The Butler

A Witness to History

By: Wil Haygood

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

This mesmerizing companion book to the award-winning film, The Butler traces the Civil Rights Movement and explores crucial moments of twentieth century American history through the eyes of Eugene Allen—a White House butler who served eight presidents over the course of thirty-four years.

During the presidencies of Harry Truman to Ronald Reagan, Eugene Allen was a butler in the most famous of residences: the White House. An African American who came of age during the era of Jim Crow, Allen served tea and supervised buffets while also witnessing some of the most momentous decisions made during the second half of the twentieth century, including Lyndon B. Johnson’s work during the Civil Rights Movement and Ronald Reagan getting tough on apartheid. But even as Allen witnessed the Civil Rights legislation develop, his family, friends, and neighbors were still contending with Jim Crow America.

Timely, “poignant and powerful” (Kirkus Reviews) The Butler also explores Eugene Allen and his family’s background along with the history of African Americans in Hollywood and also features a foreword by the film’s director Lee Daniels.

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

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.

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.