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First Mothers: The Women Who Shaped the Presidents
Bonnie Angelo, a veteran reporter and writer for Time, has captured the daily lives, thoughts, and feelings of the remarkable women who played such a large role in developing the characters of the modern American presidents. From formidably aristocratic Sara Delano Roosevelt to diehard Democrat Martha Truman, champion athlete Dorothy Bush, and hard-living Virginia Clinton Kelley, Angelo blends these women's stories with the texture of their lives and with colorful details of their times. First Mothers is an in-depth look at the special mother-son relationships that nurtured and helped propel the last twelve American presidents to the pinnacle of power.
496 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
January 13, 2008
I was very surprised by how interesting this book is. It is my book club's reading for January and because the book is a little hefty we decided to break it up and have each member take just one president and then come to discuss what we learned. I quickly read my chapter and went on to read several others. It was extremely well written and very intriguing to learn about the mothers that shaped the presidents. I recommend it!
March 4, 2017
I enjoyed "First Mothers", it was a happy book. It was a pleasant, engaging and entertaining book, a very good read and cleverly written. Each of the mothers had her own chapter so, in a way, it was like reading several different books. I put the book down after each chapter and contemplated that specific mother before continuing to the next. All of the chapters had very lively, insightful episodes which left me thinking it would be nice to read this book again, if only life lasted longer. Aside from reading for pleasure, parents and psychologists would especially like this book. Serious historians might like it the least, since it is NOT about history and it has glaring historical omissions.
Chapter One "To the Manner Born" is about Sara Delano, the mother of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and her rich Delano ancestors who definitely lived only in the grandest of manors; as did also all of the super-wealthy Roosevelts. Sara was a beastly, jealous mother-in-law to Eleanor, even invading the bedroom. Sara was a smothering mother and FDR was a "mama's boy" all the way. The author kept it light as she gave us some inside tidbits. Of the first mothers in this book, Sara was the worst mother-in-law. A few of the first ladies instantly liked their mother-in-laws, most seemed to get along well enough, either sincerely or by tact.
Chapter Two was "Be a Good Boy, Harry" and Martha ("Mattie") Young Truman was a pianist and a cultured woman from a wealthy Kentucky family who moved to the frontier of Missouri, where Mattie was born. Did you know there was a concentration camp in Kansas with 20,000 imprisoned?In August, 1863, when Mattie was nine years old, she and her family were among twenty thousand Missourians who were rounded up by Jim Lane's Red Legs/Jayhawkers who wore Union uniforms with red leggings. The Red Legs were not federal troops. Jim Lane was an abolitionist zealot who acted on his own. Mattie's family were declared Unionists, but it did not save them. They were put into the camp, anyway. They lived for three years in a concentration camp ("post") in Kansas City and were finally released and returned to their plundered home when the Civil War ended. Mattie married Harry's father and became a true pioneer farm wife. She seemed normal, solid, insightful, dependable, perceptive and good in every sense. Harry's father was a good man who worked hard, but he never could achieve anything above a survival career.
An interesting effect of this book is that it provokes comparisons between the mothers and the families. Some mothers, Roosevelt, Kennedy, Bush, Bush were very, very filthy rich. Some mothers- Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, and Reagan had tough times. Some mothers were from political families - Roosevelts, Kennedys, Johnsons, Bushes, Carter. It's interesting that all of the first mothers were daddy's girls and of the presidents were mama's boys. Many of the presidents' fathers died early, or were alcoholics, or abandoned their sons, or were just very nondescript fathers in the background. Many of the mothers of the first mothers either died early or were also nondescript mothers in the background, such as the mother of Rose Kennedy.
All of these presidents were readers. The strongest common parallel among the first mothers was that they all taught their sons to read very early. Many began in the crib. Curiously, these early-reading future presidents all preferred to read....history! Harry Truman as a youngster read every history book in his entire public library. As a pre-schooler, people used to come to young Lyndon Johnson's home to watch him read. Barbara Bush pushed George and his brother Neil with dyslexia to overcome their reading difficulties by drilling them for years with flash cards while their friends were outside playing baseball and other games.
