Citizens of the Green Room: Profiles in Courage and Self-Delusion

This collection from Leibovich (chief national correspondent, New York Times Magazine; This Town) features interviews and observations with notable political and media figures. The short, easy-to-read pieces spanning from 2002 to 2013 stem from the author's time as a political reporter for the Washington Post. Both familiar "citizens" (Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Glenn Beck) as well as the less familiar (current Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe, former U.S. Representative James Traficant of Ohio) are featured. The original publication date is listed with each entry and helps explain and give context to why the vignettes are included. The book is lively and detailed, though at times the lack of context among the articles makes transitioning from one profile to another a challenge. Leibovich frequently delves into specific details, such as how much money California Congressman George Miller charged in rent for his Capitol Hill townhome in 2007 (and how his then-tenants paid him, whether by direct deposit or bimonthly checks).