Often, history is written in broad sweep narratives that can be static and boring to the reader. Although William Seale wrote more than 1,000 pages on the history of the White House, you can be assured that there is nothing static or boring about these volumes. He displays an understanding of the fact that history is about the human drama of real people facing real predicaments, and it's poignance is found in how they react to those predicaments.

Whereas a history book will tell you that the British burned the White House in 1814, Seale tells us what was happening on the DAY the British marched into town. The hundred sentry guards who were supposed to defend the White House were gone, and they could easily have taken on the battalion of 150 British soldiers who marched in the mud down Pennsylvania Avenue, walked around the White House like tourists, ate Dolley Madison's dinner, and then torched the White House with precision. Then there is the even more dramatic moment when Lincoln looked out across the Potomac into Virginia to see the flags of the Confederacy flying, knowing that soon the capital would be surrounded if Maryland seceded from the Union.

The book is a perfect match of comedy and drama with stories ranging from the infestation of rats in the basement to a presidential love story that rivals "The American President," and in places describes a house that you would never imagine to be destined as the symbol of the most powerful nation on earth.

William Seale has put together an excellent historical perspective of the history of the White House, including it's construction, reconstruction, and many renovations. The book also recounts the evolution of Washington, D.C. relative to it's relationship with the White House and it's occupants.

Along with describing the physical structure and it's many evolutions, Seale has managed to include a significant amount of history relative to the occupants of the White House, including their personal and political lives. This provides the reader with a good feel for life in the White House. Additionally, most will learn a significant amount about presidents who we simply know by name but not much else.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to those most interested in american history. Although it includes two volumes, the book is such an interesting read that it is hard to put it down.

This book is a gem. Full of wonderful photographs and informative, detailed history. Seale's thorough text and Kvalsvik's evocative photography create an impressive guide of the American landscape. I was particularly impressed by Mr. Kvalsvik's photographs. Rich in color and mood, one can imagine moving from room to room, glimpsing the lives of people who once walked the corridors of these historic landmarks. One can see more of Kvalsvik's photographs in a book titled The White House Garden

The authors and contributors to this book worked deep in the fine details of Houston's past. So much of it has been lost to the ages, but with Houston's Forgotten Heritage, it almost comes back to life through the fine photographs of the opulent homes and even the log cabins. It is a joy to show this book to many of my "old-timer" neighbors, who remember a building here and there, and even the old fixtures, appliances, and ways of life. We should all be grateful to the authors of this book for reminding us of our glorious past.

A disclaimer to start with: I am a member of the Lea family, descended from Mrs. Houston's brother, Henry Clinton Lea, so I had a particular interest in this book about my great-great-great aunt (whew!). This was one of the great romantic stores of the century, starting when a 17-year-old Margaret Lea first sighted Houston in New Orleans, where she watched him from among a crowd. She married him when he was 48 and she was barely 21, in the face of opposition from her family. I was delighted with the degree of historical accuracy I found in the book, as well as finding it an enjoyable "read". Mr. Seale includes the sort of family anecdotes that make biography come alive as well as throwing a new light on the personality of Sam Houston. The mythical hero of San Jacinto was also a husband and father, and his life with Margaret had profound effects on his public life. To read about Margaret, her mother and siblings gives a fascinating window on the life of a Southern family during the era of Westward expansion. Seale also clears up some fun but apocryphal tales about the romance. Too bad, really, but I guess the fanciful among us can go on believing my great-g-g-grandmother actually said "My daughter goes forth in the world to marry no man." if we want to

Even if you have researched Victorian interiors, you may have a warped perception of how those homes really looked. Many books and magazines portray Victorian style as nothing more than red velvet and cutesy crafts. This book is filled with the real thing--hundreds of interior photos taken between 1860-1917. It reminds us that Victorian is not a single style, but a whole range of styles that were adapted and interpreted throughout the age.

The houses range from rural structures to grand urban dwellings and represent all parts of the United States. Each period photo is accompanied by commentary that offers insight into the room's furniture, lighting fixtures, wallpaper, and floor covering.

This lovely book, published at the time of the 200th anniversary of the occupation of the White House, consists of a compilation of essays written by a panel of distinguished writer-historians. It contains over 100 illustrations, including the earliest photos, taken in the 1840s.

The introduction, entitled "Like No Other House" says it all!The White House is unique: a "private" family home, the hub of our government, a tourist attraction, and a place of ceremony. It has been the scene of some of history's most important events and some of history's most important figures have stayed under its roof.

The White House has survived: from the burning by the British only 14 years after John and Abigail Adams moved in through many periods of neglect and mismanagement.

The book focuses more on personalities than on politics, especially the First ladies, who are given great credit by many of the essayists.

Beginning with John and Abigail Adams' short residency, the first essay follows Abigail on her long journey from Massachusetts to the "marshlands of the Potomac", where she found a barely furnished house with no wood to heat it, an unfinished staircase, and plaster walls that were still damp.

Dolley Madison managed to combine simplicity with high style with the help of architect Benjamin Latrobe. The Madison's tenure was cut short when the British burned the Executive Mansion, as it was called, in 1814.

The house was rebuilt as a national symbol, but by the time the Lincolns moved in over 100 years later, it was a shabby place. The once-elegant public rooms had threadbare rugs, dirty upholstery, faded draperies, and few amenities. Mary Lincoln immediately took upon herself the transformation of the President's house, traveling to New York and Philadelphia during wartime to look for rugs, wallpaper, china, and crystal and having much of the furniture restored. Despite her efforts, during public events, people actually cut off pieces of the wallpaper, rugs, and curtains for souvenirs.

Theodore Roosevelt "remade the presidency and reinvented the White House and his models for both have lasted a century" according to the essayist who wrote the section about him. He changed the name from the Executive Mansion to the White House and added the West Wing for executive offices. Unfortunately, the renovation was finished too fast and was mainly cosmetic. Only 50 years later, a massive structural rebuilding had to be undertaken.

I learned much more about those who have occupied the White House, but will control myself and not go into any more of that here! Believe me, this is a book that you will learn from, even if you think you know American history fairly well.