White House Usher
Stories from the Inside
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Narrated by:
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Jonathan Salkoff
About this listen
From January 1986 until March 1994, Chris Emery was part of one of the most unique services in the U.S. government - an usher in the White House.
For more than 200 years, a small office has operated on the state floor of the White House executive residence. Known as the Usher's Office, whose mission is to accommodate the personal needs of the first family, and to make the White House feel like a home. The Usher's Office is the managing office of the executive residence and its staff of 90-plus. The staff consists of butlers, carpenters, grounds personnel, electricians, painters, plumbers, florists, maids, housemen, cooks, chefs, storekeepers, curators, calligraphers, doormen, and administrative support.
Ushers work closely with the first family, senior staff, social office, press office, secret service agency, and military leaders to carry out White House functions: luncheons, dinners, teas, receptions, meetings, conferences, and more.
Chris Emery was only the 18th White House usher since 1891, and had the honor and privilege to serve presidential families for three years during the Reagan administration, four years for President H. W. Bush, and 14 months under President Clinton. His vignettes recreate intimate White House happenings from an insider’s viewpoint.
Chris Emery was the only White House usher to be terminated in the 20th century. Tune in to find out which first lady fired him....
“With his book, White House Usher: Stories from the Inside, former usher Chris Emery gives his readers a peek inside what happens upstairs at the White House. Chris’ anecdotes tell a rich story of how America’s house really is the first families’ home. I loved my trip down memory lane.” (former first lady Barbara Bush, October 2017)
©2018 Christopher B. Emery (P)2020 Christopher B. EmeryListeners also enjoyed...
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The Kennedy Detail
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By: Gerald Blaine, and others
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November 22, 1963
- Reflections on the Life, Assassination, and Legacy of John F. Kennedy
- By: Dean R. Owen, Helen Thomas - foreword
- Narrated by: Arnell Powell, Kimberly Farr, Arthur Morey, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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As the fiftieth anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination draws near, the events of that fateful day will undoubtedly be on the minds of many throughout the world. Here Dean Owen curates a fascinating collection of interviews and thought-provoking commentaries from notable men and women connected to that notorious Friday afternoon. Those who worked closely with the president, civil rights leaders, celebrities, prominent journalists, and political allies are among the nearly one hundred voices asked to share their reflections on the significance of that day and the legacy left behind by John F. Kennedy.
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Disappointed in the content
- By ScoobyDo on 03-04-21
By: Dean R. Owen, and others
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Safe Houses
- A Novel
- By: Dan Fesperman
- Narrated by: Dan Fesperman
- Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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West Berlin, 1979. Helen Abell oversees the CIA's network of safe houses, rare havens for field agents and case officers amidst the dangerous milieu of a city in the grips of the Cold War. Helen's world is upended when, during her routine inspection of an agency property, she overhears a meeting between two unfamiliar people speaking a coded language that hints at shadowy realities far beyond her comprehension. Before the day is out, she witnesses a second unauthorized encounter, one that will place her in the sight lines of the most ruthless and powerful man at the agency.
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Fiction from Truth
- By Sue MB on 11-10-18
By: Dan Fesperman
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Executive Actions
- By: Gary Grossman
- Narrated by: John McLain
- Length: 20 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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An assassin takes aim at a Presidential candidate during a primary stump speech. The instant he pulls the trigger, the outcome of the election is irrevocably changed. But Democrat Teddy Lodge, an upcoming media sweetheart, isn't killed. His wife is. As a result, Lodge emerges as the man to beat and the greatest threat to the incumbent President, Morgan Taylor.
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My highest possible recommendation for this novel!
- By Wayne on 08-12-16
By: Gary Grossman
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Murder at the PTA
- Maya & Sandra Mystery Series, Book 1
- By: Lee Hollis
- Narrated by: Emily Durante
- Length: 8 hrs
- Unabridged
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Someone is trying to turn Portland High into a school for scandal with a gossipy website called Dirty Laundry. The latest target of ruinous rumors is newly elected PTA President Sandra Wallage. After a heated meeting with outraged parents, Sandra runs into fellow school mom and Private Investigator Maya Kendrick, who's discovered the person behind the website. But when the women storm into the venomous gossip columnist's office they find a lifeless body - along with a confession.
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More please.
- By Placeholder on 11-03-20
By: Lee Hollis
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First Women
- The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies
- By: Kate Andersen Brower
- Narrated by: Karen White
- Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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In one of the most underestimated - and challenging - positions in the world, the first lady of the United States must be many things: an inspiring leader with a forward-thinking agenda of her own; a savvy politician, skilled at navigating the treacherous rapids of Washington; a wife and mother operating under constant scrutiny; and an able CEO responsible for the smooth operation of countless services and special events at the White House.
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Who is missing?
- By Southern belle on 05-07-16
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Eighteen Acres
- A Novel
- By: Nicolle Wallace
- Narrated by: Susan Bennett
- Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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From the former communications director for the White House and current political media strategist comes a suspenseful and smart novel about the first female president and all dramas and deceptions she faces both in politics and in love. Eighteen Acres, a description used by political insiders when referring to the White House complex, follows the first female President of the United States, Charlotte Kramer, and her staff as they take on dangerous threats.