Another thing that I noticed about this author is that she skips light-heartedly over the vile corruptions and scandals. She was excessively sympathetic and protective of the wrong-doers and put a positive twist on their faults. Lyndon Johnson's mother seemed to me to be an evil pathological liar, and Johnson seemed the same, but the author delicately didn't tell you that outright, you had to find the negativity between the gentle positive lines. The Clinton and Carter mothers were feisty unusual women who seemed to relish and bask in their uniqueness, and the author treated them compassionately and left it to the reader to reach any negative conclusions. The Clinton chapter noticeably had some suspicious gaps. All of the stories are kept happy and optimistic and were a joy to read since there was never even a hint of the ugly realities which people who have lived during the presidencies of these first mothers' sons experienced. "...the horror of two assassinations..." is the only mention of the murders of Rose Kennedy's two sons. The book will keep you happy with its omissions and lively tidbits and new anecdotes which have not been public knowledge. It is a delightful book.
The last chapter, "Passionate Attachments", was a fitting change of pace, and it brought in psychology. There, the author told of some of the first mothers of some of the other presidents, (Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Lincoln). She told of George Washington's mother who was George's lifelong source of irritation. She constantly complained and whined and publicly humiliated George by sending a letter to the Virginia House of Burgesses asking for money, stating that he had not properly provided for her. She also embarrassed him with her unkempt appearance. She never elicited his love and the added years brought no improvement in his lack of affection.
Ideas of psychologists (Sigmund Freud, Benjamin Spock, Michael Gurian) and various authors in other fields were presented. Concepts of birth order and the importance of the close emotional bond between mother and child (beginning in infancy), self-confidence, spirituality, and other values were analyzed as they related to the various first mothers.
At the end was a bibliography and an index which were both well-done and which I appreciate. The only fault of this book was that it omitted negativity and ugliness, if indeed this omission was a true fault. The book would have been lessened by the inclusion of negativity. Ignoring the ugliness and turning away from bad feelings shows the power of positivity, because I would not have enjoyed this book as much if its omissions had more accurately balanced negative reality with positive reality.
Chapter One "To the Manner Born" is about Sara Delano, the mother of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and her rich Delano ancestors who definitely lived only in the grandest of manors; as did also all of the super-wealthy Roosevelts. Sara was a beastly, jealous mother-in-law to Eleanor, even invading the bedroom. Sara was a smothering mother and FDR was a "mama's boy" all the way. The author kept it light as she gave us some inside tidbits. Of the first mothers in this book, Sara was the worst mother-in-law. A few of the first ladies instantly liked their mother-in-laws, most seemed to get along well enough, either sincerely or by tact.
Chapter Two was "Be a Good Boy, Harry" and Martha ("Mattie") Young Truman was a pianist and a cultured woman from a wealthy Kentucky family who moved to the frontier of Missouri, where Mattie was born. Did you know there was a concentration camp in Kansas with 20,000 imprisoned?In August, 1863, when Mattie was nine years old, she and her family were among twenty thousand Missourians who were rounded up by Jim Lane's Red Legs/Jayhawkers who wore Union uniforms with red leggings. The Red Legs were not federal troops. Jim Lane was an abolitionist zealot who acted on his own. Mattie's family were declared Unionists, but it did not save them. They were put into the camp, anyway. They lived for three years in a concentration camp ("post") in Kansas City and were finally released and returned to their plundered home when the Civil War ended. Mattie married Harry's father and became a true pioneer farm wife. She seemed normal, solid, insightful, dependable, perceptive and good in every sense. Harry's father was a good man who worked hard, but he never could achieve anything above a survival career.
An interesting effect of this book is that it provokes comparisons between the mothers and the families. Some mothers, Roosevelt, Kennedy, Bush, Bush were very, very filthy rich. Some mothers- Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, and Reagan had tough times. Some mothers were from political families - Roosevelts, Kennedys, Johnsons, Bushes, Carter. It's interesting that all of the first mothers were daddy's girls and of the presidents were mama's boys. Many of the presidents' fathers died early, or were alcoholics, or abandoned their sons, or were just very nondescript fathers in the background. Many of the mothers of the first mothers either died early or were also nondescript mothers in the background, such as the mother of Rose Kennedy.
