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Inside Camp David: The Private World of the Presidential Retreat: Library Edition: Includes PDF
The first insider account, timed to the 75th anniversary of Camp David
Camp David is American diplomacy's secret weapon. The home of the 2015 GCC and 2012 G8 summits, the 2000 Peace Summit, and the 1978 Peace Accords, the camp has played a vital role in American history over the past century, inviting Presidents and international leaders alike to converge, converse, and, perhaps most importantly, relax.
A peaceful mountaintop setting, crucially removed from the constant scrutiny of the press, Camp David has served as both a site of critical diplomacy and unparalleled tranquility. It is where President and Mrs. Reagan rode horses through the mountains, where Gerald Ford could take a moment to jump on a trampoline with his daughter, where Nixon rode shotgun with Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev, and where Jimmy Carter could find the ultimate flight-sledding-only to break his clavicle two weeks before the end of his tenure. Under the pressure and stress, it is easy to forget that those occupying the highest seat in the land are, at the end of the day, human but at Camp David, we finally get to see these leaders at their most vulnerable, their most unguarded, and as their most true selves.
Camp David is American diplomacy's secret weapon. The home of the 2015 GCC and 2012 G8 summits, the 2000 Peace Summit, and the 1978 Peace Accords, the camp has played a vital role in American history over the past century, inviting Presidents and international leaders alike to converge, converse, and, perhaps most importantly, relax.
A peaceful mountaintop setting, crucially removed from the constant scrutiny of the press, Camp David has served as both a site of critical diplomacy and unparalleled tranquility. It is where President and Mrs. Reagan rode horses through the mountains, where Gerald Ford could take a moment to jump on a trampoline with his daughter, where Nixon rode shotgun with Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev, and where Jimmy Carter could find the ultimate flight-sledding-only to break his clavicle two weeks before the end of his tenure. Under the pressure and stress, it is easy to forget that those occupying the highest seat in the land are, at the end of the day, human but at Camp David, we finally get to see these leaders at their most vulnerable, their most unguarded, and as their most true selves.
Audio CD
First published October 24, 2017
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April 22, 2026
President Herbert Hoover found himself homesick during his term in office in D.C, and decided to buy some land with his own money to develop as a mountain retreat. While security concerns did add some infrastructure, like telephone lines, the creation of Camp Rapidan was solely a personal project — though one Hoover intended to gift to presidents who followed him. Roosevelt, who did follow him, found Rapidan too rough for his own needs, but liked the idea. So was born a new camp in a more attractive location, some two hours from D.C. and largely isolated. Thus Shangri-La was born, and ever since then it has been — despite a name change — a retreat for presidents and an attractive locale to host world leaders. Inside Camp David is written by a former commander of the camp, who served during the tail end of the Clinton years and the beginning of the George W. years, and folds in stories about presidents at the camp inside Giorgione’s own personal memoirs. While formal history has been made at Camp David, this is chiefly of interest to those curious about the camp itself, and the parts of the presidents that were revealed in this more casual, rustic setting. Who would ever guess that Bill Clinton liked being a choirboy on Sunday mornings?
This was not a topic I had a huge interest in, but one day while taking lunch at work I realized I didn’t have a book to read: fortunately, I work in a library, so I grabbed something off the shelf that lent itself well to cozy lunch reading. I do have a fascination for the presidency that other libertarians probably find suspicious, so I was fairly quickly pulled in. I was surprised to learn that the camp is operated by the US Navy, and this owes in part to the odd way that the idea of a retreat was formed. Franklin D. Roosevelt liked the idea of a camp, but he much preferred relaxing on the presidential yacht, the USS Potomac. The outbreak of World War 2 forced him to claim a Works Progress Administration park, newly built, and christen it “Shangri-La”, transferring crew from the Potomac to serve as its staff. To this day, the camp has a naval officer in charge of operations, and the entire staff — from servers to groundskeepers — are bonafide members of the Navy, many of them Seabees who are doing work like planting flowers that they’re absurdly overqualified for. Although the camp has witnessed history itself — being used by Roosevelt to conduct the war, even hosting Churchill, and later being the setting of the Camp David Accords — more interesting for me was how the men themselves and their families used the place.
Like their employment of vice presidents, presidents have varied widely on how they use Camp David. Ronald Reagan loved the place, visiting most weekends he was in office: it probably helped that it gave the equestrian a place to ride regularly. Reagan’s use of Camp David is also notable in that he preferred coming alone, without the large family and friends entourages that marked other presidents who visited less, like the Clintons. For virtually every president who visits, it’s a place of relaxation — a place where their days are unscripted and they can ride, shoot, or bike at their pleasure. (One notable exception is LBJ, who viewed it as just another workspace.) The isolation allows for presidents to get away with things they couldn’t otherwise do, like drive themselves, or teach their kids to drive. Giorgione remarks that the lessening of pressure allows for presidents and first families to let their hair down — making jokes with the staff or even forgetting the eyes on them. (Gerald Ford introduced himself to camp staff as “Gerry”.) While White House memoirs I’ve read consistently mention that Hillary Clinton was a …pill, let’s say, she is evidently more pleasant company at Camp David or the commander didn’t see fit to comment. As close as he comes is noting that LBJ was demanding about his showers, and that George W. frequently wore staff out with his love of biking, running, etc. Dick Cheney also appears in a mis-step: he arrived at Camp David during 9/11 and said that the president had said for him to be put up in Aspen Cabin, the presidential suite. When Bush returned to Washington, he was not pleased that Cheney had taken over his bedroom.
