A remarkable history with elements of both In the President’s Secret Service and The Butler; The Residence offers an intimate account of the service staff of the White House; from the Kennedys to the Obamas.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 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.
#98733 in Books Edwards Gavin 2014-10-21 2014-10-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .65 x 5.31l; .0 #File Name: 0062273175288 pagesLast Night at the Viper Room River Phoenix and the Hollywood He Left Behind
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Tragic and mysticBy Victoria NicholsonI dug the anagram the author noticed. It was tragic and mystic. Phoenix had a interesting life. I admired what he did by buying up land and how sweet he was. Phoenix was a wonderful gullible idealistic hippie type . He made a good grunge era symbol alongside Soundgarden; Nirvana;Sharon Stone; and others. Yes; and if what happened to him does not hammer home the message not to do illegal drugs then I doubt anything much will. "Requiem for a Dream" also shows the immorality of parts of the drug culture.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. An Uncomfortable Deja VuBy LAI have to give this only one star. Perhaps the author managed to come up with sources indentical to the book; In Search of River Phoenix: The Truth Behind the Myth; by Barry C. Lawrence and Wm. Richert. It's hard to say. What's not hard to say is that while the latter book went off onto tangents that were at times rather bizarre; and felt as though they were there to 'pad' the book; it's also true that if you read that book; you'll feel an uncomfortable déjà vu while reading this one; as far too many times it's word for word. In addition; a substantial portion of this slim text is in fact footnotes or annotations; making the substantive portion of the book even slimmer than it already is; and the price simply doesn't reflect that.Overall; it proved a disappointment. I'd say; save your money. Read the Lawrence book and skim or ignore the odd sections in it; if you wish. Almost verbatum any quotes or anecdotal information you find in this book; are already in the Lawrence book with a direct notation as to the source; and with more detail.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. a decent read; really 3.5 stars - 3 stars as an overall book and 4 stars within its specific subject matterBy Michael HatmakerI am not a huge fan of River Phoenix (I barely knew of his films or his story to tell the truth); but this book is engaging nonetheless. It is a detailed account of his life and work; so if that's what you are looking for; it is a good read. Other than that; it also serves (in its latter portions) as a testament to the narcissism of Hollywood. It seemed that most involved in mourning River's death were really mourning themselves and their own mortality. The fact that his drug use was swept under the rug and his persona seemed to take on an angelic quality speaks volumes about the Hollywood elite and their failure to comprehend reality; even when it smacks them in the face.
