The woman in the White House;: The lives, times and influence of twelve notable first ladies

by Marianne Means

"Inspired by Mrs. Kennedy, I have selected eleven other First Ladies who played vital roles in shaping their husbands' lives and tangentially, their nation's destiny. A few were responsible for prodding their reluctant husbands toward the White House. Our wartime First Ladies gave their husbands the kind of wifely support which made it possible for them to carry out their awesome responsiblities. One became "acting President" during her husband's serious illness and another became her crippled husband's eyes and ears during the White House years. ... The twelve included in this book are women of strong will and nimble wit, and they made their presence felt." (This excerpt is from the introduction to this book by the author.) The tweleve first ladies include Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Mary Lincoln, Helen Taft, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bess Truman, Dolley Madison, Edith Wilson, Sarah Polk, Mamie Eisenhower, Floerence Harding, and Jacqueline Kennedy.

299 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1963