This was a fun look into a place I knew literally nothing about before. I enjoy books that allow me to see the presidents more as people than politicians, especially given that there are some politicians I have strong opinions about and don’t particularly like disliking as much as I do.The book is good about showing that human side for most everyone covered here, and the camp itself is such an odd operation there’s intrinsic interest in learning about it. There were bits of trivia I found fascinating, like the number of foreign dignitaries who have an interest in seeing nearby Gettysburg Battlefield when they visit, and the absurd degrees that the White House goes to appease foreign visitors. Reagan allowed the Russians to replace the phone system at Camp David with their own during peace talks, and the women in the camp staff, as well as their children, were asked not to go outside wearing shorts, swimsuits, or anything too revealing as a way of showing their respect to Clinton’s Palestinian guests. Said guests returned the favor by going commando under their open robes and driving golf carts all over the flower gardens, paved paths made for the purpose apparently being marks of western decadence. Honestly, what’s the point of being the global superpower if you’re going to let terrorists destroy the tulips?
This was not a topic I had a huge interest in, but one day while taking lunch at work I realized I didn’t have a book to read: fortunately, I work in a library, so I grabbed something off the shelf that lent itself well to cozy lunch reading. I do have a fascination for the presidency that other libertarians probably find suspicious, so I was fairly quickly pulled in. I was surprised to learn that the camp is operated by the US Navy, and this owes in part to the odd way that the idea of a retreat was formed. Franklin D. Roosevelt liked the idea of a camp, but he much preferred relaxing on the presidential yacht, the USS Potomac. The outbreak of World War 2 forced him to claim a Works Progress Administration park, newly built, and christen it “Shangri-La”, transferring crew from the Potomac to serve as its staff. To this day, the camp has a naval officer in charge of operations, and the entire staff — from servers to groundskeepers — are bonafide members of the Navy, many of them Seabees who are doing work like planting flowers that they’re absurdly overqualified for. Although the camp has witnessed history itself — being used by Roosevelt to conduct the war, even hosting Churchill, and later being the setting of the Camp David Accords — more interesting for me was how the men themselves and their families used the place.
Like their employment of vice presidents, presidents have varied widely on how they use Camp David. Ronald Reagan loved the place, visiting most weekends he was in office: it probably helped that it gave the equestrian a place to ride regularly. Reagan’s use of Camp David is also notable in that he preferred coming alone, without the large family and friends entourages that marked other presidents who visited less, like the Clintons. For virtually every president who visits, it’s a place of relaxation — a place where their days are unscripted and they can ride, shoot, or bike at their pleasure. (One notable exception is LBJ, who viewed it as just another workspace.) The isolation allows for presidents to get away with things they couldn’t otherwise do, like drive themselves, or teach their kids to drive. Giorgione remarks that the lessening of pressure allows for presidents and first families to let their hair down — making jokes with the staff or even forgetting the eyes on them. (Gerald Ford introduced himself to camp staff as “Gerry”.) While White House memoirs I’ve read consistently mention that Hillary Clinton was a …pill, let’s say, she is evidently more pleasant company at Camp David or the commander didn’t see fit to comment. As close as he comes is noting that LBJ was demanding about his showers, and that George W. frequently wore staff out with his love of biking, running, etc. Dick Cheney also appears in a mis-step: he arrived at Camp David during 9/11 and said that the president had said for him to be put up in Aspen Cabin, the presidential suite. When Bush returned to Washington, he was not pleased that Cheney had taken over his bedroom.
This was a fun look into a place I knew literally nothing about before. I enjoy books that allow me to see the presidents more as people than politicians, especially given that there are some politicians I have strong opinions about and don’t particularly like disliking as much as I do.The book is good about showing that human side for most everyone covered here, and the camp itself is such an odd operation there’s intrinsic interest in learning about it. There were bits of trivia I found fascinating, like the number of foreign dignitaries who have an interest in seeing nearby Gettysburg Battlefield when they visit, and the absurd degrees that the White House goes to appease foreign visitors. Reagan allowed the Russians to replace the phone system at Camp David with their own during peace talks, and the women in the camp staff, as well as their children, were asked not to go outside wearing shorts, swimsuits, or anything too revealing as a way of showing their respect to Clinton’s Palestinian guests. Said guests returned the favor by going commando under their open robes and driving golf carts all over the flower gardens, paved paths made for the purpose apparently being marks of western decadence. Honestly, what’s the point of being the global superpower if you’re going to let terrorists destroy the tulips?
November 12, 2017
Really interesting and highly readable account of the history and special features of Camp David, told by one of the Camp’s commanding officers. The author explores the history of Camp David, originally called Shangri-La and used as a retreat for President Roosevelt during WWII after he could no longer use the Presidential yacht (hence the Navy is responsible for it). Giorgione interviewed all the Camp commanders back to the Kennedy administration, and through them and his research discusses the history, ethos, and role of Camp David in each administration, and its effect on each President and his family. He uses his own experience and observation as a backdrop. The account is refreshingly non partisan and while in some ways it is a behind the scenes book like the Residence, it avoids dirt and speculation and focuses on interesting and often humorous stories about how the Navy and its people keep Camp David running while the most powerful person in the world is living there- it’s interesting to read about the public works challenges of supporting a President. A great read!!
