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The Resource The hidden White House : Harry Truman and the reconstruction of America's most famous residence, Robert Klara

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

Creator
Summary
"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 historyhas nearly forgotten about it"--
Language
eng
Work
Publication
Extent
viii, 371 p., [16] p. of plates
Isbn
9781250000279
Instance
Label
The hidden White House : Harry Truman and the reconstruction of America's most famous residence
Title
The hidden White House
Title remainder
Harry Truman and the reconstruction of America's most famous residence
Statement of responsibility
Robert Klara
Creator
Subject
Language
eng
Summary
"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 historyhas nearly forgotten about it"--
Assigning source
Provided by publisher
Cataloging source
DLC
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Klara, Robert
Dewey number
975.3/042
Index
index present
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
bibliography
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • White House (Washington, D.C.)
  • Truman, Harry S
  • Public buildings
  • HISTORY / United States / General
  • HISTORY / United States / 20th Century
  • HISTORY / United States / State & Local / Middle Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA)
  • ARCHITECTURE / Buildings / Landmarks & Monuments
  • ARCHITECTURE / Historic Preservation / General
Label
The hidden White House : Harry Truman and the reconstruction of America's most famous residence, Robert Klara
Instantiates
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Control code
BK0012755516
Dimensions
25 cm.
Extent
viii, 371 p., [16] p. of plates
Isbn
9781250000279
Lccn
2013020952
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Other physical details
ill.
Label
The hidden White House : Harry Truman and the reconstruction of America's most famous residence, Robert Klara
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Control code
BK0012755516
Dimensions
25 cm.
Extent
viii, 371 p., [16] p. of plates
Isbn
9781250000279
Lccn
2013020952
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Other physical details
ill.

Subject

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