03/07/2016
The land surrounding the White House is “one of the oldest continually cultivated patches on the North American continent,” explains McDowell (Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life) in her delightful dig through White House gardens. She plots their history from the Washington administration to the Obamas, skipping the presidents and first ladies who made few changes. Her descriptions of the grounds and evolving garden tastes are complemented with a colorful array of illustrations. McDowell fills the book with juicy tidbits: the last cow to graze on the White House lawn (1912) was named Pauline Wayne; Herbert Hoover wanted “the help” to seem invisible, so they hid behind hedges when he passed by. In between stories of glass conservatories and golf greens, McDowell digresses interestingly to cemeteries and extension services; however, her factual style too often descends to the cutesy, which is overkill in an already lighthearted treatment of the subject. Color illus. (Apr.)
This New York Times bestseller shares the rich history of the White House grounds, revealing how the story of the garden is also the story of America.
The 18-acres surrounding the White House have been an unwitting witness to history-kings and queens have dined there, bills and treaties have been signed, and presidents have landed and retreated. Throughout it all, the grounds have remained not only beautiful, but also a powerful reflection of American trends. In All the Presidents' Gardens*bestselling author Marta McDowell tells the untold history of the White House grounds with historical and contemporary photographs, vintage seeds catalogs, and rare glimpses into Presidential pastimes. History buffs will revel in the fascinating tidbits about Lincoln's goats, Ike's putting green, Jackie's iconic roses,*Amy Carter's tree house, and Trump's controversial renovations. Gardeners will enjoy the information on the plants whose favor has come and gone over the years and the gardeners who have been responsible for it all. As one head gardener put it, “What's great about the job is that our trees, our plants, our shrubs, know nothing about politics.”
This New York Times bestseller shares the rich history of the White House grounds, revealing how the story of the garden is also the story of America.
The 18-acres surrounding the White House have been an unwitting witness to history-kings and queens have dined there, bills and treaties have been signed, and presidents have landed and retreated. Throughout it all, the grounds have remained not only beautiful, but also a powerful reflection of American trends. In All the Presidents' Gardens*bestselling author Marta McDowell tells the untold history of the White House grounds with historical and contemporary photographs, vintage seeds catalogs, and rare glimpses into Presidential pastimes. History buffs will revel in the fascinating tidbits about Lincoln's goats, Ike's putting green, Jackie's iconic roses,*Amy Carter's tree house, and Trump's controversial renovations. Gardeners will enjoy the information on the plants whose favor has come and gone over the years and the gardeners who have been responsible for it all. As one head gardener put it, “What's great about the job is that our trees, our plants, our shrubs, know nothing about politics.”
All the Presidents' Gardens: Madison's Cabbages to Kennedy's Roses-How the White House Grounds Have Grown with America
All the Presidents' Gardens: Madison's Cabbages to Kennedy's Roses-How the White House Grounds Have Grown with America
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Product Details
BN ID: | 2940159969545 |
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Publisher: | Hachette Audio |
Publication date: | 01/02/2024 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |