White House Usher

Stories from the Inside

By: Christopher B. Emery

Narrated by: Jonathan Salkoff

From January 1986 until March 1994, Chris Emery was part of one of the most unique services in the U.S. government - an usher in the White House.

For more than 200 years, a small office has operated on the state floor of the White House executive residence. Known as the Usher's Office, whose mission is to accommodate the personal needs of the first family, and to make the White House feel like a home. The Usher's Office is the managing office of the executive residence and its staff of 90-plus. The staff consists of butlers, carpenters, grounds personnel, electricians, painters, plumbers, florists, maids, housemen, cooks, chefs, storekeepers, curators, calligraphers, doormen, and administrative support.

Ushers work closely with the first family, senior staff, social office, press office, secret service agency, and military leaders to carry out White House functions: luncheons, dinners, teas, receptions, meetings, conferences, and more.

Chris Emery was only the 18th White House usher since 1891, and had the honor and privilege to serve presidential families for three years during the Reagan administration, four years for President H. W. Bush, and 14 months under President Clinton. His vignettes recreate intimate White House happenings from an insider’s viewpoint.

Chris Emery was the only White House usher to be terminated in the 20th century. Tune in to find out which first lady fired him....

“With his book, White House Usher: Stories from the Inside, former usher Chris Emery gives his readers a peek inside what happens upstairs at the White House. Chris’ anecdotes tell a rich story of how America’s house really is the first families’ home. I loved my trip down memory lane.” (former first lady Barbara Bush, October 2017)

©2018 Christopher B. Emery (P)2020 Christopher B. Emery

An Enjoyable Read

The author writes candidly about his time at the White House sharing his personal observations. He enjoyed quite a bit of personal time with the presidential families. It shares the difficulty the staff goes through in adjusting to a new administration and saying goodbye to the old. They all work very hard and long hours.

The writing was well done clear and concise while the narrator did a good job of reading. I found it engaging and entertaining.

A pick inside of the White House

The author has very good first hand information and it is presented in an entertaining fashion that makes the book very readable. I listened the whole book in one sitting 😁

Boring

Too much about himself, not enough important information. Lots of useless info. Not recommended.

Facetime with the Presidents

What makes this book real fun is that it is full of private little moments with the presidents and their families. There are only historical notes to anchor the book in what was happening at the time; but almost all of the stories are from Emery's point of view. The reader gets lots of time with the Reagan's, the Bush's and the Clintons. The inner workings of the 90's White House is revealed.

I came away liking the Regan's more, loving the Bushes and Hillary . . . I guess you should read it yourself.

Excellent

What an insight enjoyed the book and learned a lot. To bad he did not retire from the White House