Customer Reviews

Dear Mr. President: Letters to the Oval Office from the Files of the National Archives

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This is a great book of a collection of letters written over the years to various presidents. National Geographic looked over the national archives to find the most memorable letters written. There are serious letters in here, such as Jackie Robinson to Dwight D Eisenhower to take action on Civil Rights, from relatives of people serving in Pearl Harbour and some cute letters from a lot of kids. There is even a letter from Fidel Castro when he was 12 to F.D.R asking for a $10 bill. In here is a letter from one kid called Brian Williams hoping to one day go to the White House. Well he is now the NBC Nightly News reader and over his journalistic career, has gone to the White House many many times (he also wrote the forward). This is a fun read - one that's moving, humourous, touching and really interesting. (Elvis fans - theres also a letter from him in here too).

Dear Prospective Book Buyer,

Anyone who's ever visited the National Archives temple in D.C. has probably wondered what unknown treasures are hidden away in its recesses. In that respect, this book -- a collection of letters written to a variety of presidents (and their wives) -- is a genuine gem.

Reading through these, I was struck at the excellent job the book's editors had done in getting a wide variety of material from throughout our nation's history. In emotional tone they range from children asking for help with cleaning their rooms ("My mom says it's a federal disaster zone") to bereaved mothers sharing poignant remembrances about their sons lost to war. Kudos also to Dwight Young for his informative and often witty commentary that accompanies and illuminates the manuscripts.

Particularly interesting is the variety of stationery used throughout the years, all faithfully reproduced here in their original form, with accompanying translations when necessary. Letters are written in crayon, or beautiful calligraphy, or are carved into wood blocks, and one is even painted. One of my favorites was a witty letter from Churchill to FDR typed on the British prime minister's spare and elegant letterhead.

Best regards,
Bart King
Portland, Oregon

A great insight to the culture, personalities, and word usage in the early history of the United States.

The gift receiver has thanked me twice for the book. He has enjoyed it very much.

I purchased this book as a birthday gift for a relative who began showing it to other family members. I received calls from several relatives inquiring why they didn't receive the book for their birthday. To make a long story short, I ended up purchasing 6 more copies to give as gifts.I finally had to tell the rest of my relatives they could purchase their own copy on-line at [...].

This book was pretty good. It did at times seemed a bit vague and I felt there could have been more to it. It was very interesting and a great way to see how people put their emotions on paper to our presidents throughout history. It really shows how people were feeling in times of great struggle and great triumph and how by writing a letter to the president, they were taking part in their nation and trying to make an impact. It was an amazing way to look at some of the National Archives treasures.

This is a compilation of letters written to the White House on a variety of subjects from, for the most part, well-known people. The letters are short, not really substantive, but fun to read.

Very interesting book. Makes a great gift idea for those on your list that are hard to buy for. The letter from Fidel Castro when he was a young boy was facinating. A nice coffee table book but this one you will want to read.

"Letters to the Oval Office" includes material sent to presidents from George Washington onward, grouped according to various topics - eg. the "Indian" question, anti-semitism, the Civil Rights Act, physical fitness, etc.

A total of 67 letters are included, all drawn from the National Archives. Specific examples include a slave asking President Lincoln if she was free to go visit her relatives, a Texas Humane Federation officer gently rebuffing LBJ for lifting his beagles by their ears, an Indian tribe representative thanking President Truman for responding to an Iowa cemetery barring the burial of an Indian soldier by having him interred in Arlington National, children making donations to polio research, Presley supporters pleading that he not be given a G.I. haircut, and Mother Teresa thanking President Carter for his efforts.

The letters give perspective regarding what at least a few people are thinking, and they are all polite and positive. Unfortunately, I could not distil any underlying theme with which to understand them better.