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3.03 AVERAGE
3.03 AVERAGE
I liked this book. Was disappointed that it was merely the behind the movie aspect but I know that I am going to watch the movie now.
The interesting story of the long-time butler at the White house, Eugene Allen, narrate from a journalist who discovers about Eugene just shortly before the election on President Barack Obama. Eugene is retired at that time, having assisted 8 different Presidents, so that Wil Haygood go in search of him to make a special interview to be released after the election.
It is not narrative, is more how Haygood found out about Eugene and then Eugene's story, followed by the book transformed into a movie. I especially like the first part, the one talking about Eugene and his wife, and then the last one, about the Presidents he assisted. The middle part of the book talks about how black actors entered Hollywood and how hard was to reach the highest step of the podium. I found it a bit dispersive, but nonetheless, interesting in the whole book context. Now I am really curious about the movie :)
It is not narrative, is more how Haygood found out about Eugene and then Eugene's story, followed by the book transformed into a movie. I especially like the first part, the one talking about Eugene and his wife, and then the last one, about the Presidents he assisted. The middle part of the book talks about how black actors entered Hollywood and how hard was to reach the highest step of the podium. I found it a bit dispersive, but nonetheless, interesting in the whole book context. Now I am really curious about the movie :)
I really liked hearing about the life and history of the butler. I am very much looking forward to the movie itself, but this piece seemed very truncated and lacking. I guess it served it's purpose though, since I will be seeing the movie!
A quick read/listen describing the basis for the movie "The Butler: A Witness to History." A fascinating approach to the history of African-American civil rights in America, covering one man's life from growing up on a Southern plantation as a child, to serving 8 different US Presidents as a White House butler, culminating on casting a vote for the 1st black American President in 2008.
The book also covers the history of movies on African American themes with African American actors. From the first Oscar won by Sidney Poitier for In The Heat of the Night, to controversial movies such as The Birth of a Nation (a racist movie glorifying the KKK) and Uncle Tom's Cabin (a movie designed to increase abolitionist sympathies, but still condescendingly portraying black Americans as simple caricatures who needed white Americans to save them).
The book gives you more information about the butler that the movie is based on as the movie is only loosely based on the life of Eugene Allen. Worth reading before seeing the movie to have a broader understanding of the process behind the development of the movie.
The book also covers the history of movies on African American themes with African American actors. From the first Oscar won by Sidney Poitier for In The Heat of the Night, to controversial movies such as The Birth of a Nation (a racist movie glorifying the KKK) and Uncle Tom's Cabin (a movie designed to increase abolitionist sympathies, but still condescendingly portraying black Americans as simple caricatures who needed white Americans to save them).
The book gives you more information about the butler that the movie is based on as the movie is only loosely based on the life of Eugene Allen. Worth reading before seeing the movie to have a broader understanding of the process behind the development of the movie.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I just read this for my book club, and, I'll admit, I wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. However, I found Eugene Allen's story touching and inspiring. It would have been 5 stars for me, but the author spent too much time on historical details and his own journey to write the book rather than on Allen's life which is what the whole book is supposed to be about! How Haygood could miss such an incredible opportunity is beyond me. The book shined when it talks about Allen and his wife, but otherwise it was just meh.
The Butler: A Witness to History by Wil Haygood
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This was a quick two-hour audiobook I decided to listen to in order to help me attempt an October group challenge of 31 books in 31 days. 🎃
Eugene Allen was an African-American butler at the White House that started serving under Harry Truman and served clear through to Ronald Reagan. 🇺🇸
Basically, this audiobook was a brief overview about Eugene Allen and how the movie, The Butler; came to be. 🥂
It shared a few interesting facts about history; but mostly it was sort of disappointing and not the book I had hoped for.
I did however end up watching the movie and it was incredible! Would highly recommend to anyone who is looking to learn some more about African-American History in America.
#book #bookstagram #historical #nonfiction #bookreview #thebutler #whitehouse #americanhistory #africanamericanhistory #threestarreview #readwithsarebear
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This was a quick two-hour audiobook I decided to listen to in order to help me attempt an October group challenge of 31 books in 31 days. 🎃
Eugene Allen was an African-American butler at the White House that started serving under Harry Truman and served clear through to Ronald Reagan. 🇺🇸
Basically, this audiobook was a brief overview about Eugene Allen and how the movie, The Butler; came to be. 🥂
It shared a few interesting facts about history; but mostly it was sort of disappointing and not the book I had hoped for.
I did however end up watching the movie and it was incredible! Would highly recommend to anyone who is looking to learn some more about African-American History in America.
#book #bookstagram #historical #nonfiction #bookreview #thebutler #whitehouse #americanhistory #africanamericanhistory #threestarreview #readwithsarebear
This wasn’t really the story of the Butler. It was really a story about the story of the Butler, with various other reflections on African American cinema and the presidents from the movie thrown in for good measure. Some one clearly just capitalized on the movie to sell some pages. Disappointing.
That said, the book WAS very interesting and I don’t feel like it was wasted time. It just wasn’t what I ha wanted to read or what was advertised.
That said, the book WAS very interesting and I don’t feel like it was wasted time. It just wasn’t what I ha wanted to read or what was advertised.
informative
slow-paced
I picked this book up randomly at the library without even knowing it was based on a movie. When I picked it up I thought I would be reading about the butler, the person, and not the movie. Bummer.
Enh.
I feel like I could have went without reading this book and been perfectly fine with my life. I guess I should have done some research beforehand. The book talked more about the making of The Butler than the actual man who lived through these experiences, which is more of what I wanted to read about.
What little they do talk about Eugene Allen and his wife was fascinating and I really did enjoy what was included in this book about this delightful man. There just wasn’t enough in there for me to really enjoy the book.
I feel like I could have went without reading this book and been perfectly fine with my life. I guess I should have done some research beforehand. The book talked more about the making of The Butler than the actual man who lived through these experiences, which is more of what I wanted to read about.
What little they do talk about Eugene Allen and his wife was fascinating and I really did enjoy what was included in this book about this delightful man. There just wasn’t enough in there for me to really enjoy the book.