Trotta started out this way---the UD division is very important.
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.5
30) "Whitewash II: The FBI-Secret Service Coverup" by Harold Weisberg (1967)
From my Amazon.Com review: While I have the original edition, this nice "update" of sorts is a welcome addition to the collection. That said, this book IS a little dated and not as earth-shattering as Mr. Weisberg's other seminal works. Still, I recommend it nonetheless.
Entertainment: 2.5; Overall: 2.5; SPECIALTY BOOK (pro-conspiracy book)
31) "Not On The Level" by Michael V Maddaloni (2006)
From my Amazon.Com review: Wow! What a page turner "Not On The Level" is! I am very impressed with this well-written, entertaining, and thought-provoking book by former Secret Service agent Mike Maddaloni. Uncle Tony and Uncle Sal will be burned into your brain, while Joe De Falco's narration pulls it all together. Get this book asap!
I corresponded with Maddaloni several times.
Entertainment: 4.5; Overall: 3.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (a novel from an agent who served on PPD Carter-Reagan)
32) "To Be a U.S. Secret Service Agent" by Henry Holden (2006)
While somewhat akin to Souter's and Miller's KID'S books on the Secret Service, this slightly longer work has great graphics and is actually written with adults in mind, as well.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.5
33) "The United States Secret Service in the Late War" by LaFayette C Baker (1895?)
Ancient book, very dry and dated.
Entertainment: 1.5; Overall: 2.5
34) "American Secret Service agent" by Donald Wilkie (1934)
ditto on all counts
35) "Politics of Protection: The U.S. Secret Service in the Terrorist Age" by Philip Melanson (1984)
Get Melanson's 2005 work instead. This is somewhat dated and made completely redundant by his later work.
36) "The Dark Side of Camelot" by Seymour Hersh (1997)
From my Amazon.Com review:
worth it for the comments of former Secret Service agents Newman, Sherman, McIntyre & Paolella
I recommend this book [a massive best-seller] primarily for the comments of former Secret Service agents Larry Newman, Tony Sherman, Tim McIntyre, and Joe Paolella, all of whom I also spoke to and/ or corresponded with. Like what they say or not, it is also supported by what others have said, including the comments to myself from former SAIC of PRS Robert I. Bouck on 9/27/92, among others. (Hersh also interviewed Bouck and Marty Underwood, both of whom I ALSO spoke to, as well)
Entertainment: 4.5; Overall: 3.5; SPECIALTY BOOK (worth it for the agent's comments re: JFK that Blaine avoided)
37) "In Crime's Way: A Generation of Secret Service Adventures" by Carmine Motto (1999)
Book description: A retired Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service's special anti-counterfeiting detail in New York and author of the bestseller Undercover, Carmine J. Motto has lived a long and storied life. From witnessing a triple execution at New York's notorious Sing-Sing prison to thwarting an assassination attempt on the life of Harry Truman, Motto's name would make the list of any Law Enforcement Hall of Fame. In fact, so renowned are his exploits, that they were portrayed in a 20th Century Fox motion picture starring Burt Lancaster as Motto (Mr. 880).
Now, readers can learn all about the real-life experiences of this "Top Cop." In Crime's Way: A Generation of Secret Service Adventures, is a series of true, authentic and fascinating stories of Motto's 60 years in law enforcement bringing counterfeiters, conspirators and scoundrels to justice. Follow his colorful career from police officer to secret service agent as he tells about being a cop in New York the night of the famous Orson Wells's "Invasion from Mars" radio broadcast, tracking a suspect who murdered his parents for their life insurance, or showing up to arrest a suspect, only to find himself as the witness for the man's marriage.
While the book is written by and is about Motto, he is not the central character, but can be viewed almost like a narrator. Motto observes and participates in the action, but the real story is about the people he encounters. Most are presented in their own environment and situations of their own making as a result of their pursuit of an "easy dollar." No hot pursuits, exploding cars, or gun battles here. With his remarkable aptitude for story telling, Motto has preserved actual stories of life and the underworld as he saw it from his position as a renowned counterfeit investigator.
