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Jefferson's White House: Monticello on the Potomac
As the first president to occupy the White House for an entire term, Thomas Jefferson shaped the president's residence, literally and figuratively, more than any of its other occupants. Remarkably enough, however, though many books have immortalized Jefferson's Monticello, none has been devoted to the vibrant look, feel, and energy of his still more famous and consequential home from 1801 to `1809. In Monticello on the Potomac, James B. Conroy, author of the award-winning Lincoln's White House offers a vivid, highly readable account of how life was lived in Jefferson's White House and the young nation's rustic capital.
328 pages, Hardcover
Published October 23, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 29, 2019
An evocative and exquisitely rendered portrait of life in the White House during the Jefferson presidency.
Early 19th century life in the President’s home and the surrounding city of Washington are thoroughly chronicled against the backdrop of Jefferson’s political machinations and career.
Though billed as a complete portrait of daily life, the book focuses more on cuisine, wine, and innovations that were part of Jefferson’s White House, and pays less attention to things like attire, art, and luxuries. Though I would have liked more information on the latter categories, it is clear that the author chose to focus primarily on the things that would have been of paramount importance to Jefferson himself, with which I can’t find fault.
But the biggest takeaway from the book is less about Jefferson and his presidential residence specifically, and more about the fact that Washington was a miserable swamp of a place to live at the time. The sanitary conditions, lack of even basic amenities, and miserable travel hazards are cringeworthy, yet fascinating to read about.
Conroy’s narrative is thorough almost to a fault, and probably could have done with a bit less biographical information on Jefferson and a bit less of his political history (I’m assuming that no one who would pick up this book would know nothing at all about the man coming into it?)
Still, it’s difficult to fault the author for a) attempts to be as thorough as possible and b) attempting to juxtapose the everyday of the Jefferson White House with the political climate, as the two are often inextricably linked. I do wish some of the biographical elements of the book had been edited down a bit, though I can appreciate the conundrum from the author’s and editor’s perspectives.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Early 19th century life in the President’s home and the surrounding city of Washington are thoroughly chronicled against the backdrop of Jefferson’s political machinations and career.
Though billed as a complete portrait of daily life, the book focuses more on cuisine, wine, and innovations that were part of Jefferson’s White House, and pays less attention to things like attire, art, and luxuries. Though I would have liked more information on the latter categories, it is clear that the author chose to focus primarily on the things that would have been of paramount importance to Jefferson himself, with which I can’t find fault.
But the biggest takeaway from the book is less about Jefferson and his presidential residence specifically, and more about the fact that Washington was a miserable swamp of a place to live at the time. The sanitary conditions, lack of even basic amenities, and miserable travel hazards are cringeworthy, yet fascinating to read about.
Conroy’s narrative is thorough almost to a fault, and probably could have done with a bit less biographical information on Jefferson and a bit less of his political history (I’m assuming that no one who would pick up this book would know nothing at all about the man coming into it?)
Still, it’s difficult to fault the author for a) attempts to be as thorough as possible and b) attempting to juxtapose the everyday of the Jefferson White House with the political climate, as the two are often inextricably linked. I do wish some of the biographical elements of the book had been edited down a bit, though I can appreciate the conundrum from the author’s and editor’s perspectives.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
September 13, 2023
An entertaining account of Jefferson's years as President, his role in expanding and redesigning what became known as the White House, and his influence on the concept of American democracy. Conroy relies on first-hand accounts of Jefferson, especially on letters and memoirs from family and acquaintances. We learn much about Jefferson's behavior, but in the end he remains inscrutable. Conroy notes a number of elements in Jefferson's character and behavior that seem contradictory. His dislike of slavery contrasts with his treatment of the slaves he owned. Though he didn't mistreat them, he wasn't especially kind either. Sally Hemings is mentioned once or twice. The book as a whole lacks a deeply analytical dimension.
April 23, 2020
Very much enjoyed the book and the detail in the text. I do wish the notes in the back were more detailed and not just bare references. I have been spoiled recently by reading books with very detailed Notes which are very helpful for those looking to do further research on issues of interest. By way of example, the author cites the amount Jefferson was spending on meals at the White House during a particular week. In the Notes it would have been very helpful to relate this cost to what a meal at an Inn or Boarding House in Washington DC or New York cost at the time. Nevertheless, I still rate it 5-stars and just bought the Lincoln book by the same author.
September 4, 2019
James B. Conroy's Jefferson's White House: Monticello on the Potomac was a very informative read. This book is so descriptive that you almost feel like you know the man. His personal preferences are noted throughout the book as well as his feelings for people. Jefferson was lax in some ways but very attentive to details in many others. The city of Washingon and the country is evolving during Jefferson's presidency as noted in his book. He was most intriguing. This book will appeal to Thomas Jefferson fans and history buffs. I would definitely recommend it.
December 5, 2019
I received a requested ARC of this on NetGalley, and my digital copy expired before I could read the last fifty pages or so [sad face], though I assume I was near the end and that the bulk of the last pages of the book were references, notes, bibliographies, and indexes, considering the amount of detail the book contains.
This book will be reviewed in my Pedantic Literary Historian column on The Coil. I will crosspost the review here when it's done.
