Jean Becker and Tom Collamore

JEAN BECKER AND TOM COLLAMORE, FORMER STAFFERS TO PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH, DISCUSS THEIR NEW BOOK OF WILD, BEHIND-THE-SCENES STORIES AT GRAVES LIBRARY’S DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER EVENT JUNE 18 AT THE RIVER CLUB

Bringing together the most hilarious and harrowing stories behind presidential events over the past 60 years, former staffers to President George H.W. Bush—Jean Becker and Tom Collamore—will discuss their new book “Don’t Tell the President: The Best, Worst & Mostly Untold Stories from Presidential Advance” at 5 p.m. on June 18 at the Kennebunk River Club Casino.

Becker was President Bush’s chief of staff for nearly 25 years, the editor of “Pearls of Wisdom (with Barbara Bush)” and author of the New York Times bestseller “The Man I Knew: The Amazing Story of George H.W. Bush’s Post-Presidency.” Tom Collamore served in various senior roles throughout the 12 years of President Ronald Reagan and President Bush’s administration.

Hosted by the Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library in Kennebunkport, this event is part of the library’s Distinguished Speaker Series, annual fundraising events featuring nationally recognized authors and speakers. All proceeds from ticket sales and event sponsorships support the library’s essential programs and services. Purchase two tickets ($100 each) and receive a copy of "Don't Tell the President".

Behind the seemingly seamless campaign appearances and presidential affairs lie the meticulous work of event planners and advance teams—the little-known professionals who transform political logistics into carefully choreographed performances. From the Rose Garden to Air Force One, foreign trips to state dinners, co-authors Becker and Collamore detail the art of preparation that goes in these delicate, high-stress operations and reveal how they are often just one step away from disaster.

“This collection of memories and stories about the modern American presidency has everything,” says Robert Gates, former US. Secretary of Defense: “Never-before-told tales, near disasters, and last-minute saves, insider intrigue, dramatic events and humor.”

Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling author, concurs: “The stories are wild.” And nobody knows these stories better, and can share them with more insight, perspective and humor, than Jean Becker and Tom Collamore.

Tickets for this highly entertaining and informative River Club event are now on sale online at Eventbrite or in person at the library, 18 Maine Street, Kennebunkport. For more information call (207) 967-2778.

The Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, house in an historic 10th century building located near Kennebunkport’s famous Dock Square town center, is a full-service free library whose mission is “to enrich the lives of all we serve.” A nonprofit organization, Graves Library receives 60 percent of its operating budget from donations and other fundraising sources.

Thank you, Kennebunk Savings, Hurlbutt Designs, Maine & Vine, and Octopus Books.

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