First Ladies

NPR American Chronicles

by National Public Radio, Cokie Roberts (host)

While the role of the first lady has changed dramatically over the course of  the nation's history, one thing remains constant: American's have always been fascinated by the wives of the President. Insights into their formative years, their daily routines within the White House, their influence on the public policies espoused by their husbands, and their bold journey into the modern political spotlight have captivated generations of political historians, social critics and tabloid gawkers alike. NPR presents the story of these iconic women as they apply their unique gifts to help transform the role of women in public and private life. Featuring in-depth profiles of many of our beloved, inspiring, and occasionally enigmatic first ladies, including: Martha Washingtion, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Betty Ford, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and more.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography, Biography Memoir, Politics, Historical

4 pages, Audiobook

First published February 3, 2015

Reviews

[Chrissie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars means I thought the book/audiobook was OK, certainly not terrible. I thought I should point this out.

The audiobook gives short snippets about the First Ladies from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama. It is a radio series from National Public Radio. The earlier First Ladies are often interviews with authors having written books on one of the women. The later day First Ladies are often NPR interviews with the women themselves. There are also recordings of speeches, for example of Eleanor Roosevelt. I did learn little interesting things about some of these women, but I quite simply wanted more.

I very much disliked the presentation. People interrupt each other. There are little giggles and schmaltzy music and side comments that I could have done without. Some of the recordings had very poor quality. Some of the interviewers talked more than the women interviewed! Chatty small talk tends to put me off; there was too much of that here. I am less interested in learning about the actress Sally Fields than learning about the woman she was to portray - Mary Todd Lincoln.

Cokie Roberts does not do all the interviews. She is classified as the narrator of the audiobook. She of course did stick in a word or two about her own books.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook contains excerpts of things which were featured on NPR over the years. Principally narrated by the always excellent Cokie Roberts (who is certainly well versed on this subject, having written extensively about First Ladies and pioneering women), it contains audio clips that I think would be more impactful in the hearing of them rather than the reading. This is a short (about 3 hours) audio, well worth the time.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

All in the American Chronicles seem to be excellent--or at least the ones I've listened to. This is no exception with fascinating insights into the personalities and roles of multiple first ladies. The interviews are great--especially those with living first ladies (as opposed to authors or historians about former first ladies). Insightful, often amusing, extraordinarily accessible. Cokie Roberts is a sublime narrator and editor, tying it all together. Much as I enjoyed this, I still think my favorite book on the first ladies is Margaret Truman's First Ladies published in 1995. She's a wonderful story teller and covers all the first ladies. And, as the daughter of one, she brings special insight. Both titles are intriguing and full of stories listeners likely aren't familiar with.

[Miri Gifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

They only covered the ones everyone kind of knows already, which was a little disappointing. I would have liked to learn something about Julia Grant, Rachel Jackson, Ida McKinley, Frances Cleveland, Grace Coolidge, and Edith Roosevelt, for example. But I did enjoy it, and I was especially pleased to learn how much I like Rosalynn Carter and Barbara Bush based on these interviews. Barbara Bush is fabulous.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compilation of stories about first ladies, produced by NPR. Felt a bit meandering and didn't quite finish, but there were some interesting segments tucked in here and there.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to the stories, letters and voices of the first ladies was a treat. In interviews conducted by NPR, we were given sippets and glimpses of the first ladies and their lives celebrating and reviewing their causes, passions and roles while they served as first lady. Some of the interviews provided confirmation of things I already knew and others gave insights to the behind the scenes lives and choices of these special and famous women. There was a very short musical phrase between each interview which provides the reader a chance to move to the new interview with greater ease than might have been possible with straight dialogue. Only a little over three hours in this set of cd's I experienced a great deal of personal academic and emotional review., listening to the stories caused me to rethink and remember information and opinions that I had gained or formed over the years. I would highly recommend listening to this book. I give it a 4 stars and than LibraryThing and HighBridge Audio for the complementary review copy.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging collection of NPR interviews and features about the first ladies. While not a comprehensive collection of all first ladies' stories, this collection gives readers insights into many first ladies' lives including Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Mary Todd Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt, and others. Some highlights include an interview with Martha Washington biographer, Patricia Brady, regarding an age regression portrait of the very first lady commonly pictured in her older years and Sally Field on playing Mary Todd Lincoln in the 2012 film Lincoln. What better way to learn about the first ladies than from their words in the included interviews with modern first ladies from Nancy Reagan to Michelle Obama. Features and interviews are relatively bite-size allowing listeners to easily pause listening and pick up the collection later. I'm definitely looking forward to listen to NPR's other collections.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book free through a Goodreads first reads give away and am so glad I did. It was incrediable hearing about the first ladies throughout history. You always learn about the presidents throughout school and know about them. I never knew the first ladies were so intresting or so strong willed. After hearing this book I will be looking for more information on many of these first ladies throughout history I am especially fasinated with Abigail Adams. I really enjoyed hearing about how strong she was. I've always heard about Eleanor Roosevelt and knew she was a great woman but never raelly knew how much she really accomplished. Our history is filled with strong willed and wonderful women. This book will makes me want to learn more about all these women who were in the shadows of our presidents but accomplished so much.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

My bad. Somehow I thought this was the companion volume to the excellent CSPAN series on the First Ladies (that's what happens when I use my tiny phone screen to check out audiobooks from my library thru my Libby app). This isn't that book. That said, it was enjoyable to listen to the nuggets of information presented, many of which were new to me. Unfortunately, many of the First Ladies are missing from these vignettes.