August 21, 2017
ARC received from: Netgalley
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
One-Sentence Summary: An insight into what goes on in the exclusive Presidential Retreat
Review: If you have ever been interested to find out what Presidents are really like as people once you take away all the grandstanding and politics then this is the book for you.
At Camp David, Presidents are more relaxed than at the White House and get a chance to show their true personalities. This book is written and researched by a former CO of Camp David who worked there at the time of Clinton and Bush's presidencies but he also includes a lot of stories from the archives/other COs to showcase vignettes from all the Presidents that stayed at Camp David.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and seeing what some of the most famous people in the world are really like out of the media spotlight.
January 15, 2018
Living a short 45 minutes from Camp David, I've always been intrigued by the secrecy and privacy of it. Michael Giorgione gives a fascinating inside account of the Camp, its' significance, and what it is like to have the honor of serving as CO of this presidential retreat. I particularly enjoyed his perspective of what it was like for his family to be part of Camp David for their two years of service. A truly interesting read and highly recommended!
August 4, 2026
So here’s a cool story about how I came to this book. A comment trail in the social media ‘verse took me to Michael Giorgione. I am a retired Civil Engineer Corps officer but never met him. I hadn’t heard of his book but I decided I wanted to read it, so I put it near to the top of my “to read list” only just eleven days ago. I was at a public library I am responsible for as a facilities manager, talking with staff about moving materials around for the renovation we were starting in a few weeks and mid-sentence, ADD me sees in my peripheral vision a copy of this very book I had just marked to read, on the end of a row about 40 feet away. Seriously, five days from not recalling ever hearing of it to seeing it on a shelf. Amazing coincidental convergence of a lot of different paths.
Giorgione makes an inaccessible place accessible. And he gives glimpses of - from personal experience, through interviews of other COs, and from some archival accounts - the reason for the Camp: the presidents. I appreciated learning things about them that might otherwise get skipped over in biographies. But then Camp David is unique space. “Unlike at the White House, where every moment is observed and recorded, at the camp, it is possible to close the door and draw the curtains, shutting out the nation for a precious brief time. Presidents can breathe here.” And Giorgione lets us see small pieces of that breathing. History, the job, living there, the presidents and their families and their stays, holidays, the historic summits, the serenity and the loneliness...the sharing of personal stories, such as when Chelsea Clinton gave two stuffed animals that she had with her for the eight years to Giorgione to give to his daughters. This is a great story about the White House in the woods, and Giorgione tells it well.
Some notes and observations:
There are always firsts and in the military, it unfortunately usually involves the modifier “female”. Camp David had its own with CDR Wendy Halsey. In talking about the “edginess” that particular command involved, more so even than “normal” command, Giorgione says “It wasn't just me.”
During my career (1984-2004), the military saw its first women on combatant ships, piloting warplanes, and on the front lines of battle and I always cringed when I saw, read, heard “female” or “woman” as an adjective I viewed unnecessary. I felt for the objects - forgive my editorial, but it does convey my evaluation of the issue - of the modifiers/qualifiers.
I believe this also. Big time. But some people want to think they're the smartest person in the room and that's just poor leadership.
Well... that's funny!
Humility:
On the summit between Israel and the PLO brokered by President Clinton, Clinton was to leave in the middle to attend the G8 in Japan, and the author, waiting five hours for a Clinton’s departure from the Camp (the Commanders attended every arrival and departure), got an apology from an unlikely source, Chelsea, who said “I’m so sorry, Commander, my father’s running late.” To which he replied (he said “amused”), “No problem,” because he knew the tensions, if not the details of the negotiations underway:
And not just Clinton...
Intuitive, but sometimes I need to see things like that written so that I can consciously recall it from my mental toolbox.
The Camp afforded the necessary escape from the “jail” (Truman called it that) of the White House, and Giorgione recounted the good times the different First families had on holidays and breaks, some more than the others )Reagan set a record 186 visits that will likely not be broken), some quite a bit less (not covered in the book, the most recent former president only visited the camp 15 times). Giorgione has a chapter - “The Lonely Sentry” - on the loneliness of the job ... of the presidency, and the Camp Commander.
Truman may have felt jailed in the White House, but he was also one of only two who didn’t take to Camp David.
Giorgione noted another CO’s leadership “challenges”, or “opportunities”, immediately following the events of September 11, 2001, when Vice President Cheney was flown to Camp David (now known, but not at the time, to be his secure location)... CO O’Connor was confused that he was to put Cheney in “Aspen”, the president’s Camp residence, and was told that the president said to put him there. When the Bushes arrived four days later, Bush “barked, ‘Who’s been sleeping in my bed?’”. It turned out that Cheney’s people misled the CO. After that
I learned that same lesson long ago, experiencing other people’s agendas. Sometimes simple but still problematic, they required me to, as Giorgione writes, “learn to ignore, work around, or filter some of the things they instructed me to do.” I also adopted the verify approach... as long as the upper leadership was accessible (some aren’t/weren’t) I’d confirm so-and-so said, to the usual surprise of the persons telling me such.
“At Camp David, the profound and the mundane occur on a daily basis. Every single thing that happens has tremendous significance. […] Assigned to Camp David, we all [the crew] find it’s nothing like anything we’ve experienced in our military careers.” I added a phrase to my “toolbox” some 14 years ago: “It’s never boring.” Meaning, sometimes, that mundane to us may be the most important thing to someone else.
