Author David Priess presented a lecture on his book "The President's Book of Secrets: The Untold Story of Intelligence Briefings to America's Presidents from Kennedy to Obama" on March 22, 2016 at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Priess also presented on his book at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 25, 2016.
The book's author, Dr. David Priess, served during the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush Administrations as an award-winning intelligence officer, manager, and daily intelligence briefer at the CIA as well as a desk officer at the State Department. His book relates 50 years of stories about Presidents and their daily book of secrets - including exclusive insights from every living President and Vice President.
During his research for the book, Priess interviewed over 100 senior U.S. policy makers and intelligence officials, while also extensively researching through archives at Presidential Libraries across the country, including at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
In discussing his book, Priess examines how Presidents receive the most sensitive intelligence reporting and analysis in the world through the President's Daily Brief (PDB). The document began with President John F. Kennedy as short items regarding international developments that he could process through quickly. The document was titled the 'President's Intelligence Check List' or 'PICL' and pronounced pickle, which Priess humorously noted was a reason that the CIA was called the 'pickle factory' for years following.
On December 1, 1964, President Lyndon Johnson received a new document, which had been updated and re-formatted, called the 'PDB'. The PBD has been provided every single day to every U.S. President since its introduction, and continues to be delivered today with President Barack Obama.
While Vice President, Gerald R. Ford was offered by the CIA Director, Bill Colby, to have in-person briefings on the PDB, Ford accepted, and started receiving daily morning briefings, which occurred often at the kitchen table of his Alexandria, VA home or in the motorcade drive to work. Following his swearing-in as President, Gerald R. Ford wanted to continue the intelligence briefings as he had been receiving them, and became the first President to receive working-level intelligence briefings from CIA officers to talk about the PBD.
Priess also introduced the personalities of those who produced and read the PDBs, the process of its creation and delivery, and the role played by the PDB in the daily work of national security at the highest level for more than 50 years.
Watch the Program
When
February 18, 2016
Program Supporters
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