All of these presidents were readers. The strongest common parallel among the first mothers was that they all taught their sons to read very early. Many began in the crib. Curiously, these early-reading future presidents all preferred to read....history! Harry Truman as a youngster read every history book in his entire public library. As a pre-schooler, people used to come to young Lyndon Johnson's home to watch him read. Barbara Bush pushed George and his brother Neil with dyslexia to overcome their reading difficulties by drilling them for years with flash cards while their friends were outside playing baseball and other games.
Another thing that I noticed about this author is that she skips light-heartedly over the vile corruptions and scandals. She was excessively sympathetic and protective of the wrong-doers and put a positive twist on their faults. Lyndon Johnson's mother seemed to me to be an evil pathological liar, and Johnson seemed the same, but the author delicately didn't tell you that outright, you had to find the negativity between the gentle positive lines. The Clinton and Carter mothers were feisty unusual women who seemed to relish and bask in their uniqueness, and the author treated them compassionately and left it to the reader to reach any negative conclusions. The Clinton chapter noticeably had some suspicious gaps. All of the stories are kept happy and optimistic and were a joy to read since there was never even a hint of the ugly realities which people who have lived during the presidencies of these first mothers' sons experienced. "...the horror of two assassinations..." is the only mention of the murders of Rose Kennedy's two sons. The book will keep you happy with its omissions and lively tidbits and new anecdotes which have not been public knowledge. It is a delightful book.
The last chapter, "Passionate Attachments", was a fitting change of pace, and it brought in psychology. There, the author told of some of the first mothers of some of the other presidents, (Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Lincoln). She told of George Washington's mother who was George's lifelong source of irritation. She constantly complained and whined and publicly humiliated George by sending a letter to the Virginia House of Burgesses asking for money, stating that he had not properly provided for her. She also embarrassed him with her unkempt appearance. She never elicited his love and the added years brought no improvement in his lack of affection.
Ideas of psychologists (Sigmund Freud, Benjamin Spock, Michael Gurian) and various authors in other fields were presented. Concepts of birth order and the importance of the close emotional bond between mother and child (beginning in infancy), self-confidence, spirituality, and other values were analyzed as they related to the various first mothers.
At the end was a bibliography and an index which were both well-done and which I appreciate. The only fault of this book was that it omitted negativity and ugliness, if indeed this omission was a true fault. The book would have been lessened by the inclusion of negativity. Ignoring the ugliness and turning away from bad feelings shows the power of positivity, because I would not have enjoyed this book as much if its omissions had more accurately balanced negative reality with positive reality.
August 2, 2021
Another book I would give 3.5 stars, if that was an option.
Interesting read, interesting premise.
This book recounts the relationships of mother and president-sons from FDR to George W. (Book was written before Obama). Fascinating to learn that all but Sara Roosevelt impressed upon their sons that everyone should be treated equally and fairly regardless of color of skin or background. All of these men were closer to their mothers than their fathers as many of the fathers were absent or aloof. Also, interestingly, these women were all closer to their fathers, and these women as grandmothers were just as influential to the next generation as well.
A recommended read for anyone interested in Presidential history.
On a personal note, I have determined that Lillian Carter and Dorothy Bush were my "favorite" mothers of these modern era presidents.
Interesting read, interesting premise.
This book recounts the relationships of mother and president-sons from FDR to George W. (Book was written before Obama). Fascinating to learn that all but Sara Roosevelt impressed upon their sons that everyone should be treated equally and fairly regardless of color of skin or background. All of these men were closer to their mothers than their fathers as many of the fathers were absent or aloof. Also, interestingly, these women were all closer to their fathers, and these women as grandmothers were just as influential to the next generation as well.
A recommended read for anyone interested in Presidential history.
On a personal note, I have determined that Lillian Carter and Dorothy Bush were my "favorite" mothers of these modern era presidents.
