Includes bibliographical references (pages 561-573) and index.

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.

"A behind-the-scenes look into the creation and legacy of The West Wing as told by cast members Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack, with additional insight from cast and crew exploring what made the show what it was, and how its impassioned commitment to service has made the series and relationships behind it endure"-- Provided by publisher.