The President's House: a History, by William Seale, is an amazing two volume set about the White House. Imagine back to a time when D.C. was still pretty much a frontier city to present day (well, 2008)! Situated on a mosquito infested swamp, it gave easy access to the Potomac, the river that would give access to the west (as it was, in those days). Unfinished when the first of the First Families moved it, laundry really was hung out to dry in one of the rooms. Jefferson drove everyone nuts by not having a seating arrangement for the fancy dinners, people were to sit wherever they wanted. When Jackson was president, the stables and barns were still not far away. When the windows for the State Dining Room were open ... well ... you can image what sort of aroma wafted in! Read about when indoor plumbing is added (just cold water to start with), gas lights, then electric and how various presidents modified the rooms to their tastes. And that's just in volume one!

In Volume Two you'll read about staff changes: the first housekeeper was hired and she ruled with an iron fist! She was not well liked but still served for 17 years. Other changes included a swimming pool (later described as more of an exercise pool), a bomb shelter, new curtains and wall paper, and, of course, serious renovations (Truman era). The wiring was updated, phones, tvs, and computers added. It was fun reading about the house this time, rather than the people living there (although there were bits about them, too). :-) My copy is the second edition (the most recent) and ends in 2008.

Then, for something completely different, try White House: Confidential. The Little Book of Weird Presidential History (third edition), by Gregg Stebben and Austin Hill. This book is about the folks living in the President's House (and what an odd bunch they are, and were)! There are scandals, naturally, and information 'leaks', but also dealing with those embarrassing family members with bad behavior.

Reading Hermit With Dog