March 5, 2015
Fave quote so far:
"Without the gift of time and elbow grease provided by the unpaid, hardworking "just a wife" woman, the Girl Scouts, the YWCA, the local Red Cross-every social and cultural organization in a small city- could not have functioned; fund-raising church bazaars and school festivals could not have been organized. Put down by the cynics as "do-gooders," which is precisely what they were, in the best sense, these women were a special outwardly mobile American breed who did much to raise the level of their family's aspirations and powered noblesse oblige into action in middle-class America" p. 254 (Dorothy Ford)
I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to save some more quotes but the book was due back at the library today. It was a fascinating look at the backstories of our modern presidents starting with FDR. It was interesting how many similar story lines wove throughout the lives of our presidents and their mothers. I found myself thinking often of my own parenting style and comparing it with those of the president's mothers. One of the things that most impressed me, especially with the mothers of the earlier presidents, is how seriously they took the role of mother. Nowadays it feels like there is much lip service paid to the idea that mothering is noble and is a challenging "career" worth pursuing. However, the intensive mothering of the early 21st century looks very different from the early 20th century. I read very little about extravagantly themed parties, delicious and nutritious meals served three times a day, orchestrated playdates, and tightly scheduled activities. Instead, I read of mothers who valued education, pushed their sons to pursue music, and instilled in them the values they held dear. From the very wealthy Kennedy's and Bush's to the more middle class (and sometimes downright poor) Reagan's and Johnson's, there was a sense among all the mothers that the very best thing they could do for their children was to pass along their faith, their sense of family, and their moral values. One of the stories that I loved was about Jimmy Carter's mom - that she not only allowed, but encouraged, Jimmy to be friends with the little black children in their neighborhood, inviting them to play inside their home, sharing meals with them in their kitchen, altogether treating them like the perfectly normal human beings that they were - but certainly not how they were treated anywhere else in that town.
I was also very impressed with Ida Eisenhower - she was a strict pacifist whose son was enamored with the military and ended up becoming one of our country's most successful wartime generals. She was still able to be proud of her son and support him in his pursuits even with such a potentially divisive issue between them. I loved reading about their continued friendly supportive relationship.
In the last pages of the book, the author tries to string together some conclusions about the similarities and differences between all the mothers. I think this quote sums it up well: "If those president's mothers had done nothing more than give their sons the underpinning of confidence, it was an accomplishment, for all around them were mothers whose sons did not shine, boys who did not reach beyond mediocrity, young men whose lives were not inspiring tales of success, much less the stuff of history."
Also this - a quote from another book, which looks very interesting also (Mothers and Sons by Carole Klein) - "An intelligent mother with strong opinions stirs more than her son's intellect. She stimulates both his curiosity and his energy so that he will one day be an opinion-shaper himself."
The author found a strong correlation between a strong father-daughter relationship and the strong mother-son relationship. Since I don't have any sons, and there haven't been any female president's yet- I wonder how this opposite-sex parent relationship will play out in future presidents. Will a female president have a strong relationship with her father? Will he have had a strong relationship with his mother? After having read this book, I am curious and will be paying attention to future presidents and their family life. I highly recommend this thought-provoking book!
"Without the gift of time and elbow grease provided by the unpaid, hardworking "just a wife" woman, the Girl Scouts, the YWCA, the local Red Cross-every social and cultural organization in a small city- could not have functioned; fund-raising church bazaars and school festivals could not have been organized. Put down by the cynics as "do-gooders," which is precisely what they were, in the best sense, these women were a special outwardly mobile American breed who did much to raise the level of their family's aspirations and powered noblesse oblige into action in middle-class America" p. 254 (Dorothy Ford)
I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to save some more quotes but the book was due back at the library today. It was a fascinating look at the backstories of our modern presidents starting with FDR. It was interesting how many similar story lines wove throughout the lives of our presidents and their mothers. I found myself thinking often of my own parenting style and comparing it with those of the president's mothers. One of the things that most impressed me, especially with the mothers of the earlier presidents, is how seriously they took the role of mother. Nowadays it feels like there is much lip service paid to the idea that mothering is noble and is a challenging "career" worth pursuing. However, the intensive mothering of the early 21st century looks very different from the early 20th century. I read very little about extravagantly themed parties, delicious and nutritious meals served three times a day, orchestrated playdates, and tightly scheduled activities. Instead, I read of mothers who valued education, pushed their sons to pursue music, and instilled in them the values they held dear. From the very wealthy Kennedy's and Bush's to the more middle class (and sometimes downright poor) Reagan's and Johnson's, there was a sense among all the mothers that the very best thing they could do for their children was to pass along their faith, their sense of family, and their moral values. One of the stories that I loved was about Jimmy Carter's mom - that she not only allowed, but encouraged, Jimmy to be friends with the little black children in their neighborhood, inviting them to play inside their home, sharing meals with them in their kitchen, altogether treating them like the perfectly normal human beings that they were - but certainly not how they were treated anywhere else in that town.
