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My First Ladies: Thirty Years as the White House Chief Floral Designer
In this book Nancy Clarke reveals the touching, funny, and illuminating story of what it was like to serve under six presidential administrations and to help each first lady find her own personal style when it came to planning flower designs, state dinners, and holiday festivities in the White House. You'll learn how Nancy gave comfort to Nancy Reagan when she discovered s...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
September 15th 2011
by Sellers Publishing
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Behind the scenes at the White House. A pleasant book to skim during short breaks. A lighter touch during another long slog to election day.
I enjoy behind the scenes looks at just about anything. Behind the scenes at a TV show, at an international relief agency, at an Antarctic weather station, at a dog-training monastery, etc. I’d read any of these, especially to take my mind off whatever’s behind the scenes in my own job or family.
The butler in Downton Abbey would be pleased: things are much m...more
I enjoy behind the scenes looks at just about anything. Behind the scenes at a TV show, at an international relief agency, at an Antarctic weather station, at a dog-training monastery, etc. I’d read any of these, especially to take my mind off whatever’s behind the scenes in my own job or family.
The butler in Downton Abbey would be pleased: things are much m...more
May 13, 2012
Ashley
is currently reading it
Ashley Woller 4B
In the memoir, “My First Ladies: Thirty Years as the White House Chief Floral Designer,” Nancy Clarke shares her memories and experiences while working under six different administrations in the White House. Nancy Clarke specifically works with each first lady, and helps her find their own personal style when it comes to flower designs. In addition, Nancy Clarke would help coordinate state dinners, holiday events, and social gatherings in the White House.
Clarke starts off descr...more
In the memoir, “My First Ladies: Thirty Years as the White House Chief Floral Designer,” Nancy Clarke shares her memories and experiences while working under six different administrations in the White House. Nancy Clarke specifically works with each first lady, and helps her find their own personal style when it comes to flower designs. In addition, Nancy Clarke would help coordinate state dinners, holiday events, and social gatherings in the White House.
Clarke starts off descr...more
The writing style was dry. Not a very cozy narrative style like I expected. It was more like a list of chronological memories. You never get to know the author which was disappointing. She talks briefly in the begging about herself, mainly how her childhood inspired her love of flowers. I would have liked more about her, her family, and how her job affected her personal life.
For all that, once the books gets into specific chapters about each first lady, I found it more interesting and readable....more
For all that, once the books gets into specific chapters about each first lady, I found it more interesting and readable....more
We have classes that are offered to Schnucks employees that offer a chance to see how other departments work. One of the classes I took was a floral decorating class and the teacher was very interesting. She was one of several volunteers chosen from all over the county (over 5.000 apply) to help decorate the White House for Christmas. She was there for two weeks in November and said it was something she will never ever forget. That is the main reason I wanted to read this book.
Nancy Clarke volu...more
Nancy Clarke volu...more
I listened to this as an audiobook which wasn't near as fun as if I had the book in front of me to look at the pictures. However, I immensely enjoyed the stories about each of the 6 First Ladies that the author worked for in the White House. The audiobook was read by the author who isn't such a great reader with a rather dull tone, but the intriguing stories kept my interest. I just happened to be sitting at the crossroads to Crawford in the small town of McGregor while listening to the author's...more
2.5... a little slow at times, but interesting/enjoyable to read. It was a little repetitive but she's a floral designer, not a writer. It was interesting to read her observations on the differences of the First Ladies and their preferences/styles. This is a book you can put down and come back to.
I'm most definitely not a Republican, however I think I enjoyed reading about Barbara Bush the most. She was so different than Nancy Reagan and of course, Hillary. Mrs. Bush was not frivolous in her cho...more
I'm most definitely not a Republican, however I think I enjoyed reading about Barbara Bush the most. She was so different than Nancy Reagan and of course, Hillary. Mrs. Bush was not frivolous in her cho...more
A bit thin, compared to other White House Memoirs; I think the late butler Alfonso Fields's comes closest but is still meatier. On the other hand, for those who are looking for a more up-to-date glimpse into the Residence life (compared to, say, Upstairs at the White House) and a humanizing of some of the first ladies who stood in shadow lately, this is a fun, quick read. Lots of lovely images of the floral arrangements, but of course in this time period one wonders whether cutting back the publ...more
This book was such a pleasant surprise. Nancy Clark was the chief floral designer at the White House and was there from Carter through Obama. All the first ladies wrote short introductions to her chapters (except for Hillary, shocking), and her insight was fascinating. What I was particularly impressed with was that even though Nancy had her favorites (Barbara Bush and possibly Michelle Obama), she never said a bad thing about any of the First Ladies who she perhaps had some trouble working with...more
First of all, I read this book on my Kindle, so I missed out on the colorful pics of everything. :( But the book was great! Maybe it was because this book wasn't just about one person. Well, I mean it was about the author, but it spanned the lives of the First Ladies while in the White House. Very cool also that I could also picture most of the flowers she was referring to! Yay! I liked this book a lot!
I realy enjoyed this book and the glimpses into the lives and personalities of the six First Ladies the author worked for. Ms. Clarke recounted her work, the feedback she received plus many behind the scene antedotes with class and grace. The photos are fantastic and fun to look at. I was most surprised by her description of Hillary Clinton.
So this book was like mini-biographies of the last several first ladies, from Mrs. Carter to Mrs. Obama, as told by the White House floral designer. I really enjoyed the insight into their different personalities (and how that was reflected in their entertainment preferences, floral arrangement choices, and even their favorite china patterns for state dinners.
Also, how did I not know there were such things as "White House calligraphers"??
Also, how did I not know there were such things as "White House calligraphers"??
I always like books about "behind the scenes" at the White House. Ti's one of those places that is known by everyone but few have been inside. This book had many insights into the styles of the First Ladies which was very interesting. Lots of photos too. I just wish the author would have smiled in more of them.
I listened to the audio book of this, the author narrated. I found her voice and inflections to be a bit annoying, but you do get used to it after a while. The book itself was interesting, giving little glimpses of 6 First Ladies and their tastes, styles, etc.
A unique look inside the White House by the chief florist for many years. Not
gossipy at all; just interesting stories and astonishing details about the
role that flowers play in the day-to-day life of this grand house.
gossipy at all; just interesting stories and astonishing details about the
role that flowers play in the day-to-day life of this grand house.
I really enjoyedvl this book. it gives you a great look at behind the scenes at the white house and I learned some awesome facts that I wouldhave never even thought about it. id love to see the white house flower shop
I really enjoy reading the behind the scences of the White House. Like the secret service books I read this one did not disappoint me. Now i would like to read about the ushers. But I don't think that will happen.
The chief floral designer tells about her experience at the White House. It is dividied by the First Ladies. It is a very easy, light read. I enjoyed her perspective. There are no major scoops, but it is still interesting to read. I especially enjoyed the pictures and the copies of notes the Presidents/First Ladies sent her.
interesting look behind the scenes of the White House Floral department. Wish there had been more pictures of each Christmas, but overall an enjoyable book.
The writing style was dry so the book lacked.I liked how the books gets into specific chapters about each first lady, I found it more interesting and readable.I would have liked even more stories and details, especially about the planning of the big events.
Interesting background as remembered by previous Floral Director at the White House. Was curious about this one since I have volunteered there and been in the said flower shop at WW - very neat stuff.
This was an enjoyable look backstage at the White House, spanning about 30 years.
very enjoyable stories...loved the behind the scenes of the white house
I thought this book would be boring but it wasn't it was actually pretty good!!
Too fawning in her descriptions of the First Families. Info on the florist's office and her job was interesting.
This was a fun, quick read. I really enjoyed reading about the behind-the-scene details of White House living and the intimate looks at the first ladies that Nancy Clarke shares.
4.5 stars
Mar 29, 2013
Matt Compton
added it
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