Review by fellow author and agent Dale June: When I was asked by the publisher and Mr. Motto to help in preparing this book for publication and to write this forward, I was more than pleased, I was honored. This, for me, has been like traveling through a time tunnel and sharing moments, as an unseen observer, in the life of people as they matched wits with a legend of the U.S. Secret Service...If there is ever such a thing as a Hall of Fame for Law Enforcement, Carmine J. Mottos name will be there.
-Dale L. June, Co-Author, Undercover, Second Edition
From my Amazon.Com review:
Carmine and Robert Motto [served in Chicago office with Bolden: see his book]: brothers in the Secret Service
I highly recommend this thriller of a book. Very well written as well. For True Crime ethusiasts. For the Secret Service enthusiasts, some interesting background---
Robert J. Motto, 88, a former Secret Service agent who protected five
presidents in his 21-year career, died Tuesday, March 19, 2002, in his
Downers Grove, Illinois, home after a heart attack. Born in Brooklyn,
N.Y., Mr. Motto attended City College of New York and served in the
U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946 in counterintelligence. After the war, he
was an investigator with the U.S. Postal Service in New York. Mr.
Motto joined the Secret Service in 1949 and over the years worked in
field offices in St. Louis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Springfield and
Washington, D.C. He retired in 1970 as the assistant to the special
agent in charge of the Chicago field office. Mr. Motto and his late
brother Carmine, also a Secret Service agent, were renowned for their
undercover work, colleagues and family members said. "Both my dad and
my uncle were very, very low-key people," said Mr. Motto's niece,
Irene Kaufman. "I think that's what helped them both be very
successful undercover agents."
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 3.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (Motto's narrow lens on Secret Service items)
38) "Mortal Error: The Shot That Killed JFK, A ballistics expert's astonishing discovery of the fatal bullet that Oswald did not fire" by Bonar Menninger (and Howard Donahue) (1992)
From my Amazon.Com review:
good book about the shot LHO DIDN'T fire, silly on who he thinks did it
Secret Service agent George W. Hickey, jr. did not and could not have accidentally shot JFK from the follow-up car--among other reasons, the Bronson film and the numerous eyewitnesses debunk this notion. That said, this book is very worthwhile for ballistically proving that LHO did not fire the fatal shot. I spoke to and corresponded with the late Howard Donahue, the true author of this book (Bonar Menninger was merely the writer, so to speak). Interesting are the passing comments by many of the agents I also spoke to who debunk his theory of Hickey shooting JFK: Sam Kinney, Jerry Behn, Floyd Boring, James Rowley, Richard Johnsen, and Win Lawson.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 2.5; SPECIALTY BOOK (silly theory that JFK was accidentally killed by Agent Hickey)
39) "JFK: Breaking the Silence" by Bill Sloan (1993)
From my Amazon.Com review:
Good book, worth it for former Secret Service officer John Norris and former agent Robert Steuart's comments
As confirmed to myself from the author, Bill Sloan, the unnamed agent at the beginning of the book who spoke with much trepidation was former Dallas office agent Robert Steuart (I spoke to Steuart in 1992 and 1993). Although good, the best parts of the book are the aforementioned comments from Steuart as well as the chapter on former Secret Service officer John Norris (since deceased). [I spoke to Norris, as well]
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 3.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (pro-conspiracy book with two Secret Service related chapters)
40) "The Story of the Secret Service" by Ferdinand Kuhn; Foreword by U.E. Baughman (1957)
I modestly recommend this 1957 book by Ferdinand Kuhn (pen name?). This book is not to be confused---as I and others have been---with the 1971 Grossett and Dunlap book of the same title, written by former Secret Service agent Harry Neal. As for this book, it is dry and dated, but it is worth it for a few items (and the foreward by former Chief U.E. Baughman).
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.0
41) "In the Line of Fire" novel by Max Allan Collins (1993)
From my Amazon.Com review:
Nice novel (that the movie was based off of)...but the movie is better. That said, this is an enjoyable read and the story does indeed come to life. It is just very hard to compete with Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, and Renee Russo!