I was also very impressed with Ida Eisenhower - she was a strict pacifist whose son was enamored with the military and ended up becoming one of our country's most successful wartime generals. She was still able to be proud of her son and support him in his pursuits even with such a potentially divisive issue between them. I loved reading about their continued friendly supportive relationship.
In the last pages of the book, the author tries to string together some conclusions about the similarities and differences between all the mothers. I think this quote sums it up well: "If those president's mothers had done nothing more than give their sons the underpinning of confidence, it was an accomplishment, for all around them were mothers whose sons did not shine, boys who did not reach beyond mediocrity, young men whose lives were not inspiring tales of success, much less the stuff of history."
Also this - a quote from another book, which looks very interesting also (Mothers and Sons by Carole Klein) - "An intelligent mother with strong opinions stirs more than her son's intellect. She stimulates both his curiosity and his energy so that he will one day be an opinion-shaper himself."
The author found a strong correlation between a strong father-daughter relationship and the strong mother-son relationship. Since I don't have any sons, and there haven't been any female president's yet- I wonder how this opposite-sex parent relationship will play out in future presidents. Will a female president have a strong relationship with her father? Will he have had a strong relationship with his mother? After having read this book, I am curious and will be paying attention to future presidents and their family life. I highly recommend this thought-provoking book!
October 27, 2010
This book is about the 11 women who gave birth to America's 20th century presidents, from Franklin Roosevelt to Bill Clinton. I learned a lot about these Precedents, by learning about their history. Each chapter is the life story of the mother and the son that would become the Presidents. The book is fascinating, well written and very interesting to read.
Also as a mother, helped me think about the impact I will have on my children.
Also as a mother, helped me think about the impact I will have on my children.
December 29, 2012
Sara Delano Roosevelt stands out among the First Mothers. Strong-willed, dominating, independent, opinionated, manipulative, she raised and groomed her son to become a president. No first mother has ever manipulated her son the way Sara did without personal boundaries. If only she could have chosen a girl whom her son would marry, she could have done it. Franklin fell in love with Eleanor and the two got married, but Sara intruded into every aspect of their lives.
Having a dominating and oppressive mother-in-law, Eleanor developed her own hobby and skills and she eventually became a politican in her own right winning respect and admiration from supporters and friends.
After Sara's death, Eleanor wrote in a column that Sara's "strongest trait was loyalty to her family. . . . She was not just sweetness and light, for there was a streak of jealously and possessiveness in her when her own were concerned." Eleanor recognized Sara's fierce strength, but she could not love her. "It is dreadful," she wrote a friend, "to have lived so close to someone for 36 years & feel no deep affection or sense of loss. It is hard on Franklin however."
http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teaching...
Having a dominating and oppressive mother-in-law, Eleanor developed her own hobby and skills and she eventually became a politican in her own right winning respect and admiration from supporters and friends.
After Sara's death, Eleanor wrote in a column that Sara's "strongest trait was loyalty to her family. . . . She was not just sweetness and light, for there was a streak of jealously and possessiveness in her when her own were concerned." Eleanor recognized Sara's fierce strength, but she could not love her. "It is dreadful," she wrote a friend, "to have lived so close to someone for 36 years & feel no deep affection or sense of loss. It is hard on Franklin however."
http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teaching...