Cokie Roberts is the narrator/anthologist/editor of these pieces derived from various interviews with either the authors of biographies of First Ladies (in the cases of the deceased ones) or the First Ladies themselves. She interjects her own knowledge and memories as appropriate, and I always enjoy hearing her voice.

Now I just need to find the audio version of the CSPAN book if one is available...

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

My reading project for 2015 is to read about the First Ladies of the United States, I saw this overview audio book put out by NPR from its American Chronicles series; thought it might provide a good overview.

Cokie Roberts narrated the book for NPR with excerpts from interviews with First Lady Biographers and from the First Ladies themselves. Roberts was interviewed for her book of Women of the Revolutionary Period.

Among the First Ladies included are Martha Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Betty Ford, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama.

To hear the First Ladies themselves makes this a special audio book. This audio book won the Audiofile Earphone Award for 2015. I downloaded this audiobook for Audible.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a book, this is a wonderful collection of NPR stories about America's First Ladies. These stories come from all their different programs. Some are funny, some are touching, all are fascinating. It sent me looking for books that were mentioned and had me rewinding to share stories with my husband. It really opened my eyes. Such a wide range of women who approached the job with lots of different ideas and personalities. It touches on everyone from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama. I am grateful to have received this as a gift from LibraryThing.

[Sara Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an audiobook that I originally downloaded from the library with the idea of listening to it when I couldn't sleep. How silly! This book was so interesting that I fought to stay away so I wouldn't miss anything. NPR interviews with authors and experts on several earlier First Ladies who are no longer with us such as Martha Washington and Eleanor Roosevelt give us a better understanding of their struggles and contributions. More recent First Ladies such as Barbera Bush and Michelle Obama are interviews.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was honestly so great. The backstory on Martha Washington opened the flood gates for me googling her, and wondering why there isn't more commonly known about her. I must have shared my new found knowledge with at least three family members and a few friends within the span of an hour. I mean, WHO KNEW? I've never been particularly fond of reading American History since leaving college, but this was captivating. I like any collaborator that's, "in on the joke." They just told every story from a perspective that was relate-able, and left you with wanting to know more.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved learning more about the First Ladies and their roles. Every marriage should be a strong partnership, and whether we like it or not (or even realize it), all of the Presidents' wives have impacted our history through their influence. This audio book made my work commute much more interesting!

[Susan Maykowski Schuster · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quite disappointing on many fronts. Had hoped to learn more about our first ladies. Yes. I learned more than I knew before. But this was put out as an audiobook. It was not. It was a scattering of NPR interviews. Interesting, missing several ladies, and not a book, audio or otherwise. A waste of time if you're trying to learn anything useful or deep about these women.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of NPR programs interviewing First Ladies of the US. Very, very interesting with poignant questions asked of the biographers and First Ladies themselves. I hope more of these interviews are done on some of the First Ladies not mentioned here.

[Edelweiss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really a book. But interesting if you want to look at public perception or newscasts about first ladies. This is a collection of NPR spotlights and broadcasts about first ladies, from Martha Washington on down.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly an audiobook per se, "First Ladies" is a collection of segments broadcast on NPR concerning First Ladies, or interviewing First Ladies. As such, I think you'll like it exactly as much as you think you will.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy NPR.... This audio had brief bits on the First Ladies, all of the recent times and a few from the early days of the nation. Using facts, real interviews and in one case the actress Sally Field for Mrs Lincoln.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very good. There were a number of things I did not know about our First Ladies. But for the most part it is surface material since there were not much time dedicated to each of the ladies.

[Dionne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed hearing the different clips, especially the interviews with some of the most recent 1st Ladies.

[Marsha Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning some information on several First Ladies. Very easy, quick read.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio reviews and interviewed related the most popular of the First Ladies.

[Lifelong Reader - Lifelong Learner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed listening to this; would have learned more if I could have made associations with some larger themes.

[Newreader Nancy]

I did not finish this book.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid overview, with additional biography recommendations.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative. Entertaining. But I like my books in writing.

[Tom Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of stories and interviews about and with first ladies from NPR.
Short.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to listen to and very informative. I got a bit bored with it at times.

[Mary Patterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

For the role each of these women played in history, the book was dry and boring. Not because of the person being interviewed.