'I was determined to break into the White House and, with the confidence of youth, I didn't see how anyone was going to be able to stop me.' So how did a small-town girl from Muncie, Indiana, end up an assistant to and favourite of the President, joining George H. W. Bush for early morning runs and on the White House tennis court? In this sparkling memoir, Annie Bracken takes readers straight to the heart of the action. How do the powerful live on Capitol Hill? What is Joe Biden really like and could he be a successful President? What is life like after the White House? Packed with vivid personal portraits of Bracken's encounters with Presidents, gangsters, spies and even some Hollywood greats, this is a joyful insider account of one woman's journey from America's fly-over states, through tales of hilarity and intrigue in London and Cannes, all the way to the White House.

Hospital visits, calendar watching, disheartening test results and scheduled sex can make trying for a baby a stressful experience, and the strain it puts on couples and individuals struggling with infertility can impact hugely on the likelihood of successful conception. With an approach that puts wellbeing at the heart of fertility, this easy-to-follow guide by top fertility specialist Ann Bracken offers a proven successful alternative to formal counselling. Her comprehensive and supportive book gives help and guidance on how to enhance and improve the outcome. With a focus on mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques, which have been scientifically proven to help overcome the stress and anxiety associated with fertility problems, the author examines the emotional issues around fertility and conception and offers step-by-step exercises to help readers improve their chances of conceiving. With a whole chapter on nutrition by renowned nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville, the integrated mind/body approach in this book offers a plan for the best possible chance of getting pregnant. Offering the perfect blend of emotional support and practical advice on lifestyle changes for infertility this is a must-have book for every couple hoping to get pregnant, written by an expert author with years of experience as a Fertility Counsellor and Mindfulness-Based Therapist. 'After 20 years of supporting fertility patients I am convinced that an integrated mind-body approach delivers the best outcome. Ann Bracken has a practical and compassionate approach, as demonstrated in her brilliant new book. It is a much-needed antidote to the all-too-often stressful and soul-searching path to parenthood. I will be recommending it to my fertility patients' Emma Cannon, integrated fertility and pregnancy expert, acupuncturist and author of The Baby-Making Bible 'All too often the management of reproductive health is seen through the narrow prism of a particular clinician or clinic. This book provides the perfect balance outlining the integrative mind and body approach and provides an essential complement to the medical aspects of the fertility journey' Dr James Nicopoullos, Consultant Gynaecologist & Subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine, The Lister Clinic, Lister Hospital, Chelsea, London 'Ann Bracken expertly shows readers how to weave mindfulness into their lives to help them take care of their wellbeing as they live through a challenging process. Her book includes a great deal else besides, but I was impressed by how she makes mindfulness so readily accessible.' Padraig O'Morain, mindfulness teacher and psychotherapist, author of Mindfulness on the Go, Mindfulness for Worriers

The must-have fertility plan that will soothe your mind, nourish your body and maximise your chances at having a baby. Leading fertility counsellor, Ann Bracken, draws together her years of expertise in the field with this supportive guide that will boost fertility by putting wellbeing at the heart of your journey. Ann breaks down the mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques that are scientifically-proven to combat the stress caused by fertility problems and offers clear, practical advice and tips on how to nurture your health and wellbeing - to optimise your fertility and inspire positivity during difficult times. Includes chapters on: * How to manage the psychological and emotional impacts of fertility problems * Mindfulness Practice * Information on Reproductive Treatment * Natural Health Therapies * Nutrition & Supplements to Boost Fertility, by Dr Marilyn Glenville * Restorative Yoga and Mindful Movement * Fertility Thinking through CBT * Self-Care * Taking care of your relationships * Useful Resources Featuring line illustrations to complement the text, journaling exercises throughout, and a foreword by pioneer of Mind-Body Medicine, Dr Alice Domar. 'A definite must-read regardless as to where you are on your journey' My Fertility Specialist Magazine 'A much-needed antidote to the all-too-often stressful and soul-searching path to parenthood. I will be recommending it to my fertility patients' Emma Cannon, integrated fertility expert, author of The Baby-Making Bible 'This book provides the perfect balance outlining the integrative mind and body approach and provides an essential complement to the medical aspects of the fertility journey' Dr James Nicopoullos, Consultant Gynaecologist?& subspecialist in Reproduce Medicine, The Lister Clinic, Lister Hospital, Chelsea, London 'In this book Ann Bracken has compiled what you need to know in an easily accessible, friendly and compassionate format' Dr Alice D Domar, Associate Professor in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School and Executive Director of the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health