The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency

by Chris Whipple
The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Politics and Current Affairs
Buy online
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 9251
  • Added: 2025-12-23
  • Updated: 2026-01-04
  • ISBN: 9780804138260
  • Publisher: National Geographic Books
  • Published: 2018-03-06
  • Reviews: 4

The Gatekeepers delves into the crucial role of the White House Chiefs of Staff, often referred to as the 'gatekeepers,' who shape the course of the nation. Through extensive interviews with living chiefs and former presidents, award-winning journalist Chris Whipple pulls back the curtain on this unique fraternity, revealing how their actions and decisions have defined presidential administrations. The book offers an essential portrait of the toughest job in Washington, filled with shrewd analysis and never-before-reported details./n/nThe Gatekeepers provides a fresh perspective on presidential history, showing how the choices of chiefs of staff have impacted significant events, from the Reagan Revolution to the bungled Obamacare rollout. Whipple's extensive research and intimate interviews offer a comprehensive look at the inner workings of the White House, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in politics and presidential history.

Reviews
The Storygraph · 2026-01-04
fascinating 4.25

The book is found to be a fascinating review of history, showing how the presidents' staff organization impacted the efficiency and effectiveness of their administrations.

The reviewer from The Storygraph finds Chris Whipple's book to be a fascinating review of history, highlighting how the organization of the president's staff has significantly impacted the efficiency and effectiveness of their administrations. They appreciate the book's detailed analysis and the way it brings to light the often-overlooked role of the Chiefs of Staff. The reviewer notes that the book offers a unique perspective on political history, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding the inner workings of the White House. They also praise the book's engaging narrative style, which makes complex political processes accessible and intriguing.

Quick quotes

    Found Chris Whipple's book The Gatekeepers to be a fascinating review of history.

    Showing how the presidents' staff organization impacted the efficiency and effectiveness of their administrations.

    Solid overview of the chiefs of staff.

The Bibliophage · 2017-11-19
engaging 3.50

The book is praised for its engaging narrative and comprehensive coverage of the Chiefs of Staff's impact on presidencies. The reviewer finds the book to be a solid overview with some sections feeling sparse.

The reviewer at The Bibliophage appreciates Chris Whipple's engaging narrative style and the book's comprehensive coverage of the Chiefs of Staff's impact on various presidencies. They find the book to be a solid overview, although some sections, particularly those covering earlier presidents, feel a bit sparse. The reviewer also notes that Whipple's conversational tone makes the book accessible and enjoyable to read. Overall, they believe the book provides valuable insights into the inner workings of the White House.

Quick quotes

    Whipple's writing style is conversational and smooth.

    He takes one long chapter for each administration, starting with the transition period.

    The book provides a solid overview of the chiefs of staff.

The Storygraph · 2017-04-04
fascinating 3.75

The book is described as a fascinating review of history, highlighting how the organization of presidential staff impacts efficiency. The reviewer finds it to be a solid overview with some sections feeling sparse.

The reviewer at The Storygraph finds Chris Whipple's book to be a fascinating review of history, showcasing how the organization of presidential staff can significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of a presidency. They appreciate the book's comprehensive coverage and the insights it provides into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the White House. However, they also note that some sections, particularly those covering earlier presidents, feel a bit sparse. Overall, the reviewer believes the book is a valuable addition to the literature on presidential administrations.

Quick quotes

    Found Chris Whipple's book The Gatekeepers to be a fascinating review of history.

    Showing how the presidents' staff organization impacted the efficiency and effectiveness of a presidency.

    Some sections felt sparse, especially for earlier presidents.

Washington Independent Review of Books · Kitty Kelley · 2017-03-31
insightful 4.00

The book provides an insightful look into the crucial role of White House Chiefs of Staff. The reviewer appreciates the depth of research and the engaging narrative style.

Kitty Kelley from the Washington Independent Review of Books highlights how Chris Whipple's book offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the White House Chiefs of Staff. She praises the book for its thorough research and the way it brings to life the behind-the-scenes dynamics of presidential administrations. The reviewer notes that Whipple's argument is persuasive and the book is surprisingly interesting given the bureaucratic nature of the subject. However, she also mentions that some sections could have benefited from more detail.

Quick quotes

    Whipple's argument is persuasive and his survey surprisingly interesting, given the bureaucratic nature of the job he is examining.

    The book provides an in-depth look at the crucial role of White House Chiefs of Staff.

    Whipple's writing style is conversational and smooth.

Appears in Lists