MY 21 YEARS IN THE WHITE HOUSE

The butler, chief butler, and eventually maitre d'hotel, for the White House recalls his years with Hoover, Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower in an unassuming fashion. Unable to afford his ambition to sing, his training in housework brought him the chance to join the Hoovers' staff and to establish himself in the White House where he grew familiar with all sorts of functions from informal family affairs to official receptions, teas, inaugurations and state occasions. The formalities of service demanded by Mrs. Hoover, the confusion of the Roosevelts' casualness, the punctuality of the Trumans; the menus, inventories, the large and small parties; the details of serving, the tremendous activities of the staff, the changes under the four Presidents -- are all part of his story. The famous guests, including the secrecy surrounding Churchill's visits, are noted with comments on each, and life in the ""beautiful jail"" is highlighted in his long experience. For that audience whose curiosity is appeased by ""inside"" information.