Chronicling the sometimes outlandish, often tragic history of the environs of the White House, this book covers two centuries of assassinations, slave escapes, deadly duels, sex scandals, battles, brawls and spy intrigues that took place in the presidential neighborhood, Lafayette Square. The author recounts the triumphs and catastrophes of heroes and villains both famous and unsung, placing them in the context of contemporary world events of the day.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
"Ed Moser leads a rollicking tour of Lafayette Square-the front door to the White House-and along the way enchants us with true stories of assassinations, duels, escaped slaves, heroes, scandals, spies, and a strong appreciation for one of America's most historic spaces."-Garrett Peck, author of The Great War in America: World War I and Its Aftermath "A fascinating read about an overlooked but important public space at the center of Washington drama for decades. An enjoyable read."-Peter Schweizer, author of Profiles in Corruption "Turns out the White House isn't in the best neighborhood-not if you like a life of peace and quiet. Edward Moser has discovered that the houses, streets, sidewalks, and alleys around Lafayette Square have produced as much drama as the Oval Office and have hosted an even more colorful cast of characters."-P. J. O'Rourke, New York Times bestselling author "Moser takes readers on a quick-paced joy ride. From the front door of the White House and through the streets and back alleys, Moser entices with the true stories of assassinations, duels, escaped slaves, heroes, salacious affairs, and nasty double crosses. ... Hidden dramas buried within the walls of the homes, taverns, and parks of Lafayette Square come alive. And his readers gain a ground level appreciation for this historic area."-The Zebra.
Sprache
Verlagsort
Zielgruppe
Interest Age: From 18 years
Produkt-Hinweis
Illustrationen
56 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Maße
Höhe: 254 mm
Breite: 178 mm
Dicke: 14 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-1-4766-7486-5 (9781476674865)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
A former presidential speechwriter and writer for The Tonight Show, Edward P. Moser is the author of 12 published books and is the operator of the Lafayette Square Tour of Scandal, Assassination & Intrigue. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
?1.?The Secretary of State Is Nearly Stabbed to Death
?2.?The Unsung Slave Whose Family Sparked a Civil Rights Revolution
?3.?The Perilous Life of America's Greatest Foreign Friend
?4.?The Craziest Inaugural Party of Them All
?5.?The Biggest Slave Escape in American History
?6.?The "Big Cheese" Receives a Mammoth Gift
?7.?Mrs. Lincoln's Sad Search for Her Deceased Son
?8.?The Plantation Owner's Startling Army of Diversity
?9.?The Burning of the White House and the Rescue of Its Riches
10.?A White House Surgery That Echoed Bullets and Brawls
11.?The Populist Politics of Pennsylvania Avenue's Park
12.?The Biggest Sex Scandal in Washington's History
13.?The Tragic Wife of America's Premier Thinker
14.?The Secret Life of the Intrepid Explorer
15.?The Cunning Craft of a Deadly Spy
16.?The Backstory of the American Revolution's Martinet
17.?The Violent End of America's Bravest Sailor
18.?A Duel Between the Oddest and Most Famous of Congress
19.?The King of the Camel Corps
20.?The Enslaved Woman Who Sued the Head of the State Department
21.?The -War-Hero Womanizer Who Slayed the Son of Francis Scott Key
22.?The Accursed Life of the Man Who Tried to Save the President
23.?A Shocking Seedling from the Victory at Yorktown
24.?The Bloody Assassination Attempt on President Truman
25.?Lincoln Makes Lee an Offer He Could Refuse
26.?The Wretched Life Behind the Gaudiest Place
27.?How a Personal Vendetta and Patriotic Passion Led to America's Most Honored Place
28.?The Spook Who Spied on the President and Inspired the Formation of the NSA
29.?The Most Criminally Inept Family in Military History
30.?A Peerless Singer Lays the Groundwork for "I Have a Dream"
31.?The Miracle Manse
32.?The Lost Barracks of the National Mall
33.?George Washington, the Flinty Scot, the Powerful Mayor, and the Children's Angel
34.?The Near Drowning of the President in the Potomac
35.?The Forgotten Terror Attack
36.?A President's Brush with Death After a Deadly Navy Accident
37.?The Poetess Behind America's Most Inspiring Song
38.?Hamilton! The Tour!!: A White House Area Itinerary
39.?Murder Bay and Hooker's Division
40.?A Wartime Tavern Keeper's Unwanted Guests
41.?A Humble Cleaning Lady Gulls a Mighty Invader
42.?The Entrepreneur and the Ingenue: A Match Made in Heaven Gone to Hell
43.?The Black Businessman Whose Workplace Birthed Jim Crow
44.?The Financial Wizard Who Helped Stave Off a Civil War
45.?The Crooked Bank for the Former Slaves
Index