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Biased and Oh So Boring
- By Sara on 10-03-14
By: Nicolle Wallace
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Lockdown
- Saint Squad, Book 2
- By: Traci Hunter Abramson
- Narrated by: Kim Christenson
- Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Only twice had she set foot inside the building since the massacre. The first time had been just a month after the tragedy .. . . The second time she had returned to the scene of the crime had been two days ago when she forced herself to enter the building to check on the temporary office for the SEAL team. The counselor she had seen in the months after the shooting had encouraged her to face her fears, but now . . . Riley wasn’t sure she was ready to face them after all.
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Truth!?!
- By Brooke Maples on 10-07-24
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Watergate
- A Novel
- By: Thomas Mallon
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 15 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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For all the monumental documentation that Watergate generated - uncountable volumes of committee records, court transcripts, and memoirs - it falls at last to a novelist to perform the work of inference (and invention) that allows us to solve some of the scandal’s greatest mysteries - who did erase those eighteen-and-a-half minutes of tape? - and to see this gaudy American catastrophe in its human entirety. In Watergate, Thomas Mallon conveys the drama and high comedy of the Nixon presidency through the urgent perspectives of seven characters we only thought we knew.
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A great listen
- By Tad Davis on 03-29-12
By: Thomas Mallon
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Playing Under the Piano
- From Downton to Darkest Peru
- By: Hugh Bonneville
- Narrated by: Hugh Bonneville
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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From getting his big break as Third Shepherd in the school nativity play, to mistaking a Hollywood star for an estate agent, Hugh Bonneville creates a brilliantly vivid picture of a career on stage and screen. What is it like working with Judi Dench and Julia Roberts, or playing Robert De Niro’s right leg, or not being Gary Oldman, twice? A wickedly funny storyteller, Bonneville also writes with poignancy about his father’s dementia and of his mother, whose life in the secret service emerged only after her death.
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After an uneasy start, this memoir gains steam and becomes very engaging.
- By Barbara W. on 02-24-23
By: Hugh Bonneville
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Fletch: Booktrack Edition
- The Fletch Mysteries, Book 1
- By: Gregory Mcdonald
- Narrated by: Dan John Miller
- Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Fletch, investigative reporter extraordinaire, can’t be bothered with deadlines or expense-account budgets when it comes to getting his story. Working undercover at the beach to dig up a drug-trafficking scheme for his next blockbuster piece, Fletch is invited into a much deeper narrative. Alan Stanwyk, CEO of Collins Aviation and all-around family man, mistakes the reporter for a strung-out vagabond and asks him for a favor: kill him and escape to Brazil with $50,000.
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Great plot, fun characters
- By Anonymous User on 10-26-24
By: Gregory Mcdonald
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What listeners say about White House Usher
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Hey Zeus
- 10-18-21
Boring
Too much about himself, not enough important information. Lots of useless info. Not recommended.
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- Callie
- 04-20-21
An Enjoyable Read
The author writes candidly about his time at the White House sharing his personal observations. He enjoyed quite a bit of personal time with the presidential families. It shares the difficulty the staff goes through in adjusting to a new administration and saying goodbye to the old. They all work very hard and long hours.
The writing was well done clear and concise while the narrator did a good job of reading. I found it engaging and entertaining.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Dennis
- 03-17-21
As close as you will come to being Residence Staff
Loved the stories. Brought me back to the good old days at the White House. Thanks Chris for the memories.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Windsorsmith9
- 12-30-20
Really enjoyed this!
I love the way this is narrated and I truly enjoyed the book overall! I’m not really big into politics, so this was refreshing, as it gave a more personal perspective to our presidents.
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1 person found this helpful
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- R. Squyres
- 10-05-21
Facetime with the Presidents
What makes this book real fun is that it is full of private little moments with the presidents and their families. There are only historical notes to anchor the book in what was happening at the time; but almost all of the stories are from Emery's point of view. The reader gets lots of time with the Reagan's, the Bush's and the Clintons. The inner workings of the 90's White House is revealed.
I came away liking the Regan's more, loving the Bushes and Hillary . . . I guess you should read it yourself.
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1 person found this helpful
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- scott cohen
- 02-11-22
Excellent
What an insight enjoyed the book and learned a lot. To bad he did not retire from the White House
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1 person found this helpful
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- Wayne Keith
- 12-24-21
Quite enjoyable.
Excellent narrator. I would recommend this book. The author takes the reader on humorous and fascinating trips through the halls of the White House. It was interesting to find out what is a typical day for the President.
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- Crystal Stapleton
- 06-25-22
Interesting. Maybe a little unfinished?
The stories were interesting - definitely only a perspective that a White House Usher would have, which I find so fascinating. I appreciate the stories and pranks. The one thing that I felt was lacking was more details after the phrases "What a sight to see!". I was left wanting more....like tell me what it looked like! Help me feel like I'm in your shoes and experiencing it from your eyes. Everything was matter of fact, which was fine, I would have just felt a deeper connection had those details been there. Overall great book and Chris should not have been terminated as White House Usher. You can tell he has a great heart.
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2 people found this helpful
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- William Hill
- 07-19-21
Very good listen.
Only once did I question the accuracy of this book.
Regan never said what was quoted.
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- Cheryl
- 09-05-23
Inside the White House
Interesting personal stories of working in the White House. Looking back, I could begin to put together why he was fired. He was nice and personable to all he worked for and with. Need to compare to Courtier, Buckingham Palace.
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