Who Speaks for the President?: The White House Press Secretary from Cleveland to Clinton - Hardcover

YA?In 1893, at the beginning of Grover Cleveland's second, nonconsecutive, administration, George Cortelyou was appointed his confidential stenographer. Cortelyou served Cleveland faithfully, and when McKinley succeeded as the nation's chief executive, he became the new president's private secretary. Thus began the century-long evolution of the link between the White House and the American public. This fascinating and readable account of the individuals who acted as intermediaries in passing on the day-to-day plans, decisions, and news of the president is full of personal anecdotes associated with the momentous events in our history of the last 100 years. It is interesting to see that the press secretary's contact with the media has evolved from informal chats with a handful of reporters to full-blown television extravaganzas. Riffling through the pages of this interesting volume can give inquisitive students a clear picture of the ways in which modern presidents communicate with the electorate. It should be of special interest to young people contemplating careers in journalism, radio, television newscasting, or public relations. Copious notes, a comprehensive bibliography, and an excellent index add greatly to the value of this book.?Peggy Mooney, Pohick Public Library, Burke, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In The President Is at Camp David (1995), longtime White House correspondent Nelson examined the evolution of Camp David from the secret hideaway FDR established to the familiar dateline this retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Hills has become. Nelson's new book comes closer to the center of presidential power, exploring the changing role of presidential press secretaries over the past century plus. George Bruce Cortelyou began as a "confidential stenographer" and served as press liaison for Presidents Cleveland, McKinley, and Theodore Roosevelt on a White House staff so small that his other responsibilities included supervision of the White House stables. The role of press secretary grew in the Wilson and Hoover administrations, and Nelson devotes a full chapter to the press liaison(s) in each administration since that of FDR. With public attitudes about the media and government particularly polarized in early 1998, this lively survey of the history of the presidents' relationships with those who report on them lends illuminating context and background to current conflict. Mary Carroll