Entertainment: 4.0 (movie: 5.0); Overall: 3.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (novel)
42) "In The Line Of Fire" movie/ dvd (1993)
I highly recommend this very entertaining thriller starring the great CLINT Eastwood as CLINT Hill (sort of). For the Secret Service enthusiast, there is great bonus footage from several of the technical consultants such as former Secret Service agents Robert Snow (I corresponded with him), Jerry Parr (protected Reagan on 3/30/81; I spoke to him), Hubert Bell, etc. Get this!
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 4.5; SPECIALTY ITEM (movie made with Secret Service help)
43) "Death Of A President" by William Manchester (1967)
I modestly recommend this classic and controversial book for the many Secret Service/ primary witness interviews Manchester conducted between 1964-1965 (he spoke to 20+agents; I spoke to 80+). That said, several agents I spoke to, three of whom also spoke to Manchester, including Rufus Youngblood, Sam Kinney, and Jerry Behn, among others, denounced this book. Most importantly, ASAIC FLOYD BORING IS QUOTED IN THE BOOK BUT WAS NOT INTERVIEWED FOR IT (AS VERIFIED BY BORING TO MYSELF) AND HE VEHEMENTLY DENIES THE VERACITY OF THE INFO. ATTRIBUTED TO HIM!!
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 4.0; SPECIALTY BOOK (11/22/63)
44) "The Day Kennedy Was Shot: An Hour-by-Hour Account of What Really Happened on November 22, 1963" by Jim Bishop (1968)
From my Amazon.Com review:
ANOTHER CLASSIC BUT FLAWED BOOK.
I recommend this book for its classic status. That said, there are several errors throughout and, like Manchester before him, Bishop has an obvious lone-nut bias. I know for a fact that Bishop spoke to former Secret Service agents Bill Greer and Jim Rowley...beyond that, it is hard to tell who (if anyone) else.
Entertainment: 3.5; Overall: 3.5; SPECIALTY BOOK (11/22/63)
45) "The Men Who Killed Kennedy" by Nigel Turner (video/ dvd) (1988;1991;1995;2003)
From My Amazon.Com review:
Amazing series (I was on part 7) :)
You have to own this whole set (parts 1-9). Flawed but indispensable; Nigel Turner has done it again (and again). Excellent films/ photos and primary witnesses, too.
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 4.5; SPECIALTY ITEM (11/22/63)
46) "Stalking the President: A History of American Assassins" video (1995)
I modestly recommend this video, as it is a decent overview of past assassinations. I did not care for the annoying "official" story re: 11/22/63 and Oswald but, other than that, this serves as a nice primer on the history of political violence in our country.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.0
47) "Dangerous World: The Kennedy Years" ABC/ video 1997
(BASED ON SEYMOUR HERSH'S BOOK, ABOVE)
I modestly recommend this video, as it contains the on-camera comments of former Secret Service agent's Tony Sherman, Larry Newman, Joe Paolella, and William "Tim" McIntyre, all of whom I have spoken to and/ or corresponded with myself. That said, I do not endorse Seymour Hersh's book, per se...but there is much of value in what these agents have to say.
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 4.0
48) "Presidential Limousines" video (1996)
I highly recommend this video for the great video/ film footage of the many presidential limousines and the Secret Service detail accompanying them. You will see SAIC's Ray Shaddick, Bob DeProspero, Jerry Parr, and others. I spoke to both the producer, Rick Boudreau, as well as the one Secret Service agent listed in the credits, Sam Kinney. Get this!
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 5.0
49) "The Story of the Secret Service" by Harry Neal (1971)
From my Amazon.Com review:
I'm confused...
As the leading civilian authority on the U.S. Secret Service, I am confused about this book: there is a book in my possession entitled "The Story of the Secret Service" by FERDINAND KUHN, with a foreward by then-Secret Service Chief U.E. Baughman...is THIS the same book (and is KUHN a penname for NEAL)? The book I have was published in 1957 by Random House. However, when I ordered it here, I received not the 1971 "Neal" book with the same title, but this one...? That aside, this book is o.k.; no great shakes. It's very dry and dated. For the curious only.
