
Upstairs at the White House
My Life with the First Ladies
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Narrated by:
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Eric Jason Martin
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By:
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J. B. West
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.Listeners also enjoyed...
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Interesting, but....
- By Papa Charlie on 07-09-17
By: Clint Hill, and others
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Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy
- By: Caroline Kennedy - foreword, Michael Beschloss - introduction
- Narrated by: Jacqueline Kennedy, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. (interviewer), Caroline Kennedy (foreword), and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1964, Jacqueline Kennedy recorded seven historic interviews about her life with John F. Kennedy. Now, decades later, these conversations can be heard in this digitally remastered eight-and-a-half-hour audio program. This audiobook includes the foreword written and read by Caroline Kennedy; introduction written and read by historian Michael Beschloss and the photos from the hardcover book, as well as complete annotations from Michael Beschloss, both in downloadable PDF format.
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Fascinating Listen
- By Tim on 01-03-12
By: Caroline Kennedy - foreword, and others
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The First Family Detail
- Secret Service Agents Reveal the Hidden Lives of the Presidents
- By: Ronald Kessler
- Narrated by: Michael Bybee
- Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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From New York Times best-selling author and award-winning reporter Ronald Kessler, The First Family Detail tells eye-opening, behind-the-scenes stories from Secret Service agents about presidents and their families.
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This was very, very interesting!
- By E.R. on 08-19-14
By: Ronald Kessler
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First Ladies
- The Ever Changing Role, from Martha Washington to Melania Trump
- By: Betty Boyd Caroli
- Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
- Length: 20 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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Betty Boyd Caroli's engrossing and informative First Ladies is an essential resource for anyone interested in the role of America's First Ladies. Caroli observes the role as it has shifted and evolved from ceremonial backdrop to substantive world figure. This expanded and updated fifth edition presents Caroli's keen political analysis and astute observations of recent developments, including Melania Trump's reluctance to take on the mantle and former First Lady Hilary Clinton's recent run for president. Caroli here contributes a new preface and updated chapters.
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Thorough
- By Kindle Customer on 10-11-20
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Exploring the White House
- Inside America's Most Famous Home
- By: Kate Andersen Brower
- Narrated by: Patricia Santomasso
- Length: 4 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Have you ever wondered what exactly goes on inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? Sure, the president of the United States works and resides there, but do you know who helps keep this historic house running? It’s no simple task, especially when there are important state events and foreign dignitaries - in addition to presidential pups, mischievous children, and even a couple of ghosts. And its Residence workers and first ladies make sure everything is in check and running smoothly.
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Not bad, not bad at all.
- By brian on 12-09-20
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The Hill
- Inside the Secret World of the U.S. Capitol
- By: Kate Andersen Brower
- Narrated by: Patricia Santomasso
- Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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There’s a secret world hidden in the halls of the U.S. Capitol! The first stone was laid by George Washington himself, and the building stands today as one of the most recognizable symbols of the oldest democracy in the world. In this home of America’s legislative branch, senators and representatives fight to pass laws they believe are for the good of the country.
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My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy
- By: Clint Hill, Lisa McCubbin Hill
- Narrated by: Clint Hill
- Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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While preparing to sell his home in Alexandria, Virginia, retired Secret Service agent Clint Hill uncovers an old steamer trunk in the garage, triggering a floodgate of memories. As he and Lisa McCubbin, his coauthor on three previous books, pry it open for the first time in fifty years, they find forgotten photos, handwritten notes, personal gifts, and treasured mementos from the trips on which Hill accompanied First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as her Secret Service agent.
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Very insightful.
- By Rebecca Vaughn on 11-08-22
By: Clint Hill, and others
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Mrs. Kennedy and Me
- An Intimate Memoir
- By: Clint Hill, Lisa McCubbin Hill
- Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb
- Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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For four years, from the election of John Fitzgerald Kennedy until after the election of Lyndon Johnson, Clint Hill was the Secret Service agent assigned to guard the glamorous and private Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. During those four years, he went from being a reluctant guardian to a fiercely loyal watchdog and friend. Looking back, Clint Hill tells his story for the first time, offering a tender and tragic portrayal of how a Secret Service agent who started life in an orphanage became the most trusted man in the life of the First Lady who captivated first the nation and then the world.
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This Memoir is a Blessing!
- By Alexis on 04-08-12
By: Clint Hill, and others
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Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?
- And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House
- By: Alyssa Mastromonaco, Lauren Oyler
- Narrated by: Alyssa Mastromonaco
- Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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If your funny older sister were the former deputy chief of staff to President Barack Obama, her behind-the-scenes political memoir would sound something like this. Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? is an intimate and admiring portrait of a president, a candid book of advice for young women, and a promising debut from a savvy political star.
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A woman works for obama
- By H. Winslow on 06-13-17
By: Alyssa Mastromonaco, and others
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Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World
- The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance
- By: Jennifer Armstrong
- Narrated by: Taylor Mali
- Length: 3 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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Sir Ernest Shackleton and a crew of 27 men set off from England aboard the ship Endurance, intending to cross Antarctica from one side to the other. Instead, Endurance becomes icebound and sinks 100 miles from land, leaving Shackleton and his men to fight brutal perils on ice, land, and sea...or die trying.
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Shorter account with some colorful voices
- By Levi on 05-02-03
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Under This Roof
- The White House and the Presidency - 21 Presidents, 21 Rooms, 21 Inside Stories
- By: Paul Brandus
- Narrated by: Tom Zingarelli
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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In Under This Roof, award-winning White House journalist Paul Brandus weaves together stories of the presidents, their families, the events of their time, and an oft-ignored major character, the White House itself. From George Washington to the current occupant, Barack Obama - the story of the White House is the story of America itself, Brandus writes.
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Interesting but Glaring Omission
- By Syd Young on 07-03-20
By: Paul Brandus
What listeners say about Upstairs at the White House
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Overall
- Betsy
- 08-08-17
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.
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- Amy
- 09-16-16
Fascinating story
Little slow in places - but great story overall, and wonderfully read by the narrator
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- Anne E. Sayers
- 05-09-15
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.
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- Jon M. Wilson
- 03-24-16
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!
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- leslie
- 08-06-18
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
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- jt
- 04-30-19
enjoyed!
very cool insight to life inside the White House. takes you on a journey. Loved it
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- Julie
- 08-24-15
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
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- LOUIS A DERANGO
- 03-04-19
Entertaining and Informative!
Recommended for everyone! Such a descriptive look into what goes on in the White House
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- cassie
- 10-22-18
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.
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- Chris
- 05-19-21
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.
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