The hidden White House : Harry Truman and the reconstruction of America's most famous residence / Robert Klara.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Klara, Robert., Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972.

Truman, Harry S.

Winslow, Lorenzo Simmons, 1892-1976.

Winslow, Lorenzo Simmons.

Delano, William Adams, 1874-1960.

Delano, William Adams.

Orr, Douglas W. (Douglas William), 1892-1966.

Orr, Douglas W.

White House (Washington, D.C.)--History--20th century.

White House (Washington, D.C.).

Public buildings--Repair and reconstruction--Washington (D.C.)--History--20th century.

Public buildings.

Washington (D.C.)--Buildings, structures, etc.

Washington (D.C.).

Physical Description:

371 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Thomas Dunne Books, 2013.

Summary:

"Klara leads readers through an unmatched tale of political ambition and technical skill: the refurbishment of the White House during the Truman administration In 1948, Harry Truman, President of the United States, almost fell through the ceiling of the Blue Room in a bathtub into a meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A team of the nation's top architects was hastily assembled to inspect the White House, and upon seeing the state the old mansion was in, insisted the First Family be evicted immediately. What followed was the biggest home-improvement job the nation had ever seen. The Trumans moved across the street to the Blair House, the Congress argued about how much the job would cost, and then, in the midst of it all, the Soviets exploded an atomic bomb.Indefatigable researcher Rob Klara reveals what has, until now, been little understood about this episode: America's most famous historic home was basically demolished, giving birth to today's White House. The facade was left intact, but the entire structure was taken apart, removed, and replaced with a steel structure with a complex series of steel-reinforced subbasements and bomb shelters. The story of Truman's rebuilding of the White House is a snapshot of postwar America and its first Cold War leader, undertaking a job that changed a piece of America's national heritage. The job was by no means perfect, but it was remarkable--and history has nearly forgotten about it"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Moving day

The Great White Jail

The Porch

"Like a ship at sea"

The inspection

The eviction

The slow murder

Wanted : home for President

"The people want a new building"

The verdict

"Shoot it"

The shovel in the earth

Wreck it gently

"We are no longer ahead"

The hidden White House

Twenty-seven rounds

furniture, rugs, and draperies

The tour

Something to remember you by

"Every dollar must be saved"

The General's burden

Missing pieces

"A race against time"

Open house.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [267]-358) and index.

Local Notes:

Athenaeum copy: Contains work of architects Lorenzo Winslow, William Adams Delano, and Douglass Orr.

Athenaeum copy: Hagen fund bookplate.

ISBN:

9781250000279 ;