On The House: A Washington Memoir

On The House is John Boehner's memoir chronicling his path from a working-class neighborhood in Cincinnati to becoming Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. The book covers his 25-year tenure in Congress, from 1991 to 2015. Boehner provides an insider view of legislative battles, political negotiations, and relationships with three U.S. presidents. He recounts key moments including the Contract with America, the Tea Party movement, and major policy fights over healthcare and government spending. The narrative includes Boehner's perspective on fellow politicians, media figures, and power brokers in Washington. His account spans multiple eras of American politics, from the Republican revolution of the 1990s through the polarized climate of the 2010s. The memoir serves as both a personal story and a window into the transformation of American politics, examining how party dynamics and public discourse shifted during Boehner's time in office. Through his observations, the book raises questions about compromise, leadership, and the future of political institutions.

Readers appreciate Boehner's candid behind-the-scenes accounts and his blunt assessments of fellow politicians. Many note his humorous storytelling and casual tone, with frequent mentions of wine and cigarettes adding authenticity to his narrative. Readers liked: - Honest perspective on political gridlock - Stories about interactions with presidents and lawmakers - Self-deprecating humor - Detailed accounts of legislative battles Readers disliked: - Repetitive mentions of his humble beginnings - Frequent complaints about Tea Party members - Too much focus on golf and drinking - Defensive tone about his own leadership Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (11,000+ ratings) Common reader comment: "More like sitting at a bar with Boehner than reading a political memoir" Critical review: "Spends too much time settling scores rather than providing insight into policy-making" - common sentiment among 2-star reviews

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🏛️ During his time as Speaker of the House, Boehner kept a "Crimson Room" in his office suite where he stored fine wines and hosted informal meetings with politicians from both parties. 🚬 The memoir caused controversy by revealing that Boehner recorded the audiobook while drinking wine and smoking cigarettes, with the sound of ice cubes clinking audible in the background. 📱 Boehner made headlines when he referred to Senator Ted Cruz as "Lucifer in the flesh" in the book and included numerous colorful expletives when discussing certain colleagues. 🌿 After leaving politics, Boehner joined the board of a cannabis corporation, despite having opposed marijuana legalization throughout his congressional career. 🖊️ The book's original manuscript contained so many criticisms and expletives that the legal team required multiple reviews and extensive editing before publication.