Longtime Boston Globe political reporter Glen Johnson is providing new insight into John Kerry's life as former secretary of state in his new book, "Window Seat on the World."
"My cell phone rang and this very familiar voice was on the other end," explained Johnson on Thursday.
The voice on the other end was U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, who was about to be confirmed as secretary of state. He wanted Johnson to join his team to travel the world as senior communications strategist. Johnson said yes, and after two weeks of background checks where even Johnson's neighbors were questioned about his past, he was off on a four-year adventure of a lifetime.
"That first trip was an 11-day trip that took us to our oldest ally, Great Britain," said Johnson.
There were 109 trips to 91 countries across all seven continents, including Antarctica, where Johnson described being "in a totally different world."
"It was as if you've been to the moon. You step off this plane, you're in all this heavy duty weather gear," said Johnson.
He described a trip to the Vatican where he actually found himself inside the pope's office.
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"The next thing you know it, we're walking into the pope's office. And I said, 'wow, this is something you only see on TV," said Johnson.
There were visits to dozens of iconic world landmarks, like 10 Downing Street and the Kremlin. And there was Kerry's most significant accomplishment: the Iran nuclear deal — an agreement among the world's top leaders.
Johnson said he has an opinion about President Donald Trump pulling the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal.
"I just wondered what the benefit was for our country. You know to tear up an agreement rather than to try and modify it," he said.
In all, Johnson said the four-year journey was exhausting, but exhilarating.
