| Edition |
First edition. |
| Description |
viii, 371 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm |
| Summary |
"Critically acclaimed author 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. |
|
"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. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| 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. |
| Subject |
White House (Washington, D.C.) -- History -- 20th century.
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|
Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972.
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Public buildings -- Repair and reconstruction -- Washington (D.C.) -- History -- 20th century.
|
| ISBN |
9781250000279 hardback |
|
1250000270 hardback |
|
9781250022936 (e-book) |
|
1250022932 (e-book) |
|
