Customer Reviews

The White House: Its Historic Furnishings and First Families

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Once again Betty Monkman has given us WHITE HOUSE FANS a magnificant chronicle! What a glorious, beautiful absolutely stunning work of art! Betty has included everything in this piece! Bruce White's photography cannot be topped! Looking at the old photos of days gone by and then seeing the "latest versions" of those historic rooms is truly a treat! The details on the historic furntiure, art pieces, glassware, china and more within those walls is fascinating! During this - the 200th Anniversary year of the White House getting it's first occupants, this book is really a treasure and a great addition to anyone's library to help mark this historic anniversary! I thought I knew a lot about the White House - once again Betty Monkman has taught me more! Thanks Betty! :-)

This is a beautiful book with exquisite layout and photographs. However, the title gives the impression that we will find information on the First Families, which certainly is not so. It is a very good coffee table book on interior design, design, furnishings, architecture, etc. but since I expected photos and information on people, I was somewhat dissappointed with its contents. But it is a work of art.

The White House is just an amazing facility, it's a museum, the President's Residence, and the embodiment of the Executive Branch. This book is exhaustively researched, and the photographs are well done. Though it is really not a history of the first families, the book really consentrates on furnishings, and the changes made to the structure over the centuries. The White House serves so many duties and thanks to Jackie O, the historic furnishing have returned and subsequent first ladies and curators have continued her pursuit of historic period furnishings. This book does a wonderful job of highlighting the best of the White House Collection. If you like books of this sort then you will enjoy this book dedicated to one of the iconic symbols of democracy.

What a great addition to my collection of WHITE HOUSE books and memorabilia. This well-written, well-researched and beautifully photographed book gives the detail that is sometimes missing in the more general WHITE HOUSE history or antecdotal writings. It is a good "stand alone" and would be a great "living room" collection book in any case, but for those who enjoy the rich history of D.C. this is a jewel. I recommend it.

Betty Monkman, the White House Curator and photographer Bruce White (from the Metropolitan Museum of Art) have collaborated to create an invaluable text on the history of the furnishings of The White House. Wonderful stories lie within...most famously, the story behind the Resolute Desk, the desk used by Presidents Kennedy, Carter, George H. Bush, Bill Clinton, and now President George W. Bush in their respective Oval Offices.

On June 1st at 6PM, Ms. Monkman will deliver a lecture on The White House as part of exhibition presented by the John F. Kennedy Library and The Metropolitan Museum "Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years-Selections from the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum". The exhibit will begin May 1, 2001 until July 29, 2001. This will be a great opportunity for one to hear Ms. Monkman's expertise in person. Go to the lecture and buy the book!

I had been to the White House over forty years ago on a grammar school trip and to be
honest, didn't remember too much about it... this book was a great way to go back and
look at all of the beautiful furniture and the historical memorabilia that is our nation's
home... the photos are glorious. You won't be disappointed.