J.B. West books in order

Q: "How many books has J.B. West written?"

"J.B. West has written one book."

Q: "What was J.B. West's first book?"

"J.B. West's first book is Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies, published in 1973."

Q: "What is Upstairs at the White House about?"

"The book is J.B. West's account of his 28 years as Chief Usher at the White House, from 1941 to 1969. He served six presidents, from Franklin Roosevelt to Richard Nixon, and the memoir focuses especially on his working relationships with the First Ladies who ran the private household."

Non-Fiction

Title	Published	Buy on Amazon
Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies	1973	Buy

J.B. West served as Chief Usher at the White House for 28 years, from 1941 to 1969. The Chief Usher is essentially the general manager of the White House residence, responsible for the staff, budget, housekeeping, and day-to-day operations of the building. West worked under six presidents, starting with Franklin D. Roosevelt and ending with Richard Nixon.

His 1973 memoir, Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies, gives an insider’s view of what life was actually like in the residence. Rather than focusing on politics, the book centers on the domestic side of things: how different First Ladies redecorated, managed social events, and handled the pressures of living in the most famous house in America. West’s observations about figures like Eleanor Roosevelt, Mamie Eisenhower, and Jacqueline Kennedy are frank and often funny. The book remains one of the most widely read accounts of White House life behind the scenes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has J.B. West written?

J.B. West has written one book.

What was J.B. West's first book?

J.B. West’s first book is Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies, published in 1973.

What is Upstairs at the White House about?

The book is J.B. West’s account of his 28 years as Chief Usher at the White House, from 1941 to 1969. He served six presidents, from Franklin Roosevelt to Richard Nixon, and the memoir focuses especially on his working relationships with the First Ladies who ran the private household.

Non-Fiction#

Frequently Asked Questions

Non-Fiction