Does anyone know if there is a book out about the main character in the movie The Butler?

[HappyGrace]

I'd be really interested to read it, if so! What an interesting life! (haven't seen the movie-just read a one paragraph blurb about his life)

 

ETA: Well, I should have checked Amazon! There is one on there, but it gets horrible reviews (it's just PR for the movie)

 

I don't see anything else-does anyone know of one?

[Hikin' Mama]

Bumping, because I would be interested in this, too.

[Word Nerd]

This is apparently the article that inspired the screenplay: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/06/AR2008110603948_pf.html

[poppy]

The movie is highly fictionalized. I heard an interview with the screenwriter (Jonathan from Buffy the Vampire Slayer!) He is very open about the fact that while it's 'inspired by' a true story, it is not a true story. There are major departures.  For example, the real butler's son was not in the Black Panthers.

[houseofkids&pets]

We had an editorial in our newspaper written by Ronald Reagan's son.  He really did not agree with the way his father was portrayed in the movie.  He also commented about the lack of historical accuracy.

[HappyGrace]

My mom just saw it and said it was heavily fictional. I'm not that interested in seeing it, in that case. I'd like it much better if I had the true story to read to know what was fiction and what wasn't!

[poppy]

I don't think it's 'wrong' that it's fictionalized.  It's a reflection on race in the 20th century using major historical figures, loosely inspired by a true person.

 

There are lots of articles talking about what's real and what's not, such as this one: http://entertainment.time.com/2013/08/16/what-the-butler-really-saw/

[Danestress]

It was heavily fictional.

 

That said, it was a good movie and did a nice job of portraying the way the civil rights movements affected black families and how different character made different choices in response.

 

I really want my teenagers to see it.

[HappyGrace]

I don't think it's wrong that it's fictionalized-I just would be interested to read the true story too, in order to compare them! It would be bugging me to not know what was real or not :) Thanks for the article!