Laurence Leamer
Biographer & Author
Laurence Leamer is the author of the forthcoming book, Madness Under the Royal Palms…
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Full Bio
Laurence Leamer is the author of the forthcoming book, Madness Under the Royal Palms: Love and Death in Palm Beach. The work of narrative nonfiction is the intimate story of the mega wealthy in America’s number one resort community. One of the major characters in the book, Fred Keller, has already been portrayed in an hour-long Dateline based on Leamer’s taped interviews.
The author’s previous twelve books include his trilogy on the Kennedy family, The Kennedy Women, The Kennedy Men, and Sons of Camelot. While there he worked in a factory in France and studied for a year at the Université de Besançon. After graduation he joined the Peace Corps where he was stationed in a mountainous region in Nepal two days from a road. He was a Ford Fellow in International Development at the University of Oregon and an International Fellow at Columbia University. He also was a Ford Research Fellow in Japan.
At the Columbia University School of Journalism, Leamer graduated second in his class and was named a Pulitzer International Fellow. Upon graduation Leamer became an associate editor at Newsweek. After leaving that position, he began writing magazine articles for many publications including Harper’s, The New York Times Magazine, New York, Playboy, and the Washingtonian. Leamer worked incognito in a West Virginia coal mine and covered the war in Bangladesh for Harper’s. That article won a citation from the Overseas Press Club for “Best Magazine Reporting.”
Learner’s second book, Playing for Keeps in Washington, was named a notable book of the year by the New York Times. Leamer moved to Peru where he lived two years writing a novel, Assignment, about the cocaine traffic. Back in the United States he wrote Ascent: The Spiritual and Physical Quest of Willi Unsoeld, a book purchased by Robert Redford for a movie. His book on the Reagans, Make-Believe: The Life of Nancy and Ronald Reagan, was his first major bestseller. His bestseller, King of the Night: The Life of Johnny Carson, is the definitive portrait of the star and has been reissued in paperback.
Leamer is well regarded as an expert on the Kennedys, the Reagans and American politics. This past year he has been interviewed for the NBC Nightly News, The New York Times, CNN, People, the New York Daily News, the Miami Herald, the Palm Beach Post, NPR, AP and other media. He has been a consultant MSNBC and appears often on television.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
An Evening with Laurence Leamer: Author of The Kennedy Men
Examining America’s Greatest Political Dynasty: The Kennedys
Leadership Lessons of the Kennedys
Videos
Laurence Leamer "The Price of Justice"
Laurence Leamer, "Mar-a-Lago"
Books
News
Testimonials
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