Entertaining at the White House with Nancy Reagan [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Peter Schifando (Author), Jonathan Joseph (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2007

Why is entertaining at the White House important to a presidency? How are guest lists and seating charts for state dinners determined? Is it difficult to throw a surprise party for the commander-in-chief? What role do children play during holidays at the White House? Former first lady Nancy Reagan answers these questions and more as she provides a personal look at life as a White House hostess in this stunning, richly illustrated book.

Carrying on a tradition that dates back to 1801, Mrs. Reagan embraced this role with a unique energy and joie de vivre rare among her predecessors. During the course of President Reagan's two terms in office, the Reagans hosted fifty-five state dinners and hundreds of other events, both intimate and grand. "It was a vital part of our roles as president and first lady," recalls Mrs. Reagan. "And it was a duty that we enjoyed immensely."

From her first private event as a White House hostess (President Reagan's surprise seventieth birthday party, which was mistakenly announced by Tom Brokaw on the Today show that very morning), to the state dinner with Mikhail Gorbachev that marked the unofficial end of the Cold War, to John Travolta's surprise dance with Diana, Princess of Wales, Mrs. Reagan has seen it all.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Schifando and Joseph sweep readers into the elegant world of Washington elite in this photo-heavy look at White House entertaining, particularly during the presidency of Ronald Regan. The authors begin with a look at various presidential approaches to entertaining and the emergence of a uniquely American style. The greater part of the volume is devoted to the intricate details in meal preparation, table setting, protocol and etiquette in the private gatherings and celebrations of the Regan administration; former first lady Nancy Regan shares her scrapbooks and journals with the same hospitality she showed visiting dignitaries. Though it steers clear of politics, Schifando and Joseph never stray from one of the books' central themes, the importance of White House entertaining in American statesmanship, not just a ceremonial procedure but a chance for real change in international relations, simply by virtue of formal proximity and the unexpected connections it can engender: "In the East Room of the White House, surrounded by Cold War hawks like Jeane Kirkpatrick and Dick Cheney, the leaders of the Communist Party were serenading the guests." Party-goers and party-throwers alike will enjoy this full-color behind-the-scenes look at the People's house, featuring hundreds of photos that take readers from world-famous celebrations to casual private dinners.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"An alluring glimpse into the elegant and even risky world that combines dimplomacy with dining." -- BookPage.com

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (November 13, 2007)
• ISBN-10: 0061350125
• ASIN: B001G7R5TA
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #516,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Elegance in the White House during the Reagan Years, December 25, 2007

By 

Lesa Holstine (Glendale, AZ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Entertaining at the White House with Nancy Reagan (Hardcover)

Peter Schifando and J. Jonathan Joseph have captured the style and elegance of the Reagan White House in a gorgeous book, Entertaining at the White House with Nancy Reagan. The two interior designers had access to Mrs. Reagan's White House scrapbooks to collect the details of those years in "the President's House." They were also fortunate enough to have Mrs. Reagan's cooperation, and that of former members of the Reagan White House staff.

The book puts White House entertaining in historical context, beginning with the earliest dinners and receptions, under President John Adams. The First Ladies began to put a stamp on entertaining under Dolley Madison, and the changes and influences are shown up until the Reagan years.

The pictures in this book illustrate the fact that the dinners, parties, and entertaining are as much a part of American history as anything else in the government. During the Reagan years, they hosted 55 state dinners, and numerous private events. However, it's the pictures, menus, and invitations to those state dinners that show how important they were to international relations.

As in some other recent books, my biggest complaint with Entertaining at the White House with Nancy Reagan is the use of white print on tan pages at times. This is not always easy to read, and publishers should consider their readers when publishing books. Black print on white pages, or the white print on black pages, is still the most effective print for a reader.

Except for this small complaint, the is an intriguing look behind the scenes at the White House. The attention to detail is wonderful in the book that captures the history, etiquette and protocol of White House entertaining. No matter what your political beliefs, the Reagans were experts at elegant entertaining. Schifando and Joseph used their access skillfully to portray the style of Entertaining at the White House with Nancy Reagan.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable history of social life in the White House, March 6, 2008

By 

Kim Seale (Richardson, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Entertaining at the White House with Nancy Reagan (Hardcover)

In close collaboration with Mrs. Reagan, these two authors have compiled a fascinating look at the traditions and protocol involved in social entertaining at the White House. This work is full of beautiful photographs and very interesting stories.

The book is divided into chapters on history, etiquette and protocol, descriptions of the many patterns of china, and reviews of numerous private and public events, from family times to state dinners hosted by many of the Presidents.

Although the pictures alone make this a real collectible item of White House lore, it is greatly enhanced by the commentary and anecdotes supplied by Nancy Reagan, which make it an even more full and thorough review.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the White House or Presidential life.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, different, March 28, 2008

By 

Beach Lady (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Entertaining at the White House with Nancy Reagan (Hardcover)

Though I was never a Reagan fan, I must admit this book was fascinating. I enjoy reading history books, especially on the White House, and this one presented a totally different story. Also, many, many pictures I had never seen before. This book was well worth the money.....one that you can look at over and over and see something different everytime. Excellent job.