The West Wing and Beyond: What I Saw Inside the Presidency

by Pete Souza

Go behind the scenes of the West Wing--into the Oval Office and Situation Room, aboard Air Force One, and beyond--with #1 bestselling author and former presidential photographer Pete Souza.

Pete Souza has spent more time in the Oval Office than almost any person in history. During the Obama administration alone, Souza was inside the presidential bubble for more than 25,000 hours and made nearly 2 million photographs. The result is an unprecedented view of how our democracy really works.

Now Souza invites you into the inner sanctum of the American presidency, sharing rarely seen photographs and untold stories of life and work in the White House and traveling with the President around the world.

The West Wing and Beyond takes you behind the scenes of consequential moments and traditions with the people who define our nation's highest office--from the senior White House staff to the Oval Office valets. It delivers new insights into the role of the Secret Service, the seriousness of decisive meetings in the West Wing, and even some fun moments aboard Air Force One.

Brimming with gorgeous photographs paired with fascinating storytelling, The West Wing and Beyond offers a one-of-a-kind look into the personalities, intrigues, and fascinating details that comprise the modern presidency. It is an essential book for every citizen who believes in American democracy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography, Politics, History, Government, American History

256 pages, Hardcover

Published September 27, 2022

About the author

Pete Souza was the Chief Official White House Photographer for President Obama and the Director of the White House Photo Office. Previously Souza was an Assistant Professor of Photojournalism at Ohio University, the national photographer for the Chicago Tribune, a freelancer for National Geographic, and an Official White House Photographer for President Reagan. His books include the New York Times bestseller The Rise of Barack Obama, which documents the president's meteoric ascent from his first day in the United States Senate through the 2008 Pennsylvania presidential primary. Souza is currently a freelance photographer based in Washington, D.C. and is a Professor Emeritus at Ohio University's School of Visual Communication.

Reviews

[Sarah Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intrigued by the job of the White House Photographer, I picked up this book to fulfill the pictorial category of a book reading challenge. The text and collection photographs were quite interesting. The book including more text than expected and it was interesting and informative. Surprisingly, this particular book contains only a handful of pictures of the President but focuses on all the rooms of the White House and positions of the White House staff.
I first read Souza’s text, Shaded. It is essentially a one-sided political statement, perhaps even propaganda, exactly as you might expect from a text titled Shaded. However, this text is a more rounded piece and provides more insight into the experiences of the photographer himself.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Words and photographs of the places and people in and around the U.S. presidency. Pete Souza was a White House photographer for five years in the Reagan administration and the official presidential photographer for all eight years of Barack Obama’s presidency. What I found most interesting in this book is that President Obama is just a bit player: one sees his foot, his hand, his back or a bit of his profile, but the focus is on other staff members and the various presidential spaces in and outside of the White House. Truly a fascinating take, and I recommend this book.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely anything done be Pete Souza. In his photographs he captures so much more than portraits.

This beautiful book world make me feel reflective on one page with photo of Secret Service agents’ hands protecting President Obama. Just a few pages after I am chucking at the photo of an elaborate bathroom, complete with urinal, assigned to White House staff when visiting the Middle East.

Pete has a magical ability to capture the special moments but also the seemingly mundane.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice primer on the behind the scenes of the presidency while still able to be fun. I hope to check out some of the books he mentions to get more information but this was a good start.

[Sharron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously a quick read as it's mostly pictures, but wordier than his prior books. This book doesn't focus on Pres. Obama (he's in a few pics and some without his face), but he says he's fixing a regret from his first go-around in the white house and took pictures of more than just the president. He tries to highlight some of the many, many people it takes to make the presidency. But, not everyone in pictures gets named, Jen Psaki is in the background of one unnamed (in the picture on p. 39 with Axelrod and Gibbs is that Ben Rhodes?). He also compares the different parts of the building and the jobs to his stint during the Reagan administration.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed Pete’s first 2 books because I’m a huge Obama fan. But this one is for anyone, even people who aren’t as crazy aboutt the first black President as I am, but are a pols and love all things White House. I always wanted to be a fly on the wall there, but Pete has taken us all there in this grand book.

[Pamela Okano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Pete Souza, who has come out with a new book of his photos, primarily from the Obama Administration with a few from the Reagan Administration. But this book isn't about either President--it's about the people who worked for them. Souza includes plenty of interesting and often amusing anecdotes.

[Donald Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

These photos - and the accompanying text - are a wonderful tribute to the backbone of the White House, with very little political slant involved. The book takes the reader places he or she will never get to go otherwise, with each photo carefully composed to tell a story, often emotionally. Well done, Pete Souza!

[Sanjay Banerjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coffee-table book detailing working life for people working with US Presidency at White House and outside. The author - as a White House Photographer - had almost constant access to the inner circle of US Presidents during Reagan and Obama years.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete Souza’s photos and narrative are revelatory. Of course we know it takes an incredible team to support the work of an effective Presidency and White House, but seeing the dedication in action is amazing.

[Sara Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a rich and engaging look at the work behind the presidency. With enough text to explain, the photographs do the work here as you would expect in a coffee table book by a photographer. Souza's voice, though, is at times funny and poignant. Really enjoyed it.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cool book! It was so neat to see parts of the White House and presidency I don’t have access to and to learn the historical context of both the building and those working in and around the building and the president

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete Souza is an amazing storyteller through his photography. This is such a unique perspective of behind the scenes of the staff that support the presidency. I loved seeing this piece of American history.

[Deb Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with lots of pictures, naturally. However, if you read all the words that describe life with the Presidents, you get a good picture of what it’s like. Both the pictures and the descriptions are worth a trip to the library.

[Dipra Lahiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb eye, for situations and emotions, with the uncanny ability to get the perfect frame. Souza's humanity shines through, as well as his gentle humour.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at the behind the scenes operations at the White House and the people responsible for them. The book is light on specifics and anecdotes, but filled with gorgeous photography.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting view of the inside workings of the White House through photographs.

[Lynn Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book with wonderful pictures, as with his other books. Saw him discuss the book when he was in town in October. Wonderful to get the first hand account of the events.

[Angela Schaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love Pete’s point of view. This was an education of the White House and general life during a presidency.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can never get enough of Mr. Souza’s photography. Capturing history and giving us all a glimpse of life on the inside of the Presidential bubble. The stories he could tell !!

[Meg Macgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

So awesome to see some inner workings of the White House. Appreciate Pete's candor.

[Jude Danger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete Souza is one of my favorite photojournalists and this behind the scenes look at a Presidency is wonderful.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love history this one’s for you! Those behind the scenes come to life!

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

[Elizabeth Emslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fascinating to see the inner workings of the presidency through the lens of the camera.

[Linnea]

His books are always enjoyable to look at and his commentary/descriptions are too.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great pictures and I learned a lot along the way.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed getting a "backstage" look at the White House & the presidency through Souza's lens.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing look (through the lens of former Official White House Photographer, Pete Souza) at the people who make the President look good and keep him & his family safe.

[Emma K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda neat.