The Residence: Inside the Private World of The White House, by Kate Andersen Brower (2015)
The White House – one of the most iconic symbols of the United States. It is the temporary home to the American presidents. It’s 55,000 square feet, 132 rooms, 147 windows, 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases and 3 elevators and kept in tidy order and running smoothly by a full staff of butlers, maids, electricians, florists, chefs, doormen, plumbers, engineers and others. This staff, or Residents, tend to every need of the President and First Family. If they don’t perform to the liking of the First Family, they can be fired at the drop of a hat.
The staff doesn’t live at the White House, and the often must have two jobs to cover expenses, but they are at the beck and call of the President and First Lady. The staff is extremely discrete. This book is not a tell-all and does not expound on the intimate details of the Presidents and their families. It does, however, provide an intimate account of the staff and how they go about their jobs from the Kennedy family through the Obamas. Many of the staff work at the White House for years, through the administrations of numerous presidents.
The book begins with an account of all the details that must take place on Inauguration Day, as one First Family moves out and the next President moves in. Due to security issues, on outside movers are permitted on the White House grounds. The staff must quickly whisk out the out-going family’s belongings; and move in the incoming family’s possessions – all during the Inauguration ceremony!
The staff must then quickly learn the new family’s quirks, likes and dislikes. The book hints that some families, especially First Ladies, were more of a challenge that others.
I found this to be a fascinating read.
Read: December 1, 2020
4 Stars
No comments:
Post a Comment