The Butler

A Witness to History

By: Wil Haygood

Narrated by: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, Lee Daniels

Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

The story that inspired the major motion picture...read by its stars David Oyelowo, Forest Whitaker, and Oprah Winfrey

When acclaimed Washington Post writer Wil Haygood had an early hunch that Obama would win the 2008 election, he thought he'd highlight the singular moment by exploring the life of someone who had come of age when segregation was so embedded in the culture as to make the very thought of a black president inconceivable. He struck gold when he tracked down Eugene Allen, a butler who had served eight presidents, from Harry Truman to Ronald Reagan.

Forest Whitaker narrates the story of this remarkable man who, while serving tea and supervising buffets, was also a witness to history as decisions about America's most momentous events were being made.

With a foreword by the Academy Award-nominated director Lee Daniels, The Butler also includes Wil Haygood's essay exploring the history of black images on celluloid and in Hollywood, read here by David Oyelowo and Oprah Winfrey.

©2013 Wil Haygood (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

A little disappointing

I guess I thought this book was going to be a story. It is actually made up of comments on the life of Eugene Allen and the civil rights issues throughout the history of this country, and a whole lot about the making of the movie Each of the narrators added a point of view and historical facts that contributed directly or indirectly to the success of Mr. Allen as a butler in the White House. It was interesting and all, just not what I was expecting. I wanted to hear a lot more about his relationship with the presidents and other interesting people he must have met in his tenure in the white house. Surely there is an untold story here. I guess I'll have to see the movie to find out.

Nothing like the movie

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not really. I tell them to see the movie.

What could Wil Haygood have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

detals historical details explain his life as it should have been told

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Definately see the movie, a picture of history

The History of Civil Rights

Any additional comments?

Mr. Allen was as discreet in this book as he was in life. Very little was shared about the Presidents he served. The various presidents' relationship to the civil rights struggle were revealed by the author Wil Haygood. Mr. Haygood also wrote about the relationship the motion picture industry had/has to black actors and the behind the scenes people of color.
It is a well written book. I enjoyed listening. Do not buy the book if you are looking for a story of the Butler. Other than knowing Mr. Allen was a gentleman and had a deep and abiding loyalty to and pride in his race he remains a mystery to me.

Butler

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would. Insight into those who were employed at the White House

What did you like best about this story?

The historical content. Professionalism of the Butler. Getting a view on how things worked behind the scenes, concerning people who might not otherwise be known.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Giving personal insight to the Butler's life. Tone and diction.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I did.

A look into the black experience

This book is short but I wish there was more information about Eugene Allen and his wife Helene, I feel this book was provided was almost a teaser for the movie. I enjoyed Oprah Winifrey's part about the history of blacks in the entertainment business. I wish this book was longer and an in-depth story of Allen but guess I will have to wait for the movie. The book did convey the feelings of the black people in voting and seeing a black man in the white house. The narrators did an excellent job. I was surprised that it was the Reagan's that invited Allen and his wife as guest to a state dinner. Overall this was an interesting and enjoyable short story.

The book is better than the film

What did you love best about The Butler?

The honest aging characters...
The man who loved his work ...
His wife's love and support was well noted ...
The dedication of son Charles...
The addition of history of Black actors in film.

What did you like best about this story?

It was a true story

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Emotions

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Recommend it to high school students of American History and all who saw the movie.

It was OK but not what I expected

Would you recommend The Butler to your friends? Why or why not?

I am not sure? I bought the book because I thought I would hear what the butler thought about the different presidents he served under or maybe his take on different events that happened while he was a butler, but that isn't what the book is about. The book is more of a narrative on Africa American history in the United States than about the white house.

Any additional comments?

I feel as if this book was an expensive advertisement to get people to go see the film and it worked because I want to see the movie.

Great Story!

What did you like best about The Butler? What did you like least?

I was pleasantly surprised that this is written from the perspective of the writer of the newspaper article about the Butler. So it is very different from the move. I really liked that. I didn't like the "history" of African Americans" at the end of the book. It seemed like it was just filler and unnecessary to the story. I would have preferred more history about butlers.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Eugene Allen is definitely the best character.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Eugene Allen, the Butler.

What else would you have wanted to know about Wil Haygood’s life?

I would have rather learned more about Will, than had a history lesson on African Americans in film, what did that have to do with a Butler in the White House?

Any additional comments?

The core story is GREAT. I also loved learning that the writer of the newspaper article kept in touch with his subject and really cared about him. It was heartwarming to learn that they developed such a close bond.

Not what I expected

More a book about the making of the film than about the life of the Butler.

Excellent Read

True story. Fun to hear. Easy to understand. Would really recommend this book. Excellent book.