The American Presidency by Jack Rossiter

New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co, 1956. Later printing. From the library of film executive Jack Valenti with occasional highlighting and underlining of the text. With a bookplate affixed to the front pastedown reading: “From the library of The White House, Washington, A Gift to the Nation from The American Booksellers, 1957” indicating that this copy would have gone into the White House Library during the Eisenhower administration. About fine bright copy with a trace of offsetting to the front free endpaper in a lightly handled dust jacket with some small chips and tears. With a Certificate of Authenticity. Jack Valenti (1921-2007) is best known in his long-time role as President of the Motion Picture Association of America from 1966 to 2004. During his 38 year position in the MPAA, Valenti created the MPAA film rating system which is still used today. In 1963, Valenti was in the John F. Kennedy motorcade in Dallas, and he is seen in the famous photograph of Lyndon Johnson being sworn in as President on Air Force One. Valenti flew back to Washington with Johnson and literally lived in the White House for two months helping Johnson take the reins of the presidency. He was the first special assistant to President Johnson and served at Johnson’s direction as a liaison to the Republican Congressional leadership. Hollywood mogul and Democratic fundraiser Lew Wasserman pressured Lyndon Johnson to let Valenti leave in 1966 to run the MPAA. A striking and articulate man who easily made friends, Valenti became a figure of considerable influence in both Hollywood and Washington. Few people have known as many famous and powerful people as Valenti. (Inventory #: 22508E)