Summary of John Boehner's On the House: A Washington Memoir

By IRB Media

Get the Summary of John Boehner's On the House: A Washington Memoir in 20 minutes. Please note: This is a summary & not the original book. Original book introduction: John Boehner is the last of a breed. At a time when the arbiters of American culture were obsessing over organic kale, cold-pressed juice, and SoulCycle, the man who stood second in line to the presidency was unapologetically smoking Camels, quaffing a glass of red, and hitting the golf course whenever he could.

There could hardly have been a more diametrically opposed figure to represent the opposition party in President Barack Obama's Washington. But when Boehner announced his resignation, President Obama called to tell the outgoing Speaker that he'd miss him. "Mr. President," Boehner replied, "yes you will." He thought of himself as a "regular guy with a big job," and he enjoyed it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Jun 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781638155157

IRB Media

With IRB books, you can get the key takeaways and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, identify the key takeaways and analyze them for your convenience.

Book preview

Insights from Chapters 1-2

#1

In Washington, people care too much about power and appearing powerful. Power goes to their heads way too often. John Boehner never cared about looking powerful. If you have to go around saying that you’re powerful, it means you probably are not.

#2

Politicians like Donald Trump believe their titles grant them the power to do whatever they want, but such entitlement makes you vulnerable to attack and criticism. Boehner did not like letting power go to his head, or seeing other members of Congress abuse theirs.

#3

When Boehner was a new member of Congress in September 1991, he sought to investigate why the House of Representatives had its own bank. He thought it was odd that they were forced to deposit their paychecks in the House’s bank.

#4

It turned out that the House bank was a way for members to abuse their power. If they had no money in