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The White House: An Illustrated History
With a forward by Mrs. Laura Bush, and created in collaboration with the White House Historical Association, The White House tells the authoritative story of the building and its inhabitants.
Through fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpses of the White House captured in more than 200 photographs, many of which were taken specifically for the book, and unprecendented personal interviews with the staff so that their faces and voices could be brought to life, weaved together with an engaging narrative that leads the reader through the lifespan of the house, The White An Illustrated is an all encompassing look at this famous American landmark.
The author explores the four main roles of the White
Through fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpses of the White House captured in more than 200 photographs, many of which were taken specifically for the book, and unprecendented personal interviews with the staff so that their faces and voices could be brought to life, weaved together with an engaging narrative that leads the reader through the lifespan of the house, The White An Illustrated is an all encompassing look at this famous American landmark.
The author explores the four main roles of the White
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
144 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2003
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Catherine O'Neill Grace
33 books2 followersCatherine O'Neill Grace is an editor, writer, and editorial consultant based in the Boston area. A full-time editor and writer for Wellesley magazine at Wellesley College, she also freelances regularly for MIT, the American Montessori Society, and the Commonwealth School in Boston, among others.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 20, 2025
I thought this was an excellent read for both adults and children, and it's been on my shelf a long time, unread. However, since the East Wing of the White House has been removed, so has part of our national history been removed, and I wanted to know more about the East Wing.
The photography in this book was excellent, as were all of the other illustrations, and there were many. I never realized where George Washington had put his ideas down for the location of the White House until I saw the drawings; he placed it so it would overlook the Potomac River, although he, himself, never got to live in the White House. John Adams was the first president to live there, and at the end of his term, so not for a long time.
I never realized all of the people involved in just the daily maintenance of the White House....flowers for example. There is a person who is in charge of the flowers being arranged throughout the White House daily (are they fresh?), to flowers for dinners, banquets, and special occasions. I never realized that there was a chef (from France at the writing of this book when George Bush II was president) on call 24/7, so that if someone wanted a "snack", they could get it. There was a Senior Prom held in the White House for Susan Ford when she graduated from high school.
Not only is the White House a place where dignitaries from around the world, and around the country visit, but it is also a home to the family living there, and it seems pretty much like a regular home would be. It is totally kept separate from the goings on of the White House. The family can be just like a regular family.
Hard to believe that that the Kennedy kids each had their ponies at the White House. Hard to believe that the Rose Garden, that was put in in the early 1900's, is now covered over with cement, and how so many events took place in it. Even weddings at the White House; and there were several. Even a president himself got married in the White House.
War affected the White House, as did 9/11.
This is a book that would be a great book to share with the whole family sitting around the reader and sharing all of the incredible events that have taken place there that make up our history.
The photography in this book was excellent, as were all of the other illustrations, and there were many. I never realized where George Washington had put his ideas down for the location of the White House until I saw the drawings; he placed it so it would overlook the Potomac River, although he, himself, never got to live in the White House. John Adams was the first president to live there, and at the end of his term, so not for a long time.
I never realized all of the people involved in just the daily maintenance of the White House....flowers for example. There is a person who is in charge of the flowers being arranged throughout the White House daily (are they fresh?), to flowers for dinners, banquets, and special occasions. I never realized that there was a chef (from France at the writing of this book when George Bush II was president) on call 24/7, so that if someone wanted a "snack", they could get it. There was a Senior Prom held in the White House for Susan Ford when she graduated from high school.
Not only is the White House a place where dignitaries from around the world, and around the country visit, but it is also a home to the family living there, and it seems pretty much like a regular home would be. It is totally kept separate from the goings on of the White House. The family can be just like a regular family.
Hard to believe that that the Kennedy kids each had their ponies at the White House. Hard to believe that the Rose Garden, that was put in in the early 1900's, is now covered over with cement, and how so many events took place in it. Even weddings at the White House; and there were several. Even a president himself got married in the White House.
War affected the White House, as did 9/11.
This is a book that would be a great book to share with the whole family sitting around the reader and sharing all of the incredible events that have taken place there that make up our history.
May 9, 2015
Personal reaction: This was a really cool book! I have always been fascinated with Presidents and the White House so it was particularly interesting for me. I really liked that it was an illustrated history so it included a lot of pictures.
Use in the classroom:
1. Read aloud for curricular connection: I would read this book aloud to my class, but not the whole thing at once. I would probably choose particular sections to read aloud. I think this would be great to use on President's Day!
2. Independent reading: Students who are interested in the Presidents and the White House will love this book! This book would be best for students in the 3rd-5th grade.
3. Nonfiction conventions: This book includes a lot of nonfiction conventions, such as an index, bibliography, and captions. The captions underneath the photos were one of my favorite parts about the book!
Use in the classroom:
1. Read aloud for curricular connection: I would read this book aloud to my class, but not the whole thing at once. I would probably choose particular sections to read aloud. I think this would be great to use on President's Day!
2. Independent reading: Students who are interested in the Presidents and the White House will love this book! This book would be best for students in the 3rd-5th grade.
3. Nonfiction conventions: This book includes a lot of nonfiction conventions, such as an index, bibliography, and captions. The captions underneath the photos were one of my favorite parts about the book!
February 16, 2010
Published during President George W. Bush's administration, 2003. A great overview of The White House in pictures. Covers presidents, their families, staff, events, details on each room, holidays, special decorations, pets, daily life, functions of the house...etc. in bite sized portions. A great way to learn a little about a lot of White House trivia.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews