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The White House Mess
Christopher Buckley Book Review

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Plot Summary of The White House Mess
"The new presidency of Democrat Thomas N. Tucker gets off to an auspicious start when outgoing President Ronald Reagan won't relinquish the Oval Office and step down on Inauguration Day. Herbert Wadlough, as Deputy Chief of Staff must do his best to work through every crisis, large and small, during the term in office of his good friend from Boise, Idaho. Wadlough and his family, son Herbert, Jr., wife Joan, and daughter Joan must adapt to the culture shock of life in Washington, DC.

Surrounded by allies and foes within the White House and on the outside as well, While Wadlough tirelessly toils for his boss, he suffers several dismissals and rehires as he bears the brunt of political snafus and blunders. At times in charge of the White House staff dining (mess) he uses his position to exact revenge upon rivals in the Executive branch. Demoted to Chief of Staff for the First Lady Jessica Tucker he makes the best of the situation and often acts more as a marriage counselor to the First Couple, even babysitting their young son nicknamed “Firecracker”. For the politically minded, Buckley can be equally hilarious and caustic in using his former insider knowledge of the workings of the presidency."

David Fletcher, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of The White House Mess
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book? - humorous
Time/era of story - 1980's-1999
Life of a profession: - politician
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Job/Profession/Status story Yes

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - politician/elected ruler
Age: - 40's-50's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
Ethnicity/Nationality - White (American)
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - healthy but a geeky weakling

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - politician/elected ruler
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a substantial amount
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 4 (a fair amount)
United States Yes
The US: - Southeast
Island? Yes
Island: - Caribbean Islands
City? Yes
City: - New York - Washington D.C.
Misc setting - fancy mansion

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
Sex in book? Yes
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
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Christopher Buckley Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Chuck Nugent  

SCHOLARS:
David Fletcher  


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