J B West
J. B. West (1912-1983), chief usher of the White House--or executive director of the executive mansion and grounds--was once called "the most powerful man in Washington next to the president." Discreet and witty, he supervised the large permanent staff that provided for every personal want and need for six presidents and first ladies, including at state dinners, weddings, and funerals, redecorating the facilities for each family and tending to every special request. He served first as assistant...See more
J. B. West (1912-1983), chief usher of the White House--or executive director of the executive mansion and grounds--was once called "the most powerful man in Washington next to the president." Discreet and witty, he supervised the large permanent staff that provided for every personal want and need for six presidents and first ladies, including at state dinners, weddings, and funerals, redecorating the facilities for each family and tending to every special request. He served first as assistant to the chief usher and then as chief usher after retiring as a high-level civilian officer of the US Navy. A native Iowan, his White House tenure (1941-1969) followed a career in the Veterans Administration. Upstairs at the White House was published in 1973 and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for months, with more than five hundred extraordinarily positive reviews, editions in seven languages, and more than two million copies sold in the US across hardcover and paperback formats. See less
J B West's Featured Books
J B West book reviews
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Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies
Good reading
Well written. Contains fact about the president and families that were likely not know before. Recommend the book. Read More
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Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies
FASCINATING PIECE OF HISTORY
by WILMOM, Mar 10, 2011
The book is well written, and insightful, without being invasive. Interesting to learn that "there's nothing new under the sun", that some of what we're seeing in recent presidents is what has been ... Read More