Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker

by Stacy A. Cordery

Book Overview

Alice Roosevelt Longworth lived her entire life on the political stage and in the public eye, earning her the nickname "the other Washington monument." In this new biography - the first in twenty years - Stacy A. Cordery presents a detailed and richly entertaining portrait of the witty and whip- smart daughter of Teddy Roosevelt. "Princess Alice" was a tempestuous teenager. Smoking, gambling, and dressing flamboyantly, she flouted social conventions...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670018333
• ISBN13: 9780670018338
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Viking Books
• Length: 590 Pages
• Weight: 2.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 6.6" x 9.6"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

One sided and very boring

A high school senior could write a better account of the fascinating life of TRs daughter. Political correctness and woke culture have made us willing to accept mediocrity if it is written by the correct person. I advise you to look elsewhere for facts and a enjoyable read.

Incredibly interesting

Alice was a fascinating woman who was far more deeply involved in politics than you'd ever expect a first daughter to be, if her sense of humor doesn't captivate you then the political and personal drama will for sure.

Alice: Alice Roosevelt

In this biography author Stacy Cordery succeeeds in making her subject come alive. Alice Roosevelt was the pop star of her day just 100 years ago and was the center of attention in Washington DC from the time her father was in the White House until her death almost 80 years later. Using primary sources, Alice's letters and diaries gave the writer the opportunity to paint a vivid portrait in words. This book is recommended for anyone interested in women's history or in political drama.

Alice Roosevelt

The timing of the release of this book was excellent. I had just finished a book on Teddy Roosevelt and had wondered if there had been anything written on his daughter, Alice. I could not imagine that this woman had disappeared from history after the defeat of Teddy. And as the book tells in great detail, she did not. I had no idea that she had continued to be such a political force. The book was well researched and well written. If you cannot get enough of Roosevelt history then this book is a must. It not only tells the story of Alice but give the Roosevelt Aficionado new insights into the relationship of Teddy Roosevelt and his children. Overall a great read. jft

Engaging Portrait of a Political Princess

As a non-historian who wishes she could time travel, I gravitate to biography, occasionally whetting my appetite upon historical fiction (albeit with a guilty sigh). I enjoy the escape into other eras where people thought, dressed, talked, and acted differently than they do today. "Alice" filled this need as few biographies do with as much detail paid to her context as to the subject herself. The result is a satisfying read about a highly imaginable, three-dimensional Alice Roosevelt Longworth. Stacy Cordery's detailed and insightful descriptions introduced me to a woman I had never heard of - and yet she was more popular than Shirley Temple at the height of her popularity! By the time I was finished with the book, I wanted to have tea with this political princess. I felt I had a new grasp of a bygone era and a different perspective of Theodore Roosevelt, too. How fun to realize while his leadership of the country was happening on stage, Alice's backstage antics threatened to steal the show. You don't have to love Alice to appreciate her place in history. And if the era doesn't particularly lure you, Cordery's smart and engaging prose and analysis should.

Outstanding biography of a fascinating woman

One of the 20th centuries most fascinating characters is the subject of the biography she deserves. Yes, the famous wit and flamboyant behavior is there, and her carelessness and neglect. But this book puts Mrs. Longworth's role in political history into perspective with meticulous research that includes interviews with people whose memories of working with her add a wealth of fascinating detail. Well done!

The Other Washington Monument

For those of us who live in Washington, the name of Alice Roosevelt Longworth (1884-1980) is a familiar one, for she played a major and central role on the stage of the Capital for almost all of her long and interesting life. Daughter of course of Teddy Roosevelt, and his first wife, Alice came of age while TR was President, and had one of the few authentic White House weddings. She married Representative Nicholas Longworth, an Ohio Republican, who eventually rose to be Speaker of the House, before his untimely death in 1931. Alice lived on as a public figure here for nearly 50 more years and just had one heck of an interesting life. Known for her sharp tongue, sense of mischief, and independent ways (e.g., while her husband was still alive, she apparently managed to have a daughter with Senator Borah of Idaho, and everyone got along famously), Alice was not everyone's cup of tea. But, as this superb biography demonstrates, she had a serious side and was one of the most astue observers of the Washington political scene during the 20th century. Anyone prominent in politics during this period most likely interacted with Alice, particularly at the famous intimate dinners she gave at her beautiful townhouse in Dupont Circle (which still stands, incidentally). Interested in many erudite topics, Alice became quite the reader of books which only added to her incisive command of many topics in addition to the political. All dimensions of her long and fascinating life are covered in this fine book, based upon stupendous research (reflected in the extensive bibliography),including many interviews, and the assistance of Alice's granddaughter which afforded the author unique access to Alice's papers. Though a long book at 483 pages (not counting extensive notes), believe me this biography no more drags than did Alice's life. Alice was undoubtedly one of the most interesting characters on the Washington scene; I regret we arrived here only in 1977, but even then Alice was still at the center of public attention (who else stood on their head regularly in her late 90's) and rightly was given the title of "the other Washington monument" by us all....a title well deserved.