This Town

*This Town* provides an insider's view of Washington D.C.'s political culture, focusing on the interconnected world of politicians, lobbyists, journalists, and power brokers who shape America's capital. Mark Leibovich draws from his experience as chief national correspondent for The New York Times Magazine to document the social circles, career paths, and relationships that define modern Washington. His reporting spans major political events and behind-the-scenes moments from 2008 to 2012. The narrative follows key figures in D.C.'s ecosystem as they navigate elections, funerals, parties, and career transitions between government, media, and the private sector. Leibovich includes profiles of both well-known political figures and the less visible but equally influential players who operate within the Beltway. Through its examination of Washington's power structure, the book reveals broader truths about ambition, loyalty, and the nature of influence in American politics. It serves as both a detailed snapshot of a specific era and a wider commentary on how the nation's capital truly functions.

Readers describe This Town as an insider's look at Washington DC's social circles and power brokers, with many noting its cynical but humorous tone. The book received 3.7/5 stars on Goodreads (11,000+ ratings) and 4.1/5 on Amazon (850+ ratings). Readers appreciated: - Detailed reporting on behind-the-scenes relationships - Amusing anecdotes and sharp wit - Exposure of hypocrisy among politicians and media figures - Clear examples of DC's "revolving door" between government and lobbying Common criticisms: - Too many characters to keep track of - Meandering structure without a clear narrative - Focus on gossip over policy substance - Some found the tone overly cynical and sneering As one Amazon reviewer noted: "Like watching a train wreck - horrifying but you can't look away." A Goodreads reviewer wrote: "The portrait it paints of DC social climbing and self-promotion is nauseating but rings true." Several readers mentioned the book confirmed their worst suspicions about Washington culture.

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🏛️ Mark Leibovich spent four years as The New York Times Magazine's chief national correspondent while researching and writing "This Town," giving him unprecedented access to Washington's power players. 🗞️ The book's working title was "The Way It Works," but it was changed after Sally Quinn, a prominent Washington socialite and journalist, repeatedly used the phrase "this town" during an interview. 🤝 Several prominent D.C. figures, including powerful publicist Tammy Haddad, reportedly tried to convince Leibovich not to publish certain revelations about Washington's social scene. 💼 The book's release caused such anxiety among D.C. insiders that it spawned what became known as "The Index Anxiety" - people frantically checking the book's index to see if they were mentioned. 🏆 "This Town" debuted at #4 on The New York Times Best Seller list and remained there for three weeks, despite (or perhaps because of) its brutal critique of Washington's political culture.