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.5
50) "Secret Service History, Duties and Equipment" by C.B. Colby (1966)
From my Amazon.Com review:
Decent short book for the young (and old)
I reluctantly impose a 3-star rating on this work. It may be short, dated, and intended for a young audience, but it DOES have some good moments, especially the photographs (I especially like the one of Stu Knight and Art Godfrey at target practice on page 20). For the Secret Service enthusiasts out there only.
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.0
51) "What Does a Secret Service Agent Do?" by W. Hyde (1962)
From my Amazon.Com review:
Good but dated book on the Secret Service; ironic, too
I feel this book, while certainly having its moments, is alittle dated and under-developed. There are some eerie moments in this work, too, especially considering it was written in 1962, the year before JFK's assassination---a picture from the supposedly apolitical Secret Service headquarters with the picture of Ike that contains the sticker "I Miss IKE" (what, don't like JFK too much, huh?), as well as some of the comments made between pages 26-30. Buy this if you are curious.
Entertainment: 2.5; Overall: 2.5
52) "Secret Service In Action" by Harry Neal (1980)
I was disappointed with this error-ridden book by the legend-in-his-own-mind Harry Neal. There IS some surprisingly good information on former Director H. Stuart "Stu" Knight. It has its moments, I guess...but needed a co-writer to flesh out the style and especially the FACTS.
Entertainment: 1.5; Overall: 1.5
53) "U S Secret Service (Know Your Government)" by Gregory Matusky (1988)
I modestly recommend this work, especially for those with a keen interest in the Secret Service. There are some fine photographs and, with a nice introduction by Arthur Schlesinger, you just can't lose. It's alittle dated, but it's still essential. Get it! P.S. That is agent Ron Pontius beside LBJ on page 66
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.5
54) "The Secret Service Story" by Michael Dorman (1967)
I reluctantly give this partial propaganda a 3-star rating, largely for the GOOD, non-propaganda information contained within. Dorman, a staunch government friend and anti-Garrison advocate, had Secret Service help with this book...which definitely tainted the results in the JFK areas of the book. If you are a Secret Service enthusiast, you have to get it, though; it's that simple.
Entertainment: 2.5-3.0; Overall: 3.0
55) "Secret Service: Life Protecting the President (Extreme Careers)" by David Seidman (2003)
I was greatly surprised and impressed with this "kids" book about the Secret Service. Some very good information about the modern Secret Service is captured in good detail. In addition, there are several nice photographs included. Buy it!
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.0
56) "The U.S. Secret Service (Your Government: How It Works)" by Ann Gaines (March 2001)
Author Ann Graham Gaines should be commended for putting together, along with Senior Consulting Editor Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., such a fine volume on the Secret Service. The funny thing is: this book may be intended for a young audience, but is actually quite appropriate for an older readership, as well! Richly illustrated with some rare photographs, I only feel it appropriate, as the leading civilian authority on the U.S. Secret Service, to say: buy this!
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.0
57) "Secret Service (High Interest Books: Top Secret)" by Mark Beyer (2003)
Richly illustrated, well written, and very informative, Mark Beyer does a fine job of providing a "Cliff Notes" tome about the Secret Service that is especially geared for the young. That said, this book is surprisingly good and can even find an audience with people of all ages. As the leading civilian authority on the U.S. Secret Service, I was not disappointed (despite the slim number of pages). ;-)
Entertainment: 2.5-3.0; Overall: 2.5-3.0
58) "Secret Service" History Channel 4-video set 1995
I must say I am very enthusiastic in my praise for this 4-video set about the Secret Service. A nice cast of characters---former agents Clint Hill, Jerry Parr, Rufus Youngblood, & Larry Beundorf among them---really makes this series come alive. In addition, very nice archival footage is used appropriately throughout. In particular, the segments on FDR, JFK, and Reagan shine the most. Highly recommended!
