The White House

School Library Journal

Gr 7-9-- St. George describes the White House as a symbol of our nation's government and continuity. She begins with an account of the original construction and then covers the various changes and renovations that have taken place over the years, stressing that as the country has changed, the White House has changed with it. She describes how the building has often reflected the mood of the nation, becoming sober when mourning a dead president, austere in wartime, or glittering during good times. St. George also shows how it has become a prop for modern media coverage of the presidency. The section on the major rebuilding of the mansion during the Truman administration is outstanding, but she barely mentions Jacqueline Kennedy's extensive interior restorations that gave it much of its modern look. The narrative is clearly written, with plenty of background information and detail. The black-and-white photos and illustrations are well chosen and greatly enhance the text. This book covers much of the same material as Fisher's The White House (Holiday, 1989), but it is more detailed and is geared to older audiences. A readable, well-written history. --Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO