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First Ladies: Presidential Historians on the Lives of 45 Iconic American Women

About the Book

First Ladies: Presidential Historians on the Lives of 45 Iconic American Women

A look inside the personal life of every first lady in American history, based on original interviews with major historians

C-SPAN’s yearlong history series, "First Ladies: Influence and Image," featured interviews with more than 50 preeminent historians and biographers. In this informative book, these experts paint intimate portraits of all 45 first ladies --- their lives, ambitions, and unique partnerships with their presidential spouses. Susan Swain and the C-SPAN team elicit the details that made these women who they were: how Martha Washington intentionally set the standards followed by first ladies for the next century; how Edith Wilson was complicit in the cover-up when President Wilson became incapacitated after a stroke; and how Mamie Eisenhower used the new medium of television to reinforce her, and her husband’s, positive public images.

This book provides an up-close historical look at these fascinating women who survived the scrutiny of the White House, sometimes at great personal cost, while supporting their families and famous husbands --- and sometimes changing history. Complete with illustrations and essential biographical details, it is an illuminating, entertaining and ultimately inspiring read.

First Ladies: Presidential Historians on the Lives of 45 Iconic American Women
by Susan Swain

  • Publication Date: April 14, 2015
  • Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics
  • Hardcover: 496 pages
  • Publisher: PublicAffairs
  • ISBN-10: 1610395662
  • ISBN-13: 9781610395663