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Upstairs at the White House
Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies | J. B. West, Mary Lynn Kotz
17 posts | 33 read | 25 to read
A New York Times bestseller: A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at life on Pennsylvania Avenue with Americas first families, by the man who spent nearly three decades in their midst J. B. West, chief usher of the White House, directed the operations and maintenance of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenueand coordinated its daily lifeat the request of the president and his family. He directed state functions; planned parties, weddings and funerals, gardens and playgrounds, and extensive renovations; and, with a large staff, supervised every activity in the presidential home. For twenty-eight years, first as assistant to the chief usher, then as chief usher, he witnessed national crises and triumphs, and interacted daily with six consecutive presidents and first ladies, as well as their parents, children and grandchildren, and houseguestsincluding friends, relatives, and heads of state. J. B. West, whom Jackie Kennedy called one of the most extraordinary men I have ever met, provides an absorbing, one-of-a-kind history of life among the first ladies. Alive with anecdotes ranging from Eleanor Roosevelts fascinating political strategies to Jackie Kennedys tragic loss and the personal struggles of Pat Nixon, Upstairs at the White House is a rich account of a slice of American history that usually remains behind closed doors.
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NatalieR
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I love learning about houses; whether it‘s driving around neighborhoods, watching HGTV, touring famous houses, or pouring over pictures. I‘m also curious about how people live in their houses; from decorating styles to daily lifestyles. I‘ve often wondered how the Presidential family lives in the White House. This book satisfied all of my curiosities. Did you know there is a Monet in the White House? 🖼️

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

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JoyBlue
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Mehso-so
keys_on_fire I purchased this a while ago, but never got around to reading it 2y
32 likes1 comment
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Blueberry
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Goodreads recommendations 🙄

@NataliePatalie

plemmdog I‘m showing my age, but in the Eighties there was this TV miniseries called Backstairs At the White House, which was the story of the African-American staff, which was based on a book. The actresses were terrific. It would probably be cringe-worthy today, but I‘m glad I saw it then. 2y
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fredthemoose
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Memoir of the Chief Usher at the White House from FDR to Nixon, with a focus on the First Ladies and his relationships with them. I‘m really interested in post WWII presidential history, and this was a fun look behind the scenes.

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fredthemoose
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October BookSpin Bingo card! My BookSpin, a recommendation from a friend, isn‘t in Litsy yet, but the tagged book is my double spin. I just realized if I get 13 for each of the next 3 months I‘ll get 100 books for the year for the first time, so that‘s my goal.

Thanks, @TheAromaofBooks for organizing!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! Looks great!!! 3y
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LisaLovesToRead
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An interesting read. It was neat to hear some behind the scenes stories from historic presidents and their families. West remains professional even when it was likely tempting to expose his feelings & opinions.

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LatinaJess
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As someone who loves First Lady history this book was right up my alley. Interesting to see the side by side comparisons of Eleanor Roosevelt all the way up to Pat Nixon.

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InnerSavvy
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I enjoyed reading about the First Ladies from Roosevelt to Nixon. West did a good job of being kind to each of their differences while telling tales of the ladies.

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Joysiam
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Admittedly not for everyone, it is I found an interesting factual description of White House life through different administrations.

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kstadt929
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🤫 I picked this up for my husband for valentine‘s day
💰 this was a kindle daily deal I saw and couldn‘t pass up!
🇺🇸 18
❓ I don‘t really collect specific ones...but I do have all kinds of books!
✈️ YES!!!! We are going on our honeymoon in May to Germany 🇩🇪 Switzerland 🇨🇭 and Italy 🇮🇹. I can‘t wait!!!! Is it May yet?!

#HumpDayPost @MinDea

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BookaholicNatty
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Scooorrre!!!!! Just grabbed this!!!! I have been wanting to read this ever since I heard about it! Has anyone already read it?

Ashley_Nicoletto This is also sitting on my TBR! 6y
keys_on_fire It‘s been on my TBR forever! I think I‘m gonna add this to my #DeweyReadathon list for tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder! 6y
Reviewsbylola I read it. Very interesting! 6y
See All 6 Comments
Pamwurtzler I‘ve read that. It‘s really interesting- I love that behind the scenes take. 6y
Donnasmiles I was absolutely fascinated with the behind the scenes lives of the presidents wives and family life. It was great! 6y
smilingshelves I just picked this up at our library book sale last weekend. It looks really good! 6y
99 likes7 stack adds6 comments
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Eggs
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Usher J B West served through the administrations of The Roosevelts, the Trumans, the Eisenhowers, the Kennedys, the Johnsons, and the Nixons.

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Reviewsbylola
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Bailedbailed

Initially I found this fascinating. It fell apart for me in the Kennedy years. The timeline was very jumbled and convoluted but I did feel like j got to "know" the Kennedys more (this was true of all of the presidential families profiled in the book, however I went into it knowing the most about the Kennedys.) I only had the Johnsons and Nixons to go but I realized I no longer cared. Maybe I'll go back to it someday. ??‍♀️

Cinfhen Great photo ❤️sorry the book didn't live up to your expectations 😠 7y
ValerieAndBooks Aww. It did sound like it'd have been interesting. Maybe by another author it would have been better. 7y
92 likes2 comments
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EmilysHollow
Mehso-so

It was interesting, but rather dry.

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EmilysHollow
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About 2/3 it. I like it more than I enjoy it. It totally makes sense in my brain.

TubaSheila This one looks interesting…I think I'll put it on my list! 7y
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KrisConstantReader
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Another ebook deal very fitting for today in particular. #Election2016

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ascholarsparrot
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The author was Chief Usher for the Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Nixon White Houses. I loved that the book gave an inside look without feeling indiscreet. West talked a lot about his interactions with the First Ladies without playing favorites or being gossipy. Also, I wanted to be friends with Bess Truman after finishing this, to be honest.