The Butler: A Witness to History
By Wil Haygood
Read by David Oyelowo , Oprah Winfrey , and Forest Whitaker
Foreword read by Lee Daniels
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1 Format: Digital Download
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Regular Price: $9.95
Special Price $6.97
or 1 CreditISBN: 9781442368187
This mesmerizing companion book to the award-winning film The Butler traces the Civil Rights Movement and explores crucial moments of twentieth century American history through the eyes of Eugene Allen—a White House butler who served eight presidents over the course of thirty-four years. During the presidencies of Harry Truman to Ronald Reagan, Eugene Allen was a butler in the most famous of residences: the White House. An African American who came of age during the era of Jim Crow, Allen served tea and supervised buffets while also witnessing some of the most momentous decisions made during the second half of the twentieth century, including Lyndon’s Johnson’s work during the Civil Rights Movement and Ronald Reagan getting tough on apartheid. Timely, “poignant and powerful” (Kirkus Reviews) The Butler also explores Eugene Allen and his family’s background along with the history of African Americans in Hollywood and also features a foreword by the film’s director Lee Daniels.
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Summary
Summary
A New York Times bestseller
A Publishers Weekly bestseller
During the presidencies of Harry Truman to Ronald Reagan, Eugene Allen was a butler in the most famous of residences: the White House. An African American who came of age during the era of Jim Crow, Allen served tea and supervised buffets while also witnessing some of the most momentous decisions made during the second half of the twentieth century, including Lyndon’s Johnson’s work during the Civil Rights Movement and Ronald Reagan getting tough on apartheid.
Timely, “poignant and powerful” (Kirkus Reviews) The Butler also explores Eugene Allen and his family’s background along with the history of African Americans in Hollywood and also features a foreword by the film’s director Lee Daniels.
Reviews
Reviews
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Not what I was hoping for
- Writing a review for this book is tricky. There are two ways I could go about it: 1.) review it for what it claims to be, or 2.) review it for what it actually is. This book leads you to believe that it is the story of butler Eugene Allen, a man who served eight presidents in the White House. What he did and details of what he saw. That is the story I wanted to hear. What this book actually is? A description of how the author met Mr. Allen, how the interviews went and a few memories of times past…and then half the book is the history of African American men in the movies. Don’t get me wrong, I find that interesting too, but what I really wanted here was Eugene Allen’s story, and I don’t feel like I got that. Most of his story as told here was after he’d left the White House. There just wasn’t enough of his time as the eponymous butler. At least the narration is good. As for the story…guess I’ll have to see the movie.
Details
Details
Available Formats : | Digital Download |
Runtime: | 2.54 |
Audience: | Adult |
Language: | English |
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