• The White House Boys

  • An American Tragedy
  • By: Roger Dean Kiser
  • Narrated by: T. Ryder Smith
  • Length: 2 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (247 ratings)

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The White House Boys  By  cover art

The White House Boys

By: Roger Dean Kiser
Narrated by: T. Ryder Smith
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Publisher's summary

Hidden far from sight, deep in the thick underbrush of the North Florida woods are the ghostly graves of more than 30 unidentified bodies, some of which are thought to be children who were beaten to death at the old Florida Industrial School for Boys at Marianna. It is suspected that many more bodies will be found in the fields and swamplands surrounding the institution. Investigations into the unmarked graves have compelled many grown men to come forward and share their stories of the abuses they endured and the atrocities they witnessed in the 1950s and 1960s at the institution.

The White House Boys: An American Tragedy is the true story of the horrors recalled by Roger Dean Kiser, one of the boys incarcerated at the facility in the late fifties for the crime of being a confused, unwanted, and wayward child. In a style reminiscent of the works of Mark Twain, Kiser recollects the horrifying verbal, sexual, and physical abuse he and other innocent young boys endured at the hands of their "caretakers." Questions remain unanswered and theories abound, but Roger and the other White House Boys are determined to learn the truth and see justice served.

©2009 Roger Dean Kiser (P)2009 Audible, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about The White House Boys

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A Haunting Reality.

Loved this book. Excellent narrating.
I not only learned what happened but I felt like I was there seeing it happen.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Tough. Brutal. Realistic. Vivid

If you could sum up The White House Boys in three words, what would they be?

Painful. Hard. Sad.

What did you like best about this story?

I am a child advocate and began my (volunteer) work with children of abuse/neglect in the early 1970s (and still do); a number of my cases involved children that were beaten to death and dealing with siblings that survived. The heartache and struggles that are carried from one generation to the next. Often detachment is the only way to survive.
This story is very real and I can see how such facilities could have been in many other states (and countries).
It is a wonder that Roger Dean Kiser was even able to relive and go through such brutality and was able to tell about it. It had to be tough just to reduce all of this pain to a book.
I am proud of him.

What does T. Ryder Smith bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Good telling.

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

I couldn't take all the reality in one sitting. I had to space it out because of the vivid brutality. Even with my personal experience with children (now adults), it was hard. But, a story that needed to be told. There are more stories out there. But, this kind of story takes a lot of courage.

Any additional comments?

Thank you Roger Dean Kiser. You are a testiment to the survival and you may help other children.

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3 people found this helpful

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fuuuuuuucccckkkk

a story of the destruction of Innocence in the darkness that men kind truly capable of and what one human soul no, many children temp to survive what is essentially more brutal than hell

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we all need to listen and learn

This was a very difficult story to listen too. I am grateful Mr Kiser choose to share his story with us. we need to learn. As a professional who works in the child welfare field in this part of florida I appreciate his honesty and I pray that through hard work and survivors stories we can make the child welfare system safe for all children. Thank you again Mr. Kiser for sharing your journey with us.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartbreaking

Not an easy listen because of subject matter but beautifully narrated and an important story.

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Tin can

I first heard of this story on a podcast called Sword and Scale, episode 7. This is a horrific story. So sad. This short book is very well written. I have only ever shed tears listening to one other book, and when they read the part about Roger and Joe and the tin can, and Roger reveals what the contents are so beautifully I shed some tears for the boys. God bless all the children who lost their lives there, the children who survived this torturous life and I hope the people who allowed this to go on are rotting in hell.

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Real story from a really authentic author.

Thank you for sharing such a deeply personal story. Thank you for the thoughtful advice on fostering a child in need.

I recommend everyone listen and learn from this courageous telling of an American tragedy.

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Thanks for sharing

I just heard about this story today through a podcast called "sword and scale" episode 5-6 i believe? Anyways, i was listening and i had to further investigate. I began doing research and reading all these articles and how it stayed open for 111 years which is insane! I learned abt the book and immediately downloaded it to audible. Its so depressing but its a reality for a lot of people & continues to be for a lot of children. The US doesn't have enough laws to help and assist children here and there needs to be something done about that. I've always felt helpless as a child through my own experiences and it's hard for me to express myself. I appreciate Roger for sharing those unfortunate experiences and having hundreds of voices be heard.

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What an Atrocity

I chose this book because it was written by someone who experienced the horrible abuses at Dozier. It is hard to understand the mindset of the workers who participated.

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Understanding

This was absolutely heartbreaking. What a story . You really get to experience the kind of damage. Emotional , physical, sexual abuse does to a person. Amazing details and a great reader too.

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