- Paperback: 464 pages
- Publisher: Routledge; New edition edition (17 July 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0415939518
- ISBN-13: 978-0415939515
- Product Dimensions: 25.2 x 17.9 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,740,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
"An irresistible chronological overview of daily life in the presidential residence.This survey is brimming with fun facts, tantalizing tidbits and memorable anecdotes detailing two centuries of domestic bliss and strife in the White House."
-"Booklist
"Well-written ... should be read not only to discern the personal impact of each administration on a famous residence but also to observe the evolving nature of the presidency itself and its relation to the citizenry. Recommended for public and academic libraries."
-"Library Journal
..."a lively history of the families who made their homes here and the ways in which each put a personal stamp - for good or for bad - on the building."
-"San Antonio Express News
..."a lively account of private lives being lived in a public place.The Whitcombs have brought history and architecture together in a very human story of an enduring monument to American democracy."
-"CNN.com
"Anecdotes are very much the point of Real Life at the White House, which relates each successive family's experience there."
-"New York Daily News
-"Booklist
"Well-written ... should be read not only to discern the personal impact of each administration on a famous residence but also to observe the evolving nature of the presidency itself and its relation to the citizenry. Recommended for public and academic libraries."
-"Library Journal
..."a lively history of the families who made their homes here and the ways in which each put a personal stamp - for good or for bad - on the building."
-"San Antonio Express News
..."a lively account of private lives being lived in a public place.The Whitcombs have brought history and architecture together in a very human story of an enduring monument to American democracy."
-"CNN.com
"Anecdotes are very much the point of Real Life at the White House, which relates each successive family's experience there."
-"New York Daily News
Product Description
Real Life at the White House celebrates two centuries of domestic life in this historic abode. In forty-two chapters - one for each administration - this stylish sourcebook takes us on an intimate tour of the daily life of each president and his family, bringing into view everything from china patterns to built-in closets (a luxury added during the Truman renovation), from plumbing to telephones (Coolidge refused to use the phone for business) from architectural structure to state dinners and family meals.
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First Sentence
THE MOST FAMOUS BUILDING that George Washington never slept in is the White House. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
THE MOST FAMOUS BUILDING that George Washington never slept in is the White House. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is so easy to read. It's an over the shoulder look at the various residents at the White House. It focusses more on the building rather than the people. It's got lots of juicy titbits..
Andrew Jackson really did have a huge block of cheese. Richard Nixson used to bowl alone long into the night in a shirt and tie.
It's well researched and profiles the presidents up to Bill Clinton. It would be interesting to see how the authors would add to the book in this post 9/11 climate. Well worth a read!
Andrew Jackson really did have a huge block of cheese. Richard Nixson used to bowl alone long into the night in a shirt and tie.
It's well researched and profiles the presidents up to Bill Clinton. It would be interesting to see how the authors would add to the book in this post 9/11 climate. Well worth a read!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
17 reviews
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful
A winner!
21 Nov 2000
Format:Hardcover
I read almost every book on the White House and First Families and this truly is one of the best! A wonderful history of how our First families lived and worked in that most historic home! So very many pictures in this book are never before seen! The authors have truly done homework, talked to all the right people and have made a volume sure to be a reference book for all time! Great work! Great book!
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Charming and educational: nonfiction that you can't put down
15 July 2001
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Father-daughter team John and Claire Whitcomb have woven a tapestry of American history from the perspective of the White House and the nation's first families. Their command of detail is impressive: not only the familiar trivia about decorations and furniture that you can find in other White House histories, but how each first family related to the staff, how each president financed the home's operation (paying until modern times out of his own pocket for the staff, public entertainment, and refurbishing), and how the White House has both changed and changed with the nation's concept of the connection between the people, their leaders, and their house.
I have been reading about American history and presidential trivia for three decades and, instead of running into the same familiar overused anecdotes on which so many books draw, this book contained educational and entertaining surprises on every page. The book portrays our presidents as human beings, and tells a story not only about their habits and routines, but about their emotions and their lives in and out of the public eye. The image that struck me the most was President Pierce--mourning his son's recent death--spending his first night as president nearly alone in the White House, sleeping "on a mattress on the floor, wrapped in his coat to keep warm," because his belongings were still packed, his grieving wife had not yet arrived in Washington, the Fillmores had not quite moved out, and the furniture was in disarray from the inaugural celebration. The book is full of such human anecdotes. I could hardly put it down.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
An Interesting Account of Our Presidents
11 Sep 2002
Format:Hardcover
I found this book full of information about the different Presidents and their families and how they adjusted to living in the White House.
There is a lot of information about earlier, less known Presidents, and I enjoyed reading those chapters.
I was also interested to read about all the pets over the years.
Every family seemed to have all sorts of animals.
It was interesting to read about the First Ladies and their "quirks". Mary Todd Lincoln ran up clothing bills that she tried to hide---just like Jackie.
Other stories that I found amusing were that Nixon would not allow guards or policemen to speak to him or Mrs. Nixon. Betty Ford couldn't understand why they ignored her greetings until this was explained to her.
Ronald Reagan served tea to Prince Charles who did not touch it because, as he explained later, he didn't know what to do with the little bag!
Many such amusing stories made this a truly enjoyable book. I recommend to anyone wanting to know about living in the White House.
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