Dinner with the President

By: Alex Prud'homme

Narrated by: Pat Grimes

Length: 16 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Some of the most significant moments in American history have occurred over meals, as U.S. presidents broke bread with friends or foe: Thomas Jefferson’s nation-building receptions in the new capital, Washington, D.C.; Ulysses S. Grant’s state dinner for the king of Hawaii; Teddy Roosevelt’s groundbreaking supper with Booker T. Washington; Jimmy Carter’s cakes and pies that fueled a détente between Israel and Egypt at Camp David.

Here Alex Prud’homme invites listeners into the White House kitchen to reveal the sometimes curious tastes of 26 of America’s most influential presidents, how their meals were prepared and by whom, and the ways their choices affected food policy around the world. What our leaders say about food touches on everything from our nation’s shifting diet and local politics to global trade, science, religion, war, class, gender, race, and so much more.

Prud’homme also details overlooked figures, like George Washington’s enslaved chef, Hercules Posey, whose meals burnished the president’s reputation before the cook narrowly escaped to freedom, and pioneering First Ladies, such as Dolley Madison and Jackie Kennedy, who used food and entertaining to build political and social relationships. As he weaves these stories together, Prud’homme shows that food is not just fuel when it is served to the most powerful people in the world. It is a tool of communication, a lever of power and persuasion, a form of entertainment, and a symbol of the nation.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Alex Prud'homme (P)2023 Dreamscape Media

Critic reviews

"A delectable listen."—Library Journal

Some great / some dull

First off, the narrator made me nuts from time to time. His ability to pronounce foreign words and phrases was good, but then his "Americanized" pronunciations of other words was cringe-worthy.
This was a well researched look at the foods throughout Presidential history. I think I found the 20th and 21st century the most interesting. Some of the middle years were just boring and felt like he was looking hard for things to say. Enough with the terrapin soup!
The included recipes were a lovely bonus. Would recommend to my more "food history" friends.

Enjoyable listen

Being a foodie who loves to throw dinner parties and a history buff with an interest in the intimate details of the President's lives, this book hit all the marks for me and it was hard to take a break from listening. I loved the author's story telling style further enhanced by the narrator. Interesting stories.

Very interesting.

Wonderful look at the history of food in the White House and how it tied in to the history of the times and the personalities of the occupants.

A Must

Collection of anecdotes. very interesting. enjoyed it thoroughly. Recommend it highly no matter what your politics.

A wonderfully written and fascinating book

I was first not so sure to read this book, which was mentioned by ou book club. But it turned out to be one of the best I it to the younger generation read in a long time. I especially recommend it to the younger generation to find out what it means eating together at a table, sitting down talking and listen to each other.

The book is fascinating and never dull.

The meticulous research which the author must have done is reflected in the detailed descriptions of the era, the personalities of the actual people and the events described. I especially liked how the author narrowed the focus of the book by choosing key administrations which reflected “touch points” of our country’s history. The narrator was excellent. Diction was clear, crisp and never rushed. I have already obtained another book by the same author and will listen to it next.

Not great

I liked the book at first but towards the end it was very liberal biased and I didn’t even finish it. The narrator did a great job

Opportunity waisted

The subject was interesting but spoiled by the partisanship. I could have done without the authors political beliefs.