Recipe link (scroll down)
Finding a recipe for this book was a little tricky since the book detailed a thirty year time frame- from FDR to Nixon. I decided to see if I could find some published recipes (online) from several chefs mentioned in the book. I came across this recipe from Henry Haller, the longest serving executive chef in White House history, who actually just passed away November of 2020 at the age of 97.
For the book…
I loved this book! Originally, I thought it was going to be a bore. I was not sure how I could be interested in a book that talked about a guy’s time in working in the White House. What I realized, however, was this guy, J.B. West, provided valuable, historical information that very few get to experience.
J.B. West was Chief Usher (coordinates all the “goings ons” in the White House) from 1957 to 1969. He was assistant before that time, during FDR’s administration. This book was originally published in 1973, shortly after retiring (beginning of Nixon’s administration).
In this book, you will read how each presidential family, from FDR to Johnson (and small bit on Nixon), carried out their duties within the White House, specifically the First Ladies. Each family had a differently personality – from decorating the White House and entertaining guests to sleeping arrangements and personal preferences. It is strangely fascinating to read all these details. Not only does he provide insight into each family but also some of the historical events that unfolded during the time, such as FDR’s death and JFK’s assassination. Also, I found myself seeing a more personal side to each president rather than just judging them based my policy preferences.
This is a great read for anyone interested in history of the White House or presidential history. There are a ton of fun facts I learned. Here are a few:
— Camp David was renamed after President Eisenhower’s grandson.
— I have never been a President Johnson fan; this book just reinforced why I have never been a fan of his (thousands of dollars and engineers/designers brought in get his shower head just right which he still never really liked…his personality just seemed so brash).
–Mamie Eisenhower loved pink (so much decorating was done in pink)…I later googled about her affection towards pink and read how she inspired the “pink tile” movement in bathrooms. For 11 years, we lived in a house that had an entirely authentic pink bathroom. I know how many are wanting to replicate this style today. Word of advice: DON’T DO IT!!! Resale for a house is difficult when you have a 1960s pink bathroom (tile, tub, toilet, sink).
— I didn’t know that the entire White House (the inside) had to be gutted and rebuilt…it was literally falling in due to poor design.
— After reading Clint Hill’s book Mrs. Kennedy and Me, I had a horrible perspective of Mamie Eisenhower due to her treatment of Jackie O after being released from the hospital (birth of JFK, Jr.) then touring the White House for the transition. For two hours, Jackie O toured the White House without a wheelchair, which her doctor had requested. Clint Hill’s recount of this story was very different than the account given in this book. Both accounts are the same in that Mamie Eisenhower did not provide the wheelchair upfront (had it available only if Jackie O requested it). West gave a different insight into this incident, though. Jackie later asked him why a wheelchair was never provided. He said it was but only if she had requested it. She giggled and said she was too afraid of Mamie to ask for one. Clint Hill would not have known about this exchange which is why his retelling of this event was a little different. Although I think it was wrong of Mamie E. to withhold the wheelchair the way she did, I can’t help but like her as a First Lady. She was very personable and treated the staff as family.
— The Eisenhowers bought a farm to renovate which was located close to Gettysburg’s battlefield. I hate I didn’t get to tour their farm when we were at Gettysburg in 2019. The book talked a lot about how they used their farm for fresh produce for the White House. Here is a picture of yolks from some of my fresh eggs I used in this recipe (used only egg whites in recipe). There is a huge difference.
I could go on and on into little insights I picked up from reading this book; however, if this stuff interests you, I suggest you read the book. Sadly, it seems that the tradition of a Chief Usher serving various administrations is coming to an end (beginning with George W. Bush…per article I read). Lately, each president has been bringing in/appointing his own Chief Usher instead of using the one from across various administrations. Anyway…
Happy Reading!
