Counsel to the president cover

Counsel to the president

by Clark M. Clifford

From Author's Note: "..this work began as an exercise in recall...of some of the events that have shaped the world we live in." It certainly is that. It is a first person account of intimate participation in a circle of powerful leaders from Harry Truman to presidents up to Jimmie Carter. The heavy detail is on the Democrats, but there is commentary on some Republicans as well. Clifford's position as an "advisor" to all of them and during Johnson's administration holding the high cabinet position as Secretary of Defense placed him in the center of the action in the White House during all the momentous events of the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and all the social crises the country faced from the end of WWII to the 90's. It is an easy read, full of important facts, and generous trivia about the inner workings of presidential administrations. Highly recommended reading.

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?