J. B. West - Upstairs At The White House [Kindle azw3]

James Bernard West – or J.B. as he was known – was born in 1912 and died in 1983. Following a career as a civilian officer in the US Navy and then in the Veterans Association, he served as Chief Usher in the White House from 1941 to his retirement in 1969. The post of Chief Usher may not sound very important, but in effect it meant that he ran the White House and was once called “the most powerful man in Washington next to the President”. He was responsible for everything that happened and was answerable to the President. He oversaw the day-to-day running of the house, he organised banquets, state dinners, weddings, funerals, decoration, rebuilding. He was there when Roosevelt died and when Kennedy was assassinated. He had almost unlimited access to the President and First Lady. This memoir, first published in 1973, remains a unique glimpse behind the scenes during the presidencies of the Roosevelts, Trumans, Eisenhowers, Kennedys, Johnsons and Nixons. Gossipy and full of anecdotes, it makes for an absorbing and fascinating read. He shows the foibles and whims demonstrated by all the famous residents, and gives us many an insight into what life was really like out of the public gaze. But he remains respectful at all times, which is a refreshing change from the far too ubiquitous scandal-mongering exposés that such insider memoirs often degenerate into. There are some wonderful photos too. This is an immensely enjoyable and informative book, and one which deserves a new readership after its initial popularity and its long stay on the New York Times bestseller list