Giorgione says of the end of his two year tour
He and his wife were fortunate to meet the Bushes twice again and the second time, in 2005, he said he was “struck by how the presidency had aged him since our time at Camp David - before 9/11...” And CDR Bob Reuning, four COs later, was there for Bush 43’s final Camp stay. After one last “challenging bike ride” (for which Bush was famous, and always outdid everyone else), Bob cleaned off the mud, changed into his dress uniform and at the final walk to Marine One, Bush “gave Reuning a big bear hug and said, ‘You’re a good man, Bob.’”
Giorgione lists all of the Camp David Commanders at the end of his book and I knew three of them, one who I worked with directly for a couple of years. (It was Bob Reuning... Pretty cool.) Oh yeah, “Camp David” is named after Ike’s grandson, but it’s real name is Naval Support Facility Thurmont.
Jumping off point for me:
I need to find Inside Marine One: Four U.S. Presidents, One Proud Marine, and the World’s Most Amazing Helicopter by Ray L’Heureux
And two notes for the publisher:
1) Personal, but I say it when I see it; I despise post notes that are not cited in the text, rather at the end of the book with a page number and sentence fragment. I do reread books I like but I do not like to reread to see where notes reference. It is a simple... simple... and small, overlookable_if_you_don’t_like_them, effort to superscript a small font numeral to indicate that something is sourced. But that’s a personal peeve and I’m not changing the world with my rant
2) And something more important that I’d not seen before because I haven’t read a large print book so had no idea: those after notes are rendered even more totally useless because they reference the “normal” print hardcover pages! Come on, publisher!
Giorgione makes an inaccessible place accessible. And he gives glimpses of - from personal experience, through interviews of other COs, and from some archival accounts - the reason for the Camp: the presidents. I appreciated learning things about them that might otherwise get skipped over in biographies. But then Camp David is unique space. “Unlike at the White House, where every moment is observed and recorded, at the camp, it is possible to close the door and draw the curtains, shutting out the nation for a precious brief time. Presidents can breathe here.” And Giorgione lets us see small pieces of that breathing. History, the job, living there, the presidents and their families and their stays, holidays, the historic summits, the serenity and the loneliness...the sharing of personal stories, such as when Chelsea Clinton gave two stuffed animals that she had with her for the eight years to Giorgione to give to his daughters. This is a great story about the White House in the woods, and Giorgione tells it well.
Some notes and observations:
There are always firsts and in the military, it unfortunately usually involves the modifier “female”. Camp David had its own with CDR Wendy Halsey. In talking about the “edginess” that particular command involved, more so even than “normal” command, Giorgione says “It wasn't just me.”
When Wendy Haley assumed command in 2011, she was full of anxiety. Like all commanders, she wanted to be perfect, and she was very aware that as the first female commander, people might be watching her in a special way.
During my career (1984-2004), the military saw its first women on combatant ships, piloting warplanes, and on the front lines of battle and I always cringed when I saw, read, heard “female” or “woman” as an adjective I viewed unnecessary. I felt for the objects - forgive my editorial, but it does convey my evaluation of the issue - of the modifiers/qualifiers.
I’m a big believer in the idea that leadership isn’t about doing it yourself all the time; it’s also about letting people in your command practice problem-solving on their own.
I believe this also. Big time. But some people want to think they're the smartest person in the room and that's just poor leadership.
Reagan was at his ranch in California when he made his famous gaffe while kidding around before a taping of the Saturday address - “We begin bombing in five minutes” - but afterward at Camp David, a giant electronic ON AIR/OFF AIR panel was added to prevent future accidents.
Well... that's funny!
Humility:
As a leadership challenge, Camp David is significant. Think about it. The crew that’s picked, the senior petty officers and officers, are top candidates throughout the Navy and Marine Corps. Everyone who works for you is like a gold-medal athlete, and now they’re all on your team - and that’s wonderful.
On the summit between Israel and the PLO brokered by President Clinton, Clinton was to leave in the middle to attend the G8 in Japan, and the author, waiting five hours for a Clinton’s departure from the Camp (the Commanders attended every arrival and departure), got an apology from an unlikely source, Chelsea, who said “I’m so sorry, Commander, my father’s running late.” To which he replied (he said “amused”), “No problem,” because he knew the tensions, if not the details of the negotiations underway:
For me, watching Clinton roll up his sleeves and work the personalities was a striking example of leadership. I was more than willing to wait for that!
And not just Clinton...
My leadership takeaway from watching President Bush engage Prime Minister Blair and Prime Minister Koizumi was quite simple: build relationships before you need them.
Intuitive, but sometimes I need to see things like that written so that I can consciously recall it from my mental toolbox.
The Camp afforded the necessary escape from the “jail” (Truman called it that) of the White House, and Giorgione recounted the good times the different First families had on holidays and breaks, some more than the others )Reagan set a record 186 visits that will likely not be broken), some quite a bit less (not covered in the book, the most recent former president only visited the camp 15 times). Giorgione has a chapter - “The Lonely Sentry” - on the loneliness of the job ... of the presidency, and the Camp Commander.
