Summary of J. B. West's Upstairs at the White House chronicles his career at the White House and gives an inside look at the six first ladies he served, first as an assistant and then as the chief usher, or general manager, of the dozens of housekeepers, maids, cooks, butlers, gardeners, plumbers, handymen and other staff it takes to keep the White House running. The chief usher manages the household budget, sees to the housing and comfort of guests, supervises the mail operation and oversees maintenance and remodeling. The job title is a leftover from a time when the chief usher actually did usher in visitors to the White House.

West never expected to work at the White House. He worked at the veterans administration when he was loaned to President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt when they needed extra help because they had so many guests and hosted so many events. West ended up staying until he…