Kessler interviewed agents and former agents in order to describe the dangers the agents and their charges face. Kessler tells the reader about the growth in size and responsibility of the Secret Service. He does not examine the inner workings of the agency and its challenge of protecting its charges. Instead, he seems to look for the juiciest tidbits of gossip on people, the ones that are extremely unflattering and bring to light character traits and faults. There are limitless items about the Presidents' pecadillos and faults. For example: JFK's well-known liaisons, Lyndon Johnson's having multiple partners and being caught in the act by Lady Bird, Vice President Spiro Agnew being escorted to various hotels for affairs. Ford was the cheapest man they knew. LBJ was uncouth, nasty and often drunk. Nixon was the strangest man they knew. Carter was not likeable and often slept in the Oval Office. Barbara and Jena Bush went bar hopping. The list goes on and on and on.

The agents seem to relish throwing dirt on their former protectees, especially the Democrats. They are disgruntled, complaining about shifts, their assignments and their pay.

Up until now, the Service has always been considered discreet, honorable and loyal. After some of the comments and revelations in this book, can it still be considered the SECRET Service? And can future presidents have faith in the Service?

This has been more like reading The National Inquirer than a serious, informative book about the Service.