Reviewed by C. C. Plehn
+ Nation 111:379 O 6 ’20 220w
ANDERSON, ISABEL WELD (PERKINS) (MRS LARZ ANDERSON). Presidents and pies; life in Washington, 1897–1919. il *$3 (5c) Houghton 975.3
20–6432
This is a book of inside gossip about social Washington, where “there is always something new under the sun.” The author has met and listened to the “‘senators, honorables, judges, generals, commodores, governors, and the ex’s of all these, as thick as pickpockets at a horse-race, ... ambassadors, plenipotentiaries, lords, counts, barons, chevaliers, and the great and small fry of legations’ who make the life here so varied and fascinating. Some politics, a touch of history, a dash of description, with a flavor of social affairs—such are the ingredients of my ‘pie,’ which, whatever its faults, I hope may not sit heavily on the reader’s digestion.” (Chapter 1) The book is well illustrated and the contents are: Looking back; “A red torch flared above his head”; Rough Rider and buccaneer; Parties and politics; Enter Mr Taft; Sundry visitings and visitations; Cruising and campaigning; Divers democrats; Allied missions; Pies; A topsy-turvy capital; Royalties arrive.
Boston Transcript p6 Ap 28 ’20 900w
“It is regrettable that, owing to the lack of a sufficient background, she has not given us a definitive book on the city of Washington and its society; but, nevertheless, ‘Presidents and pies’ is a pleasant and sometimes a brilliant book. At least, it is easy reading, although its illustrations hardly add to its value.” M. F. Egan
+ − N Y Times p6 Ag 15 ’20 2300w
“A delightful narrative. The style is chatty without being flippant, and there is always a touch of humor.”