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    Unavailable
    The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency
    Unavailable
    The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency
    Unavailable
    The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency
    Audiobook12 hours

    The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency

    Written by Chris Whipple

    Narrated by Mark Bramhall

    4.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    The first in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the White House Chiefs of Staff, whose actions-and inactions-have defined the course of our country

    What do Dick Cheney and Rahm Emanuel have in common? Aside from polarizing personalities, both served as chief of staff to the president of the United States-as did Donald Rumsfeld, Leon Panetta, and a relative handful of others. The chiefs of staff, often referred to as "the gatekeepers," wield tremendous power in Washington and beyond; they decide who is allowed to see the president, negotiate with Congress to push POTUS's agenda, and-most crucially-enjoy unparalleled access to the leader of the free world. Each chief can make or break an administration, and each president reveals himself by the chief he picks. 

    Through extensive, intimate interviews with all seventeen living chiefs and two former presidents, award-winning journalist and producer Chris Whipple pulls back the curtain on this unique fraternity. In doing so, he revises our understanding of presidential history, showing us how James Baker's expert managing of the White House, the press, and Capitol Hill paved the way for the Reagan Revolution-and, conversely, how Watergate, the Iraq War, and even the bungled Obamacare rollout might have been prevented by a more effective chief. 

    Filled with shrewd analysis and never-before-reported details, The Gatekeepers offers an essential portrait of the toughest job in Washington.


    From the Hardcover edition.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateApr 4, 2017
    ISBN9781524722951
    Unavailable
    The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency
    Author

    Chris Whipple

    Chris Whipple is an author, political analyst, and Emmy Award–winning documentary filmmaker. He is a frequent guest on MSNBC, CNN, and NPR, and has contributed essays to The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Vanity Fair. His first book, The Gatekeepers, an analysis of the position of White House Chief of Staff, was a New York Times bestseller. His follow-up, The Spymasters, was based on interviews with nearly every living CIA Director and was critically acclaimed. Whipple lives in New York City with his wife Cary. 

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    Reviews for The Gatekeepers

    4.5/5

    15 ratings3 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Fantastic book, especially with all that is happening in the White House today.
    • 5/5
      A very good "listen" and very informative of a position that many of us know little about. As one who didn't vote for President Trump but shares the idea that "the swamp must be emptied" I feel one can see the results of having a weak COS. If President Trump wants to revolutionize the government he should step back and make the traditional (and correct) choice of a strong COS.

      In regards to the book, while doing a very good job of not trying to color the book with his political beliefs, it is evident that the author is a Democrat (that is not meant as a smear just a point of fact) and treats Democratic administrations more kindly then Republican. At the same time it is evident that the author has an extremely high regard for James Baker III and believes him to be the most effective COS on record. Overall the book is very balanced and there are some interesting tidbits of internecine fighting. I will say I believe he was too easy on President Obama's last COS, Denis McDonough. The Affordable Care Act rollout is just briefly discussed and the judgment on Mr. McDonough is very muted compared to other mistakes by other COS. Overall it is a great read and one that would behoove our current administration to read and act on. It is very evident that Mr. Priebus very much lacks the power needed to run a solid White House. As one who was looking for an answer for what this President needed to be successful this book lays it out in stark terms. Until Mr. Trump stops being his own de-facto COS, it is evident from history he will be doomed to repeat the mistakes of Ford, Carter and Clinto. All who had weak, terrible or no COS.
    • 5/5
      This is one of the BEST political history books I've read this past year! As an added bonus, the voice actor is STELLAR. Several different voices/vocal impressions, but never does it sound awkward or jarring. So good that the performance adds to the (already compelling) material. I rarely choose audiobooks over the written word, I can't put this down!