Customer Reviews

To Serve the President: Continuity and Innovation in the White House Staff

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Written for the then-unknown president-elect of 2008, this book must be a godsend for Barack Obama and his immediate staff--of thousands. I come to it as a far outsider, with only a few administrative years in government in the 1960s, expecting something rather dry. Surprise! The author carries his experience and judgment easily, with adroit writing and (no surprise!) superb organization. An old hand at the White House--a total of 14 years with Eisenhower, Nixon and Ford--Patterson also served as president of the American Society for Public Administration. Among the goals of this book:

"--To paint a factual, nonpartisan picture of the White House at work for the other indispensable participants in the Washington environment--Congress, the media..., many of whom have inaccurate or negative stereotypes about that institution--impressions that the White House itself is slow to correct."

"--To broaden the knowledge of those who are teaching civics and political science in the nation's high schools and universities and to stimulate the interest of their students..."

The George W. Bush administration provides basic, detailed information and orientation, but perspectives are drawn from FDR and Eisenhower forward. Patterson provides an unofficial organizational chart; if there is an official one, that's a secret. One need not read every page to enjoy and benefit from this remarkable presentation. The organizational bones come with plenty of meat. And there are even some delectable mixed nuts carefully sited in Patterson's scale-model White House. "Contrary to public belief, sycophants and crusaders, if tolerated briefly, are not long welcome at the White House."

This book helps place the modern White House in an historical perspective. The author goes back to discuss the problems Franklin Roosevelt had in trying to run the government and the emerging need for a greater center of power and a larger staff in the White House to develop and implement government policy.

What is the current structure of that staff and what do all these people do? This book answers these questions. The author is an expert on the subject having also written The White House Staff: Inside the West Wing and Beyond

For more on the subject of government management check out my Listmania List on my profile, Public Service and Government Management.