Speech-less

Tales of a White House Survivor

Biography & Memoir, Political, Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book Speech-less by Matthew Latimer, Crown/Archetype
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Matthew Latimer ISBN: 9780307463739
Publisher: Crown/Archetype Publication: September 22, 2009
Imprint: Crown Language: English
Author: Matthew Latimer
ISBN: 9780307463739
Publisher: Crown/Archetype
Publication: September 22, 2009
Imprint: Crown
Language: English

**New York Times Bestseller • From a former White House speechwriter comes a deliciously candid memoir about official Washington—a laugh-out-loud cri de coeur that shows what can happen to idealism in a town driven by self-interest.  **
 
“[An] entertaining book about what goes on—or doesn’t—in Washington.” —American Spectator
  
Despite being raised by reliably liberal parents, Matt Latimer is lured by the upbeat themes of the Reagan Revolution and, in the tradition of Mary Tyler Moore, sets off from the Midwest for the big city. Determined to “make it after all,” Matt daydreams of eradicating do-nothing boondoggleism and leading America to new heights of greatness.

But first he has to find a job.

Like an inside-the-Beltway Dante, Matt descends into Washington, D.C., hell, and snares a series of increasingly lofty—but unsatisfying—jobs with powerful figures on Capitol Hill. When Fate offers Matt a job as chief speechwriter for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Matt finds he actually admires the man (causing his liberal friends to shake their heads in dismay), his youthful passion is renewed. But Rummy soon becomes a piñata for the press, and the Department of Defense is revealed as alarmingly dysfunctional.

 Eventually, Matt lands at the White House, his heart aflutter with the hope that, here at last, he can fulfill his dream of penning words that will become part of history—and maybe pick up some cool souvenirs. But reality intrudes once again. More like The Office than The West Wing, the nation’s most storied office building is run by staffers who are in way over their heads, and almost everything the public has been told about the major players—Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, Rove—is wrong.

Both a rare behind-the-scenes account that boldly names the fools and scoundrels, and a poignant lament for the principled conservatism that disappeared during the Bush presidency, Speech-less will forever change the public’s view of our nation’s capital and the people who joust daily for its power.
 
Praise for Speech-less
“Deft, surprising, darned entertaining.” 
—Christopher Buckley

"It's a good read… quite frankly, the stories are funny!"
—Pat Buchanan

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

**New York Times Bestseller • From a former White House speechwriter comes a deliciously candid memoir about official Washington—a laugh-out-loud cri de coeur that shows what can happen to idealism in a town driven by self-interest.  **
 
“[An] entertaining book about what goes on—or doesn’t—in Washington.” —American Spectator
  
Despite being raised by reliably liberal parents, Matt Latimer is lured by the upbeat themes of the Reagan Revolution and, in the tradition of Mary Tyler Moore, sets off from the Midwest for the big city. Determined to “make it after all,” Matt daydreams of eradicating do-nothing boondoggleism and leading America to new heights of greatness.

But first he has to find a job.

Like an inside-the-Beltway Dante, Matt descends into Washington, D.C., hell, and snares a series of increasingly lofty—but unsatisfying—jobs with powerful figures on Capitol Hill. When Fate offers Matt a job as chief speechwriter for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Matt finds he actually admires the man (causing his liberal friends to shake their heads in dismay), his youthful passion is renewed. But Rummy soon becomes a piñata for the press, and the Department of Defense is revealed as alarmingly dysfunctional.

 Eventually, Matt lands at the White House, his heart aflutter with the hope that, here at last, he can fulfill his dream of penning words that will become part of history—and maybe pick up some cool souvenirs. But reality intrudes once again. More like The Office than The West Wing, the nation’s most storied office building is run by staffers who are in way over their heads, and almost everything the public has been told about the major players—Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, Rove—is wrong.

Both a rare behind-the-scenes account that boldly names the fools and scoundrels, and a poignant lament for the principled conservatism that disappeared during the Bush presidency, Speech-less will forever change the public’s view of our nation’s capital and the people who joust daily for its power.
 
Praise for Speech-less
“Deft, surprising, darned entertaining.” 
—Christopher Buckley

"It's a good read… quite frankly, the stories are funny!"
—Pat Buchanan

More books from Political Science

Cover of the book Europarties After Enlargement by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book Shadow Warriors by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book Rethinking Unequal Exchange by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book Religion and Politics Under Capitalism by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book Empire of Guanduania by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book The Political Twittersphere in India by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book Dog Whistle Politics by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book State of the World 2014 by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book Social Capital and Participation in Everyday Life by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book Russia in a Reconnecting Eurasia by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book Functional and Territorial Interest Representation in the EU by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book Memoria inquieta by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book Unemployment of low-skill workers in Germany - Would an earned income tax implemented on the EU level help to strengthen their position? by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book Rethinking Family Practices by Matthew Latimer
Cover of the book Il principe by Matthew Latimer
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy