The house tells the story Homes of the American presidents

*Starred Review* The origins of this very handsome book go back to a conversation between artist Van Doren and historian David McCullough, who knew of Van Doren's love of history and architecture and suggested he paint the homes of American presidents. What makes the collaboration so unique is that after visiting and painting 15 homes, Van Doren first shared his thoughts and some of the images in letters to McCullough, which are reprinted here in their original form. This adds a personal feel to the look at presidential spaces, but Van Doren's insights and inspirations also run throughout the text and stand-alone art. Perhaps most interesting are the houses he visited that are not open to the public, like Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas, where he gets to chat with fellow painter George W. Bush, who is now interested in art, not politics. In addition, a look at Calvin Coolidge's Vermont home in the dead of winter has unexpected charm, and the discussion of FDR's home in the Hudson River Valley fascinates as well. Van Doren doesn't always get his facts right (e.g., JFK was diagnosed with Addison's disease as an adult, not as a toddler), but the sweep of this book (and the informative back matter) is remarkable, and the illustrations are often breathtaking. Expect this volume to encourage many readers to visit presidential homes.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2015 Booklist

Gorgeous paintings and lucid historical commentary converge brilliantly in this collection of illustrated letters from watercolorist Van Doren (An Artist in Venice) to his collaborator, historian and Pulitzer-winning author David McCullough. Van Doren visited 15 presidential homes over three years, painting the residences and gaining insight into the former presidents' private lives through their personal effects. His handwritten, anecdotal narrative wraps around colorful watercolor sketches on stationery. A trained architect, Van Doren speaks knowingly of scale, harmony, and proportion. Franklin Roosevelt's Hyde Park home is the first entry, and Van Doren emphasizes its accommodations for F.D.R.'s wheelchair, iconic convertible, and beloved dog, Fala. The much-visited Mount Vernon and Monticello are also included, with Van Doren noting his admiration for Thomas Jefferson as "a sort of American Leonardo da Vinci." He notes that Bess and Harry Truman's white gingerbread Victorian still has wallpaper stains from the president using the wall to lift himself up from his chair; their favorite books are also on display. Warm, accessible, and harmonious, this book marries history with art for a uniquely American vision. Illus. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.