The Residence

Inside the Private World of the White House

By: Kate Andersen Brower

Narrated by: Karen White

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

A remarkable history with elements of both In the President's Secret Service and The Butler, The Residence offers an intimate account of the service staff of the White House, from the Kennedys to the Obamas.

America's first families are unknowable in many ways. No one has insight into their true character like the people who serve their meals and make their beds every day. Full of stories and details by turns dramatic, humorous, and heartwarming, The Residence reveals daily life in the White House as it is really lived through the voices of the maids, butlers, cooks, florists, doormen, engineers, and others who tend to the needs of the president and first family.

These dedicated professionals maintain the six-floor mansion's 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, three elevators, and eight staircases and prepare everything from hors d'oeuvres for intimate gatherings to meals served at elaborate state dinners. Over the course of the day, they gather in the lower level's basement kitchen to share stories, trade secrets, forge lifelong friendships, and sometimes even fall in love.

Combining incredible first-person anecdotes from extensive interviews with scores of White House staff members - many speaking for the first time - with archival research, Kate Andersen Brower tells their story. She reveals the intimacy between the first family and the people who serve them as well as tension that has shaken the staff over the decades. From the housekeeper and engineer who fell in love while serving President Reagan to Jackie Kennedy's private moment of grief with a beloved staffer after her husband's assassination to the tumultuous days surrounding President Nixon's resignation and President Clinton's impeachment battle, The Residence is full of surprising and moving details that illuminate day-to-day life at the White House.

©2015 Kate Andersen Brower (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

Very interesting

I really enjoyed this book.

I have always liked reading memoirs from the staff of the White House and my favorite has been "Upstairs at the White House." However, this one very much measures up to that standard. I found it interesting because of the behind-the-scenes look at history and fascinating because of the insights it offers about how the actual human beings involved actually live in and react to the history with which they are involved.

Highly recommend if you find the topic at all tempting.

The Residence

The narrator drones and it was really hard to get in to rhythm of the book.

Glad I Gave It a Chance

At first, I found the narration robotic, and the attempts at the various accents irritating and distracting.
I was listening out for the great narration of Robert Caro's Lyndon Johnson series by Grover. So, at the beginning of the story, I was disappointed in the delivery of the narration and in the appearant disorganization of topics in the early part of the book. The book seemed to be all over the place.

However, I paid for the book, so I was going to complete its listening.
I am glad I gave it a chance. As the chapter topics were more clearly identified, I was better able to enjoy the stories and anecdotes. As the book's layout became more clear, the stories became more enjoyable and the narrator's voice grew on me, even becoming more soothing every day as I gave up on the car radio and listened to the audio on the way to and from work.

Now, the book is complete and I am sad, missing the anecdotes and even the voice that started out grating on my nerves, and ended up giving me piece and calm before I entered the work world. The minute I heard "epilogue", I knew it was time to say good-bye.
I am glad I gave the book a chance.

Annoying impressions

The book itself would be fair, absent the time it spends on faux racial issues. Most annoying is the narrator's impersonations of staff and other figures. Apparently everyone at the WH speaks like an 80 year old southern woman, even Richard Nixon. The notable exception was the French pastry chef, who apparently spoke like an 80 year old Russian woman. It became so annoying I could barely finish the book. The book, as it turns out is about the staff more than the occupants

great read!!

great reader informative and interesting, definite suggestion to friends, would like to listen to another

Intriguing without being gossipy.

The book gave the reader an inside/behind-the-scenes look into the White House while maintaining a sense of dignity. Loved the format and loved the performance.

Fell short.

Difficult to follow audio book because of the confusing organization and sequence. Reader's use of voices were not helpful since it was impossible to tell most of them apart.

Renewed my faith

Beyond the politics is an army of people serving in the White House. Their stories were deeply touching. No matter who is in the home of the President, the current state of affairs, or the politics of the current President, through this book I thoroughly appreciate the people who serve in The Residence. They provide the continuity through every administration. They are truly a blessing for all of us.

Opens your eyes to the real White House

The author has done an excellent job and showing us the other side of the White House. I feel I know a different side of most of the president that they discussed in the book she brings humor and sorrow together in a wonderful way to keep you engaged throughout the entire book. I highly recommend this book is not just a nonfiction book but more a biography of the actual White House and the people who make it real

Interesting stuff, even to a Canadian

A fascinating look behind the scenes at the workings of the White House, and the "house" in particular. Of most interest are the staff, their roles, the challenges they face and their dedication. The stories of the turnovers between families on inauguration day was fascinating... it answered questions to things one might have asked, if one even thought of all the details. The sudden changes as a result of JFK's death, and Nixon's departure, were also interesting. This book wasn't heavy on the politics, and that suited me find. Plenty of little tidbits about various occupants - some in the arena of TMI (too much information) - to entertain, but it didn't seem to invade people's privacy too much. I must say, the staff are indeed very tight lipped. Slightly jarring to think of the institution being on hold, somewhat, while the current occupant lives elsewhere... It was a good time for this book to come out, up to and including the Obamas.