June 11, 2011
This book gives a wonderful glimpse into the lives of the mothers of the modern presidents (FDR-Clinton). These women are not well known, but they contributed tremendously to our country over the years. Angelo writes in a captivating, enjoyable style. I never knew that FDR's mother was a tyrant or that Clinton's mother was a total party girl. It was interesting stuff. I did think that Angelo gave an overly rosy picture of the mothers, glossing over their faults for the most part (with the exception of Sarah Roosevelt and Virginia Clinton). That made the picture of the women, perhaps a little less real. Overall, though, it was a fascinating read which helped me to understand the presidents much better than I had previously. Excellent book!
March 4, 2008
This book shows the significance of how much this country has been influenced by women. There truly exists a "woman behind the throne" of powerful men.
The book explains the "why" of how things were/are in the White House. This is especially relevent with the upcoming election.
It also caused me to rethink some of the generalizations I had of modern American presidents.
It would be a good suppliment to a US History course.
The book explains the "why" of how things were/are in the White House. This is especially relevent with the upcoming election.
It also caused me to rethink some of the generalizations I had of modern American presidents.
It would be a good suppliment to a US History course.
August 13, 2013
Even though this book took me forever to read. One I'm not a fast reader, and two it's nonfiction, not my favorite genre. I did really enjoy it. The information it contains is very interesting. I would recommend it was a between book; you know one you pick up between other books and read a little and than put back down. It's easy to read this way. Learn what a fun mother Lillian Carter was and what a hard time Gerald Ford's mother had. It's jam packed with tidbits. It really was fun.
March 12, 2012
I am about three-fourths through the book and I am finding the book fascinating. There are 11 mothers discussed in the book from FDR through Bill Clinton. I am particularly interested in the mothers' similarities in raising the children while there are big family differences economically and socially.
April 17, 2008
I've actually read this book twice over the past 5 years and found it very interesting both times. Although I realize it's just one viewpoint of these women, I thought it was written in a fair and candid way. I'd love to see the documentary I've heard about that is based on the book.
July 29, 2020
“History does not always draw noble men from noble mothers.”
But there are some common themes from those who birthed the presidents.
Most of these “First Mothers” were daddy’s girls, getting their own independence and self-confidence from their fathers. Yet none of them “married up.” These presidential fathers were either weak or emotionally remote, or even if successful, absent. So these profiles are all of mama’s boys. It was the mothers who employed common sense, pushed education (not that most of these presidents were great students), and unconditional love. With “loving and shoving” Rebekah Baines Johnson stretched (LBJ) beyond his own dreams.
Values were passed on, not that they were negotiable. Truman said “what was right was right and what was wrong was wrong… You just accepted it.” Notably, the mothers of Eisenhower, Carter, Kennedy and Clinton railed against social injustice particularly toward Blacks (their own opinion, not necessarily their husbands’).
Another common theme was coming from “insignificant places” yet winding up in politics. Reagan said that interest in politics was tied to small town origins “because you’re part of everything that goes on.”
The author makes it all interesting, with carefully selected anecdotes that seem to fit with the personality that became each president. Each reader will find their own favorites.
Dorothy Bush couldn’t bear boasting. If her son said, Mother, I scored 3 goals, she said “Fine, George, but how did the team do? She was all about team effort, which left no room for egos….She hammered her attitude about quiet modesty.. (such that her son) found it uncomfortable to blow his own horn, something most politicians don’t have any problems doing. “Modesty in a man is a most becoming trait.”
Gerald Ford's mother and step-father had the happiest life, which dovetails with his image as a person forging unity, not fighting.
All of them were revered by their sons as saints, and most were, with a few wildcards. Sara Delano Roosevelt is a picture of controlling Helicopter mom, and Virginia Cassidy (Clinton) is the party girl. But Virginia could compartmentalize her problems and keep going, just as her son did. Her memoir says “too many people seem to think life is the tablecloth, instead of the messy feast that’s spread out on it. They want to keep the cloth clean and tucked safely in a drawer. That’s not life. Done right, life leaves stains. That’s why I don’t judge…”
Though too many moms on a pedestal can be wearying, it's an easy and thought-provoking read.
