White House Ladies: Fascinating Tales and Colorful Curiosities

by Webb B. Garrison

Compiles stories and anecdotes about America's first ladies from Martha Washington to Hillary Clinton

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 1996

About the author

Webb Garrison, formerly associate dean of Emory University and president of McKendree College, wrote more than 55 books. Before his death in 2000, Garrison lived in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I learned about a few First Ladies who I would like to read more extensively about, I found the book to be very weak. The stories are grouped in sections with each representing certain personality or situations. This causes some First Ladies to be covered in more an one area. The book’s organization seems chaotic as it is natural for the reader to try to figure out where each First Lady fit in time. Basic information like the woman’s birth and death dates are not included. Webb Garrison’s portrayal of the women seems unsympathetic as he does not include their strengths or the challenges they faced. I can not recommend this book.

[Rrshively · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings President's wives alive and makes history become stories of interesting women. Filled with anecdotes, stories, tidbits of information, this book makes it easy to read because the reader can read one chapter and put it down to do other things, and then go back to it later. For anyone who likes history that is narrative rather than dates, this book may be for you. I was only sorry that it was published in the 1990's and stopped at Hillary Clinton. I probably would never have read this except that it was in my neighbor's Little Free Library.

[Flowergarden24 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked reading very short incidences that occurred to many of the first ladies. It is not a well organized book but enjoyable. I found looking up more information on the Ladies and the Presidents was a good way to learn more about the how they all fit into our history and time lines. Quick, easy, not a big commitment and interesting.

[Carol L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love history tidbits and this book is full of them! I truly enjoyed reading about the First Ladies and the differences in their manner of running the White House. Mr. Garrison also gives interesting insights into their personal lives outside of the Executive Mansion. A definite read for anyone wanting a bit of knowledge about the wives of the Presidents.

[Janice Treat snow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty disappointing. From page one the made-up conversations were a distraction. I like non-fiction to be factual but maybe that's just me. Also, this non-historian picked out a mistake which makes me question the rest of the book a little.

[Emily Sorg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and quick read. Only goes up to Hillary Clinton but I definitely learned some new information about First Ladies that we don’t often hear about like Fillmore, Hoover, and Cleveland.

[Chazzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title has "Fascinating Tales and Colorful Curiosities" in it. And that is what this book is. A collection of descriptions of some of the First Ladies and their habits, quirks, style and accomplishments.

Some wives were quite active during their husbands' time in office and some were just about missing in action, having family members act as stand-in hostesses. Some were very vocal in their opinions while others preferred to stay in the background.

There are chapters that tell of tragedies that affected some of the wives that caused them to stay out of the limelight; wives who were the first to do something different in their role; causes that some wives supported; and even the ones whose husbands philandered. There is even a chapter on the nicknames some of the women had, given by family and friends and by the Secret Service.

Short snippets of information that brings a little more humanity to historical figures you may only read about in a book.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book, and I imagine it's challenging to find information on some of these first ladies. However, I would have liked to see more acknowledgement of the importance of the work done by several first ladies. Abigail Adams, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Lucy Hayes were all extremely influential. Garrison gives a bit of attention to Hayes, but mostly skims over the works of Eleanor Roosevelt and Abigail Adams.

[Lorene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book includes brief stories on a variety of first ladies. In many cases it's just enough to whet your appetite for more! I was not familiar with many of the stories, including those of the better-known of these women. We've had some very interesting, brilliant and daring women in that position!

[Leslie Goddard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not recommended. The concept of a collection of brief, engaging stories and colorful anecdotes about the First Ladies is a good one, but this book doesn't cut it. Some truly cheesy invented dialogue between U.S. presidents and first ladies. Numerous factual errors. There are much, much better books out there about these women.

[Becky Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories and anecdotes, but never very in depth.

[Ltorrealba · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very light read, easy to pick up and put down, but honestly not that interesting.

[Susan Janneck]

Very fascinating read. Learned much about these women.

[Connie]

Easy read full of interesting details on White House First Ladies including those whose husbands had affairs some while even in office, esteemed pets of each as well as causes they were each devoted to if any and the differences they made. I enjoyed it thoroughly and came away with new impressions and respect for all of them and their lives. Unfortunately scope is limited because it came out in 1996.