The oddly true, laugh-out-loud story of a teenager, an Oval Office, and a ringside seat to Watergate.
"A captivating account of a historically momentous time told from a refreshingly uncommon perspective... Stinson's prose is unfailingly clear and his tone is self- effacing." Kirkus Review of Books
At the age of 17, Don Stinson accidentally landed a job in the White House during Watergate, at the time the largest political scandal in American history. A truly insignificant member of the Nixon White House staff, he frequently loitered outside of the Oval Office to watch it unfold. What he saw throughout the White House ran the gamut from the deeply profound to the wildly hilarious.
He was also a kid who did the same kind of harebrained things most teenagers do... except on a much bigger stage with much greater embarrassment. Only steps away from the Oval Office, he fought with a foreign head of state for space in a restroom. He devised a shortcut that tripped countless alarms and summoned an agitated band of Secret Service agents. He spilled ice water on Frank Sinatra .... and that was just the small stuff.
A funny, fast-paced memoir, Downstairs at the White House is richly decorated with presidents,first ladies, celebrities...and events that shook America.
"A captivating account of a historically momentous time told from a refreshingly uncommon perspective... Stinson's prose is unfailingly clear and his tone is self- effacing." Kirkus Review of Books
At the age of 17, Don Stinson accidentally landed a job in the White House during Watergate, at the time the largest political scandal in American history. A truly insignificant member of the Nixon White House staff, he frequently loitered outside of the Oval Office to watch it unfold. What he saw throughout the White House ran the gamut from the deeply profound to the wildly hilarious.
He was also a kid who did the same kind of harebrained things most teenagers do... except on a much bigger stage with much greater embarrassment. Only steps away from the Oval Office, he fought with a foreign head of state for space in a restroom. He devised a shortcut that tripped countless alarms and summoned an agitated band of Secret Service agents. He spilled ice water on Frank Sinatra .... and that was just the small stuff.
A funny, fast-paced memoir, Downstairs at the White House is richly decorated with presidents,first ladies, celebrities...and events that shook America.
The author (far right), South Lawn, March 1974. (Photo: The White House)
"... it's a really cool book.... the story of a kid who kind of 'Forrest Gump's his way into all kinds of interesting situations." Bradley Jay, WBZ Radio - Boston
"Don Stinson is the guy at the party they'll listen to when he says, "Well, I've got a story to tell." Paul Murnane, Author Talks, WCBS Radio, New York
"Don Stinson had us in stitches with his stories!"
Julie Rose, Top of Mind with Julie Rose, Sirius XM 
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Audiobook
Narrated by: Donald M. Stinson
Length: 9 hours and 50 mins (Unabridged Audiobook in English) 
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Educational Video
August 9, 1974
August 9, 1974
