The hidden White House Harry Truman and the reconstruction of America's most famous residence

"Critically acclaimed author Klara leads readers through an unmatched tale of political ambition and technical skill: the refurbishment of the White House during the Truman administration In 1948, Harry Truman, President of the United States, almost fell through the ceiling of the Blue Room in a bat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Klara, Robert
Format: Books Print Book
Language:English
Published: New York : Thomas Dunne Books, 2013.
Edition:First edition.
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001 ocn827256862
003 OCoLC
005 20131220144100.0
008 130607s2013 nyua b 001 0 eng
010 |a  2013020952 
020 |a 9781250000279 (hardback) 
020 |a 1250000270 (hardback) 
020 |z 9781250022936 (e-book) 
020 |z 1250022932 (e-book) 
035 |a (OCoLC)827256862 
040 |a DLC  |b eng  |e rda  |c DLC  |d IG#  |d BTCTA  |d BDX  |d GK8  |d FOLLT  |d IH7  |d ABG  |d YDXCP  |d MLY  |d PCB 
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050 0 0 |a F204.W5  |b K55 2013 
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084 |a HIS036000  |a HIS036060  |a HIS036080  |a ARC024010  |a ARC014000  |2 bisacsh 
100 1 |a Klara, Robert. 
245 1 4 |a The hidden White House :  |b Harry Truman and the reconstruction of America's most famous residence /  |c Robert Klara. 
250 |a First edition. 
264 1 |a New York :  |b Thomas Dunne Books,  |c 2013. 
300 |a viii, 371 pages :  |b illustrations ;  |c 25 cm 
336 |a text  |2 rdacontent 
337 |a unmediated  |2 rdamedia 
338 |a volume  |2 rdacarrier 
520 |a "Critically acclaimed author Klara leads readers through an unmatched tale of political ambition and technical skill: the refurbishment of the White House during the Truman administration In 1948, Harry Truman, President of the United States, almost fell through the ceiling of the Blue Room in a bathtub into a meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A team of the nation's top architects was hastily assembled to inspect the White House, and upon seeing the state the old mansion was in, insisted the First Family be evicted immediately. What followed was the biggest home-improvement job the nation had ever seen. The Trumans moved across the street to the Blair House, the Congress argued about how much the job would cost, and then, in the midst of it all, the Soviets exploded an atomic bomb.Indefatigable researcher Rob Klara reveals what has, until now, been little understood about this episode: America's most famous historic home was basically demolished, giving birth to today's White House. The facade was left intact, but the entire structure was taken apart, removed, and replaced with a steel structure with a complex series of steel-reinforced subbasements and bomb shelters. The story of Truman's rebuilding of the White House is a snapshot of postwar America and its first Cold War leader, undertaking a job that changed a piece of America's national heritage. The job was by no means perfect, but it was remarkable--and history has nearly forgotten about it"--  |c Provided by publisher. 
520 |a "In 1948, Harry Truman, President of the United States, almost fell through the ceiling of the Blue Room in a bathtub into a meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A team of the nation's top architects was hastily assembled to inspect the White House, and upon seeing the state the old mansion was in, insisted the First Family be evicted immediately. What followed was the biggest home-improvement job the nation had ever seen. The Trumans moved across the street to the Blair House, the Congress argued about how much the job would cost, and then, in the midst of it all, the Soviets exploded an atomic bomb. Indefatigable researcher Rob Klara reveals what has, until now, been little understood about this episode: America's most famous historic home was basically demolished, giving birth to today's White House. The facade was left intact, but the entire structure was taken apart, removed, and replaced with a steel structure with a complex series of steel-reinforced subbasements and bomb shelters. The story of Truman's rebuilding of the White House is a snapshot of postwar America and its first Cold War leader, undertaking a job that changed a piece of America's national heritage. The job was by no means perfect, but it was remarkable--and history has nearly forgotten about it"--  |c Provided by publisher. 
504 |a Includes bibliographical references and index. 
505 0 |a Moving day -- The Great White Jail -- The Porch -- "Like a ship at sea" -- The inspection -- The eviction -- The slow murder -- Wanted : home for President -- "The people want a new building" -- The verdict -- "Shoot it" -- The shovel in the earth -- Wreck it gently -- "We are no longer ahead" -- The hidden White House -- Twenty-seven rounds -- furniture, rugs, and draperies -- The tour -- Something to remember you by --"Every dollar must be saved" -- The General's burden -- Missing pieces -- "A race against time" -- Open house. 
610 2 0 |a White House (Washington, D.C.)  |x History  |y 20th century. 
600 1 0 |a Truman, Harry S.,  |d 1884-1972. 
650 0 |a Public buildings  |x Repair and reconstruction  |z Washington (D.C.)  |x History  |y 20th century. 
938 |a Ingram  |b INGR  |n 9781250000279 
938 |a Baker and Taylor  |b BTCP  |n BK0012755516 
938 |a Brodart  |b BROD  |n 104028432 
938 |a YBP Library Services  |b YANK  |n 9999836 
994 |a C0  |b PCB 
949 |a schlow  |b SANON  |c 975.3042 KLA  |d i  |e 39635103205032  |f 538737  |g ddc  |j 12/12/2013 
999 |a 354908