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The President's Table: Two Hundred Years of Dining and Diplomacy
 
 
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The President's Table: Two Hundred Years of Dining and Diplomacy [Hardcover]

Barry H. Landau (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

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Book Description

October 30, 2007

The President's Table offers a sweeping visual history of the American Presidency as seen through Presidential entertaining from George Washington to George W. Bush.

In this lavishly illustrated history of Presidential dining, historian Barry Landau brings the backstory of the American Presidency to life. Interweaving stories of dining and diplomacy, he creates a spellbinding narrative from the early days of provincial entertaining in the capital, through the golden era of sumptuous state banquets, to the modern White House dinners of today.

With more than 300 never before seen illustrations, The President's Table provides an insightful and entertaining look at our dining habits as the nation grew through social and economic change. The book reveals the parallel growth of the United States and its Chief Executives, and the diplomatic and political interests served along with Presidential meals. The President's Table will fascinate anyone with an interest in American history and Presidential politics.


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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Barry Landau weaves these previously missing links of Presidential history into a fascinating tapestry and narrative of Presidential lore.” (Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. )

“Landau escorts the reader to the Head Table...and provides a social history that is great fun to read.” (Henry A. Kissinger )

“Brings to life an intriguing backstory of the American Presidency....[A] unique perspective on American history and presidential politics.” (Mike Wallace, 60 Minutes )

“[Landau’s] connections bridge the world of politics, entertainment and theatre….and built a network of the powerful and famous, creating a niche as a liaison between the world of politics and entertainment.” (Washington Post )

About the Author

Barry H. Landau is a presidential historian and one of the foremost collectors of presidential memorabilia and artifacts. He has served eight Presidents and worked with every White House since Lyndon Johnson's planning historic events. The late Arthur Schlesinger, quoted on Landau's recent book, The President's Table, said that “Landau weaves these previously missing links of Presidential history, into a fascinating tapestry and narrative of Presidential lore. The Washington Post wrote, Landau's “connections that bridge the world of politics, entertainment and theatre”….and built a network of the powerful and famous, creating a niche as a liaison between the world of politics and entertainment.”


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Harper (October 30, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0060899107
  • ISBN-13: 978-0060899103
  • Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.4 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #613,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By MARS
Format:Hardcover
Barry Landau's wonderful book deserves special attention as it covers an area, for the most part, largely ignored by historians. In addition to broad general appeal, this book will particularly interest history buffs, gourmands, socialites, collectors, and scholars. History is most truly enjoyed through the tangible items that provide us a connection to our past, as well as, the stories that make those from the past come alive and more human. Landau has masterfully connected the two elements and created a wonderful saga that threads its way through our country's major events, all through a unique lens. A tremendously enjoyable and elaborate presentation of American material culture interspersed with the historic stories of dining, grand celebrations, and the subtle nuances of diplomacy and politics --- often as major events unfolded over food and drink. Not only is it beautifully presented but the material, fondly collected over 40 years, is a resource and collection of the first order. It is lavishly illustrated and thoughtfully organized with succinct yet insightful descriptions of each administration. He knows his subject. Further, the author's credentials could not be more relevant. Barry Landau has had the unique opportunity to participate on the stage of which he writes. His mother, lovingly acknowledged in the book for sparking his lifelong interest and thus this book, would be proud. I am told he is now working on a second volume. Let's hope it is an equally engaging companion to this one, and that he doesn't wait long!
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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The President's Table is a book for the ages. It should be in every library and university for all those with an interest in American history and the Presidency. I've ordered 50 copies for all my friends for Christmas. It is both historical and beautifully illustrated with magnificent color images of all those unbelievably elegant Presidential menus. I never knew the President's menus were so luxuriously presented. I've always loved American history, and particularly the Presidency; this wonderful new book presents both against the intriquing worlds of American politics and international diplomacy. Mr. Landau presents his text from such an entirely new perspective, and makes it great fun to read. He uses the menus to move the story along, and does so deftly as an artist applying his brush to the canvas. BRAVO! It's a cross between The New Republic and National Geographic.
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
first rate entertainment December 22, 2007
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have always enjoyed American presidential history, and this wonderful book gives a rare view of White House events. It's easy to find information about the presidents in the context of politics and history, but "The President's Table" shows the presidents entertaining guests 'at home'; a more intimate aspect of their public lives. The presentation is beautiful. The invitations and menus are great fun to read, and of course, the guest list is mind-boggling. (Oh, to have been there!)
Mr. Landau has done a brilliant job of assembling his material. It is rare to find a 'coffee table' book and a readable book all in one. It also is a perfect gift.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Archive Thief?
Current news March 2012 tells of massive thefts of historic documents from National and other archives by "presidential historian Barry Landau". Read more
Published 2 months ago by Catherine Michael
Landau a Scammer
According to The Daily Beast, Nov. 2, 2011: "Landau was a man who hobnobbed with the great and the good, living a life that was all about being at the center of everything. Read more
Published 6 months ago by E. Schell
love the history
this is a great book...so interesting!! each lst family celebrated soooo differently...from simple to elegant. loved the menues and invites. Read more
Published 7 months ago by janelle craighead
Setting The President's Table
If you appreciate the finer things in life, like art, culture, manners, china, silver, crystal, and damask, you will appreciate the painstaking collecting Barry Landau has... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Kay
let them eat broccolli
Great collection for deltologists (people that collect printed cards), the text is peppered with great anecdotes without being gossipy or vulgar. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Jose F. Santiago-llorens
A fabulous gift for any friend
This is the second Christmas in a row that I have purchased multiple copies of this wonderful book to give to friends as presents. Read more
Published on December 23, 2009 by avid reader
An interesting peek into barely known history
Barry Landau gives us an insight into the part of the history that is mostly unknown.
He shows us elegance, beauty and sophistication of that very common task as a dinner... Read more
Published on September 17, 2009 by Robert Szpiczynski
Surprisingly wonderful information on presidential administrations
What a surprise to read such a well-written account of each presidential administration flowing into his successor's tenure. Read more
Published on December 30, 2008 by Jayne Larion
Fantastic
Barry Landau's book, "The President's Table" is presented in such a unique manner, it makes history come to life as we never before imagined it. My wife and I first saw Mr. Read more
Published on December 7, 2008 by Ernesto Perez-carrillo
A fine collection of history, dinning that is!
Wonderful pictures showing all the dinning invitations to the White House categorized by presidencies. Read more
Published on November 25, 2008 by Asian Cowgirl
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