First Families: the Impact of the White House on Their Lives

by Bonnie Angelo

What is it like to be America's First Family? In this wonderfully engaging book, Bonnie Angelo, Time correspondent and acclaimed author of First Mothers, probes two hundred years of American history to tell the story of real life within the White House walls—how presidents, their wives, children, and extended families worked to create a home in an imposing national monument while attempting to keep their private lives from the public domain.

First Families chronicles exhilarating moments as well as dark days at the nation's most famous address, with fascinating, behind-the-headline accounts of picture-book weddings, gossipy love affairs, rollicking children, domestic squabbles, and tragic deaths. From activist wives Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Clinton to reluctant occupants Bess Truman and Jacqueline Kennedy, to those such as Mary Todd Lincoln, Dolley Madison, and madcap debutante Alice Roosevelt, who embraced their new address and status, here is an unforgettable human portrait of our First Families and how they coped, stumbled, or thrived in the national spotlight.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, American History, Politics, Biography, Presidents, Historical

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Chosmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have liked it better if it had been chronological rather than jumping around between presidents and eras.

[Barbara Mahoney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book about the private lives of the presidents, their wives and children. It provides a real behind the scenes look at the advantages and disadvantages of living in the spotlight of the White House.

The author, Bonnie Angelo, did a lot of research and interviewed as many living members of the White House families that she could, as well as, staff who served the presidents and their families over the years.

My only criticism of the book is that it jumped around a lot. She did not present a chapter on each family. Instead, each chapter contained bits about different presidents and their families. A couple times reading it, I felt she repeated something mentioned earlier in the book.

It's an entertaining book - filled with trivia. I learned a lot more about each of the presidents - as real people. I was moved by how many of the presidents - especially earlier presidents - lost wives and children during their tenure. The book also contains a lot of funny anecdotes about the children and families growing up in the White House. Not everyone who lived in the White House enjoyed the experience - especially some of the wives and children & even a few of the presidents were relieved when their term was over.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the personal side of history!

[Kellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up in the bookstore tucked in a corner right by the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. I loved the bookstore and found wonderful treasures in there. When I visit a place, especially one with so much history, I want to learn more about it. Such the desire to purchase this book. I found this book very interesting. I now know where the name “Camp David” and “Teddy Bear” came from. I learned about earlier first families like the Polks, Hayes and Harrisons. President’s names that are not well known. I had the book Secret Lives of the US Presidents by Cormac O’Brien beside me while reading this one so I could get additional highlights of the presidents as I read about them. I also had a book, almost like cliff notes, that provided additional summaries on the presidents and first ladies. I found First Families interesting, however, some draw backs were; some of the information was repetitive and there lacked organization. I thought the author went off on tangents quite often through out each chapter. This book is not a literary wonder, however, it gives an interesting view of first families from Washington to the second Bush family

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So what it is like to live in the White House? To grow up in the glare of publicity? Bonnie Angelo has the answers. Writing in a lively, gossipy style, this book is a charmer. It chronicles the lives of the residents of the White House--those who loved it, those who hated it, and all of the amazing things that have happened there. Full of the trivia that thrills me, I will now be a total bore when the name of any presidential relative comes up in a conversation. You are forewarned.

[Ayelet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting from a historical perspective but very hard to follow. She jumps around without any logical explanantion.

[Peggie Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book was written during the George W. Bush administration, and thus is quite dated, it is well worth reading. The stories of the lives, works, foibles and idiosyncrasies of the families who have lived in the White House are compelling and interesting. The book is a bit disjointed in that it is arranged more by "topic" (wives, children, furnishings, careers) rather than sequentially by administration. Still, the chapters speed by in short stories within each topic. I found it particularly enlightening when reading about the lesser known Presidents and their First Ladies, many of whom deserve far more recognition than their spouse's administration garners them. I gladly found it to be a real page turner and thought provoking when considered in the light of events since the end of the book's time period.

[Koren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few months ago I read Upstairs At The White House, which contains a lot of the same information, and indeed, this book quotes J.B. West frequently. The main difference between West's book and this one is that West's book is chronological and this one goes more by topic. Both are great trivia sources if you are interested in that sort of thing. West's book is from his own perspective and this book is more from research, although he does interview a few sources that are still living. This book was released in 2007, so of course their is nothing of the Obamas and some of the info on Hillary Clinton is outdated, but otherwise I think people that are interested in presidential trivia will like it.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has plenty of interesting anecdotes about the presidents and their families. I was interested in the tidbits about the history of the White House itself, too. That said, I was bothered by the fact that it lacked an organized structure, with each chapter jumping around in time with little rhyme or reason. It is just one very long string of seemingly random anecdotes. I think I would have liked it much more if presented in chronological order.

