“The White House is a dignified seat of government, but it is also bullpen, cockfight, and viper nest. During the Johnson and Nixon presidencies, these rivalries, encouraged by both chief executives, yielded policies contrary to presidential and national intention. Fight House at once illuminates these conflicts and reminds us of their absurd, and sometimes tragic, results. Fight House is a fast read, full of both gossip and deep insight.”
Description
"Fight House looks juicy as all hell" - National Review
“Troy seamlessly weaves West Wing gossip with significant moments in modern history.” - Jewish Insider
THE WHITE HOUSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHT HOUSE
President Trump’s White House is famously tumultuous.
But as presidential historian and former White House staffer Tevi Troy reminds us, bitter rivalries inside the White House are nothing new.
From the presidencies of Harry S. Truman, when the modern White House staff took shape, to Donald Trump, the White House has been filled with ambitious people playing for the highest stakes and bearing bitter grudges.
In Fight House, you’ll discover:
-The advisor to President Harry Truman that General George Marshall refused to acknowledge
-How the supposed “Camelot” Kennedy White House was rife with conflict
-How Dr. Henry Kissinger displaced other national security advisors to gain President Richard Nixon’s ear
-Why President Jimmy Carter’s personal pettiness and obsession with detail led to a dysfunctional White House—and played a role in his losing the 1980 election
-How the contrasting management styles of President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan led to some epic White House staff clashes
-Why the “No Drama Obama” White House was anything but no drama
Insightful, entertaining, and important, Tevi Troy’s Fight House will delight and instruct anyone interested in American politics and presidential history.
Reviews
“The White House is a dignified seat of government, but it is also bullpen, cockfight, and viper nest. During the Johnson and Nixon presidencies, these rivalries, encouraged by both chief executives, yielded policies contrary to presidential and national intention. Fight House at once illuminates these conflicts and reminds us of their absurd, and sometimes tragic, results. Fight House is a fast read, full of both gossip and deep insight.”
“Tevi Troy presents such a vivid and accurate portrait of the strife, sniping, backbiting, leaking, and intrigue in the Reagan White House that I found it perfectly excruciating to read. I mean that as a compliment. Deeply researched, briskly written, and full of judicious, useful lessons, Fight House is just a marvelous book.”
“Tevi Troy presents such a vivid and accurate portrait of the strife, sniping, backbiting, leaking, and intrigue in the Reagan White House that I found it perfectly excruciating to read. I mean that as a compliment. Deeply researched, briskly written, and full of judicious, useful lessons, Fight House is just a marvelous book.”