This book will be reviewed in my Pedantic Literary Historian column on The Coil. I will crosspost the review here when it's done.
August 3, 2019
There are obviously lots of books on this president. This one seems unique, and is extremely well-written and researched. A bit too much detail at times, but doesn't reduce it's rating overall. You're bound to learn to interesting facts. Recommended for history fans.
I really appreciate the advanced copy for review!!
I really appreciate the advanced copy for review!!
September 21, 2023
A great book about Jefferson's time in the White House—both metaphorically, as in, his time as president, and literally, as in, all the planning, constructing, and modifying he did to the President's house while he lived there. Conroy's prose style is noticeably more engaging than I've found in most historical works like this.
February 4, 2020
Beautifully written details of the history of our country and the White House. Can't wait to hear James Conroy talk more at the Annapolis Book Festival, 4.25.20.
September 18, 2020
Returned by Kindle. Jefferson's time in the White House. Great reference, and resource for research and / or term paper. Enjoy!
July 17, 2022
Fascinating. Definitely recommend
February 5, 2020
very interesting - very much enjoyed reading about everyday life as apposed to politics and government, although there was enough of that - so much to learn about the actual white house building itself and how Jefferson helped to design it, fill it with furnishings - nice to read about his day to day dinners, choices of food, lots of wine, relationships with servants and slaves, meetings with diplomats, secretaries, members of his government and their wives, and his apparel, personal habits too! And the building of the city of Washington
October 26, 2020
When you read a presidential biography, particularly of our early presidents, you'd be forgiven for coming away with the impression that only three or four things happened during the president's entire term of office. Obviously the important events get written about the most, but that focus comes at the expense of almost everything else that would help you learn, understand and appreciate what day-to-day life in the White House was like under that particular president.
This book does precisely that for the Jefferson presidency. Yes, the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Embargo Act are all in here - but only as a backdrop to the front-and-center story of how Jefferson lived and worked as the first president to assume full-time residency of what was to become known as the White House.
It helps to have some familiarity with the main events of Jefferson's presidency, so you can focus on and appreciate the details in this book that are left out of most Jefferson biographies. Jefferson's casual style of dress, his dinner parties and his amusingly tense relationship with the stuffy British Ambassador Anthony Merry usually get a few paragraphs in other Jefferson books, but this book devotes chapters to it all, and comes closest to making you feel that you're there in the room as it's all happening. And barely mentioned in other Jefferson books is the somewhat surprising fact that the White House was far from finished and barely habitable when Jefferson moved in. This book gives you all the details of how Jefferson lived in and managed what was practically a construction zone for his entire presidency.
There is perhaps too much space devoted to some minor members of the household staff in this book. Also, since the narrative is roughly chronological, it can lack flow as it jumps from dinner party to family matter to political event to White House design and construction decision, and back again. And Conroy never really lays out an argument about why this story is important, and why it should be told, leaving it to the reader to deduce that the story of Jefferson's White House is the story of how practically everything he did while living and working in the White House was calculated to further his republican, anti-Federalist ideals.
But overall, if you've ever read a presidential biography and wanted to know "the rest of the story" - this book fills in the blanks on Jefferson in a way that nothing else does.
This book does precisely that for the Jefferson presidency. Yes, the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Embargo Act are all in here - but only as a backdrop to the front-and-center story of how Jefferson lived and worked as the first president to assume full-time residency of what was to become known as the White House.
It helps to have some familiarity with the main events of Jefferson's presidency, so you can focus on and appreciate the details in this book that are left out of most Jefferson biographies. Jefferson's casual style of dress, his dinner parties and his amusingly tense relationship with the stuffy British Ambassador Anthony Merry usually get a few paragraphs in other Jefferson books, but this book devotes chapters to it all, and comes closest to making you feel that you're there in the room as it's all happening. And barely mentioned in other Jefferson books is the somewhat surprising fact that the White House was far from finished and barely habitable when Jefferson moved in. This book gives you all the details of how Jefferson lived in and managed what was practically a construction zone for his entire presidency.
There is perhaps too much space devoted to some minor members of the household staff in this book. Also, since the narrative is roughly chronological, it can lack flow as it jumps from dinner party to family matter to political event to White House design and construction decision, and back again. And Conroy never really lays out an argument about why this story is important, and why it should be told, leaving it to the reader to deduce that the story of Jefferson's White House is the story of how practically everything he did while living and working in the White House was calculated to further his republican, anti-Federalist ideals.
But overall, if you've ever read a presidential biography and wanted to know "the rest of the story" - this book fills in the blanks on Jefferson in a way that nothing else does.
October 15, 2019
Someone like Thomas Jefferson already has had so much written about him it's hard to believe something new could be said, but this book does a great job of looking at his life from a new angle.
I loved the first hand accounts of those visitors to the White House who encountered this revered gentleman for the first time. His enemies, friends and constituents all wrote about their encounters and it paints a new picture (at least for me) of the man.
A great book for those interested in learning even more about Jefferson.
I loved the first hand accounts of those visitors to the White House who encountered this revered gentleman for the first time. His enemies, friends and constituents all wrote about their encounters and it paints a new picture (at least for me) of the man.
A great book for those interested in learning even more about Jefferson.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews