On the House

A Washington Memoir

By: John Boehner

Narrated by: John Boehner

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

2021 Hudson Booksellers Best of the Year

This program is read by the author.

* Instant Number One New York Times Best Seller * Number One Wall Street Journal Best Seller *

“A rollicking, foil-mouthed” [memoir].... Boehner has delivered a classic Washington 'tell-all', albeit one with his typical jocular style.” (The Washington Post)

Former Speaker of the House John Boehner shares colorful tales from the halls of power, the smoke-filled rooms around the halls of power, and his fabled tour bus.

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.

In addition to his own stories of life in the swamp city and of his comeback after getting knocked off the leadership ladder, Boehner offers his impressions of leaders he's met and what made them successes or failures, from Ford and Reagan to Obama, Trump, and Biden. He shares his views on how the Republican Party has become unrecognizable today; the advice--some harsh, some fatherly--he dished out to members of his own party, the opposition, the media, and others; and his often acid-tongued comments about his former colleagues. And of course he talks about golfing with five presidents.

Through Speaker Boehner's honest and self-aware reflections, you'll be reminded of a time when the adults were firmly in charge.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

©2021 John Boehner (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Entertaining, and a great read on institutionalism

DISCLAIMER: I am a left-leaning Democrat and I strongly disagree with Speaker Boehner on most things political. I am also well-aware he voted for Trump's reelection. Nevertheless, I put aside my partisan opinions and rated this book strictly on the merits.

From the beginning, Speaker John Boehner doesn't mince words. He is frank and forthright on his thoughts of many of his fellow Republicans, the Democrats, Speaker Pelosi, every President since Nixon, the culture of Washington, and the current state of our politics. He also dives deep into his own personal history and talks about how working at his family bar prepared him for dealing with the cast of characters that roam Congress.

To his credit, he managed to keep the partisanship to a minimum. He spent more time talking about the institution of the House of Representatives and less time going into the details of legislation. Overall, Boehner spent more time talking up the merits of institutionalism and how it is most effective in achieving results. Even as a progressive, I felt he made a very strong case explaining how building alliances and forming consensus builds far greater long-term success than populist outrage.

While On The House wasn't always the most organized, Speaker Boehner more than makes up for it with his stories and humor. It also helps that he narrated his own book. There were several instances where I almost fell out of my chair from laughing. WARNING: Don't eat popcorn while listening to this.

Overall, I give it 5 stars. I'll never see eye-to-eye with the guy politically, but I respect him. Most political memoirs are boring and as canned as a teleprompter speech. This one was straight from the gut.

Engaging

Not sure what I think about Boehner’s memoir. I found his remarks about Nancy Pelosi interesting. I learned about his life of which I knew very little. When he was Speaker of the House, I felt he did not have the guts to stand- up for his convictions. If he had, maybe things would have been a bit different. I did not care for his foul language, but I did like the folksy way he told his story.

The book is seven hours and forty-six minutes. John Boehner did a good job narrating his own book.

refreshing

when John boehner was in the house I saw him much the same as I see every Republican, looking to cut entitlements and lower taxes with no explanation as to where the money is going to come from. what's refreshing is hearing a guy who did the best he could with what he had and is now looking back and realizing what came after him makes him pale in comparison. apart from a couple of comments about certain individuals it would have been nice to have him reflect a little bit more on perhaps what he would have done differently although perhaps he doesn't think he should have done anything differently. I love books narrated by the author.

Loved It!

Not your typical political book but a revealing ride through time from his Cincinnati upbringing in a home with 12 kids and learning well rooted lessons along the way. Disciplined from age 8 in working hard, setting his goals and earning his way. I loved this book; and I’m a Democrat. Never underestimate a four-letter word slinging politician from the Midwest. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lots of fun!

I don’t agree with much of his ideological ideas, but the stories were fun and enlightening. Congress really is like high school.

Honest and unassuming.

John Boehner is funny, honest and unassuming. I got to know him over the years working on Capitol Hill. I liked him. Read this and you will, too!

A very interesting, funny, honest book.

I bought this book on audible because I love to listen to John Borhner’s voice he did an excellent job with this book I always found him interesting and even find him more interesting now I hope he enjoys the rest of his retirement!!

Great book from a lousy politician

While I hated John Boehner the politician, I love John Boehner the storyteller. He does try to recast himself along the lines of Saint John the Baptist into Saint John the Boehner especially when describing his motives but, despite his rosey interpretation of his actions, it’s great to read about Washington from the flipside of the coin. He’s a terrific narrator and very interesting story teller. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in politics regardless of which side of the aisle you’re on.

Entertaining

easy read. maybe too easy. I would have liked a little more information about his political battles.
Spacestationark

Entertaining tale of leadership and American exceptionalism

A candid and humorous performance that highlights some extraordinary stories within American history. An optimist’s view of freedom from a man with humble beginnings.