The Residence: Inside The Private World Of The White House Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
“Absolutely delicious.”—Washington PostFrom the mystique of the glamorous Kennedys to the tumult that surrounded Bill and Hillary Clinton during the president’s impeachment to the historic tenure of Barack and Michelle Obama, each new administration brings a unique set of personalities to the White House—and a new set of challenges to the fiercely loyal and hardworking people who serve them: the White House residence staff.In her runaway bestseller The Residence, former White House correspondent Kate Andersen Brower pulls back the curtain on the world’s most famous address. Drawing on hundreds of hours of interviews with butlers, maids, chefs, florists, doormen, and other staffers—as well as conversations with three former first ladies and the children of four presidents—Brower offers a group portrait of the dedicated professionals who orchestrate lavish state dinners; stand ready during meetings with foreign dignitaries; care for the president and firstlady’s young children; and cater to every need the first couple may have, however sublime or, on occasion, ridiculous.“Superbly reported. . . . A fascinating backstage account of the world’s most famous residence.”—Judy Woodruff, anchor, PBS NewsHour and former White House Correspondent for NBC News
File Size: 11200 KB
Print Length: 339 pages
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; Reprint edition (March 8, 2016)
Publication Date: March 8, 2016
Language: English
ASIN: B017R5FBFE
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Word Wise: Enabled
Lending: Not Enabled
Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
Best Sellers Rank: #11,351 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store) #8 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > History > Americas > United States > 21st Century #15 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Biographies & Memoirs > Historical > United States > Presidents #16 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > United States > Federal Government
This is such a readable book. I just bought three copies for my mom and sister and mother-in-law. The perfect Mother's Day gift. There are so many amazing stories. It's not all about gossip either. There's a story about 9/11 and how there was a barbecue planned at the White House and there were so many tables and chairs set out for the event. Since the White House was a target, they had to evacuate all of the staff. People were running out of the White House to safety. They were terrified, as I would be too! One of the staff members was so busy working downstairs at his job that he didn't hear the Secret Service evacuating everyone. He came upstairs and wondered where everyone had gone. Meanwhile the head chef and head usher decided to stay on the grounds of the WH and take down all of those chairs and tables because if they didn't do it no one else would. They spent all morning during 9/11 doing their duties.What's really incredible about this book is the dedication and service these men and women have made to serving not just the first families, but the institution of the White House. There are some families who have generations of family members who have served there. One family had like 5 or 6 family members working at the White House. They all loved and honored the traditions there and they all served no matter who got elected.One other thing I loved: You don't realize it until you read just how complicated it is for the first family to move into the White House. One family moves out with moving trucks, while the new family moves in -- all while the inauguration is taking place. It's so cool. I love this book and recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the presidency or the institution of the WH.
Several reviewers who didn't really care for this book have commented that if one has never before read a "White House book" then this would probably be a good one for them. Well, I am one of these first timers and I wasn't all that impressed either. The writing is rather repetitive. The theme of the staff's loyalty and selflessness runs very heavily throughout every single anecdote. I realize that the author and the staff are trying to balance a fine line of remaining respectful to the first families while also striving to provide enough detail to catch the readers' attention, but I found the writing to be dry and the saintliness of the staff to be a smidgeon tiresome. Really, the book suffers from a lack of true character development, whether with the members of the first families or the White House maids and butlers (yes, even biographies benefit from character development), with the possible exception of the LBJ coverage, which provided some of the most interesting material in the book. This book wasn't quite the page turner I had hoped it would be.
This book provides a fascinating insight into the lives of the First Families. Whether you're a Downton Abbey fan, a political wonk, a history buff or just have a fascination with any presidential family from the Kennedys to the Obamas, this is a book you won't put down once you pick it up. A GREAT read for people of all ages!
I love this book....very well researched and reads just like an American Downton Abbey! It's hard to believe that these wonderful insider stories have been hidden all this time. What a loving, hard working group of people . They deserve to be recognized for all the support they give to our First Families .
I'm in the middle of the book, and loving every page! Presidents and their wives that I've loved (and some not so much) become amazingly human when described by staffers who grew to know them intimately. Ms Andersen allows a look behind the facade of the White House that is seldom seen or reported on. Altogether a super read!
A serious, insightful, meticulously documented peek at life in our White House. And a fun to read, hard to put down tale that includes, from over the years, information both from the transient "Boss" of the USA and his immediate family as well as from the more permanent staffers who allow the White House to function.
I worked for over 4 years in the White House as Nancy Reagan's press secretary. The domestic staff was proud of their trusted positions and they kept confidences. Sad to read this is no longer the case. The result will be that they will be kept at a distance. And by the way, I never saw any tirade by Nancy Reagan. She is a very polite and classy lady. Too bad the author did not call me for my insights.
The author used this word more than any other. Perhaps as an excuse for the lack of substance in this poorly written book. Promising an "inside look" the reader actually receives nothing more than what could be obtained doing a Google search.Save your money.
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