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The Hidden White House: Harry Truman and the Reconstruction of America's Most Famous Residence, Hardcover Book, White House Gift Shop Official Gold Seal on Back Cover
Hidden White House Book


 
Regular Price: $29.00



Product Code: HIDDENWHITEHOUSE
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Critically acclaimed author Robert Klara leads readers through an unmatched tale of political ambition and technical skill: the Truman administration’s controversial rebuilding of the White House.

In 1948, President Harry Truman, enjoying a bath on the White House’s second floor, almost plunged through the ceiling of the Blue Room into a tea party for the Daughters of the American Revolution. A handpicked team of the country’s top architects conducted a secret inspection of the troubled mansion and, after discovering it was in imminent danger of collapse, insisted that the First Family be evicted immediately. What followed would be the most historically significant and politically complex home-improvement job in American history. While the Trumans camped across the street at Blair House, Congress debated whether to bulldoze the White House completely, and the Soviets exploded their first atomic bomb, starting the Cold War.


Indefatigable researcher Robert 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. Leaving only the mansion’s facade untouched, workmen gutted everything within, replacing it with a steel frame and a complex labyrinth deep below ground that soon came to include a top-secret nuclear fallout shelter,

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 the centerpiece of the country’s national heritage. The job was by no means perfect, but it was remarkable—and, until now, all but forgotten. WHITE HOUSE GIFT SHOP, EST. 1946



Average Rating: Average Rating: 5 of 5 5 of 5 Total Reviews: 2 Write a review »

  1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 
5 of 5 The Hidden White House: Harry Truman September 15, 2016
Reviewer: Kathy Bee from Woodburn, OR United States  
Extremely well written book and the pictures are great, especially the one with my Grandfather, Officer Bradley H. Allen, JR standing guard inside during reconstruction.

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  1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 
5 of 5 The Hidden White House Book September 15, 2016
Reviewer: Sari Manner from Helsinki, Etelä-Suomen lääni Finland  
I like to learn about White House history and i found this book very interesting.I haven't read it the end yet, but I reconmented to everyone who's interested to know about this great place

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