In White House Ghosts, veteran Washington reporter Robert Schlesinger opens a fresh and revealing window on the modern presidency from FDR ...
read full description
reviews
Feb 15, 2008
I'm such a dork, but this sounds completely fascinating.
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Feb 05, 2009
Schlesinger has written an engaging account of the importance of the ghost writer in the high-stakes world of Oval Office politics, though as the New York Times and a couple of others point out, White House Ghosts lacks the breadth that might have made Schlesinger's thesis even more powerful, and "his reluctance to put speechwriting in a fuller context … becomes a serious liability by the time he reaches the Ronald Reagan years." Reviewers also cite an overemphasis on the impacts of s
More...
Dec 20, 2008
Ross
rated it: 
In White House Ghosts, Robert Schlesinger (son of noted White House speechwriter Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.) examines the history of the presidential speechwriting from its humble beginnings in Franklin Roosevelt's administration to its current incarnation in today's fast-paced age of mass media.
If you aren't keen on speechwriting or politics, you might find White House Ghosts a slow read. But as someone who is deeply interested in political speechwriting, I found this book fascinatin More...
If you aren't keen on speechwriting or politics, you might find White House Ghosts a slow read. But as someone who is deeply interested in political speechwriting, I found this book fascinatin More...
Jul 31, 2008
John
rated it:
Very interesting that Speechwriters have such influence on a President's speech even to the point of formulating policy. The book revolves around speechwriters utilized from FDR to GWB and quite eye opening to say the least.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 16, 2008
Margot
rated it:
Would you believe that someone at NSC wanted to change Peggy Noonan's Challenger speech from "They 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God'" to "They slipped the surly bonds of earth to 'reach out and touch someone -- touch the face of God.'"
This book gives a wonderful account of history through the presidential speechwriting process. It was fascinating to learn how speechwriting was not even a profession, until the advent of radio (Roosevelt More...
This book gives a wonderful account of history through the presidential speechwriting process. It was fascinating to learn how speechwriting was not even a profession, until the advent of radio (Roosevelt More...
May 15, 2009
Amanda
rated it: 
This book was about as dry as the Sahara. I was hoping my interest in the topic would propel me through the pages, but it wasn't enough. The author introduces 3-6 new people every page, but doesn't necessarily reference that name again until four or five pages later...and then he refers to them by last name only. Figuring out who the hell he was talking about drove me nuts and completely ruined any flow the book could have had. Even without this huge flaw, there wasn't much of a story anyway. It
More...
Dec 14, 2008
Mary
rated it:
This was such an interesting book! I really enjoyed learning about how speechwriters came to be in the White House and then how the positions evolved over time. I also really liked learning about another side of the presidents.
Oct 14, 2011
Kris
rated it:
I don't sense there is a lot of new research here, but it compiles an interesting picture of how the speechwriting process worked for each president.
Feb 24, 2009
Eric
rated it:
The inside story. I had to laugh as I recognized types and techniques so similar to those from my own speech writing on a much smaller stage.
Aug 04, 2009
Douglas
rated it: 
Decided to grab this after confirming that my Political Science class will meet with one of Obama's speech-writers at the White House. I'll excerpt some of this for classroom use.
Jan 23, 2009
Chris
rated it: 
A great book if you're interested in the history of the modern presidency and in how speeches shape policy (and vice versa).
Dec 17, 2008
Philip
rated it:
This book spends is too concerned with completeness and not concerned enough with in-depth analysis and insights. So many characters are introduced (each speechwriter, practically as well as most critical presidential staffers) and it's hard to keep everyone straight.
I liked the topic, but I don't think I'd recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about speeches and their writers.
I liked the topic, but I don't think I'd recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about speeches and their writers.
Aug 01, 2011
Mostly interesting book on speechwriting at the White House. Likely this would be a very interesting book for those in the field.
Aug 12, 2008
Nick
rated it:
This is a fascinating and engaging history of the hardworking, frequently under-appreciated writers who have penned the president's words from Washington on, but mainly beginning with the 20th century. Schlesinger is refreshingly non-partisan, but he also doesn't pull any historical punches. You'll get insights into how the presidency actually works -- and insights into history -- on every page.
Aug 04, 2008
Laurie
rated it:
My favorite thing about this book was how aptly the organizational structure of the speech-writing process illustrated the tenor of each presidential administration. Schlesinger used his enviable access to elicit some great anecdotes. The manuscript could've used a little additional surface editing, though. And seriously, where are Toby Ziegler and Sam Seaborn when you need them?
Jun 20, 2008
Jeanne
rated it:
Perhaps it is because I recently left a book as a speechwriter that this book spoke to me so, but it was also a fantastic read for a lazy student of history, a waltz through many administrations from the interesting perch of the "ghosts" who were supposed to be heard but not seen...
May 20, 2008
A client of mine gave this to me because I'm a ghostwriter. I'm going to read it on the plane on Friday.
Jun 30, 2011
Shannon
rated it:
Surprisingly engaging and interesting. Never imagined there were so many people involved in the speechwriting effort.
Feb 05, 2012
Feb 04, 2012
Jan 30, 2012
Jan 15, 2012
Jan 14, 2012
Jan 08, 2012
Jan 05, 2012
Jan 02, 2012
Dec 21, 2011
