The White House Pop-Up Book [Hardcover]

Chuck Fischer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 4, 2004

Colorful, interactive, and fun, The White House Pop-Up Book illustrates the history and architecture of the White House with pop-up elements, die-cut images, booklets, pull-outs, photographs, models, illustrations, and more. More than 100 photographs capture the people, places, and events that are part of this famous building's past and the story of the United States.
Highlights from the book include a movable diorama of the Mall with all of the monuments; a removable map of Washington, D.C.; a gallery of all the presidents; a pop-up of an exact replica of the White House with an exact replica floorplan; the Oval Office in three dimensions; a fan that pops open to reveal portraits of the First Ladies; a standing "carousel" that reveals five rooms-the Red Room, Cross Hall, Blue Room, Green Room, and Lincoln Bedroom and an accordion of inaugural gowns worn by the First Ladies.
The White House receives an average of one million visitors annually, and there is perennial interest in the President's house. From those who have visited repeatedly to those who wish to go, this three-dimensional tour serves as a great gift, souvenir, or keepsake that will make them feel as if they're stepping into the White House every time they open the book.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Those who are interested in learning more about the history and construction of the White House but who haven’t the time or the attention span to read a meaty book on the subject may enjoy Fischer’s (Great American Houses and Gardens: A Pop-Up Book) clever, beautifully illustrated pop-up book. The first panel features an accordion-like pull-out that, when fully extended, shows the National Mall in all its three-dimensional glory. A brief description of the Mall as a popular demonstration site and the cultural heart of Washington D.C. follows, along with some general information on the city and the architect who came up with the "immediately unpopular" idea to name it Washingtonople. The next two spreads feel scattershot. The first displays a photo of Gilbert Stuart’s famous portrait of George Washington, which opens like a card to reveal headshots of the nation’s past presidents, and the second contains elementary-level information about the Constitution and the three branches of government. Readers would do best to skip to the book’s pièce de résistance—a three-dimensional model of the White House surrounded by a striking illustration of the gardens and grounds. Here readers learn that the Oval Office was the brainchild of William Taft and that Andrew Jackson was an "enthusiastic gardens supporter." Although the text can be general and perfunctory, the book’s artful and inventive construction makes this a fun, interactive reading experience.
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About the Author

Chuck Fischer is one of the most talented and sought-after artists in America today and
is the author and illustrator of the acclaimed Great American Houses and Gardens: A
Pop-Up Book and Wallcoverings: Applying the Language of Color and Pattern, both published by Universe.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 10 pages
• Publisher: Universe; Pop edition (September 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789310643
• ISBN-13: 978-0789310644
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 1.3 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #282,270 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chuck Fischer's latest pop-up creation with paper engineer Bruce Foster, Charles Dickens A CHRISTMAS CAROL was published by Little, Brown and Co. on November 10, 2010. A CHRISTMAS CAROL Pop-Up Book has already been chosen by the New York Times as one of the holidays Best Coffee Table Books and is to be featured in USA Todays
Holiday roundup.

CHUCK FISCHER is a leading author and designer who has taken his unique painting style and effortlessly transferred his signature look to various home furnishings products and books, making his remarkable artistry available to a wide audience.

Fischer's book, Christmas in New York: A Pop-Up Book (Little, Brown & Co.) has become a perennial holiday favorite and is in its fourth printing. Fischer's next book, Christmas Around the World: A Pop-Up Book (Little, Brown & Co.) was published in October 2007, accompanied by an extensive collection of Christmas ornaments produced by Kurt Adler, along with fine paper products by CR Gibson. Christmas Around The World was chosen as one of USA Today's Top Ten holiday books for 2007 and both books appeared on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list. In The Beginning: The Art of Genesis was published by Little, Brown & Company in October 2008. ANGELS: A Pop-Up Book was published by Little, Brown & Co. in October 2009.

Fischer's first three books, The White House: A Pop-Up Book (2004), Great American Houses and Gardens: A Pop-Up Book (2002), and Wallcoverings: Applying the Language of Color and Pattern (2003) were published by Universe/Rizzoli.

Fischer's three signature collections of china and crystal for LENOX, are available at fine department stores in the US and Canada, and his collections of fabric and wallpaper designs are available at F. Schumacher and Co. and Brunschwig & Fils

Fischer's work is in the permanent collection of the COOPER-HEWITT, NATIONAL DEISGN MUSEUM, and he was chosen as a Visiting Artist at the AMERICAN ADADEMY IN ROME. 2009 marks the third year Fischer has been honored with the commission to create the annual holiday card for The White House Historical Association.

Fischer received his B.F.A from The University of Kansas

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Show and Tell at School, September 22, 2004

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The White House Pop-Up Book (Hardcover)

When the kid was little we used to have pop-up books where the monster or the hero would jump up off the page. I never thought of them as adult books. This book changed my mind. Chuck Fischer has taken the most famous home in America and produced a pop-up book. It is architecturally accurate and ingeniously designed to pop up and give a three dimensional view of the mansion's exterior as well as some of the famous rooms inside.

This is combined with a series of booklets, blurbs, and lists that relate to the house and to its occupants down through the years. It's a way to look at history that is a lot more fun than reading a text book. It would be great for a show and tell at school.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful painted pop-ups -- great fun!, September 6, 2004

By 

Marian "Pop-up book fan" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The White House Pop-Up Book (Hardcover)

I love the accurate architectural recreations of the great monuments of Washington, D.C. -- especially the main pop-up of the White House itself, rising from a beautifully painted rendition of the grounds, as entered through the main gate. The book is full of informative and fun anecdotal information -- which is icing on the cake of the ingenious pop-ups. Lots of fun -- I am giving multiple copies as Christmas gifts. A great present, for not a lot of money.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXQUISITELY PAINTED AND DESIGNED, August 31, 2004

By 

non partisan (washington, d.c.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The White House Pop-Up Book (Hardcover)

This book is not only beautiful to look at, but it's a fun and informational 3-d look into the country's most famous mansion. It has clearly been researched with great care and love for the subject ... exquisitely painted and recreated by Chuck Fischer. The 3-d construction is incredible. Also the pop-ups of former first ladies is a riot! Whether you're a Democrat or Republican, this book will be quite the conversation piece on your coffee table through the election and the holidays!