Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies [B1311]

2016 PB reprint of the 1973 original, in nice clean condition. In this New York Times bestseller, the White House chief usher for nearly three decades offers a behind-the-scenes look at America's first families. 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 and funerals, gardens and playgrounds, and extensive renovations; and, with a large staff, supervised every activity in the presidential home. For twenty-eight 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, as well as their parents, children and grandchildren, and houseguests-including friends, relatives, and heads of state. J. B. West, whom Jackie Kennedy called "one of the most extraordinary men I have ever met," provides an absorbing, one-of-a-kind history of life among the first ladies. Alive with anecdotes ranging from Eleanor Roosevelt's fascinating political strategies to Jackie Kennedy's tragic loss and the personal struggles of Pat Nixon, Upstairs at the White House is a rich account of a slice of American history that usually remains behind closed doors.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "I really enjoyed this one! It covers a lot of history, beginning with FDR's presidency ending during the Nixon's. Instead of being a biography of each president, West speaks about his experience working for and with each of the First Ladies. He speaks very respectfully and clearly loved his job. I found each chapter interesting!"; "This was an easy read, incredibly interesting and well written."; "A charming, kind, and apolitical memoir and retrospective."