An intimate, behind-the-scenes history of the White House service staff, from the Kennedys to the present America’s First Families are unknowable in many ways. No one has insight into their true character like the people who serve their meals and make their beds every day. Full of stories and details by turns dramatic, humorous, and heartwarming, The Residence reveals daily life in the White … daily life in the White House as it is really lived through the voices of the maids, butlers, cooks, florists, doormen, engineers, and others who tend to the needs of the President and First Family.
These dedicated professionals maintain the six-floor mansion’s 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, three elevators, and eight staircases, and prepare everything from hors d’oeuvres for intimate gatherings to meals served at elaborate state dinners. Over the course of the day, they gather in the lower level’s basement kitchen to share stories, trade secrets, forge lifelong friendships, and sometimes even fall in love.
Combining incredible first-person anecdotes from extensive interviews with scores of White House staff members—many speaking for the first time—with archival research, Kate Andersen Brower tells their story. She reveals the intimacy between the First Family and the people who serve them, as well as tension that has shaken the staff over the decades. From the housekeeper and engineer who fell in love while serving President Reagan to Jackie Kennedy’s private moment of grief with a beloved staffer after her husband’s assassination to the tumultuous days surrounding President Nixon’s resignation and President Clinton’s impeachment battle, The Residence is full of surprising and moving details that illuminate day-to-day life at the White House.
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I found this look into the behind the scenes goings-on at the White House fascinating. It’s a candid glimpse into the first families from the points of view of their staff. Can’t wait for an update addressing the current family! Meanwhile, if you’re interested in how things worked for the Kennedys through the Obamas, chances are, you’ll enjoy this …
A fascinating view of the private workings of the White House staff. Many of the staff have served the President and family for decades. They have been privy to changes of power and changes in the White House from a viewpoint few have seen. Not only the day to day workings are revealed, but stories never heard before about the First Families.
I enjoyed this book as a back window into the White House. There were funny parts, romantic parts – and the stories about the Kennedy killing and 9/11 were both tear-jerkers and terrifying. This put some history on the insiders of the White House and back a great view into what really happens after hours.
Kate Andersen Brower was attending lunch at the White House when, after noticing the “obvious rapport” between the First Lady and one of the butlers, decided to write a book about the White House residence staff and their experiences. Thus was born The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House.
Although Brower has taken a bit of …
Interesting insight on the behind-the-scenes activities that keep the White House running and the people who do it
I really enjoyed this book and would have given it 5 stars except for the narrator. Karen White is the narrator of this book and I did get used to her voice but at first, I found her voice to be a distraction. It also took me a while to get used to the writing style of Kate Andersen Brower. Kate in this book jumps around in time and I am used to a …
A wonderful peek inside the White House from those who worked for the first families. I think of this book every time I see the White House on the news. The staff’s activities on Inauguration Day are especially interesting.
An interesting glimpse of history through the eyes of those closest to the first families. They have some anecdotes that make the Presidents and their families real. I’m sure it is a polished history but I do respect the staff for their refusal to gossip or embellish. There is still some honor and discretion inWashington DC..
Unique back stage look at the staff who maintain the White House, some of whom serve for 40-50 years!
The Residence is the White House. The stories are those of people who have worked there. From 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 …
A really interesting view of the running of the nation’s Capitol as a home. Well written!
A study in true dedication.
If you are interested in learning about life in the White House for many of our past presidents, The Residence is a fascinating study of how those fortunate enough to work there spend their days and, often, evenings. Presidents and First Ladies become more than people in history; they become real humans with strong preferences and varying …
Interesting read, enjoy history and a closer more intimate look at our past presidents and their families
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on in the White House after the television lights turn off, here is your chance to find out. This is a circumspect book, not a dig the dirt book. It is respectful of First Families, and lets us see how many people it takes to run The President’s House.
A great inside view of presidential families. Very interesting from a different point of view.
The Residence was a haphazard presentation of memories by the staff and families of the White House. I listened to the audiobook version and was taken aback that the beginning was just a listing of names. It did nothing to help with the rest of the book. An while it may have been worthwhile in the written version, it almost caused me to stop …
I enjoyed learning about the White House from the people who worked there.
This was a book club selection. We took a step out of normal to read a non-fiction one this time. The words on the pages portray something the average person never gets to see. I would recommend this one any history lover.
Great inside view and not too sordid, quite a respectable report from the staff perspective. Understated.