Entertaining at the White House with Nancy Reagan

by Peter Schifando, Jonathan Joseph

Why is entertaining at the White House important to a presidency? How are guest lists and seating charts for state dinners determined? Is it difficult to throw a surprise party for the commander-in-chief? What role do children play during holidays at the White House? Former first lady Nancy Reagan answers these questions and more as she provides a personal look at life as a White House hostess in this stunning, richly illustrated book. Carrying on a tradition that dates back to 1801, Mrs. Reagan embraced this role with a unique energy and joie de vivre rare among her predecessors. During the course of President Reagan's two terms in office, the Reagans hosted fifty-five state dinners and hundreds of other events, both intimate and grand. "It was a vital part of our roles as president and first lady," recalls Mrs. Reagan. "And it was a duty that we enjoyed immensely." From her first private event as a White House hostess (President Reagan's surprise seventieth birthday party, which was mistakenly announced by Tom Brokaw on the Today show that very morning), to the state dinner with Mikhail Gorbachev that marked the unofficial end of the Cold War, to John Travolta's surprise dance with Diana, Princess of Wales, Mrs. Reagan has seen it all.

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2007

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This, now out of print book, was a beautiful, visual treat for any White House enthusiast. It was fun to see how far-reaching the 1980s style went in influencing the colors of the elaborate table settings, to the women's hairstyle and clothes. Turning the pages to find a picture of the indomitable Diana Vreeland, being introduced to a young Prince Charles by Mrs. Reagan, was simply the icing on the cake!