The Hidden History of the White House: Power Struggles, Scandals, and Defining Moments 

Summary

For fans of The Residence and The Presidents Club, and inspired by Wondery’s long-running hit podcast American History Tellers, The Hidden History of the White House shares the untold stories of some of the most dramatic events in American history in the rooms where they happened.

For more than two centuries, the White House in Washington, DC, has been the stage for some of the most dramatic scenes in American history. Its walls and portraits have witnessed fierce power struggles, world-altering decisions, shocking scandals, and unforgettable meetings.

In the signature style of the popular American History Tellers podcast, The Hidden History of the White House places readers in the point of view of the historical figures—power brokers and everyday Americans, alike—who lived through such pivotal events as:

• Andrew Jackson’s disastrous 1829 inauguration, when a populist mob overran and trashed the White House.

• Woodrow Wilson’s stroke, which led to his wife Edith serving as a shadow president during the final months of his administration

• Abraham Lincoln’s clandestine journey to Washington to dodge an assassination plot on the eve of the Civil War

• Winston Churchill’s wartime sojourn at the White House, during which he and FDR developed plans to defeat Germany

• Barack Obama’s decision to green-light the daring Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden

• and so much more.

Equal parts social, political, and cultural history—written and presented in the entertaining and engaging style for which American History Tellers is famous—The Hidden History of the White House offers readers a rare opportunity to walk the halls of an iconic American landmark and discover the hidden moments that took place there, moments that changed the course of history.