But there are some common themes from those who birthed the presidents.
Most of these “First Mothers” were daddy’s girls, getting their own independence and self-confidence from their fathers. Yet none of them “married up.” These presidential fathers were either weak or emotionally remote, or even if successful, absent. So these profiles are all of mama’s boys. It was the mothers who employed common sense, pushed education (not that most of these presidents were great students), and unconditional love. With “loving and shoving” Rebekah Baines Johnson stretched (LBJ) beyond his own dreams.
Values were passed on, not that they were negotiable. Truman said “what was right was right and what was wrong was wrong… You just accepted it.” Notably, the mothers of Eisenhower, Carter, Kennedy and Clinton railed against social injustice particularly toward Blacks (their own opinion, not necessarily their husbands’).
Another common theme was coming from “insignificant places” yet winding up in politics. Reagan said that interest in politics was tied to small town origins “because you’re part of everything that goes on.”
The author makes it all interesting, with carefully selected anecdotes that seem to fit with the personality that became each president. Each reader will find their own favorites.
Dorothy Bush couldn’t bear boasting. If her son said, Mother, I scored 3 goals, she said “Fine, George, but how did the team do? She was all about team effort, which left no room for egos….She hammered her attitude about quiet modesty.. (such that her son) found it uncomfortable to blow his own horn, something most politicians don’t have any problems doing. “Modesty in a man is a most becoming trait.”
Gerald Ford's mother and step-father had the happiest life, which dovetails with his image as a person forging unity, not fighting.
All of them were revered by their sons as saints, and most were, with a few wildcards. Sara Delano Roosevelt is a picture of controlling Helicopter mom, and Virginia Cassidy (Clinton) is the party girl. But Virginia could compartmentalize her problems and keep going, just as her son did. Her memoir says “too many people seem to think life is the tablecloth, instead of the messy feast that’s spread out on it. They want to keep the cloth clean and tucked safely in a drawer. That’s not life. Done right, life leaves stains. That’s why I don’t judge…”
Though too many moms on a pedestal can be wearying, it's an easy and thought-provoking read.
July 24, 2018
I should preface this review with, I am not a history buff nor do I care much for politics. I guess, I purchased this book to try to broaden my horizons. Although well-written, I did not enjoy this book. Each mother, had a chapter which broke up the book to be easier to read for me; however, once I finished a chapter, it took quite a while for me to pick it back up again. I would find myself finishing a whole other novel before I would read another chapter.
The book was educational and there were some entertaining stories about the presidents upbringing and ideologies that shaped them. It was just one of the books that I wanted to tell the author, ‘no one cares.’
The book was slow to start, and I guess because I am not familiar with history in general, it was hard for me to relate but to also follow along. As I got farther through the book, it did become easier to follow since I was more familiar with the time period and the history associated with the more recent presidents.
All in all, if you are a history buff and care for politics, this is for you. For those of you, like myself who are just looking to expand their minds to appreciate politics and history, please do so with another book.
Find more of my reviews & additional content, on my site:
muddyfloors.com
The book was educational and there were some entertaining stories about the presidents upbringing and ideologies that shaped them. It was just one of the books that I wanted to tell the author, ‘no one cares.’
The book was slow to start, and I guess because I am not familiar with history in general, it was hard for me to relate but to also follow along. As I got farther through the book, it did become easier to follow since I was more familiar with the time period and the history associated with the more recent presidents.
All in all, if you are a history buff and care for politics, this is for you. For those of you, like myself who are just looking to expand their minds to appreciate politics and history, please do so with another book.
Find more of my reviews & additional content, on my site:
muddyfloors.com
July 18, 2024
Yes, it took me a long time to read this. It was interesting while I was reading it but not enticing to return to once I put it down. So then why rate it 4 stars? Because when a reader chooses this book it's clear what expectations there are on content and this book delivers.
Note: It was published in 2000. That shouldn't make the information outdated since the author is usually talking about people already deceased (other than more people have died since then) but it does have Clinton as the last president covered.
