Behind the Mirrors: The Psychology of Disintegration at Washington

"Behind the Mirrors: The Psychology of Disintegration at Washington" by Clinton W. Gilbert is a hard look at the political world and the way people thought in the American government after World War I. It centers on Warren G. Harding's time as president and the changes happening in political power. The book talks about how things might seem better than they are, the important role businesses play in politics, and what can happen when leaders act like they have total power in a democracy. The author begins by using Harding's choice about daylight saving time as a symbol of the confusion and disagreements in American politics. Gilbert uses this to show how careful Harding was and to question how much power the government should have when it comes to what people expect. The book paints a picture of a time when governing was complicated, with people trying to understand the world after the war, dealing with businesses gaining more power, and trying to keep true democratic ideas alive during a time when politics seemed to be falling apart.