Status
Available
Local notes
133.1 Bel
Collection
Genres
Publication
Sterling (2008), 57 pages. $14.95. (Oct 2017).
Description
Explores the world inside the White House, where presidents, first ladies, and staff have seen darting shadows and ghostly apparitions that have been attributed to be such former inhabitants as Andrew Jackson, Abigail Adams, and Abraham Lincoln.
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
57 p.; 11.22 x 9.36 inches
User reviews
LibraryThing member Whisper1
Found in YA section of my local library, it looked like a quick read containing information that might be interesting. While it is a small picture like book not particularly well written, I did learn a lot about the Whitehouse. These are facts that perhaps I learned in high school, but didn't find
In 1792 Thomas Jefferson commissioned a contest regarding architectural ideas for a stately home for the new nation's first President. The only one accepted was the design of James Hoban who pattered his ideas similar in design to Monticello. Naturally, Jefferson went with Hoban's plan.
Taking eight years to build, George Washington died a year before the completion and never lived in the Whitehouse. The land for the White House was donated by David Burns. His ghost is one reported to be seen by many including a staff member of FDR.
In 1814 the British attacked Washington, DC destroying both the city and the White House. Dolly Madison narrowly escaped. Her ghost is reported by many.
Abagail Adam's ghost is reported to haunt the East Room where she is seen hanging wash.
Andrew Jackson, a volatile man always seemed to be angry about something. The sound of his shouts and cursing are reported to be heard in the Rose Room.
In deep grief from the loss of their beloved son Willie, Mary Todd Lincoln held seances in the White House. She reported seeing the spirit of Willie at the bottom of her bedside. She also reported hearing Thomas Jefferson playing his violin in the Yellow Oval Room.
President John Tyler is also seen in the Yellow Oval Room; he is on bended knee proposing to a much younger woman. Julia Gardiner was 30 years younger, she eventually acquiesced and thus Tyler's pleas of "Julia, please, please marry me" were successful.
The ghost most often reported is that of Abraham Lincoln. After his election, Lincoln reported in the July 1865 edition of Harper's Monthly Magazine that he repeatedly saw his images in a swinging glass mirror. Sadly, he saw two reflections, both very clear and distinct. One reflection healthy, the other ghostly and exceedingly pale with a death like pallor.
Again, while residing in the White House, Lincoln had a dream which foretold of his death and viewing of his body. Lincoln is seem by many in the Yellow Oval Room, hands behind his back, looking forlorn and sad while gazing across the Potomoc.
Ronald Reagan reported his pet glared and barked at Lincoln's bedroom door. During a two week stay, Winston Churchill only remained in the Lincoln bedroom one night. Thereafter he requested to be moved.
Harrry Truman referenced hauntings in many of his communications. He is quoted as saying "The Place is Haunted, Sure as Shootin'"
This was a light, breezy read after a long and stress filled work week. Obviously written for a young audience, still it was worth the time spent perusing the pages.
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interesting at the time and thus didn't retain the information.In 1792 Thomas Jefferson commissioned a contest regarding architectural ideas for a stately home for the new nation's first President. The only one accepted was the design of James Hoban who pattered his ideas similar in design to Monticello. Naturally, Jefferson went with Hoban's plan.
Taking eight years to build, George Washington died a year before the completion and never lived in the Whitehouse. The land for the White House was donated by David Burns. His ghost is one reported to be seen by many including a staff member of FDR.
In 1814 the British attacked Washington, DC destroying both the city and the White House. Dolly Madison narrowly escaped. Her ghost is reported by many.
Abagail Adam's ghost is reported to haunt the East Room where she is seen hanging wash.
Andrew Jackson, a volatile man always seemed to be angry about something. The sound of his shouts and cursing are reported to be heard in the Rose Room.
In deep grief from the loss of their beloved son Willie, Mary Todd Lincoln held seances in the White House. She reported seeing the spirit of Willie at the bottom of her bedside. She also reported hearing Thomas Jefferson playing his violin in the Yellow Oval Room.
President John Tyler is also seen in the Yellow Oval Room; he is on bended knee proposing to a much younger woman. Julia Gardiner was 30 years younger, she eventually acquiesced and thus Tyler's pleas of "Julia, please, please marry me" were successful.
The ghost most often reported is that of Abraham Lincoln. After his election, Lincoln reported in the July 1865 edition of Harper's Monthly Magazine that he repeatedly saw his images in a swinging glass mirror. Sadly, he saw two reflections, both very clear and distinct. One reflection healthy, the other ghostly and exceedingly pale with a death like pallor.
Again, while residing in the White House, Lincoln had a dream which foretold of his death and viewing of his body. Lincoln is seem by many in the Yellow Oval Room, hands behind his back, looking forlorn and sad while gazing across the Potomoc.
Ronald Reagan reported his pet glared and barked at Lincoln's bedroom door. During a two week stay, Winston Churchill only remained in the Lincoln bedroom one night. Thereafter he requested to be moved.
Harrry Truman referenced hauntings in many of his communications. He is quoted as saying "The Place is Haunted, Sure as Shootin'"
This was a light, breezy read after a long and stress filled work week. Obviously written for a young audience, still it was worth the time spent perusing the pages.
Show Less
LibraryThing member shelf-employed
In spite of it's attention-grabbing title, this book is a bit of a disappointment. The book chronicles the history of White House hauntings, from its most famous, the ghost of Abraham Lincoln, to the unnamed British soldier from the War of 1812, and all the ghostly inhabitants in between.
Who's
"Sometimes spirits don't like to see their homes changed around too much, and they may let us know this in rather frightening ways."
Apart from Mary Lincoln's testimony (which some may discount because of her well-known peculiar behaviors), the book offers little proof in the supernatural other than passages in President Truman's letters, "the place is haunted, sure as shootin'," second-hand accounts, and several witnesses' accounts of a "cold presence" or "eerie chill."
Who's Haunting the White House? does contain some interesting White House history, as well as drawings, and photographs. A bibliography, index, photo credits, references and acknowledgments follow the rather text-heavy body of the book.
This is a book for would-be ghost hunters or those interested in White House history.
Who's
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Haunting the White House? walks the reader through a quasi-scientific look at the supernatural. Unfortunately, it does not offer a balanced perspective. The author is steadfast in the belief that ghosts do exist, even offering testimony as to what ghosts do and do not like,"Sometimes spirits don't like to see their homes changed around too much, and they may let us know this in rather frightening ways."
Apart from Mary Lincoln's testimony (which some may discount because of her well-known peculiar behaviors), the book offers little proof in the supernatural other than passages in President Truman's letters, "the place is haunted, sure as shootin'," second-hand accounts, and several witnesses' accounts of a "cold presence" or "eerie chill."
Who's Haunting the White House? does contain some interesting White House history, as well as drawings, and photographs. A bibliography, index, photo credits, references and acknowledgments follow the rather text-heavy body of the book.
This is a book for would-be ghost hunters or those interested in White House history.
Show Less
Pages
57