Dolley Madison: The Problem of National Unity

by Catherine Allgor

First Lady of the United States and America's "Queen of Hearts," Dolley Madison fashioned an unofficial role for herself in the new administration of the United States, helping to answer the nation's need for ceremony and leaving footprints for centuries of presidential wives to follow. Assisting her husband, James Madison, she helped to promote national unity, modeling a political behavior that stressed civility and empathy. Together, their approach fueled bipartisanship in a country still assembling a political identity. About the Lives of American Women selected and edited by renowned women's historian Carol Berkin, these brief biographies are designed for use in undergraduate courses. Rather than a comprehensive approach, each biography focuses instead on a particular aspect of a women's life that is emblematic of her time, or which made her a pivotal figure in the era. The emphasis is on a 'good read', featuring accessible writing and compelling narratives, without sacrificing sound scholarship and academic integrity. Primary sources at the end of each biography reveal the subject's perspective in her own words. Study questions and an annotated bibliography support the student reader.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction

194 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2012

Reviews

[Bryan Checo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shining the spotlight on the rather hidden First Lady to James Madison, Allgor provides a fascinating glimpse into the importance of Dolley Madison to the nation and to promoting unity at a time of great political tension. Allgor is able to clearly convey Dolley's importance during the early Republic period without boring the reader with lifeless writing. She also fleshes out Dolley fully, including the good and the questionable, giving a well-rounded character analysis of one of the most important female figures in American history. A must read for anyone interested in early US politics or history.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess to write a book about Dolly Madison you have to write about the Madison presidency. This was a great book about how she was influential during Madison’s stay in Washington. She must have been an amazing personality.

[Emily Smallwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

No offense to dolley, god rest her soul, but this book couldn't grab my attention for the literal life of me. slow read city

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This scholarly book by Catherine Allgor argues the point that women, particularly the wives of the early US Presidents and especially Dolley Madison, were the major forces behind the unification of a diverse group of colonies into the nation we know today. Using their role as the social coordinator of their husband's lives and their maternal instincts, they were able to welcome diverse groups of people into their homes and start social dialogue. While this was a interesting perspective on our early culture in America, Allgor argued the point too aggressively which obscured poor Dolley Madison! I gave up about half way through and will look for another book to find out about this woman.

[Erin Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting interpretation of Dolley Madison. It seemed incredibly biased, though it did give a less harsh account of her husband, James Madison. The four star rating comes from the author's obvious bias towards her. It is okay to be favorable to someone that most historians treat unkindly or unfairly,but it is not okay to portray someone as being completely perfect and without flaws.

[Bathed In Sin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mandatory for school... wasn't terrible. Had funny moments. Like when Dolley Madison talked about the rumors of her prostitution. Wouldn't necessarily recommend for light or pleasure reading but for historical information, not a bad way to go. Could have been much worse.