To me, the lessons of this book are not ‘throw the bums out,’ or ‘they’re all awful,’ but how to interpret the news that the rest of us get. It helped me understand positioning, messaging, and why some policies are implemented and others are not. Washington is full of extremely bright people (and a smattering of elected officials who are amazingly dumb). If the rest of us were running the country, we’d see the same egos and self-interest, but the country would run even worse than it does now.

Well written book showing that people at the highest levels of power are sad examples of greed, small minds and selfish.

I wish the entire American populous would read this book along with another book titled, "Throw Them All Out." Perhaps then we would throw them all out. Our government, for the most part, makes a mockery of Democracy, as well as the people it feigns deep concern for. If you are disgusted with the government, read this and get exponentially more disgusted. Great read.

What a complete waste of time! This book reminds me of when I slogged my way through Stephan King's "Tommyknockers" waiting for it to get good, only to discover on the last page that it was never going to get good. I really don't know who would care about the self absorbed media in this country. There are no surprises or insights in this book. The author spends pages writing about Darrell Issa's press secretary who no one cares about. BORING! The "inside baseball" stuff is just depressing and boring. I could not care less about all these press types and lobbying apparatchiks. He has many references to Joe Scarborough. Does anyone watch or care about Joe? Talk about living in a bubble! Please don't waste your money. I wish I could get my money back, but that is nothing compared to the time I wasted reading this book.

I guess you have to be a "beltway" insider to appreciate this book. Otherwise it is truly a waste of your money. Charlie Rose and all the other reviews notwithstanding, it's a waste of time and money.

Funny yet sad to see that "This Towns" citizens are are superficial as we all suspected. Mark's writing style was engaging and witty and many times I found myself smiling as I imagined being at one of the parties described in the book and taking it all in. Glad I read This Town. Paul Touhey

As an outsider reading an insider's book it alternated between interesting and boring. It was not a fluid narrative but a jagged linking of assorted anecdotes, keen insight, gossip, and humor. Not bad but I expected more.

A pathetic book shameless hypercritical blather. Pages of feigned revelations of how narcissistic Washington is when this book is a pane to that culture. After 3 chapters I put down is vacuous self- important crap. This guy should roast in hell with the sycophants and scum he writes about who lead and influence this country and made it into a celebrity burlesque show. Total crap

I have been a DC junkie for over 40 years. I've been through all the phases from worshipful to complete cynic. This book made me laugh out loud. Its writing is of course informational but the use of sarcasm in just the right dose is terrific. The book's truth is(sadly) undeniable but I was better about to absorb the sober lesson of the book due to the author's talent for sharing the truth about the players in DC with such humor. Loved it. Will be giving it to others!

Truly amazing (maybe disgusting) the amount of money surrounding our political leaders in Washington. It proves that money can't buy good government. It just enriches those those who claim to be in public service.