The Cardinal at North Hills, Raleigh’s premier urban continuing care retirement community, was thrilled to host Kate Andersen Brower, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “The Residence” and “First Women,” also a New York Times bestseller. She recently published a new book titled “First in Line” in which she reveals intimate details about the relationships between the most powerful men in the world and their aides-de-camp, including Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as Donald Trump and Mike Pence. A CNN contributor, Brower covered the Obama White House for Bloomberg News and is a former CBS News staffer and Fox News producer. She has written for the New York Times, Vanity Fair, Time, The Washington Post, and Bloomberg Businessweek. She delivered her presentation titled “The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House” to residents and invited guests.  

“We were delighted to offer residents and special guests this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear Ms. Brower’s insight and perspective on America’s first families,” said Tom Ford, executive director of The Cardinal at North Hills. “As we got a glimpse of the otherwise untold pages of history, the pages revealing the mysteries and complexities of former presidents and their families, we learned about their lives through the men and women who make the White House run every day. Their stories – spanning 50 years, 10 administrations, and countless crises both large and small – are enthralling and left us all yearning to learn more. It was an enlightening and captivating presentation for all who attended.”

Drawing on hundreds of hours of interviews with butlers, maids, chefs, florists, doormen, engineers and others, Brower offers a group portrait of the dedicated professionals who coordinate the smooth running of elaborate state dinners, stand ready during meetings with foreign dignitaries, care for the president and first lady’s young children, and cater to the first couple’s every need, however sublime or (on occasion) ridiculous.

Brower managed to capture the stories of:

•             The Kennedys - from intimate glimpses of their marriage to the chaotic days after JFK’s assassination

•             The Johnsons - featuring the saga of LBJ’s obsession with White House plumbing

•             The Nixons - including Richard Nixon’s unexpected appearance in the White House kitchen the morning he resigned

•             The Reagans - from a fire that endangered Ronald Reagan late in his administration, to Nancy’s control of details large and small

•             The Clintons - whose private battles – including shouting matches and flying objects – unsettled residence workers

•             The Obamas - who danced to Mary J. Blige on their first night in the White House

“As a Kisco Senior Living community, The Art of Living Well® philosophy is seen in every aspect of community life. We value providing these unique social and educational opportunities to strengthen the mind, body and spirit,” said Ford. “Our goal for this speaker series is to bring captivating personalities and distinguished individuals to our community to create remarkable opportunities for residents and guests to learn more, share experiences and enjoy incredible events.”