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Comments (17)

The Residence

Inside the Private World of the White House
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1 to 17 of 17 items
Feb 14, 2023mebacher rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Oh, how I love a good behind the scenes book! This one is full of funny, sad, and poignant moments that took place inside the White House as experienced by the staff who looked after America's First Families from the Eisenhowers to the…
Feb 08, 2021hRuth rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Very good. I’m always curious about personalities. This book was interesting and very enlightening. I’m impressed by the integrity and kindness with which it is written. Kate Andersen Brower wrote with the same professionalism as her…
Oct 30, 2017Indoorcamping rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Even if you think you're not all that interested in politics or presidents, it's fascinating to hear the stories of those who get things done in the most important place in the nation. The narration is amazing, meandering through history…
Feb 10, 2017bookbabe13 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Terrific book. Great insight into a hidden world.
Jan 05, 2017ArapahoeHannah rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Such an amazing piece of history, that we don't really know much about.
Dec 11, 2016CMLibrary_KimUC rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
An enlightening and entertaining glimpse into the daily workings of the White House. Firsthand accounts from many existing long time staff as well as retired staff offer unique insights into the presidential families that have resided in…
Nov 03, 2016JCLMaryanaK rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Brower's "The Residence" reveals the inner workings of the White House residence quarters told through the stories of the service staff. The narratives are informative of the many details and challenges facing both the staff and first…
Oct 21, 2016
Who doesn't want to read about what goes on behind the doors of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave? I do!
Oct 09, 2016mstenby rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Some very interesting stories, but it's thrown together in no logical order. The ridiculously long 28-page introduction is boring and unnecessary.
Aug 16, 2016singasong70 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Interesting, hard to follow at times; kept checking author's bio because, as others have noted, writing style not particularly engaging.
Jul 17, 2016cat_22 rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
I don't really care for this author's writing style. It is very chopping and non-engaging to the reader. She jumps back and forth constantly between Presidents whereas I think the book would have flowed better had she discussed each one…
Jul 12, 2016krae21 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Listened to this on a car trip. Seemed a bit repetitive, but it was fascinating to get a glimpse at the lives of the people who support our first families.
Jan 31, 2016BlueHippo rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Not particularly well-written. Not well organized. The author tries to organize the book along subject areas, but it makes for kind of a chaotic piece. Would have been better done historically, by administration. The writing is pretty…
Jan 17, 2016Catmomx2 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Wonderful insight look of the White House
Aug 24, 2015Porterbee rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
What it's like to be a fly on the wall in the White House! This was a very entertaining read about the staff and their interactions with the First Families through the years. Most of the former staff members were so discreet that they…
Aug 14, 2015pokano rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Entertaining book about the career White House staff--butlers, chefs, maids, electricians, etc., from the Kennedy Camelot days to the present. These are the frequently nameless people who make the White House run, from administration to…
May 27, 2015
Some of it made me cringe the scraping and the bowing and some of it made me proud to be an African American President LBJ and Mrs Regan were who the were because they could get away with it but class prevailed and they're long dead and…