Author Dan Coonan has crafted a masterwork of political observation, light satire and genuine exploration of the human condition in this thought-provoking read. His first-person narrative of the new president puts us right into his shoes throughout the novel, from the first settling-in at the White House right through to the tough challenges and difficult decisions he has to face later on in the novel’s winding plot. It’s a slow-burning read, and one which is intended for consideration and entertainment throughout, and the real charm is in the presentation of the personalities and ideas of presidents we know, and those we think we knew. Overall, this makes Presidential Spirits a fascinating read that will suit an audience who want to mull over the current world issues in a fun and entertaining, butalso highly poignant way.

                           READERS’ FAVORITE: 5 stars Author k.c. finn

Imagine Alice Though the Looking Glass meets The West Wing and you can guess where Dan Coonan is headed in his fanciful debut novel Presidential Spirits. Third party long shot Danny McFadden unexpectedly lands in the White House and before he can mutter “Now what?” he (armed with a magical coin) meanders through an off-limits door that leads upstairs to a secret saloon—a watering hole in which he finds all his presidential predecessors (from Washington to Obama) there, most awash in either booze of bluster or both. George W. Bush is among them, drinking water, but saddling others with nicknames. “Dubya” dubs McFadden “rook”—as in “rookie”—and so the fun begins. These spirited presidents treat McFadden to their favorite libations, glimpses of their various and sundry quirks, and here and there, some pearls of White House wisdom. It’s all great fun, with a garnish of real history (and wishful thinking) laced into the cocktail recipe.

Mark Will-Weber, best-selling
author of Mint Juleps with Teddy Roosevelt: The Complete History of Presidential Drinking

Part history lesson, part magical realism Dan Coonan’s debut novel Presidential Spirits is a pure delight. History buffs will revel in the well-researched, imagined conversations of all 45 POTUSes, that’s right: all 45, in one room. And it’s not just any room. This saloon stocked with any drink you want to order, located above the private quarters of the White House and accessible only to presidents - and a few colorful wait staff- through a secret portal. When newly-elected president Danny McFadden stumbles upon this gem, at first he thinks he’s gone mad. But before we know it, McFadden is making regular visits to the bar, seeking advice from the Founding Fathers, Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan on the most pressing issues of our time. Over mint juleps and Tennessee whiskey, we get to watch as Coonan deftly has his characters debate gun control, grapple with election interference, foreign policy and reexamine their own roles in slavery. No topic is off limits and Coonan does not shy away from jumping in with colorful dialogue and good old-fashioned camaraderie. Weaving in references to Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, Coonan’s knowledge of how the political system works – or doesn’t – leaves the reader with an entertaining and engaging scenario of the gridlock that has ensued in Washington D.C. As President McFadden tells his loyal followers: “We’re better than this.” Readers will ask, will the real Danny McFadden please stand up and run for president? We need more candidates like him.  

JULIE FINIGAN MORRIS
author of Exit Strategy