First Ladies (Guild America Books)

By Betty Boyd Caroli and Betty Boyd Caroll

Book Overview

As we move toward the year 2000, Americans continue to debate the job of First Lady. How much power does the position actually hold? How publicly should that power be wielded? First Ladies tells the story of this curious institution and the evolution of these women's role from ceremonial backdrop to substantive world figure. This expanded edition brings us up to the present, examining the legacies of our three most recent First Ladies: Nancy Reagan, credited with raising the job to that of "Associate President"; Barbara Bush, who took a more traditional approach); and Hillary Rodham Clinton, widely billed as the person responsible for changing the job completely. Covering all thirty-nine women from Martha Washington to our current First Lady and including the daughters, daughters-in-law, and sisters of presidents who sometimes served as First Ladies, Betty Boyd Caroli explores the background, marriage, and accomplishments and failures in office of each woman. This remarkably diverse lot included Abigail Adams, whose "remember the ladies" became a twentieth-century feminist refrain; Edith Wilson, who alone controlled access to the President when he suffered a stroke; Jane Pierce, who prayed her husband would lose the election; Helen Taft, who insisted on living in the White House, although her husband would have preferred a judgeship; and Pat Nixon, who perfected what some have called "the robot image." They ranged in age from early 20's to late 60's; some received superb educations for their time, while others had little or no schooling. Including the courageous and adventurous, the emotionally unstable, the ambitious, and the reserved, these women often did not fit the traditional expectations of a presidential helpmate.Depicting how these women used the "magic wand" given to them, Caroli reveals not only how each First Lady changed the role, but also how the role changed in response to American culture. Because of their position, these women left remarkably complete records, and their stories offer us an insider's view not only of their lives but also of the history of American women in general.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1568650159
• ISBN13: 9781568650159
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Doubleday Direct
• Length: 330 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Nice book

My wife wanted this book, and is enjoying it but she wish it would have been a Hardback, maybe I was not listening very well that day.

America's First Ladies

Interesting and informative book for history lovers of facts re our diverse First Ladies. Recommend.

A Fine Piece of Work

Ms. Caroli is an excellent historian, and an even better writer. She makes the lives of very commonplace women come alive, and it is a most enjoyable read!

Great Gloss of a Fascinating Facet of American History

Caroli provides an interesting overview of a position most Americans take for granted, about which they may hold very deep-seeded opinions they may not even realize. Her historical treatment provides the backdrop I would guess many people lack in drawing conclusions about contemporary first ladies, and this background is, and always would be, cogent.I remember (with some regret) as a child remarking to my mother during the 1980 elections that Nancy Reagan was prettier than Rosalyn Carter. My mother replied, "Well, Reagan was a movie star! Don't draw your conclusions based on how they LOOK..." Now, 19 years later, I get the facts to back up my mother's admonition.The book is only a gloss, not an in depth treatment, and Caroli states she's not trying to draw wide-ranging conclusions. The strength of the book comes in her setting forward a small written portrait of each woman and her times, giving the reader a good spring board for further study in areas of interest.A favorite account was of Betty Ford's candor and refreshing attitude with the press. Through this book I developed a real interest in her and the work she did during her time in office. Even democratic friends say they remember her time in the White House as good years for the "office" of first lady.