You'll Discover Some New Stories

When I was young, I’d look forward to the weekly arrival of Time magazine and, in particular, Hugh Sidey’s column on the Presidency. Sidey had good connections and I learned later he was friends with Jack Kennedy. His column gave readers what felt like an insider’s view of Oval Office happenings.

Gary Ginsberg’s book, First Friends, offers revealing portraits of people who were close to occupants of the office. These folks (mostly) didn't have official positions in the government and, yet, they were influential and had an impact on the events of the times. These were people with whom the President could share their most authentic selves.

Most of us got a somewhat cardboard cutout depiction of Bebe Rebozo during his time with Richard Nixon. But there was a lot more to the guy. He’d been a successful businessman, made a considerable amount of money and played an astute role in their relationship.

One of the more dramatic friendships was that of President Kennedy and David Ormsby-Gore, a British fellow, who discussed the subject of leadership with Kennedy for many years before Kennedy was elected. He played a significant role in advising Kennedy as the President navigated the Cuban Missile Crisis. (Lyndon Johnson complained about “that Limey” being at critical meetings.) Ormsby-Gore was England’s ambassador to the US at the time (largely because Kennedy told the British government that’s who he wanted in that job.)

A Missouri pal and former failed business partner of Harry Truman, who happened to be Jewish, was the deciding influencer in nudging Truman to support the creation of the State of Israel.

One learns quite a bit about a person by looking closely at their friendships. This volume offers some insights and observations you’ve not seen before. I chuckled when I read Leslie Stahl’s (CBS) comments on the back cover marveling at all the new material Ginsberg discovered through his extensive and thorough research.

For history enthusiasts, this is a fun read.