The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House

America's first families have long been a source of fascination for the people of the United States, yet we rarely get a chance to glimpse anything but their professional and often stoic personalities. Journalist Brower, who spent four years covering the White House for Bloomberg News, explores the personal lives of American presidential families using stories from people who connect with them on a regular basis—the White House domestic staff. Her book provides a day-to-day look at the lives of maids, butlers, maitre d's, ushers, and chefs, as well as at their interactions with the presidents, first ladies, and first children they served. Although most of the interviewees keep their memories close to the vest, some share anecdotes that truly humanize their employers. Brower discusses everything that happens behind closed doors in the White House, from the mundane (Lyndon B. Johnson's shower specifications) to the dramatic (Hillary Rodham Clinton's response to her husband's cheating scandal).