I also thought it came off as fairly sexist for something written in 2005. The author often glosses over the bad behavior of men and boys but seems much more critical of women and girls. She basically says Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Clinton should have known better than to overstep their role as White House hostesses. The audacity!

[Barbara Finazzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

All Over The Place

The research was first rate but the style the author used did me in at about 20%. In one sentence she spoke of a first lady from the 1800's and the next sentence Mrs. Kennedy or Mrs. Clinton. She was all over the place. This happened repeatedly. It was just a jumpy "journey" for me as a reader. I couldn't become involved with one character before she changed to another one or two all within a few sentences . This could have been an interesting and informative book. Unfortunately, it turned into what came across as a hodgepodge of facts quickly stated and then left quickly on a page.

[Tracy Drane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book packed with facts and tidbits about our country's first families. The chapters are very long and not organized. The author jumps around from John Quincy Adams to Eisenhower and Truman, then to Carter and back to McKinley. No sub-headers. It's just paragraph after paragraph may segue into the next, or may not. It has interesting information, and I can tell the author did a lot of research, but maybe it just needs a formatting update. Some of the paragraphs I had to re-read to make sure I understood who she was talking about.

[Michell Karnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book full of tons of information and stories about the people who called the White House home. My only two criticisms are the stories jump around for example talking about the death of Kennedy and then Lincoln. It is helpful to have some idea of the chronology of the presidents and their time period. The other negative is maybe specific to reading it on my kindle but some of the last parts of sentences were left off. All in all a great read, to know and understand the people who lived in this historic home!

[Richard Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While interesting and well-researched, tjis book 8s somewhat repetitious. In an effort to avoid a chronological organization and instead group by subtopics, some material shows up under several categories. The details wander all over the centuries tying together themes or historical figure, but causing occasional confusion. Over all, I still enjoyed the comparisons of presidents, their families and the varying attitudes about living in the most famous family dwelling.

[Hope R · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some interesting stories, but the book would have been better if it followed the families in some order. It was easy to lose track of what time period she was referring to. Chronological order would have made the book much easier to read. She referrred to J. B. West's book "Upstairs at the White House" frequently, but in my opinion she did not improve upon that book at all.

[Kim N' · Rating 3 out of 5]

A personal look at the lives of our Presidents, their wives and their families. Keeping track of the lesser known Presidential families took a little work but learning about their legacy was the most rewarding. I never knew that Grover Cleveland was an established bachelor who married a much younger Francis. Evidently she rivaled Jackie O for glamour and style!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting information in this book. But it was so disorganized, it was hard to read. There were also some glaring omissions. When talking about presidents dying in office, she went into detail on some, but just glossed over McKinley's assassination. Also, when talking about Royal visitors and parties, how can you leave out Princess Diana's visit to the Reagan White House?

[Kathy Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book

This book was interesting because it gave an insight into all the first families. Enjoyed reading it very much! Learned a lot about the early first families of our country.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hail to the Chief - and all his tribe

An interesting peek into lives that have been affected by the White House. There's not a lot of new information in here - it's pretty basic, which is why I didn't rate it higher.

[Robert Wead · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is an easy but entertaining read. It gives insights into the personal lives of Presidential families.

It does take scatter shot approach to its subjects but that does not take the interest out of the story.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book very much. Lots of behind the scenes and goings on regarding the White House, the First Families and the children that lived there. I learned alot of things I did not know about. Great read!

[Arlene M. Kaspik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A glimpse into life in the White House through the eyes of its occupants.

A great read for busy people because the book can be enjoyed in its totality or in brief snippets serving as snapshots.

[C.E. DeJoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting information on family life on the Whit House

Fascinating information provided about the families who've lived in the White House. The presentation was a little scattered, but I can imagine it was difficult to know how to organize it.

[Carol Nemecek · Rating 2 out of 5]

disappointing

About a third of this book was the footnotes which I believe could have been a much shorter portion of incorporated into the story. Info from a couple of people does not make a book about first families.

[Meg Koch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to learn about the families of the Presidents. Easy to read; somewhat like a supermarket check out magazine but more factual. Did notice a number of repetitions, which were unnecessary - a case where better editing would have been beneficial. Overall - a fun, fast, easy read.

[Teresa Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

its a little slow and jumps around a lot but I did enjoy the book

[Marie Buccellato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting facts about the families as regular people

[Teresa Zellhoefer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay read

Okay read, lots of history included. Some repetitive information, good overview with some interesting view points. Would like to read a book written by the butler.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent account of life in the Whitehouse. Author did a great job of presenting issues that have effected all WH families, no matter what century they occupied the White House in.

[Jewett · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love the books by the ushers at the White House and this one adds a lot more to the stories.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read - not as good as some of the other white house books I've read

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well researched, very fun read.