Upstairs at the White House Audiobook By J. B. West cover art

Upstairs at the White House

My Life with the First Ladies

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Upstairs at the White House

By: J. B. West
Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.95

Buy for $24.95

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at life on Pennsylvania Avenue with America's 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 Avenue - and coordinated its daily life - at the request of the president and his family. He directed state functions; planned parties, weddings, funerals, gardens, playgrounds, and extensive renovations; and with a large staff, supervised every activity in the presidential home. For 28 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, their parents, children and grandchildren, and houseguests - including friends, relatives, and heads of state.

In Upstairs at the White House, West offers an absorbing and novel glimpse at America's first families, from the Roosevelts to the Kennedys and the Nixons. Alive with anecdotes ranging from the quotidian (Lyndon B. Johnson's showerheads) to the tragic (the aftermath of John F. Kennedy's assassination), West's audiobook is an enlightening and rich account of the American history that took place just behind the Palladian doors of the North Portico.

©1973 J. B. West (P)2013 Audible, Inc.
Historical Politicians Presidents & Heads of State First Lady Funny Inspiring American History
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Upstairs at the White House

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,473
  • 4 Stars
    445
  • 3 Stars
    127
  • 2 Stars
    13
  • 1 Stars
    17
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,249
  • 4 Stars
    363
  • 3 Stars
    142
  • 2 Stars
    31
  • 1 Stars
    17
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,291
  • 4 Stars
    369
  • 3 Stars
    105
  • 2 Stars
    17
  • 1 Stars
    9

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

First ladies

I truly enjoyed this book learning so many things about the ladies in the White House that had never been written about . It was interesting to look back at the historical events that I too was alive during this time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fascinating story

Little slow in places - but great story overall, and wonderfully read by the narrator

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Compelling testimony of life in the White House

Very interesting book about running the White House as told by the former head usher who served under the Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, lbj, and Nixon administrations with special focus on the First Ladies.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent for all history/presidential nerds

This book is delightful, giving insight into the inner workings of America's great house. Detailing life from FDR to the Nixon's, full of trivia and stories, an entertaining listen!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

J.B.West must be the nicest man alive.

J.B.West didn't have a harsh word about any of the first ladies during his tenure in the White House. What an interesting peek into the lives of the first ladies who occupied the white House. Enjoyable to hear snippets of the president's lives as well. A great read. #feelgoodbook #insightful #interesting #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

enjoyed!

very cool insight to life inside the White House. takes you on a journey. Loved it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great historical book

This story was quite interesting if you like to read what it’s like behind the scenes of the White House. I read this awhile back but I think the author worked under 5 presidents. He tells a classy story. No mudslinging, although you can get a hint at the Presidents and families that were a bit more challenging than others. I thought it was a great book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining and Informative!

Recommended for everyone! Such a descriptive look into what goes on in the White House

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The man was professional and respectful of all the First Ladies in the White House.

I found Mr. West’s descriptions of all the First Ladies very respectful and interesting at the same time. He was definitely the perfect person for the job as Usher. He performed this with ease and was never flustered and always organized. One did get a picture of the First Ladies personalities and how they accepted their role with dignity and always had the man in their lives first and foremost most important. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next First Ladies lives and how they approached and handled their days in the White House.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A new view of the white house

This was a fun book to listen to. It was good to see the human side of the first family. It would be difficult to have others watching you day in and day out.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!