Don’t Tell the President: The Best, Worst, and Mostly Untold Stories from Presidential Advance

by Jean Becker, Tom Collamore

Two former staffers to President George H. W. Bush bring together the most harrowing and hilarious stories behind presidential events over the past sixty years—from the Rose Garden to Air Force One, foreign trips to the campaign trail—detailing the art of preparation that goes into these delicate, high stress operations and revealing how they have often been one step away from disaster.

Featuring a foreword by Jon Meacham

Don’t Tell the President is a collection of the greatest tales of triumph and near-crisis in presidential advance. Behind every seamless campaign appearance and presidential affair lies the meticulous work of event planners and advance teams—the little-known professionals who transform political logistics into carefully choreographed performances.

Here are illuminating first-hand accounts from dedicated employees who worked for every modern-day president from Lyndon Johnson to Barack Obama, a few First Ladies, a few vice presidents, and a few wannabes.

Experience some of the most searing events from behind the scenes, including:

Memorable moments from the campaign trail, including Lyndon Johnson’s 1960 trip to Boston as John Kennedy’s newly minted running mate and Barack Obama’s first rally appearance with Oprah.
Riveting accounts from the advance team with President Reagan on the day he was shot to the terrible hours on 9/11 from someone who was on Air Force One with President Bush.
Those hectic and often historic foreign trips including Vice President George Bush’s cloak-and-dagger trip in Communist Poland; President Reagan’s “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” speech in Berlin; and President George W. Bush’s secret trip to Iraq on Thanksgiving Day.
And a few stories when the foreign dignitaries came to visit us, including Queen Elizabeth’s famous “talking purple hat” speech on the South Lawn of the White House.
And an all-star team of advance contributors - many who went on to be political figures themselves including former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates; radio host and CNN contributor Michael Smerconish; and former Senator Rob Portman. Also, a first-hand account from former Secret Service agent Barbara Riggs who had to deal with inappropriate advances of Manuel Noreiga.
And yes, the regrettable and now infamous gaffes, when Bob Dole’s campaign event turned into a photo op with Woody Woodpecker, Frankenstein, Charlie Chaplin, and Mae West; and when a pig relieved himself on Vice President George Bush on a farm in Iowa.
Allowing us to witness presidential history and politics from a new angle, Don’t Tell the President brings together the hilarious chaos of Veep and the grandeur of The West Wing. It is a memorable and at times laugh-out loud funny look at how many presidential events happen—and how many almost went awry.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Humor, Politics

320 pages, Hardcover

First published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Rae Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t Tell the President is a lively, behind‑the‑curtain tour through six decades of presidential advance work, told with the kind of wry affection and white‑knuckle detail only seasoned insiders could deliver. Becker and Collamore stitch together stories that swing effortlessly between hilarious logistical misfires and near‑catastrophic diplomatic close calls, revealing just how often the smooth public face of the presidency is held together by improvisation, grit, and a little luck. What makes the book shine is its humanizing lens—these aren’t just tales of motorcades and state dinners, but of the people who quietly keep the country’s most visible office from tipping into chaos. It’s an engaging, surprisingly warm reminder that history is often shaped not only by presidents, but by the unseen hands working frantically just out of frame.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book as a Giveaway. I expected something full of gossip, political problem solving, and weird out-takes, but instead it was plodding and mostly uninteresting. I kept trying to care, but it was just such a boring book for something that was promoted as being gossipy and thrilling. I was very disappointed.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining stories to read about!! Unbelievable what really happens and all of the work that goes into being part of the advance team!!

[Pattie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny look at the people that make the Presidents look good and the problems they face doing it!

[Cliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very well written book with a unique perspective of the inside details of planning trips for vice presidents and presidents. text a book for people who love politics.

[Matthew Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

great collection of stories here. reminds me of the show west wing. a great reflection on a large group of our countris past leaders through a human view.