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3.03 AVERAGE
3.03 AVERAGE
The second part about the movie wasn’t my thing, but I’m sure it will interest some.
This was a short, quick read, and not at all what I expected. The first half does tell a bit about the life and experiences of Eugene Allen, White House Butler under eight different Presidents.
The stories don't go into any great detail, though, and a large chunk deals with the Obama election and with Allen's wife's death.
The second half of the book deals solely with the making of the film loosely based on Allen's life. It's like they took his actual life and pumped it up on steriods to increase the drama (having his son join the Black Panthers as a contrast to Allen serving in a government building, etc.). Siiiiiigh.
I wouldn't mind seeing the movie, but I'm certainly going to take it with several grains of salt.
The stories don't go into any great detail, though, and a large chunk deals with the Obama election and with Allen's wife's death.
The second half of the book deals solely with the making of the film loosely based on Allen's life. It's like they took his actual life and pumped it up on steriods to increase the drama (having his son join the Black Panthers as a contrast to Allen serving in a government building, etc.). Siiiiiigh.
I wouldn't mind seeing the movie, but I'm certainly going to take it with several grains of salt.
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
Seemed less about the actual person but more about the movie.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
First part is about the butler himself, second part was about the movie
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Now I want to read the original newspaper article and watch the movie
I" glad that this book was short. There is almost no history of the period in this book. DO NOT BUY THIS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT EUGENE ALLEN!!!!! There is a brief history of the man and the relationship built between him and the author, but then it is all about the movie and the making of the movie. I was very disappointed and in spite of the length of the book I expected it to be about Mr. Allen.
I do want to see the movie, but I really hope someone writes a book about Mr. Allen and the things he saw in his time!
I do want to see the movie, but I really hope someone writes a book about Mr. Allen and the things he saw in his time!
The first third of this book was excellent- a fascinating look in at the the life of a man who spent more time in the White House than any other. The story is touching, and the prose provokes heart wrenching imagery.
The next 60% of the book was dedicated to film history and the role of African Americans in cinema. While not uninteresting, this isn't what I was here for. The book closes by giving brief analysis of the presidents that our titular butler worked under... though strangely it follows the movies lead and skips Truman, Ford and Carter.
I heartily recommend the first 44 pages of this book.
The next 60% of the book was dedicated to film history and the role of African Americans in cinema. While not uninteresting, this isn't what I was here for. The book closes by giving brief analysis of the presidents that our titular butler worked under... though strangely it follows the movies lead and skips Truman, Ford and Carter.
I heartily recommend the first 44 pages of this book.