How Long to Read Memories of the White House

How Long Does it Take to Read Memories of the White House?

It takes the average reader 3 hours and 3 minutes to read Memories of the White House by William Crook

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

"An intimate picture of the domestic side of life at the capital from the time of Lincoln to the close of Roosevelt's regime. It is an informal, chatty narrative." -The Bookseller, 1911 William H. Crook (1839 - 1915) was one of President Abraham Lincoln's bodyguards in 1865. After Lincoln's assassination (while Crook was off duty), he continued to work in the White House for a total of over 50 years, serving 12 presidents. Fifty years of service as a White House employee, through the administration of twelve Presidents, made Colonel Crook one of the most familiar figures of the National Capitol. The assassination of Lincoln and Garfield, various weddings at the White House,the impeachment of President Johnson, were among the events which Colonel Crook recalled in his Memories of the White House. Even during the height of the American Civil War, presidential security was lax. Throngs of people entered the White House every day. "The entrance doors and all the doors on the Pennsylvania side of the mansion were open at all hours of the day and, often, very late into the evening." Lincoln finally gave in to concerns for his safety in November 1864, and was assigned four around-the-clock bodyguards. When one was reassigned as the White House doorkeeper, Crook, then a member of the Washington Police Force and a former Union Army soldier, was selected as his replacement, beginning January 4, 1865. Lincoln's son Tad had a speech impediment and referred to Crook as "Took". When Crook was later drafted, he went to see the President, who arranged to keep his services.On April 14, 1865, Crook began his shift at 8 a.m. He was to have been relieved by John Frederick Parker at 4 p.m., but Parker was several hours late. Lincoln had told Crook that he had been having dreams of himself being assassinated for three straight nights. Crook tried to persuade the President not to attend a performance of the play Our American Cousin at Ford's Theater that night, or at least allow him to go along as an extra bodyguard, but Lincoln said he had promised his wife they would go. As Lincoln left for the theater, he turned to Crook and said "Goodbye, Crook." Before, Lincoln had always said, "Good night, Crook." Crook later recalled: "It was the first time that he neglected to say 'Good Night' to me and it was the only time that he ever said 'Good-bye'. I thought of it at that moment and, a few hours later, when the news flashed over Washington that he had been shot, his last words were so burned into my being that they can never be forgotten." Crook blamed Parker, who had left his post at the theater without permission.Crook also served as a bodyguard for Lincoln's successor, Andrew Johnson. It was he who brought the news to the embattled President that he had been acquitted in his impeachment trial in May 1868. When good friend Ulysses S. Grant became President, he appointed Crook "Executive Clerk of the President of the United States" in 1870, and dispersing agent in 1877, the latter the position he would hold for the rest of his career. On January 5, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson and the members of the White House staff celebrated his 50 years of service and presented him with a cane. Crook set his memoirs down on paper in the book Through Five Administrations: Reminiscences of Colonel William H. Crook, Body-Guard to President Lincoln, compiled and edited by Margarita Spalding Gerry. There are actually six covered, from Lincoln to Chester A. Arthur, though James A. Garfield and Arthur are covered in a single chapter.

How long is Memories of the White House?

Memories of the White House by William Crook is 182 pages long, and a total of 45,864 words.

This makes it 61% the length of the average book. It also has 56% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read Memories of the White House Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 4 hours and 10 minutes to read Memories of the White House aloud.

What Reading Level is Memories of the White House?

Memories of the White House is suitable for students ages 10 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy Memories of the White House?

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