Foreword / by Aaron Sorkin
Introduction / by Allison Janney
A note from the authors
Prologue
Part I Running for office. Origin story : the West Wing Pilot
Casting, about
"These women . . ." and a few good men : part I
A service story : Allison Janney
A service story : Rob Lowe
Moving mountains and scrubbing floors : The West Wing and service
A service story : Martin Sheen
"These women . . ." and a few good men : part II
A service story : Dulé Hill
A service story : Melissa Fitzgerald
A service story : Emily Procter
Fourth founding father : the origin story of Josiah Bartlet
Part II Life in the oval: the Sorkin-Schlamme-Wells administration. The table read and the war room
The first steps toward tomorrow : making The West Wing pilot
And it's surely to their credit
A service story : Peter Roth
Process stories : writing the West Wing
Break time
Key episode : "In excelsis deo"
A service story : Richard Schiff
The gospel according to Snuffy
Key episodes : "What kind of day has it been?" and "In the shadow of two gunmen : parts I and II"
I can't believe it's not Butterfield!
A service story : Janel Moloney
Key episode : "Noël"
A service story : Bradley Whitford
Key episode : "Two cathedrals"
Ways and means
Key episode : "Bartlet for America"
Will Bailey : origin story
A service story : Josh Malina
Key episode : "Game on"
Transition
Part III The transition: the John Wells administration. Peaceful transfer of power
Kate Harper : origin story
A service story : Mary McCormack
Key episode : "The Supremes"
First, family
"Walk-and-talk the vote"
Key episode : "The debate"
A service story : Alan Alda
Gone
Key episodes : "Election day : parts I and II" and "Requiem"
Meanest man in the world
Martin Sheen, number one of number ones
Sin City and the bingo bus
Reunited . . . (and it feels so good) : a West Wing special to benefit "When we all vote"
Stay alive : the West Wing, Hamilton . . . and Washington
A service story : Marlee Matlin
Key episode : "Tomorrow"
Goodbye, farewell and amen
Uncommon cause : the West Wing cast and crew . . . and service
Acknowledgments
Source notes
Index.