First Ladies: An Intimate Group Portrait of White House Wives

by Margaret Truman

Book Overview

This well-informed, intimate look at 29 women whose lives were intertwined with those who lead and have led this country presents forthright interviews with Lady Bird Johnson, Hillary Clinton, Nancy... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679434399
• ISBN13: 9780679434399
• Release Date: September 1995
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

History plus!

I have been collecting First Ladies' autographs as a hobby, and wanted to know more about the women whose signatures I was hanging on my office walls. This book takes the reader through an exciting, humorous, interesting, and at times touching ride through our country's history. Even though I am a long-term history afficionado, I can honestly say I learned a lot from this book. There are so many things that seem to have been glossed over in "traditional" history education, and this book helps to fill in many gaps by revealing a very human side to both the presidents and their wives. By reading this book, one not only learns about the first ladies, but also about the period in American history that corresponds with the respective husband's tenure as President. Of note, the information provided is mostly limited to the time spent as "First Lady", but does give a bit of background on the women's lives prior to their White House days. In addition, there is a chapter entitled "Is There Life After The White House?" which explores in more depth certain First Ladies' (Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis, Ladybird Johnson for ex)travels and doings after their husbands were no longer president. After each chapter, I found myself looking up portaits online, and wanting to know more. Though this book does not cover every First Lady, and does not include the current First Lady (Hillary Clinton is the last), it is nonetheless a well-written, thorough book on the First Ladies that it does discuss, and is guaranteed to bring a new vantage point to the reader on American history, social life, and human perserverance. Of note, this is not a book with a feminist slant - it is objective, and intelligently written, with only slight opinion commentary by the author. Even the commentary that does exist is presented as an "aside"; in otherwords, the reader is not made to feel that Mrs. Truman's opinions are the only valid ones, but instead, the reader is allowed to form opinions from the facts presented. I highly recommend this book.

FIRST LADIES: AN INTIMATE GROUP PORTRAIT OF WHITE HOUSE WIVES

THIS WAS A VERY INTERESTING BOOK AND GAVE AN INSITE TO THE LIVES OF THE WHITE HOUSE FIRST LADIES. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.

Political Partners

From her unique perspective and personal contacts with many Twentieth Century First Ladies, Margaret Truman has told their stories in a most interesting way. The brief biographies primarily cover the years each of these Ladies resided in the White House, although their roles in getting there are not overlooked.The concept of President and First Lady as political partners is central to the book. How and to what extent each First Lady fits into this mold is carefully examined. The influence that each First Lady has had on her husband and his administration brings some surprises. We know of the public partners, such as Rosalynn Carter and Hillary Clinton, as well as those such as Lady Bird Johnson, who would do anything to advance Lyndon's career, and Eleanor Roosevelt, the eyes and ears of Franklin, but there were others. Who would have thought of Julia Tyler, the young second wife of John Tyler who, in her year in the White House, orchestrated a whirlwind entertainment campaign to achieve the annexation of Texas. Another second wife, Edith Wilson, virtually ran the country during her husband's two year illness after his stroke. There were those, such as Julia Grant and Helen Taft, who wanted the White House worse than their husbands.Margaret Truman does an excellent job at categorizing the First Ladies topically. Among the tragic topics are those who may have been killed by newsprint, Rachel Jackson and Lou Hoover. Maligned First Ladies, such as Mary Lincoln, and those who lived with domineering husbands, such as Grace Coolidge, get sympathetic reviews. No sympathies are wasted on the undeserving, prominently Florence Harding.In this book Margaret Truman gives us a splendid introduction to one of the most crucial jobs in our country. I am glad that I read it. You will be too.

First rate praise for "First Ladies"

Thank you Ms. Truman for doing what our high school teachers never quite accomplished. You made the past come alive with colorful characters who changed the world. I have a new appreciation for our Presidents and their wives. You accomplished what your father wished -- you wrote the definitive book on the subject and spoke to our hearts. I would love for you to add a chapter about Laura Bush, who has been such an inspiration to us all since 9-11.

A Charming look at our First Ladies

I LOVED THIS BOOK! Margaret Truman uses her own unique perspective as the daughter of a First Lady to share a charming look at First Ladies throughout our history.This is a very interesting, easy-to-read book with a variety of antecdotes illustrating the different roles First Ladies have taken on.