I suspect that most commanding officers, executives who have led their organizations, and anyone who has been responsible for a mission and people have had times of loneliness. The reality of “It’s lonely at the top” hits you, and it’s not a bad thing, although there’s a temptation to fall into dark, introspective periods of self-doubt, self-criticism, and self-evaluation - and these can consume your psyche. I tried to resist these and focus on what I could do to make things better the next day or week. But I couldn’t resist reflecting on the loneliness that our primary guest, the president, experienced as a constant of his job.
Truman may have felt jailed in the White House, but he was also one of only two who didn’t take to Camp David.
Giorgione noted another CO’s leadership “challenges”, or “opportunities”, immediately following the events of September 11, 2001, when Vice President Cheney was flown to Camp David (now known, but not at the time, to be his secure location)... CO O’Connor was confused that he was to put Cheney in “Aspen”, the president’s Camp residence, and was told that the president said to put him there. When the Bushes arrived four days later, Bush “barked, ‘Who’s been sleeping in my bed?’”. It turned out that Cheney’s people misled the CO. After that
… whenever he [O'Connor] heard the words, “The president said,” he double- and triple-checked. I [Giorgione] learned the same lesson with both presidents I served. Sometimes people around the president - I call them the handlers - have their own agenda.
I learned that same lesson long ago, experiencing other people’s agendas. Sometimes simple but still problematic, they required me to, as Giorgione writes, “learn to ignore, work around, or filter some of the things they instructed me to do.” I also adopted the verify approach... as long as the upper leadership was accessible (some aren’t/weren’t) I’d confirm so-and-so said, to the usual surprise of the persons telling me such.
“At Camp David, the profound and the mundane occur on a daily basis. Every single thing that happens has tremendous significance. […] Assigned to Camp David, we all [the crew] find it’s nothing like anything we’ve experienced in our military careers.” I added a phrase to my “toolbox” some 14 years ago: “It’s never boring.” Meaning, sometimes, that mundane to us may be the most important thing to someone else.
Giorgione says of the end of his two year tour
Leaving is like closing a book in the middle of the story. Since our terms don’t coincide with the presidents’, we don’t get the clean break that administrations experience. We’re left to look on from the outside to see how “our” presidents are doing - and when we’re lucky, we get to see them again.
He and his wife were fortunate to meet the Bushes twice again and the second time, in 2005, he said he was “struck by how the presidency had aged him since our time at Camp David - before 9/11...” And CDR Bob Reuning, four COs later, was there for Bush 43’s final Camp stay. After one last “challenging bike ride” (for which Bush was famous, and always outdid everyone else), Bob cleaned off the mud, changed into his dress uniform and at the final walk to Marine One, Bush “gave Reuning a big bear hug and said, ‘You’re a good man, Bob.’”
Giorgione lists all of the Camp David Commanders at the end of his book and I knew three of them, one who I worked with directly for a couple of years. (It was Bob Reuning... Pretty cool.) Oh yeah, “Camp David” is named after Ike’s grandson, but it’s real name is Naval Support Facility Thurmont.
Jumping off point for me:
I need to find Inside Marine One: Four U.S. Presidents, One Proud Marine, and the World’s Most Amazing Helicopter by Ray L’Heureux
And two notes for the publisher:
1) Personal, but I say it when I see it; I despise post notes that are not cited in the text, rather at the end of the book with a page number and sentence fragment. I do reread books I like but I do not like to reread to see where notes reference. It is a simple... simple... and small, overlookable_if_you_don’t_like_them, effort to superscript a small font numeral to indicate that something is sourced. But that’s a personal peeve and I’m not changing the world with my rant
2) And something more important that I’d not seen before because I haven’t read a large print book so had no idea: those after notes are rendered even more totally useless because they reference the “normal” print hardcover pages! Come on, publisher!
September 6, 2023
Inside Camp David was a very good book. Upon seeing this book on gr. I decided to give it a try and I was very impressed with the amount of information and detail that they provided. Every page was devoted to the process involved in making sure the president and family members are very taken care of and how each family member is loved by the staff members.
June 4, 2024
Opening up this book, I expected to find a portrait of dry history, only to discover that Giorgione had written a much more emotional and moving portrait of the highest American experience, that of a truly authentic retreat that feels both familiar and impossible to understand. By the end, as the former CO of Camp David wrote about his departure from the job in 2001, I could feel myself slightly choked up, for Giorgione of course, yes, for the work of civil servants and past presidents, yes, but especially in the modern era of 2024, as it feels we all may be near the end of this complicated experiment with democracy, where otherwise apolitical and peaceful matters have become anything but. Who knows what lies in store for Camp David--let alone the country--in the months and years ahead. But I have to confess one sticking point that annoyed me, and it might just be a matter of our author's blind spot. Franklin Roosevelt may have established Camp David as a hideaway in Maryland, and he may have enjoyed a bit of solace in Hyde Park, but Giorgione completely glossed over the fact that FDR died in Georgia, at his Little White House near Warm Springs, where the hurting but courageous president often found the water most refreshing to his feeble body, and thus most rewarding as an escape from Washington and the war effort. Having been there myself, within arm's reach of the chair where Roosevelt died, failure to mention this location at the outset, particularly while listing Roosevelt's destinations of mental and physical escape, felt like a big enough of vacancy to drop this title from five to four stars, even as I acknowledge that the rest of Inside Camp David was as solid as it was touching.
