Ron Kessler wasoutstanding as the speaker at the annual meeting awards lunch of DRI, the world's largest association of defense attorneys. His talk was honest, sincere, and timely. His stories, ranging from LBJ's interesting interactions with his staff and the press to President Obama's kind treatment of his Secret Service agents, captivated the audience. I cannot thank him enough for his wisdom andunique stories.
—Joseph M. Hanna, chair, The Voice of the Defense Bar annual meeting
Ron Kessler's speech to the International Network of Boutique Law Firms was riveting, insightful, and trenchant.The speech was a tour de force of why the service has failed in its core mission to protect the president. Ron's predictions and revelations over the years, including a brilliant Washington Postop-ed in 2012 detailing the precise flaws in the service's management, have been prescient. His speech showed why he is the pre-eminent commentator on all things Secret Service, FBI, and U.S. law enforcement.
The INBLF and its hundreds of lawyers from all over the world were treated to a legitimate insider's view of a public policy issue of grave importance to America. The raucous applause at the conclusion of his speech was a fitting tribute and finale.
—Joseph E. diGenova, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and host, International Network of Boutique Law Firms
Ronald Kessler spoke to an enthusiastic crowd at the Woman’s National Democratic Club in Washington, DC. Club members and their guests were astonished at Mr. Kessler’s startling stories about the Secret Service and the presidents it served, from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and how he was able to penetrate the wall of secrecy that surrounds that elite corps of agents. A lively question and answer session followed Mr. Kessler’s remarks.
—Virginia Lawton, National & Legislative Affairs Program Committee, Woman’s National Democratic Club, Washington
Ronald Kessler is one of our most interesting speakers. We always draw a large crowd when he is scheduled to appear. His books give us a true window into our most important security agencies. The audience wants to know if they are doing their job and what they are NOT doing right! The question and answer period always follows Mr. Kessler’s talk, and there are many. I have heard only praise from the audience whenever he appears. Let’s put it this way: He makes me look good. I look forward to having him again.
—Ronnie Perl, chair, book events, Women’s National Republican Club, New York
Author/journalist Ronald Kessler has served as an original voice exploring and popularizing the often complex, misunderstood world of U.S. intelligence agencies and the brave or misjudged souls who work in those trenches. In that role, he fairly parses some of the big rumors, suspicions, political folderol, and spin to arrive at the plausible kernels of truth. Most of these explorations—which comprise his many articles and New York Times best-selling books—are entwined with national security issues and serve to educate the public. And that public loves his work for its readability and authenticity.
With his Detective Columbo-style delivery, he presents the choicest nuggets thatend with revelations thought impossible but undeniably true. And that clever delivery has the room going from noisy, to just a hum, and then hushed to the very end, to not miss a single word of this influential, meticulous researcher/writer/public speaker.
—Elizabeth Bancroft, executive director, Association of Former Intelligence Officers
Ronald Kessler’s fascinating revelations about celebrities and politicians in The Secrets of the FBI kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Mr. Kessler led them into the inner workings of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with captivating and eye-opening tales of government missions gone right and wrong. The audience gave him rave reviews, and no doubt they look forward to his next intriguing installment.
—Lynn C. Gittleson, Book Festival director, Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
The Palm Beach Round Table held a sold-out luncheon at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida with guest speaker Ronald Kessler. Everyone was impressed that the author spoke from memory, without notes. The fact that Mr. Kessler loves to uncover secrets was expressed in the stories he shared from his books. Mr. Kessler’s insight into complex subjects was most enlightening to the audience. The Palm Beach Round Table was honored to have Ronald Kessler as one of its most outstanding speakers.
—Hermé de Wyman Miro, chairman of the board, Palm Beach Round Table
I simply cannot thank you enough for serving as our guest speaker at the Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Annual Law Day Luncheon. As I am sure you could tell from the questions that were asked by your audience, the speech you gave was more than well received by the attorneys, judges, and law enforcement officers present at the luncheon. I spoke to several board officers and members of the bar following the luncheon, and all found your speech to be informative, interesting, and very entertaining.
—Chris Kavouklis, program chairman, Hillsborough County Bar Association, Tampa
Ronald Kessler has spoken three times at The Washington Club in the past five years and will be speaking again next month. He is an excellent speaker. Ronald Kessler is informative and well-versed on all the subjects about which he speaks. Members and guests thoroughly enjoy his talks and look forward to his returning as a guest speaker.
—Lee Elliott, program chair, The Washington Club, Washington
I have had author Ron Kessler address the Buffalo Club, the Hope for Tomorrow Foundation, and the Amherst Republican Committee. Ron Kessler is bright, well researched, and ethical. He has no hidden agendas and tells it like it is. Ron Kessler is in the top one percent of journalists, as he does the right thing and is not scared to ruffle feathers. Ron will leave his mark on history as one of our most profound writers in America.
—Brian D. Rusk, radio talk show host, WWKB AM 1520, Buffalo
All officers and several members of the Suncoast Chapter of the Society of Former FBI Agents informed me that they thoroughly enjoyed Ronald Kessler's exciting, insightful, and motivating presentation at a chapter luncheon. One never knows what is coming next from Ron Kessler, given his uncanny ability to develop sources in even the most closed institutions of government, and equally important, given his persistence and tenacity.
—Lane Bonner, former chief, FBI Press Office
