Roland Mesnier is a Frenchman who experienced the highest echelons of American power first-hand. Born into a working-class family in France, and one of nine children, Mesnier is a self-made man par excellence. He toiled his way up through the hierarchy of his field, working in the world's most prestigious hotels, such as the Savoy in London, the George V in Paris, The Princess in Bermuda, and the homestead in Virginia. As Executive Pastry Chef at the White House for a staggering twenty-five years, Mesnier served five United States Presidents - Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He is honorary President of the World Cup of Pastry and he published a collection of his recipes: Dessert University (Simon & Schusters, 2004). Christian mallard, a French journalist who is an expert on American politics, co-wrote this book with Roland Mesnier. He is Senior Foreign Analyst at France 3 television station as well as consultant for CNN, NBC, MSNBC, BBC, and BBC World.