"An impressive book of large importance that will be welcomed by historians and political scientists who recognize the great significance of the American presidency."—Richard S. Kirkendall, Scott and Dorothy Bullitt Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington
"A deftly written account of the rapid rise of a young St. Louis attorney from a temporary wartime appointment in Truman's White House to a position of wealth and power without exception in the nation's capital. . . . Superbly researched, objectively presented, Clark Clifford is an exciting account of an extraordinary life."—George M. Elsey, former aide to Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, president emeritus of the American Red Cross, and author of An Unplanned Life, Roosevelt and China, and The President and U.S. Aid to China, 1944
"For a long time we have needed a biography of Clark Clifford. . . . Acacia has filled that need with a book that is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the politics of foreign policy."—Lloyd C. Gardner, professor emeritus of history at Rutgers University and coeditor of Iraq and the Lessons of Vietnam: or, How Not to Learn from the Past
"Acacia offers us a valuable view of presidential politics, decisions, and policies through the eyes of their trusted counselor Clark Clifford. The chapters on Vietnam decision-making and the role of the Wise Men are especially illuminating, providing new documentation on Clifford's role in influencing Lyndon B. Johnson's turnaround on the war."—Larry Berman, professor of political science at UC Davis, author of No Peace, No Honor: Nixon, Kissinger, and Betrayal in Vietnam and Perfect Spy: The Incredible Double Life of Pham Xuan An
"Acacia has pried open the mind and motives of Washington's premier insider."—Warren F. Kimball, Robert Treat Emeritus Professor of History at Rutgers University, author of The Juggler: Franklin Roosevelt as Wartime Statesman, and editor of Churchill and Roosevelt: The Complete Correspondence
"This astute political biography concentrates on Washington infighting, position papers, memos, debates and quarrels on subjects ranging from trivial to world-shaking."—Publishers Weekly
"This astute political biography concentrates on Washington infighting, position papers, memos, debates and quarrels on subjects ranging from trivial to world-shaking. Clifford comes across as a clear-eyed political strategist with genuinely noble ideals, but who looked after his own interests, often claiming others' ideas as his own and 'parlay[ing] his government service into a lucrative private legal career.'"—Publisher's Weekly
"A biography of the Washington lawyer and power broker (1906-98) who was a top advisor to Presidents Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, and Carter."—Chronicle of Higher Education
"[Acacia asserts that Clifford] was the "prototype" for the influential lawyers and political aides now populating Washington."—U.S. News Weekly
"Acacia masterfully explores Clifford's ability to persuade the powerful. The descriptions of White House tussles between advisers competing for the president's ear...are riveting...Acacia's book shows just how much power advisers can wield."—Washington Post
"The book is balanced and well documented throughout. Most importantly, Acacia leaves no doubt as to why Clifford became such a key advisor to Democratic presidents for better than two generations."—Diplomacy & Statecraft
"John Acacia. . . produces a fascinating story of personality and power."—Historian
"History sometimes neglects those people behind the scenes, the figures who present the information to those who make the big decisions. . . . Acacia's biography is a testabment to that often-ignored place in history where chief advisors alter major events."—Register of the Kentucky Hisotrical Society
