First published 1989
Chris Matthews draws from his years as Washington Bureau Chief for the San Francisco Examiner to expose how political power actually operates in the nation's capital. Having observed from inside the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and White House, Matthews watched political giants like Tip O'Neill, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton master the art of political maneuvering. He distills their strategies into concrete rules that govern success in Washington. Matthews shares stories of raw ambition and fierce rivalries, revealing the calculations behind famous political conflicts. He explains why savvy operators follow principles like "Only talk when it improves the silence," "Positioning is everything," and "Always concede on principle." Through anecdotes from his front-row seat to American politics, Matthews demonstrates that political success depends on understanding these unspoken rules of engagement. The book serves as both an insider's account of Washington's power brokers and a practical guide for anyone navigating competitive environments where position and survival matter most.
Genres: political-science, non-fiction, biography-memoir, american-history
Vibes: fast-paced, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: insider-perspective, practical-guide
Setting: United States, Washington D.C.
Period: 20th Century
240 pages · Paperback · Harpercollins