In this fascinating work of popular history, the New York Times
bestselling author of Sex with Kings and The Royal Art of Poison
uncovers the bedroom secrets of American presidents and explores the
surprising ways voters have reacted to their leaders' sex scandals.
While Americans have a reputation for being strait-laced, many of the
nation's leaders have been anything but puritanical. Alexander Hamilton
had a steamy affair with a blackmailing prostitute. John F. Kennedy swam
nude with female staff in the White House swimming pool. Is it possible
the qualities needed to run for president--narcissism, a thirst for
power, a desire for importance--go hand in hand with a tendency to
sexual misdoing?
In this entertaining and eye-opening book, Eleanor Herman revisits some
of the sex scandals that have rocked the nation's capital and shocked
the public, while asking the provocative questions: does rampant
adultery show a lack of character or the stamina needed to run the
country? Or perhaps both? While Americans have judged their leaders'
affairs harshly compared to other nations, did they mostly just hate
being lied to? And do they now clearly care more about issues other than
a politician's sex life?
What is sex like with the most powerful man in the world? Is it better
than with your average Joe? And when America finally elects a female
president, will she, too, have sexual escapades in the Oval Office?
