Guest of Honor

Booker T. Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, and the White House Dinner That Shocked a Nation

Nonfiction, History, Americas, United States, Biography & Memoir
Cover of the book Guest of Honor by Deborah Davis, Atria Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Deborah Davis ISBN: 9781439169834
Publisher: Atria Books Publication: May 8, 2012
Imprint: Atria Books Language: English
Author: Deborah Davis
ISBN: 9781439169834
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication: May 8, 2012
Imprint: Atria Books
Language: English

In this revealing social history, one remarkable White House dinner becomes a lens through which to examine race, politics, and the lives and legacies of two of America’s most iconic figures.

In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt invited Booker T. Washington to have dinner at the executive mansion with the First Family. The next morning, news that the president had dined with a black man—and former slave—sent shock waves through the nation. Although African Americans had helped build the White House and had worked for most of the presidents, not a single one had ever been invited to dine there. Fueled by inflammatory newspaper articles, political cartoons, and even vulgar songs, the scandal escalated and threatened to topple two of America’s greatest men.

In this smart, accessible narrative, one seemingly ordinary dinner becomes a window onto post–Civil War American history and politics, and onto the lives of two dynamic men whose experiences and philosophies connect in unexpected ways. Deborah Davis also introduces dozens of other fascinating figures who have previously occupied the margins and footnotes of history, creating a lively and vastly entertaining book that reconfirms her place as one of our most talented popular historians.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In this revealing social history, one remarkable White House dinner becomes a lens through which to examine race, politics, and the lives and legacies of two of America’s most iconic figures.

In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt invited Booker T. Washington to have dinner at the executive mansion with the First Family. The next morning, news that the president had dined with a black man—and former slave—sent shock waves through the nation. Although African Americans had helped build the White House and had worked for most of the presidents, not a single one had ever been invited to dine there. Fueled by inflammatory newspaper articles, political cartoons, and even vulgar songs, the scandal escalated and threatened to topple two of America’s greatest men.

In this smart, accessible narrative, one seemingly ordinary dinner becomes a window onto post–Civil War American history and politics, and onto the lives of two dynamic men whose experiences and philosophies connect in unexpected ways. Deborah Davis also introduces dozens of other fascinating figures who have previously occupied the margins and footnotes of history, creating a lively and vastly entertaining book that reconfirms her place as one of our most talented popular historians.

More books from Atria Books

Cover of the book Once Upon a Day by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book Kara Goucher's Running for Women by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book Our Bodies, Ourselves by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book The Five Principles of Ageless Living by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book Mothering Magazine's Having a Baby, Naturally by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book Nice Girls Finish Fat by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book The Spirit of Covington by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book The Comfort of Lies by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book Honey Flava by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book American Legacy by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book Dearest Friend by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book Simple Perfection by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book Our Man in the Dark by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book Out of Line by Deborah Davis
Cover of the book The Picture-Perfect Golf Swing by Deborah Davis
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy