A New York Times Bestseller and AHS Book Award winner
The 18-acres surrounding the White House have been an unwitting witness to history--kings and queens have dined there, bills and treaties have been signed, and presidents have landed and retreated. Throughout it all, the grounds have remained not only beautiful, but also a powerful reflection of American trends. In All the Presidents' Gardens bestselling author Marta McDowell tells the untold history of the White House grounds with historical and contemporary photographs, vintage seeds catalogs, and rare glimpses into Presidential pastimes. History buffs will revel in the fascinating tidbits about Lincoln's goats, Ike's putting green, Jackie's iconic roses, and Amy Carter's tree house. Gardeners will enjoy the information on the plants whose favor has come and gone over the years and the gardeners who have been responsible for it all.
...Hail to the red, white, and blue--and green!
From the most momentous events in our nation's history to our fleeting cultural obsessions, the White House grounds have been a mirror of America. With wit and insight, garden historian Marta McDowell traces the fascinating story of how our presidents and their families have left their imprint upon the eighteen acres surrounding the executive mansion. Far more than just an account of Lincoln's goats, Ike's putting green, and Kennedy's roses, All the Presidents' Gardens delves into the thrilling and the heart-breaking events that have shaped our national consciousness.