Prisoners of the White House: The Isolation of America's Presidents and the Crisis of Leadership

by Kenneth T. Walsh

Prisoners of the White House looks at the isolation experienced by presidents of the United States in the White House, a habitat almost guaranteed to keep America's commander in chief far removed from everyday life. The authors look at how this is emerging as one of the most serious dilemmas facing the American presidency. As presidents have become more isolated, the role of the presidential pollster has grown. Ken Walsh has been given exclusive access to the polls and confidential memos received by presidents over the years, and has interviewed presidential pollsters directly to gain their unique perspective. Prisoners of the White House gets inside the bubble and punctures the mythology surrounding the presidency.

Genres: American History, Politics, Nonfiction

264 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2013

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this book. Summary: LBJ, JFK, Reagan (though the author doesn't like his politics), Clinton were good and "staying connected" with the public; Obama is the best. Nixon, Carter, Bush (41) = bad. Bush 43 didn't care about polls or public opinion. Polls and pollsters may point you in the right direction but maybe not.

The author did offer insight on how to use polls, mainly don't be an opportunist based on hot topics but use the data to frame your existing narrative.

Basically, I just couldn't get into this book.

[Pam Albin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started reading this for my Book Club.