October 17, 2018
Unfortunately this book bored me, although perhaps it somewhat delivered on the title. It was a bit of a look into the compound.
The numerous accounts of the day-to-day operations of the Camp were too mundane to pique my interest. And those that included a human interest angle regarding one of the presidents or members of his family also did not intrigue me. For the most part it seems the staff (military) of Camp David would certainly get to know the First Families well, and vice versa. What I drew from this book was one and another became members of a mutual admiration society.
The book was also filled with tales of visits by foreign leaders, and the particular issues that did arise. Maybe I know a little more now about how some diplomatic efforts are conducted outside of the White House, but I don't find this terribly important to know. What I did find interesting were some of the accounts of the sitting President receiving news of a significant event; e.g. when President Bush was notified of the Challenger explosion. It only so happens that's where he was. I would have found his response interesting no matter where he'd been.
I was also interested to learn of the genesis of the Camp; i.e. how it came to be, and later how building upgrades were accomplished. I have wondered that from time to time. As a Maryland resident, as I read I was also becoming curious of a nearby "Cozy Restaurant" that was mentioned repeatedly and thought it might be fun to visit someday. It wasn't until nearly the end of the book I learned it closed in 2014. Drats.
Not my cup of tea. Might be yours.
The numerous accounts of the day-to-day operations of the Camp were too mundane to pique my interest. And those that included a human interest angle regarding one of the presidents or members of his family also did not intrigue me. For the most part it seems the staff (military) of Camp David would certainly get to know the First Families well, and vice versa. What I drew from this book was one and another became members of a mutual admiration society.
The book was also filled with tales of visits by foreign leaders, and the particular issues that did arise. Maybe I know a little more now about how some diplomatic efforts are conducted outside of the White House, but I don't find this terribly important to know. What I did find interesting were some of the accounts of the sitting President receiving news of a significant event; e.g. when President Bush was notified of the Challenger explosion. It only so happens that's where he was. I would have found his response interesting no matter where he'd been.
I was also interested to learn of the genesis of the Camp; i.e. how it came to be, and later how building upgrades were accomplished. I have wondered that from time to time. As a Maryland resident, as I read I was also becoming curious of a nearby "Cozy Restaurant" that was mentioned repeatedly and thought it might be fun to visit someday. It wasn't until nearly the end of the book I learned it closed in 2014. Drats.
Not my cup of tea. Might be yours.
January 1, 2018
This book offers a rare and private peek inside Camp David, the Presidential Retreat by Michael Giorgione, USN (retired) who served as the commanding officer of Camp David (200 sailors and marines) from June 1999 to August 2001. Sure, we have all read about Camp in the newspapers or heard on the news that the President has gone to Camp David--often to meet with world leaders out of the public eye. This book allows us to go inside the gates--past the checkpoints.. We get to roam the grounds, learn about the history, see how each President has left his mark on this magical place. Thank you, Michael Giorgione. What an excellent read.
March 22, 2019
I'm surprised so many people give this book five stars here and on Amazon. Yes there are some interesting insights about Camp David, some tidbits about the presidents who rested there and details of the camp's construction and facilities. But all this information could be digested into a lengthy magazine article without omitting any crucial details. Much of the book reads like the "Life in the United States" vignettes from Reader's Digest. Interesting but without depth. A few times of crises at the camp parallel our last 75-years of history. Light reading.
January 23, 2023
Two stars might be a little tough but three stars = "I liked it" is too generous. The insights into Camp David, the personal lives of the presidents, their families, pets and friends and friends were interesting as well as some of the historical events that happened at Camp David including President Franklin Roosevelt having begun it. My problem with the book was that it seemed to go on and on without really adding much to the original examples of whatever the topic he was on. It could have been half the length; frankly, I got bored in spite of their being very interesting elements.
February 3, 2018
It's about what you'd expect. Very flowery, very flattering of all the Presidents, very hokey, but a decent, light read. It's a good introductory overview of Camp David, with descriptions of the actual site, the nearby town, the chapel and the various ways the Presidents have used it (Bush II gets the most attention, because he used it the most while the author was CO). The writing is fine, nothing spectacular though.
June 9, 2018
An interesting history about Camp David, told from the points of view of the camp (this IS a military installation) CO's from over the years.
This book is written by the man who was Camp Commander from June 1999 to August 2001, so he really does have the inside scoop!
This book is written by the man who was Camp Commander from June 1999 to August 2001, so he really does have the inside scoop!
August 25, 2024
Oh what a fun read!
A series of insightful anecdotes of Presidential retreat that spans across decades and presidential offices - from FDR to Barack Obama.
The writer writes the book to share with the readers “the central character of the Presidency and of America that emerges at Camp David.”
A series of insightful anecdotes of Presidential retreat that spans across decades and presidential offices - from FDR to Barack Obama.
The writer writes the book to share with the readers “the central character of the Presidency and of America that emerges at Camp David.”
May 12, 2018
It was a complete surprise to me when I learned I have crossed paths with someone in this book. I’ll never be able to go so this book is the closest I’ll get.
February 10, 2021
Wow. What a great insider view of Camp David.
September 2, 2021
So interesting and an interesting behind the scenes look at a place most of us know very little about.
October 26, 2017
I really loved this book, for many reasons: the history; the voyeurism; the author's extraordinary ability to write about some of the world's most high-profile political figures without giving an inkling as to his own political leanings (astounding!); and more. Rear Admiral Giorgione takes his readers into a world that few get to experience, and a physical space that makes me crazy with envy.
Lots of surprises here (there's a gift shop at Camp David?), and I learned quite a bit. Giorgione did the impossible - he was actually able to humanize certain figures and, as an affectionate observer, helps his reader to get just a tiny idea of the magnitude of being the POTUS, and all the stress that involves. I was brought to tears several times, especially when Giorgione wrote about those moments in which the presidents themselves were humbled by the weight of their office.
Giorgione was told not to let his hat size change over the course of his time at Camp David, and it seems apparent that it didn't. He obviously remembers his command there fondly, and was not jaded by the experience. Giorgione still recognizes what a privilege it was to serve in this special place, and have the opportunity to give his wife and children these extraordinary memories, as well.
Full disclosure -- I have lived much of my life in the shadows of the Catoctin Mountains, and intimately know the town of Thurmont, the Cozy, etc., so my enthusiasm for the topic may be more than that of the average reader. I removed one star with this in mind, as well as for Giorgione's writing -- while the stories were fascinating and the prose was very easy to read, the text was somewhat scattered, and there was a bit of redundancy. And, of course, there are so many stories that didn't make the cut -- Inside Camp David just whet my appetite and made me want more.
Lots of surprises here (there's a gift shop at Camp David?), and I learned quite a bit. Giorgione did the impossible - he was actually able to humanize certain figures and, as an affectionate observer, helps his reader to get just a tiny idea of the magnitude of being the POTUS, and all the stress that involves. I was brought to tears several times, especially when Giorgione wrote about those moments in which the presidents themselves were humbled by the weight of their office.
Giorgione was told not to let his hat size change over the course of his time at Camp David, and it seems apparent that it didn't. He obviously remembers his command there fondly, and was not jaded by the experience. Giorgione still recognizes what a privilege it was to serve in this special place, and have the opportunity to give his wife and children these extraordinary memories, as well.
Full disclosure -- I have lived much of my life in the shadows of the Catoctin Mountains, and intimately know the town of Thurmont, the Cozy, etc., so my enthusiasm for the topic may be more than that of the average reader. I removed one star with this in mind, as well as for Giorgione's writing -- while the stories were fascinating and the prose was very easy to read, the text was somewhat scattered, and there was a bit of redundancy. And, of course, there are so many stories that didn't make the cut -- Inside Camp David just whet my appetite and made me want more.
March 13, 2021
A really interesting read, especially on the heels of The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House. This book, written by a former CO of Camp David, collected the stories of his predecessors and their experiences with the First Families at Camp David. It also includes some fun history of the Camp itself from its origins as "Shangri-La" when the Presidential Yacht wasn't safe for Roosevelt during WWII to its role in diplomacy with Camp David Accords as well as Soviet visits. Although many presidents had their own vacation getaways, Camp David at a 30m flight/3 hour drive was closer than Hawaii, Texas, California and even Maine. This book also showed the relationships that these COs built with "their" Presidents even though their terms were two year military appointments vs. the civilians long terms at the White House. Chelsea Clinton gave a CO's daughters a stuffed animal at the end of a visit, and the Bushes invited a CO Family to the White House to say goodbye when their planned Camp visit before the CO's departure was cancelled. No scandals, just a fun behind the scenes read.
March 26, 2023
2023 bk 104. Well written, well researched, and well read. I've read other books about Camp David's history - but this one is heads and tails above those other history titles. The title seems to be a promise, it is cut and dried truth. Giorgione is able to provide an inside look at the workings of Camp David, never violating security, but always giving us his personal perspective as one of the many Camp Commanders. His was an exalted position and one with the incredible burden of providing a place to relax while not relaxing standards, security, or a keen watchfulness. I particularly enjoyed the stories of how the chapel came to be built, how the Commander's children across the years are affected by and affect the mood of the camp, and the care shown for the military stationed at Camp David. A beautifully written book as clear of politics as is possible to be in the retreat for the President of the United States.
December 17, 2024
It is an interesting look at an American institution that mostly is out of the light, referenced in passing in news articles. Former CO Michael Giorgione makes a compelling case for it's importance in giving the breathing room a President needs to make the decisions of the office. Alongside this is a neat little history of the camp building, grounds, and historic events (foreign dignitary meetings, cabinet meetings, etc.) that encompass it and the nearby town. These are all wrapped in cute and amusing vignets from the various camp commanders over the years about the staff, families (both of the staff and the First Family), and Presidents who have occupied it.
The writing is fairly good, breezy and easy to get through, and the pictures at the end were very interesting. I think my only issue really is that, despite being a rather short work, it still feels like it's stretching it's material. This was probably more of a subject for a long form article that a legacy magazine outlet runs during a slow period in their year with glossy photo's rather than a full book. It's fluffy and without grit really, not surprising or unwelcomed but makes it difficult to be truly engaging throughout.
The writing is fairly good, breezy and easy to get through, and the pictures at the end were very interesting. I think my only issue really is that, despite being a rather short work, it still feels like it's stretching it's material. This was probably more of a subject for a long form article that a legacy magazine outlet runs during a slow period in their year with glossy photo's rather than a full book. It's fluffy and without grit really, not surprising or unwelcomed but makes it difficult to be truly engaging throughout.
