The President's Book of Secrets: The Untold Story of Intelligence Briefings to America's Presidents

The President's Book of Secrets: The Untold Story of Intelligence Briefings to American Presidents by David Priess provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the intersection between intelligence and presidential governance throughout history. The book chronicles the evolution of intelligence briefings for U.S. Presidents, drawing from extensive interviews with over one hundred former senior U.S. policymakers and intelligence officials. It delves into the personalities and decisions that have shaped U.S. national security policies. The narrative details the unique approaches of presidents such as Kennedy, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and the Bush administrations towards intelligence briefings, offering a deep understanding of their engagements with the intelligence community. The book highlights the critical role of intelligence briefings during historical events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the 9/11 warnings, shedding light on how these briefings influenced presidential decision-making. It also provides an inside look at the relationship between the presidents and the intelligence community, offering an informative behind-the-scenes view of American politics. While the book is well-written and informative, some readers may find it lacking in divulging the 'juicy secrets' or insights into the reasons behind historical decisions, expecting a more profound exploration of the content of the daily briefings. Overall, "The President's Book of Secrets" receives praise for providing a unique perspective on the presidency and the CIA through the lens of the President’s daily briefing. It is recommended for policy wonks and those interested in the governance of the United States.