Windows on the White House: The Story of Presidential Libraries [Hardcover]

Curt Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997

Windows on the White House introduces the reader to each of the 12 presidential libraries and museums. It reveals the history behind the establishment of the libraries honoring the great men and the mediocrities, the unforgotten like Roosevelt or the overlooked such as Hayes. What has become dry fact in the history books is brought to life through a masterful combination of reality and reminiscence.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Curt Smith is an author, teacher, radio and television commentator and documentarian, and a former presidential speechwriter. He does commentary and analysis for Rochester, New York's National Public Radio and NBC-TV affiliates, hosts a series on the Empire Sports network, adn teaches Presidential Communication and Rhetoric at his alma mater, SUNY at Geneseo. His documentaries include three 90-minute ESPN-TV

Product Details

• Hardcover: 245 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888698101
• ISBN-13: 978-1888698107
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #902,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Had potential, but didn't meet expectations, October 13, 2007

By 

Deltau92 (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows on the White House: The Story of Presidential Libraries (Hardcover)

I've ready a LOT of presidential books over the last 30 years, but I have never been more excited about a book when purchasing it or more disappointed after reading it. The simple fact that I'm taking the initiative to review it speaks volumes. I guess I should have taken the time to sift through the book a little more before purchasing. I'm not going to say that the book is poorly written, but I will say that Mr. Smith's style and mine are polar opposites. The writing was extremely awkward and difficult to understand at times. Some references were poorly placed (IE: a 1970's John Connally quote in the chapter about Hayes' library). It has some decent photos in it, and SOME good information about how the individual libraries came to be, but the majority of the information you could simply find on the internet. Each chapter's text deals a LOT with the presidencies themselves and the individuals who held the office, rather than the libraries. The story of each library is seemingly briefly mentioned, in addition to directions to each library and hours of operation, etc. Again, if you're looking for information on the libraries, you're better off just referencing the internet. Each of them has a website and will probably be a better resource for you than this book will. No offense to the author, but I just simply did not like or enjoy this book.