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 4.5
59) "Inside The Secret Service" Discovery Channel video (1995)
My Amazon.Com review:
I must say I was somewhat impressed with this particular program. Specifically, the producers should be thanked for getting former agents' Winston Lawson and Floyd Boring on camera (at that time in 1995, this was their first appearance on tv/ video). Also, the program does a nice job (visually) with telling the story of the Secret Service from the 19th century up to/ inc. the 3/30/81 attack on Pres. Reagan (esp. former SAIC Jerry Parr's comments). It is also nice to see future SAIC Bobby DeProspero hanging on to the limousine during Reagan's first inaugural prade (he was then an asst. to Parr). The program drops a notch when discussing counterfeiting, investigations, and training, but not enough to sway my five-star review. Buy it.
Entertainment: 4.0; Overall: 3.5-4.0
60) "National Geographic: Inside The U.S. Secret Service" dvd (2004)
From my Amazon.Com review:
A reluctant 5 stars...read on
While I think this dvd is highly entertaining and informative, and while I also think the layman out there will truly enjoy it, for the very well informed like myself (I am the leading civilian authority on the Secret Service, especially with regard to the period from FDR to Reagan), I have some mixed emotions. For one, like the 1995 History Channel and 1995 Discovery Channel documentaries (both available only on vhs), this was an officially-sanctioned production, so, needless to say, trade secrets and controversy are kept to a bare minimum, to put it mildly. Second, while Clint Hill appears on all 3 productions, I feel even more could have been said by him about not only the events of 11/22/63, but with regard to the JFK/ LBJ years, in general (he DOES state that the back of the head behind the right ear was gone, thus corroborating his own 1963 SS report and 1964 WC testimony; it's good to hear him actually say the words). In addition, as with the Discovery Channel production (and the 1996 PBS special re: Truman), former ASAIC/ #2 agent under JFK Floyd M. Boring makes a noteworthy appearance, but, as with his other two appearances, only to deal with the infamous 11/1/50 Blair House assassination attempt on President Truman; nothing about his role as planner of the Texas trip and so forth.
In addition to the "usual suspects" (Hill, Boring, Jerry Parr), it would have been nice to seem some new faces like Joe Petro (with a book out right now) and Robert DeProspero (SAIC during part of the Reagan years, between Parr and Shaddick).
Still, for 90-99% of the viewing audience, you will find much to like about this documentary, arguably the best of the 3, although I feel the 1995 History Channel documentary is the best for the early days of the Secret Service. For the JFK years, please read "Murder In Dealey Plaza" by Fetzer and "The Secret Service" by Melanson, as well as "Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service & The Failure To Protect The President" by yours truly
--
Probably the best Secret Service documentary to date
Entertainment: 4.5; Overall: 4.0-4.5
61) "Secrets of the Secret Service" Discovery Channel video/ dvd (2009)
A real mixed bag here---some good, some not so good. Former agents Funk and Petro perhaps gave compromising, error-laced comments, but it was good to see the 11/22/63 Love Field agent recall video and the relatively-correct spin on what it depicts.
Entertainment: 3.5; Overall: 3.0-3.5
62) "Walking With Presidents: Stories From Inside The Perimeter" by Michael Endicott (2009)
Michael Endicott graduated from St. Martin's University in 1965. He was a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service from 1965–1985. He was assigned to President Nixon and Secretary of State Kissinger and was Operations Supervisor to Vice Presidents Rockefeller and Mondale. He was also head of former President Nixon's detail from 1979–1985. When Nixon relinquished his government provided Secret Service detail, Mr. Endicott retired and took responsibility for Nixon’s protection under his own company, Endicott Associates, and became a Special Assistant to Richard Nixon, traveling with him as Staff Assistant in meetings with world leaders and high government officials.
This is a decent book that certainly has its moments, while it's pro-Nixon feel may turn off some readers.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.0
63) "Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service & The Failure To Protect The President" by Vince Palamara [reviewer] (1993/2006)
My book is listed in many other book's bibliographies (Vincent Bugliosi,Philip Melanson, Phillip Nelson, etc.) , as well as being referenced in the actual text of many more (Mark Lane, Noel Twyman, Harry Livingstone, William Law, etc). Since I feel it is crass to review one's own book, I will just say this: warts and all, it is the antidote to "The Kennedy Detail". After being available in softcover (self-published [1993-1996; 1998-2006] JFK LANCER [1997-1998]), the book was made available as a free online work in 2006:
http://www.assassinationresearch.com/v4n1.html
See also:
http://www.assassinationresearch.com/v4n2.html
SPECIALTY ITEM (11/22/63)
64) "Behind Closed Doors With The Secret Service" by Joan Lunden (2000)
Pretty cheesey production alleging to depict the "behind the scenes" of the agency. While it has its moments, it left this reviewer cold.
