All the Presidents' Gardens

Madison's Cabbages to Kennedy's Roses—How the White House Grounds Have Grown with America

By: Marta McDowell

Narrated by: Marni Penning

This New York Times bestseller shares the rich history of the White House grounds, revealing how the story of the garden is also the story of America.

The 18-acres surrounding the White House have been an unwitting witness to history—kings and queens have dined there, bills and treaties have been signed, and presidents have landed and retreated. Throughout it all, the grounds have remained not only beautiful, but also a powerful reflection of American trends. In All the Presidents' Gardens bestselling author Marta McDowell tells the untold history of the White House grounds with historical and contemporary photographs, vintage seeds catalogs, and rare glimpses into Presidential pastimes. History buffs will revel in the fascinating tidbits about Lincoln’s goats, Ike's putting green, Jackie's iconic roses, Amy Carter's tree house, and Trump's controversial renovations. Gardeners will enjoy the information on the plants whose favor has come and gone over the years and the gardeners who have been responsible for it all. As one head gardener put it, “What’s great about the job is that our trees, our plants, our shrubs, know nothing about politics.”

Reader sounds stressed out

This subject matter fascinates me, so I continued listening. But, the uptight, snarky at times, sarcastic-sounding, bordering on steaming anger-vibe-voice was not a good choice for me to relax with. My shoulders started reacting within the first few words: I had to remind myself regularly to breathe deeply & relax my shoulders.