Hold On, Mr. President

by Sam Donaldson

The outspoken White House correspondent for ABC News offers insights into the high-pressure complexities of national news reporting, discusses his colleagues and friends, and explains what it's like to provoke presidents

Genres: Journalism, American History, Politics, Nonfiction, Biography, History

260 pages, Hardcover

First published March 12, 1987

About the author

Samuel Andrew "Sam" Donaldson is a reporter and news anchor for ABC News, anchoring the Sunday edition of World News Tonight from its inception in January 1979 through the 1990s.

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donaldson's book, which came out in 1987, provides insider information on Presidents Carter and Reagan and the workings of the White House staff. Carter is presented as a decent, honest man of integrity - perhaps a bit stiff-necked, and lacking in charisma. Reagan was charismatic, witty, and likeable, but unfortunately was affected by early Alzheimer's disease even in the early years of his presidency. His wife and his staff protected him and guided him as closely as they were able during that time; it's both funny and sad that he was enough of a trained actor to get away with it. People who look back at him as a conservative genius may be surprised at how confused he was most of the time.

[Lobstergirl]

If this were the last remaining book on earth, I would actually read it. But until that happens, no.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a lot of funny anecdotes in this book. For those too young to remember Sam Donaldson... imagine if Bill O'Reilly were set loose at a White House press conference and you will get some idea of how relentless and aggressive he was in his questioning of both Carter and Reagan. I thought the autobiographical parts concerning his early years, growing up and going to college in the El Paso area, were interesting.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read--the author was Chief White House Correspondent for ABC News for years. He covered President Carter and Reagan and Nixon....Vietname, Iran-Contra, Reagan's attempted assassination, and lots more. It was written from his perspective as a journalist and it was enlightening to see how the world looks from that seat.

[Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having developed political consciousness some time around 1996, I picked this up in a used book sale and it became one of the few sources I have for my views on 70s and 80s politics. Entertaining and informative.

[Sprizee]

Purchased from the Goodwill

[Blaine Morrow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sam is Sam in this brief book, occasionally personal and always witty.