Entertainment: 2.0; Overall: 2.0
65) "Secret Service Files" National Geographic dvd (2011)
Product Description: With unprecedented access, National Geographic goes behind the scenes with Secret Service agents as they work each day to protect the president, foreign leaders, and even our economy.
In four programs, we'll go inside a counterfeit sting operation in Miami, search for a cyber theft mastermind in New York City, shadow undercover agents deep within the Bogota criminal underworld, and go where no cameras have gone before to reveal the extreme security measures taken to prepare for the Annual General Assembly of the United Nations.
Verdict: skillfully done with the best of intentions, but perhaps TOO much is revealed for comfort.
Entertainment: 3.0; Overall: 3.0
66) "The President's Book of Secrets" History Channel dvd (2010)
A decent, entertaining program which includes a segment with former agent Joe Petro exclaiming a few times that he is "not at liberty to discuss" certain security measures...he finally caught on. :-)
I was almost on this program---the producer contacted me earlier in 2010 but we could not agree to terms as far as travel costs, etc.
Entertainment: 3.5-4.0; Overall: 3.0
----------------------------------
Saving the best for last...
67)"Within Arm's Length" by Dan Emmett (2012) [NOT RELEASED YET; PRELIMINARY THOUGHTS AS OF 11/28/11-MORE TO COME]
I must say, in all candor, after having read all the good, not so good, pathetic, and "kiddie" books on the Secret Service, many of which are dry, clinical, dated, or pontificate on and on about positive or negative feelings about certain protectees, this work stands head and shoulders above the rest; a breath of fresh air...a refreshing change. Only Petro's book competes, which really says alot coming at this late juncture. Emmett has a very fine and distinguished background (Marine Corps Officer, Secret Service [Reagan to Bush, serving on CAT and/ or PPD for Bush #41-Bush #43, rising to the position of ATSAIC], CIA, Adjunct Professor, Consultant)to write such a tome; perhaps that is the difference (even his wife has a fairly distinguished background as an agent herself). The book is very well written and put together, especially for a first time author (the work also includes some nice graphics depicting Emmett with Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, & George W Bush, as well as Ted Kennedy). What I especially like about this book is that you really visualize what the author is depicting in text---you almost feel like YOU have lived through the fascinating situations outlined. Much more to come...this is just a short, thumbnail sketch (halfway through reading at the moment). BUY THIS WHEN IT IS RELEASED ASAP!
Entertainment: 5.0; Overall: 5.0; TIED WITH PETRO'S FOR BEST OVERALL SECRET SERVICE BOOK BUT SURPASSES IT FOR BEING EVEN MORE UP TO DATE AND CURRENT WHILE COVERING MORE INTERESTING GROUND
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![VINCE PALAMARA [remember to scroll all the way down!]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZ-Z_puqnjl3UgdiJxBenMyIMaFhmBD-PYQUsxCtFS4UF7dJQB6n32rt9a0ZqFRPmuBoukhrMZxv6LOD9GoUGPiaShO3wj_8xL98obRAsUbIf0mXutzbq7jKDrCp8Y-Y0k9rnS5ARjQQ/s1600/11.jpg)
![CHAPTER 8 OF ARRB FINAL REPORT [I AM IN THIS REPORT, AS WELL]...HMMM---THE SECRET SERVICE DESTROYS](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGbOuG69gW-cgAbsfjd8p8PD-subznIjcsQXUSFq560o_kiXunf9TcH0fkOqmWuK73id6m5TyVMhWcfBrPUEee6JLbvqNZKdIVQa5Drcz568Ue6GZdf_PUtLuLwPDcucv3gOn5KGBZPw/s1600/DSCF0462.JPG)
