The Hidden White House: Harry Truman and the Reconstruction of America’s Most Famous Residence Hardcover – October 22, 2013

This book tells the unique story of the gut renovation/“restoration” of the crumbling White House in the middle of the 20th Century. How does one rebuild a structure that symbolizes democracy and do so using government contracts? This book walks you through just how it was done and the personalities it took to make it happen. I’ve always been fascinated by the details of Truman’s pet project and this book reveals so much about how it all transpired. Of particular use are the extensive notes that credit each source. I’ve got a list of those I’d now like to track down and explore for their own merit. It’s a bit terrifying to discover just how much dumb luck kept the building standing, and tragic to learn how much was lost in the process. It’s a unique snapshot into the practice of restoration in the middle of the 20th Century. A great read!

This would really be a 4.5 star review if Amazon allowed half stars.It's one of those little known facts about America's most famous residence: There have really been two White Houses; the one designed by James Hoban and built between 1792 and 1800, and the one designed by President Truman (along with White House Architect Lorenzo Winslow and the Commission on the Renovation of the Executive Mansion) that was built by John McShain between 1949 and 1952. The two structures really only share a general layout and the same four outer walls.This bit of historical trivia has always fascinated me, the construction of a modern building within a centuries-old facade, and I had been eager for a while to learn more about it.Robert Klara weaves his exhaustive research into a peppy narrative that moves along at brisk, engaging pace. He does a terrific job of exploring the scope of the problem and is quite successful at capturing the distinct voices and personalities of the various players involved in solving it. In addition to learning a lot about the White House, I learned a lot about Truman the president and Truman the man. Klara is not awestruck by his subject matter, and his book is as attuned to flaws and shortcomings as it is to triumphs. His citations are staggeringly comprehensive, and provide a great road map for the reader that wants to dig even deeper into any given aspect of the particular historic project.I only have two real complaints: 1) Sometimes, in his attempts to spice up the storytelling of what could have easily been a dry treatise, he's a bit too bold about putting himself into the heads of the participants, declaratively presenting private thoughts that can only be assumptions based on educated conclusions. He also dwells overlong at times on irrelevant bits of color, particularly Lorenzo Winslow's fascination with séances and the occult. 2) The book only includes sixteen pages of photographs in a glossy insert near the center. The photos that we do get are excellent, but the book would have benefited from even more of Abbie Rowe's incredible black and white photography, scattered throughout in context within the narrative.

What a fantastic book! But Truman, as it turns out, was an absolute jerk. Would use stronger language, but the review probably wouldn't be able to be published.

This book is splendid! Mr. Klara entertains us from cover to cover. He crafts an excellent and very readable yarn against the backdrop of the Truman administration. He tells us of the neglect that had been visited on the WH by previous presidents, and explains clearly how the mansion was ... well ... sinking ... and tearing itself apart in the process.Quite literally.Klara also gives us a marvelously insightful view of the Truman's basic humanity. The First Lady, for example, insists on vacuuming the living quarters herself. I wonder if that is still the case?Also included, are insightful vignettes about the history of the times - including the 1948 election, the Soviets getting the A-bomb, the Korean war, and the attempted assassination of Truman. But these important world events are woven into the story in a way that does not detract from it. Enough detail to show their impact on the reconstruction of the WH, but not so much that they become a distraction. Most historical books I read today give the reader just TOO MUCH detail. Not so, here.Finally, I want to say that Klara spins his well-researched yarn in a very engaging manner. Quite simply, he makes the reader smile. He tells us (p. 206) about how HST was addressing a group of school children that had been bussed to the WH, and after he finished, he asked if there were any questions. "Silence ensued. Then one small hand rose over the sea of heads. It was a little girl clutching a box camera. 'Grin, will ya?' she asked. Truman grinned and the girl snapped his picture."First rate.

The author takes us through the almost-disastrous events leading up to the evacuation and overhaul of the White House. Interesting real life characters meeting escalating problems. A tad bittersweet at the end but entertaining throughout. Full of amazing tidbits.

Really liked it. The book digs deep into a well known story and uncovers a host of interesting stories and aecdotes. Peope forget that the inside of the White House is just 60 years old.

Interesting but long winded