The Fabulous story of Washington's "Hostess with the Mostess", Perle Mesta, and the trials and encounters she had to face to become the dominant hostess of Capital Hill. Born to a wealthy businessman, Perle grew up attending Republican Conventions with her father, William B Skirvin, but later switched to the Democratic Party when she married George Mesta. She was rewarded for her fundraising efforts with an ambassadorship to Luxembourg by President Harry Truman, whom she maintained a close friendship with. Switching back to the Republican Party in the 1960's, she was a heavy supporter of President Eisenhower, who was a neighbor of her's in Newport and the husband of her intimate friend Mamie. Above all, Perle was most known for her entertaining. Her secret to successful entertaining she once said was "a warm hostess, cool music, hot food and cool guests". Whether entertaining at her DC apartment or her Newport home 'Midclyffe', any party she held was bound to be great. Perle: My Story documents the life of this wonderful lady; a must read for anyone who loves learning about American society in the 1940-60's.
