The Residence

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America's First Families remain enigmatic, but their true character is known best by those who serve them daily. This narrative unfolds through the voices of the maids, butlers, cooks, florists, doormen, engineers, and others who cater to the President and First Family. These dedicated professionals manage the White House's 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, three elevators, and eight staircases, preparing everything from hors d'oeuvres for intimate gatherings to elaborate state dinners. In the basement kitchen, they share stories, trade secrets, forge friendships, and sometimes even find love. Through extensive interviews and archival research, the author captures their experiences, revealing the closeness between the First Family and their staff, alongside the tensions that have arisen over the years. The narrative includes poignant moments, such as a housekeeper and engineer falling in love while serving President Reagan, Jackie Kennedy's private grief with a staff member after her husband's assassination, and the tumultuous times surrounding President Nixon's resignation and President Clinton's impeachment. This account is rich with surprising and moving details that illuminate the everyday life within the White House.