Product Description

"If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog," Harry Truman once said. Perhaps that's why, for much of our Republic's history, there have been two top dogs at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue—one with two legs, one with four. First Dogs, by distinguished journalist Roy Rowan and researcher Brooke Janis, tells the whole doggone story, from the days before there was a White House to Barack Obama’s newly adopted presidential pup, Bo.

Here's a lighthearted romp through American history, packed with drawings and paintings from early America, plus photographs, starting with Abraham Lincoln's Fido. Not only did these four-footed goodwill ambassadors humanize their distinguished masters, they offered them a little unconditional love in a loveless town.

First Dogs gives dog lovers and history lovers a new angle on presidential history and is more fun than you can shake a stick (or rubber bone) at.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #132365 in Books
• Published on: 2009-06-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 163 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781565129368
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
From Washington's foxhound to Clinton's Labrador--and every imaginable breed in between--the presidential pooches have faithfully stood by their masters through good times and bad, successfully endearing themselves to millions of people along the way. In First Dogs: American Presidents and Their Best Friends, Roy Rowan (correspondent for Life, Time, and Fortune) and photojournalist Brooke Janis take an entertaining look at presidential history from a dog's point of view. Highlighting the "four-footed goodwill ambassadors" who have, over the years, not only humanized their distinguished masters, but also played political roles--both in gaining votes and boosting their bosses' popularity--this "lighthearted romp through American history" introduces such memorable characters as FDR's Scottie, Fala, who attended the signing of the Atlantic Charter aboard the cruiser Augusta; Millie, Bush's springer spaniel, who dictated her own bestselling memoir; and Lincoln's mongrel, Fido, who sadly suffered the same fate as his master.

Charming historic and contemporary photographs as well as numerous line drawings accompany the engaging anecdotes, making this a perfect choice for both dog and history lovers alike. Guaranteed to be more fun than you can shake a stick at! --Stefanie Hargreaves

From Booklist
The Clintons don't have one, which makes them one of the few presidential families not to have canine companions in the White House. Readers will be amazed at how dog crazy most of our chief executives have been. "Since the first days of the Union, our presidents have been measured in part by the canine company they keep," insist the authors of this string of heartwarming anecdotes about first dogs. Of all the engaging stories told here, perhaps the most poignant is the one about the time FDR's Scottie, named Fala, attempted to accompany his master to the third inaugural ceremonies; banished by the Secret Service, Fala sulked for a few days and then ran away (but he was found and brought back). Some White House dogs could never fit into the manners of official life, but others, such as Harding's Airedale, Laddie Boy, became out-and-out White House celebrities. Not an essential library purchase, but an enjoyable one for dog lovers. Smithsonian will run an excerpt in its June issue. Brad Hooper

From Kirkus Reviews
George Washington had one. Ulysses S. Grant had one. Warren G. Harding had one. And, of course, Richard Nixon had one--not just the sadly exploited Checkers, but the more regal King Timahoe, the Irish settter of his presidential days. Time-Life correspondent Rowan and photo researcher Janis have assembled a barrage of trivia and photographs of presidents and their pooches: James Garfield named his dog Veto in order to keep Congress in line; Lincoln's Fido--the first presidential dog to be officially photographed--was intimidated by the hullaballoo of Washington and was sent back home to Springfield to be looked after by the barber. And Harding's Laddie Boy had his own hand-carved chair for cabinet meetings and was on the White House welcoming committee. It's too easy to get corny and cute on this subject, and Rowan succumbs--only people with terminal canineophilia will want to read this all the way through. (First serial to Smithsonian Magazine) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

What fun...
My whole family has enjoyed this book. My grandchildren pick it up every time they're here. I leave it on the coffee table so that friends who stop by can see it. It makes a hit with everyone. It's even more fun right now while our new president and his little girls are (as this is written)trying to decide on a dog to move into the White House ....

Dog Lovers
Calling all dog lovers--you know who you are!! Find your favorite easy chair and have your best friend fetch your slippers, then sit back and enjoy a wonderful read. Great fun for all ages with a little bit of history thrown in. Highly recommend this book.

Expanded Edition of "First Dogs" Delights
Everything's up to date in White House dogdom now that Roy Rowan and Brooke Janis have updated their celebrated history of American presidents' canine pets. Prime examples of four-legged fealty to chief executives (most of the time), beginning with George Washington's hunting hounds, have been supplemented by George W. Bush's Scottish terrier Barney, whom the 43rd president called "the son I never had," and the Obamas' Bo. The incumbent presidential dog was the subject of an unprecedented search. "At first," the authors wrote, the president "seemed to favor an underdog. He mentioned the possibility of canvassing canine shelters for a mixed breed or, as he put it, for a 'mutt like me.'"
Because of daughter Malia's allergies the Obamas narrowed the field to non-shredders, a Labradoodle (part Labrador retriever, part poodle) and a Portuguese water dog. "This has been tougher than finding a commerce secretary," Obama said. If such humor seemed questionable to some, the authors did not agree. "Let's face it, all the speculation provided a little doggone fun at a somber period when it was badly needed." After the Obamas decided on a Portuguese water dog--a strong, smart and loyal breed that the American Kennel Club says can "swim all day"--Senator Ted and Victoria Kennedy purchased a six-month-old brother of their own"Portie" for Malia and her sister, Sasha. Originally named Amigo's New Hope, the dog was sensibly rechristened Bo by the girls.
"Remember what Cal Coolidge said," the authors concluded: 'Any man who does not like dogs,' and then he specifically added, 'and want them about, First Dogs American Presidents and Their Best Friendsdoes not deserve to be in the White House.'" Norm Ritter