by Jane Mayer
First published 1988
Ronald Reagan sits atop what appears to be an unshakeable presidency after six years of apparent triumph. His administration projects success while secretly courting catastrophe. Two Washington reporters dig into the origins of the Iran-Contra affair, exposing how Reagan's inner circle prioritized image management over governing. The White House operates like a theater production, mistaking electoral victory for unlimited authority. As the scandal unfolds, Reagan's presidency begins to collapse from within. The reporters reveal how power operates behind closed doors and how personality shapes political destiny. This fictional account captures a president's downfall and examines the American presidency itself. The story shows how an administration's obsession with appearances can lead to its own destruction.
Genres: american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, political-thriller
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: downfall, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Washington
Period: 1980s
480 pages · Hardcover · see notes for publisher info