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Christmas at the White House by Jennifer B. Pickens (2009, Hardcover)
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- Buy It NowChristmas at the White House - And Reflections from America's First Ladies: New
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About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherFife & Drum Press
ISBN-100615287646
ISBN-139780615287645
eBay Product ID (ePID)84354705
Product Key Features
Book TitleChristmas at the White House
Number of Pages408 Pages
LanguageEnglish
TopicUnited States / State & Local / Middle Atlantic (DC, De, Md, NJ, NY, Pa), Decorating, Presidents & Heads of State, Holidays / Christmas & Advent, Customs & Traditions, United States / General
Publication Year2009
IllustratorYes
GenreReligion, House & Home, Social Science, Biography & Autobiography, History
AuthorJennifer B. Pickens
FormatHardcover
Dimensions
Item Height1.1 in
Item Weight78.2 Oz
Item Length11.8 in
Item Width10 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
LCCN2009-907543
ReviewsThe White House: it is both the most recognized home in the United States and, in some ways, the most mysterious. At the forefront of American history for so many years, the mansion is infused with generations of holiday traditions, but the number of people who actually get to glimpse the December White House in all its decorative glory is very small. Jennifer B. Pickens visited the White House for the first time in 2004. She was so impressed with First Lady Laura Bush's "A Season of Merriment and Melody" theme that Pickens wanted to share the joyous experience with her friends and family. She was disappointed to discover that no book had been written about Christmas at the White House and decided to remedy the gap. The result is a collection of charming photographs and detailed descriptions of the efforts of nine recent First Ladies to make the White House festive and enchanted during the holiday season. Pickens also includes excerpts from the First Ladies' own reflections. Pickens' descriptions of the decorations, along with the work that goes into them, are thorough and enjoyable. Not only does she show talent at choosing words and phrases, but she also includes a host of fascinating facts about things like the weight of the traditional gingerbread house, for example. Charmingly, she manages to show glimpses of the presidents and their families as they celebrate: a playful picture of Nancy Reagan sitting on Santa's lap (who happens to be President Reagan), and a picture of George W. Bush decorating a cookie. This delightful collection of essays and photographs is refreshingly apolitical. Pickens only seems to be concerned with enchantment and beauty, which is evident in a paragraph about Christmas in President Nixon's White House: "The vibrant décor contrasted with the dark mood of the political scene, where events were unfolding that would lead to the President's resignation in the coming year. Yet the First Lady found comfort in a bird's nest that she discovered in the branches of the eighteen-foot tree. During a press tour she called it 'an omen, a sign of very good luck. I've heard it forever that if you get a tree with a nest, it's good luck.'" Christmas at the White House has wide appeal and is sure to delight lovers of Christmas and Americana. --Andi Diehn, Clarion ForeWord Reviews, It was quite interesting reading and looking at the old pictures of past presidents and their families during the holiday season. 4/5 stars Misty Hazard NetGalley, It is interesting to look at these books and see how trends have and have not changed over the last four decades. The strength of this book are the pictures. Because there is a lack of pictures from the Kennedy's and other presidential administrations, this book lacks some of the intrigue it could have. Having said that, the pictures that it does have are facinating. To see how the trends have continued and changed over the years is a reflection not only of the administration but of the United States over time. Rebecca Pausely NetGalley, It is interesting to look at these books and see how trends have and have not changed over the last four decades. The strength of this book are the pictures. Because there is a lack of pictures from the Kennedy's and other presidential administrations, this book lacks some of the intrigue it could have. Having said that, the pictures that it does have are facinating. To see how the trends have continued and changed over the years is a reflection not only of the administration but of the United States over time. Rebecca Pausely NetGalley, The White House: it is both the most recognized home in the United States and, in some ways, the most mysterious. At the forefront of American history for so many years, the mansion is infused with generations of holiday traditions, but the number of people who actually get to glimpse the December White House in all its decorative glory is very small. Jennifer B. Pickens visited the White House for the first time in 2004. She was so impressed with First Lady Laura Bush's "A Season of Merriment and Melody" theme that Pickens wanted to share the joyous experience with her friends and family. She was disappointed to discover that no book had been written about Christmas at the White House and decided to remedy the gap. The result is a collection of charming photographs and detailed descriptions of the efforts of nine recent First Ladies to make the White House festive and enchanted during the holiday season. Pickens also includes excerpts from the First Ladies' own reflections. Pickens' descriptions of the decorations, along with the work that goes into them, are thorough and enjoyable. Not only does she show talent at choosing words and phrases, but she also includes a host of fascinating facts about things like the weight of the traditional gingerbread house, for example. Charmingly, she manages to show glimpses of the presidents and their families as they celebrate: a playful picture of Nancy Reagan sitting on Santa's lap (who happens to be President Reagan), and a picture of George W. Bush decorating a cookie. This delightful collection of essays and photographs is refreshingly apolitical. Pickens only seems to be concerned with enchantment and beauty, which is evident in a paragraph about Christmas in President Nixon's White House: "The vibrant dcor contrasted with the dark mood of the political scene, where events were unfolding that would lead to the President's resignation in the coming year. Yet the First Lady found comfort in a bird's nest that she discovered in the branches of the eighteen-foot tree. During a press tour she called it 'an omen, a sign of very good luck. I've heard it forever that if you get a tree with a nest, it's good luck.'" Christmas at the White House has wide appeal and is sure to delight lovers of Christmas and Americana. --Andi Diehn, Clarion ForeWord Reviews
SynopsisChristmas at the White House beautifully documents the lavish public and private Christmas decorations, celebrations, themes, and traditions spanning half of a century inside the world's most famous address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. With a foreword written by former First Lady Laura Bush, this singular book has earned the devotion of six of the most recent United States First Ladies, all of whom penned introductions to their sections. In the book, you can read what Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush have to say about how they celebrated Christmas inside America's most special home. Illustrated with more than five hundred exquisite photographs, most of which have never been viewed by the public before, the 408-page book is the first documented and published history of fifty years and nine different administrations beginning in the early 1960s with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, who initiated formal Christmas themes at the White House.
LC Classification NumberF204.W5P53 2009
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Ratings and Reviews
Most relevant reviews
- Dec 05, 2019
Glad I bought it.
Lovely book for Christmas.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Nov 07, 2015
Christmas at the White House By Pickens
Simply outstanding.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