Fun fact: Jimmy Carter was the first American president born in a hospital.
Personal fun fact: I've now read a book about presidents and their fathers and presidents and their mothers.
Find all my reviews at: https://readingatrandom.blogspot.com
Note: It was published in 2000. That shouldn't make the information outdated since the author is usually talking about people already deceased (other than more people have died since then) but it does have Clinton as the last president covered.
Fun fact: Jimmy Carter was the first American president born in a hospital.
Personal fun fact: I've now read a book about presidents and their fathers and presidents and their mothers.
Find all my reviews at: https://readingatrandom.blogspot.com
December 27, 2017
A different view of presidents
This book is an interesting study of the women who raised the men who became president beginning with FDR through Bush Jr. Although the information was fascinating, this reader found the jumbled chronology rather disconcerting. Also, the constant jumping from subject to subject within each chapter was also jarring. One wondered if the author just threw in topics as she ran across them in her notes.
This book is an interesting study of the women who raised the men who became president beginning with FDR through Bush Jr. Although the information was fascinating, this reader found the jumbled chronology rather disconcerting. Also, the constant jumping from subject to subject within each chapter was also jarring. One wondered if the author just threw in topics as she ran across them in her notes.
March 25, 2018
Excellent historical book covering the mothers of the presidents from FDR through George W. Bush. A treasure trove of little known information about the role mothers played in the lives of our future presidents. Some were domineering and difficult, others were loving and nurturing. While not completely current, there is much here to ponder while raising children in general, whether they become powerful people or not. Highly recommend.
August 13, 2018
A fantastic book and must read for any mother. Well written and researched book about the impact Mother's have on their children. I loved and learned so much from each story. So eye opening to see inside the lives of our Presidents and how most of them were not raised in lavish homes. Definitely a 5 star book that I highly recommend to everyone. I even read it to my husband while driving and he enjoyed it just as much.
March 7, 2021
I picked this up at a used library book sale, and was really into it at first but by the time the author got to the post Nixon years her obvious slant became apparent. Her reverence for the Reagan/Bush years and outright disgust with Clinton was disturbing and made the book nearly unreadable toward the end.
March 8, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Each chapter stands alone but also there are threads to connect the mothers. Each paragraph offers interesting tidbits of family threads and national social history. Knowing more of each president‘s “back story” made them all likable people....even ones who made poor choices during their presidencies.
October 14, 2017
I didn't read this entire book. It is a book club selection. It tells the stories of 11 presidents' mothers. We each selected one and will report out on it when we meet. My selection was Dwight D. Eisenhower's mother, Ida Stover. Very interesting!
January 17, 2018
An interesting read. However not unbiased. The description of Clinton and his mother is very detailed going into ever dirty detail. However, the description of Nixon and his mother practically omits the entire Watergate scandal.
March 27, 2020
Took four and a half years to finally finish this book - if that says anything.... It had its interesting parts. I think Clinton's mother's story was very telling and not surprising. Not a bad book but not enthralling either.
February 6, 2022
Great insight into our presidents' relationships with their mothers. The love, guidance, and even discipline is all spelled out. Some mothers really molded their sons in a strong positive way; one definitely not positive. Very interesting.
August 2, 2023
It's engaging enough, but most of the chapters are an overly saccharine review of each mother of former presidents. That is, until we get to Bill Clinton, whom the author doesn't even try to hide her distaste and proceeds to blame his faults on his mother.
August 12, 2025
Though I enjoyed this book and learned some new and interesting information about many of our presidents, it was not a book I reached for all the time. I normally read books faster, but this one just seemed to stretch on. Great information, but a long read for me.
May 21, 2017
Fascinating...!
December 1, 2017
Interesting reading about the history of a few of our presidents.
December 17, 2017
These mothers really supported their sons in ways we can all aspire to. Fascinating!!!
January 2, 2018
I had this book on my kindle so read it piecemeal when traveling. I'm fascinated by the lives of our presidents and this was another very revealing aspect of their lives.
January 24, 2018
Reading about the women who steered some of the most powerful men in the world is interesting and telling. It does take a village!
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