January 8, 2018
Not knowing much about Camp David, this book was a real eye-opener for me. Giorgione talks about the history of the place as well as the role the presidential retreat has played for each administration. Giorgione was in charge of the facility during part of the Clinton and George W. Bush years but he supplements his first-hand knowledge of the place with memories gleaned from other people who ran Camp David during the the Obama, George H.W. Bush, Reagan, Ford, Nixon, Kennedy, Eisenhower and FDR. In addition to being a place for the President "to get away from it all" Camp David has also served as a place for bringing key leaders together to discuss their differences. It includes photos.
Received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.
Received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.
March 15, 2021
I have driven past Camp David (or at the least, the general vicinity of Camp David) all my life. I have eaten at The Cozy restaurant several times. Finally, all that neck craning and wondering was rewarded by this extraordinarily candid account of the activities and environment behind the trees in rural Frederick County, MD. A very satisfying peek behind the curtain from the perspective of many former commanding officers, especially the author, Rear Admiral Michael Giorgione, CEC, USN (Ret.) who lived and served at Camp David with his young family during the administrations of Presidents Clinton and Bush (43). It is gratifying to hear from those who proudly serve in roles that support the President/administration but remain party-blind; they serve the office, not the office-holder.
March 9, 2025
A very good book. The author gives a personal (he was CO at Camp David) and historical record of the history of Camp David. Camp David has been the retreat for every president from FDR to date (since the book came out in 2017, it goes through Obama). The personal stories of the crew that has served at Camp David is very enlightening. It's a behind the scenes look at the goings-on at Camp David and how each president was able to unwind a bit from the daily rigors of Washington DC. The author details the behind the scenes of meetings held there with foreign dignitaries such as Begin/Sadat for the Camp David Accords brokered by President Carter. The author shows how the presidents and their families were able to relax and unwind while at there.
December 29, 2017
I would have enjoyed this portrait of Camp David by one of its former commanding officers much more if it hadn’t been quite so sycophantic. Respect for the President is one thing, fawning admiration quite another and it got on my nerves. However, that quibble apart, the book achieves admirably what it sets out to do – gives an insider’s view of the Presidential retreat and of the Presidents who have stayed there. What seems clear is that it is indeed a valuable retreat for each incumbent, and each President leaves his mark on it. It’s an eminently readable, gossipy (although always reverential) account of life in this iconic residence and a fascinating behind the scenes exploration.
July 2, 2018
What an excellent book! I have always been fascinated by Camp David, but never knew much about it. I knew about where it is located. Now I realize how many times I have driven by it. This is a well-written account of the Navy Officers who have served as Camp Commanders and the Presidents they served from the establishment of Camp David to present day. The author writes about the families, the prominent events, the daily routine of running this base, the actual facility, etc. it is not political nor partisan. Thanks to my husband for finding it and recommending it to me. I am happy to pass along that recommendation.
March 18, 2022
Camp David is often in the news so it is interesting to learn what goes on behind the scenes. The author did a great job of relating his own experiences of his life there, as well as incorporating the experiences of those who came before & after him.
Catoctin Mountain Park was a favorite hiking area for my late husband & me. For that reason we felt a connection to Camp David & the town of Thurmont, which we passed thru many times on travels to & from the South. I enjoyed the references to the Cozy Restaurant where we enjoyed many delicious meals over the years + the Cozy Inn where I once hosted a get together of friends from all over the country.
Catoctin Mountain Park was a favorite hiking area for my late husband & me. For that reason we felt a connection to Camp David & the town of Thurmont, which we passed thru many times on travels to & from the South. I enjoyed the references to the Cozy Restaurant where we enjoyed many delicious meals over the years + the Cozy Inn where I once hosted a get together of friends from all over the country.
October 9, 2017
This was a good read. I've always been fascinated by the private lives of presidents and their families. I know the Bush's loved Camp David and I was glad to read about their stays. It seems the Trump administration has been in the news for using it for a diplomatic meeting place. It was fascinating to learn how the property is protected and maintained and how it has been upgraded and changed over the years. It seems authentic and well written by military personnel that have been stationed there over the years. I'd definitely recommend this title to non-fiction readers.
February 23, 2018
Fascinating glimpse into the rarefied air at Camp David. Actually, a very down-to-earth view of what it's like to live and work at Camp David and also hosting the most important people in the world. It really makes the presidential escape come to life. Anecdotes about the different presidential experiences are heartwarming and create a very humanistic portrayal of them. To response to one reviewer, yes, there is some fawning which I could have done without, but overall it was a fun view and a enjoyable light read.
April 2, 2018
Interesting peek into the world of our Presidents when they're not under constant scrutiny.
Views taken from this:
Both Bush families appreciated the folks who worked there - and were constant in the shown gratitude.
Presidents enjoy the same "banal" recreation that us common folks do - bowling, movies, fishing, horseshoes...
Very important meetings took place at this retreat.
Being the President brings its own unique type of loneliness - no matter how many people surround them.
Most presidents worshiped on Sundays.
Fun read.
Views taken from this:
Both Bush families appreciated the folks who worked there - and were constant in the shown gratitude.
Presidents enjoy the same "banal" recreation that us common folks do - bowling, movies, fishing, horseshoes...
Very important meetings took place at this retreat.
Being the President brings its own unique type of loneliness - no matter how many people surround them.
Most presidents worshiped on Sundays.
Fun read.
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