An Invitation to the White House
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
An Invitation to the White House: At Home with History is a 2000 coffee table book authored by First Lady of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton and published by Simon & Schuster. The work explores life inside the White House during the Clinton administration, emphasizing renovation efforts and the celebration of American cuisine.
Background and writing
The project was publicly revealed in April 1999, though Clinton had conceived the concept approximately eighteen months earlier. She developed the manuscript amid the United States Senate election in New York, 2000, frequently jotting down notes between campaign events. Writer Cheryl Merser contributed research and writing support, meeting with Clinton twice during this timeframe. The manuscript was finalized in summer 2000, but its publication was postponed until after the Senate race to prevent any appearance of political gain. The book debuted shortly before Clinton departed the White House to take her Senate position.
Themes of the book
This volume represents Clinton’s most conventional work, concentrating more on her role as hostess than on political matters, portraying her as a guardian of tradition. She did not receive an advance payment, and all proceeds from the $35 publication were donated to the White House Historical Association, which also retains copyright ownership.
The foreword is penned by J. Carter Brown, former director of the National Gallery of Art, while historian Carl Sferrazza Anthony provides the introduction. The chapters address White House history, behind-the-scenes functions, cultural and artistic events, American accomplishments, and holiday customs. Particular emphasis is placed on the extensive two-year refurbishment of the Blue Room. The concluding 90 pages present recipes from the White House kitchen. The book features more than 350 photographs in color and black-and-white by official White House photographers Ralph Alswang and Barbara Kinney, alongside previously unpublished family images and food photography by Romulo Yanes.
Although the book references controversies involving the Clintons in a general manner, it refrains from detailing specifics or personal insights, which were later explored in Clinton’s 2003 memoir Living History.
Critical and commercial reception
Simon & Schuster marketed this title alongside two other books about American design during the holiday period. Its launch coincided with the bicentennial of the White House and a series of related publications. A December 2000 event at the White House drew over 300 attendees. The book performed strongly commercially, remaining on The New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover nonfiction for nine weeks and reaching a peak position of number five.
Reviewers commonly described the photography and artwork as "glossy" or "lavish." Marian Burros of The New York Times observed that while Clinton had redefined the First Lady role by securing a Senate seat, this publication honored her traditional responsibilities in hosting and hospitality. Lawrence L. Knutson from the Associated Press noted that political references were limited to minor details such as selecting paint colors for the Blue Room. Sherryl Connolly of the Daily News emphasized Clinton’s dedication to domestic duties despite her attempts to broaden the scope of the First Lady’s role beyond convention.