CHUCK SPY BANNER 2024 1.jpg

Conversations with Craig Fuller: Ambassador and Author Frank Lavin

https://youtu.be/PzLQ8cuRmg8″/]
My friend and former White House colleague Ambassador Frank Lavin has a book coming out in March about his experience in the White House and Administration of President Ronald Reagan.  It’s told in unique way through the author’s own first hand experiences as a member of the White House staff, the Commerce Department and then later as the U.S. Ambassador to Singapore.  He also sought out groups of former colleagues who shared with him their stories and recollections.
We enjoyed a conversation recently about the book and his approach to sharing insights about the Reagan presidency and some of the lessons he took from his time in government.
Those interested can purchase the book on Amazon here.
Here is a short description of Inside the Reagan White House: A Front-Row Seat to Presidential Leadership with Lessons for Today
What makes a good White House memoir? The right mix of personal stories, insight on the president, discussion of policy and historical events, and crazy, colorful anecdotes that capture the reader’s attention.

Inside the Reagan White House has all this—plus a vivid take on the Reagan assassination attempt, , Gorbachev and the Reykjavik summit, Ollie North and the Contras, , the 1988 Bush-Dukakis contest—and other critical moments of that era.

Original insight on Ronald Reagan, as well as discussions of cabinet members and others, are interspersed with personal anecdotes, off-hand comments, and unique family details that historians and general readers will love.

On the colorful side, the action moves from movie stars to Soviet spies to (literal) knife fights, neo-Nazis, plain old Nazis, intimate affairs, fights on planes, and con men chased by INTERPOL.

And at the heart of the story are the thousands of dedicated, patriotic Americans who helped Ronald Reagan as he worked to push back against the Soviet Union, promote democracy, improve trade, lower taxes, and reduce the size and scope of government.
Craig Fuller served four years in the White House as assistant to President Reagan for Cabinet Affairs, followed by four years as chief of staff to Vice President George H.W. Bush. Having been engaged in five presidential campaigns and running public affairs firms and associations in Washington, D.C., he now resides on the Eastern Shore and publishes DECADE SEVEN on Substack.
AI Disclosure: The Spy and its writers may use artificial intelligence tools to support accuracy and clarity in our reporting.

Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article

We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to the Spy
Receive daily intelligence reports right to your inbox

  • SRM 5241 Primary Care Ad 300x500 1.jpg
  • 0 1.jpg
  • 24 MCM 003 Spy Ad 05 03 2024 1.png
  • 24 MCM 003 Spy Ad 05 03 2024 2.png
  • 24 MCM 003 Spy Ad 05 03 2024 3.png
  • 24 MCM 003 Spy Ad 05 03 2024 4.png
  • 24 MCM 003 Spy Ad 05 03 2024 5.png
Ches College Aug 2022.jpg
BOHL June 2023 rev 1.jpg
unnamed.gif
Centreville Main St 300x500 copy.jpg
Compass 4 1 180x300 2.jpg
YMCA Membership CENTREVILLE copy.jpg
Bay Woods March 2024 rule copy.jpg
Centreville Farmers Market promo copy.jpg
CBEC format 3 engage copy 1 180x300 1.jpg
unnamed 1.jpg
Chesapeake Forum Spy ad 5 14 26
WAD Spy 2026
Avalon May 2023 copy.jpg
Richard Graves 3 copy.jpg
CCHS resize copy.jpg
Qlarant Spy ad 8 13 2025.jpg
Adkins PFS Spy Ad 2026.jpg
GunstonGolfTourn 300x500 1 180x300 1.jpg
MSO March 2026.png
Camp26 300x500
Waterfowl Dec 2025 copy.jpg
  • Chesapeake Forum Spy ad 5 14 26
  • Waterfowl Dec 2025 copy.jpg
  • Qlarant Spy ad 8 13 2025.jpg
  • Richard Graves 3 copy.jpg
  • Bay Woods March 2024 rule copy.jpg
  • CCHS resize copy.jpg
  • Centreville Farmers Market promo copy.jpg
  • Ches College Aug 2022.jpg
  • unnamed 1.jpg
  • GunstonGolfTourn 300x500 1 180x300 1.jpg
  • Centreville Main St 300x500 copy.jpg
  • Adkins PFS Spy Ad 2026.jpg
  • Compass 4 1 180x300 2.jpg
  • unnamed.gif
  • Avalon May 2023 copy.jpg
  • BOHL June 2023 rev 1.jpg
  • Camp26 300x500
  • WAD Spy 2026
  • YMCA Membership CENTREVILLE copy.jpg
  • CBEC format 3 engage copy 1 180x300 1.jpg
  • MSO March 2026.png
  • Ches College Aug 2022.jpg
  • Richard Graves 3 copy.jpg
  • Bay Woods March 2024 rule copy.jpg
  • unnamed 1.jpg
  • Compass 4 1 180x300 2.jpg
  • unnamed.gif
  • CBEC format 3 engage copy 1 180x300 1.jpg
  • Adkins PFS Spy Ad 2026.jpg
  • CCHS resize copy.jpg
  • YMCA Membership CENTREVILLE copy.jpg
  • GunstonGolfTourn 300x500 1 180x300 1.jpg
  • Camp26 300x500
  • BOHL June 2023 rev 1.jpg
  • Qlarant Spy ad 8 13 2025.jpg
  • WAD Spy 2026
  • Avalon May 2023 copy.jpg
  • Waterfowl Dec 2025 copy.jpg
  • Centreville Farmers Market promo copy.jpg
  • Centreville Main St 300x500 copy.jpg