THE INVISIBLE PRESIDENCY

Subtitled The Behind-the-Scenes-Story of Seven Presidential Confidants from Hamilton to Sherman Adams, this is a lively, readable book which is, at the same time, a serious examination of an intriguing area of American history. The purpose of the book is to investigate the doings of the more important presidential favorites, to see what they were like, how they operated and what they accomplished in their place beside the throne whether they launched the Republic, helped transform the U.S. to a world power or were the Brain Trusters or the architects of the new postwar world. The author concentrates on: Alexander Hamilton -- (George Washington), Martin Van Buren -- (Andrew Jackson), William Loeb, Jr.-(Theodore Roosevelt), Col. Edward M. House -(Woodrow Wilson), Thomas G. Corcoran -(F.D.R.), Harry Hopkins -- (F.D.R.), Sherman Adams -(Dwight D. Eisenhower). By far the most interesting section of the book is devoted to Sherman Adams whom the author considers one of the most misconstrued figures of modern times. Koenig sees Adams, ""a kind of tranquilizer for the President"", as chief of staff, ringmaster, buffer, hatchet man, housekeeper, bouncer and finally, fall guy. The author's conclusion: since presidents require assistants of one kind or another it's preferable that they be of an ""inner circle"" type so that they can act as checks on each other. An inevitably interesting record.