Book SummaryThe First Family Detail, by Ronald Kessler

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The First Family Detail

The behavior and attitude of those pursuing or in the role of the presidency and its impact on their tenure.

This section of the text delves into the discrepancy between the personas that presidents and candidates present to the public and their true characters, as observed by the security personnel tasked with their protection. The book delves into the influence that concealed character traits and actions, which occur away from public view, have on their effectiveness and choices while in power. Kessler illuminates the contrast between the carefully constructed public images and the real situations that the agents on protective details witness.

Behind closed doors, the characteristics and behaviors of the President and Vice President reveal a significant contrast to their public images.

Kessler contends that the relentless observation and stress associated with their roles often cause presidents and vice presidents to cultivate a split between their personal and official personas. The behavior of agents behind closed doors contrasts sharply with their carefully constructed public image. The author uses specific examples from several administrations to illustrate this contrast.

Bill Clinton often exhibited a swift temper, a feeling of being above others, and a consistent lack of punctuality, characteristics that sharply differed from his publicly warm and accessible persona.

Kessler depicts a disparity between his outward persona of being accessible and his behind-the-scenes behavior, characterized by regular instances of haughtiness, tardiness, and a propensity for quick irritation. Agents witnessed Clinton reprimanding his staff with severity, pushing staff members out of the way, and habitually arriving later than planned, behavior that the team responsible for ensuring his safety dubbed "Clinton Standard Time." The writer highlights Clinton's habit of treating scheduled plans as if they were merely suggestions, frequently choosing to ignore them. His conduct demonstrates a disregard for those around him and a sense of entitlement associated with his position.

President Clinton frequently showed little regard for timeliness and adherence to his scheduled agenda, as demonstrated by his use of the presidential plane. Kessler narrates an episode in which the choice by Clinton to have his hair styled by a high-profile stylist led to the presidential plane being held up at LAX for an hour, which in turn caused significant interruptions to nationwide air traffic. The book elaborates on further episodes of Clinton's behavior on the presidential plane, which involved making inappropriate remarks to female employees and engaging in crude conversations with his male colleagues about the attractiveness of women they found appealing. According to Kessler, these actions reveal a mindset of privilege and a disregard for proper professional limits, which is in sharp contrast to the carefully curated persona he displays for the general populace.

Hillary Clinton, despite her publicly compassionate image, often displayed aggression and discourteous manners in her private interactions with agents of the Secret Service and officers of law enforcement.

Kessler argues that there is a significant discrepancy between Hillary Clinton's public persona as an advocate for ordinary people and her private demeanor towards her security personnel and other members of law enforcement when she is not in the public view. The attitude of Hillary toward the security staff was often characterized as disdainful, demeaning, and confrontational, suggesting she viewed them as beneath her. The book details occurrences where Hillary chastised drivers for their failure to dodge potholes and demanded that military staff not wear their uniforms while on White House grounds.

The book reveals that, despite her public overtures for their support, Hillary Clinton harbors a hidden disdain for law enforcement. Kessler points out that Hillary required state troopers and local law enforcement to dress...

The First Family Detail Summary The techniques and protocols used to protect the president, which include the various security measures, approaches, and methods, are developed by the Secret Service.

This section of the story explores the various tactics, techniques, and protocols employed by the agency responsible for protecting the commander-in-chief from a multitude of possible threats. The book details the extensive measures, rigorous procedures for protection, and thorough training that agents undertake to ensure the safety of the president and his family members.

The organization tasked with safeguarding the president meticulously devises and executes numerous security protocols and defensive strategies to guarantee the president's security.

Kessler emphasizes the critical importance of detailed planning and security measures to ensure the President's safety. He describes the stringent protocols enacted by the Secret Service, including comprehensive examinations of any locations, lodgings, and routes the president may use. Security measures encompass the deployment of canines for explosive detection, the hunt for clandestine surveillance devices, and the scrutiny for hidden arms and substances emitting radioactivity.

The book details the extensive measures taken by the protective detail to position the team leader in close proximity to the president, enabling a...

The First Family Detail Summary Instances of misconduct and inappropriate behavior include failures in the measures taken to safeguard the safety of presidents, vice presidents, and Secret Service personnel.

This section of the text uncovers a variety of improper behaviors and security oversights that have compromised the protection of the president and his family. Kessler scrutinizes the behavior of the Secret Service as well as the presidents, highlighting numerous breaches in security, a tendency to cut corners, and a disregard for established protocols, which have all endangered the presidents' security.

Presidents and their families have engaged in improper personal conduct and have misused the security measures provided for their protection by the Secret Service.

Kessler argues that the security associated with the presidency has been compromised due to certain presidents and their family members who, feeling entitled and ignoring standard protocols, have placed undue strain on the agents responsible for their safety. The author highlights instances such as Lyndon Johnson's public indecency and lack of respect for proper conduct, along with the deliberate attempts by the daughters of President Bush to slip away from their protective agents.

The author contends that the constant watchfulness provided by the Secret Service is often regarded by presidents and their families...

The First Family Detail Summary The culture and operational practices of the Secret Service, characterized by insufficient leadership and a propensity for weak oversight,

This section of the text delves into the ways in which subpar leadership and ingrained problems in the Secret Service have led to significant lapses in the protection of the President, thereby endangering the security of the country's top officials. The author argues that the Secret Service is plagued by a culture of bureaucracy, insufficient resources, inconsistent protocols, and lack of adequate supervision, which creates an environment where taking shortcuts, apathy, and secrecy are commonplace.

A culture of negligence is evident in both the lack of adherence to safety protocols and the disciplinary actions taken against agents who highlight issues.

Kessler contends that the Secret Service is permeated by a tendency to overlook rules, a habit of taking shortcuts, and a climate where fear of retribution is pervasive. He details occasions when the president's safety has been jeopardized due to top officials prioritizing the convenience of those working within the White House over essential security measures.

The writer reveals that members of the agency who highlight problems or challenge the inadequate protocols may be subject to punitive measures from the Secret...