American Woman: The Transformation of the Modern First Lady, from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden

by Katie Rogers

The first definitive exploration of the changing role of the twenty-first-century First Lady, painting a comprehensive portrait of Jill Biden —from a White House correspondent for The New York Times

Since the Clinton era, shifts in media, politics, and pop culture have all redefined expectations of First Ladies, even as the boundaries set upon them have often remained anachronistic. With sharp insights and dozens of firsthand interviews with major players in the Biden, Obama, Trump, Bush, and Clinton orbits, including Jill Biden and Hillary Clinton, New York Times White House correspondent Katie Rogers traces the evolution of the role of the twenty-first-century First Lady from a ceremonial figurehead to a powerful political operator, which culminates in the tenure of First Lady Jill Biden.
 
Dr. Jill Biden began her journey toward public life in 1975 as a twenty-three-year-old who caught the eye of a widowed Senator Joe Biden. Recovering from the heartbreak of her failed first marriage, she found a man who was still grieving. She knitted his life together after unspeakable tragedy and stood by his side through three presidential campaigns.
 
In some ways, her legacy as First Lady was set before she ever entered the White She is the first presidential spouse in history to work in a paid role outside the White House, a decision that blazes the path for future first spouses. But as a prime guardian of one of the most insular operations in modern politics, she is also a central part of her husband’s presidential legacy.
 
Through deep reporting and newly discovered correspondence, American Woman is the first book to paint a full picture of Jill Biden while exploring how she helps answer the evolving question of what the role of the modern First Lady should be.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics, Feminism, Biography, Audiobook, Government

304 pages, Hardcover

First published February 27, 2024

About the author

Katie Rogers is a White House correspondent for The New York Times, where she has worked since 2014. She has covered two presidential administrations.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will read most anything written about the First Ladies, and the title of this book was intriguing -- being a book solely about the most recent five. While a mostly enjoyable read, it was a bit perplexing in that it left me wondering if the author's original intent had been to write a full-length biography about Dr. Jill Biden but, for lack of material (the author mentions Biden's penchant for privacy), she decided to expand the book with a few chapters on the other four modern First Ladies.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Crown for an ARC of this title.

This ended up being a bit of a bait-and-switch in terms of what I thought I'd be reading and what I got. The full title of the book and the promotional blurbs for it all sell the concept of looking at the modern history of the role of first lady, leading up to Jill Biden. But there's a _lot_ of Jill Biden content. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it definitely gives the book a shorter shelf life in 2024 than it could possibly have if it went a little broader.

The sections where the book is best is where it dives into the predecessors of Dr. Biden in the role, talks about how they navigated the waters of the (unpaid) office, and how that mirrors the current first lady. This is good - great, even! - since it shows how things have been changing for almost a quarter of a decade. I don't understand the decision to limit this to the current century and starting in the 2000s - it shoots the thesis statement in the foot, and the book even starts with some brief glimpses at pre-2000s first ladies that easily could have each gotten a chapter of their own. Start in 1900! Give me more Eleanor Roosevelt! Give me more Jackie Kennedy! DEFINITELY give us more Rosalyn Carter, who barely gets mentioned here and had influence on what the first lady could do. There's been so much more evolution than gets covered here, and it'd give more opportunity to compare and contrast.

The chapters where we're just talking about Jill Biden are nice, and have some more exclusive insight than I've seen elsewhere, but there's less for the book to discuss when it doesn't have something to show historical change from. There's a great book here, but it's sawed off one leg and settled for fine.

[Katie Bell-Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a big disappointment to me. After hearing the author interviewed in the media I pre-purchased it straight away. I was looking forward to the historical discussion about the role of the modern First Lady, but was disappointed to discover this is primarily a book about Jill Biden. Not that a biography of Jill Biden wouldn’t be interesting, but it wasn’t what I thought this book would be about.

What was the final nail in the coffin for me was when the author incorrectly stated that George W Bush bought the Houston Astros. How can such a big mistake be misssd by the fact checkers and publisher? This author is a NYT writer afterall. As any Texan can tell you, Houston and Dallas are very different places to live. It’s such an easy fact to check too!

This made me lose confidence in the accuracy of the book. Based on other reviews here, it seems this was not the only major error made in the book. Disappointing.

[Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

idk why i wasn’t expecting this book to be so political - i mean like did i even read the title??

[Leslie Goddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific writer and some great analysis. I was really struck by the insights about Jill Biden and Melania Trump both being remarkable in their ability to reshape the office of First Lady to suit their own preferences. But it reads like I book that began life as a Jill Biden biography and then some editor said “no, you have to do something fresh so make it about all the modern First Ladies.” Very lopsided as a result. (Also marred by two errors — the Siena College Research Institute did a First Ladies survey in 2020 but the “most recent” one in the book is the 2014 survey; and she seems unaware that Pat Nixon had a postgraduate teaching degree).

[Indydriven · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book traces the evolution of the role of the modern day First Lady of the United States with a focus on the current First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden.

I enjoyed reading this book, specifically the interviews that the author held with President Biden and President Obama. However, to be honest, I believed that the book was going to be about the role of the First Lady starting back several decades ago and then leading up to the current day and how Dr. Biden has changed the role for a more modern woman, but the book really just focuses on Dr. Biden. I don’t believe the blurbs of the book really explained the content accurately.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for a review copy.

[Emily Scanlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less an exploration of the role of the First Lady and more a biography of Jill Biden. While it was still an informative and interesting read, the thesis was unfocused and the title was not representative of the content.

[WM D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

After seeing this book online. I decided to give it a try and it wasn’t what I expected it to be. It only stayed on the current First Lady’s career path to the White House.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I mostly enjoyed this book, I feel the title is completely misleading; while we do learn about the First Ladies from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden [with a brief look at the first ever Second Gentleman, Douglas Emhoff, who, imo, deserved more than the blip he received], this book is really Dr. Jill Biden's story. Now, while I find Dr. Biden's story intriguing [I really admire her and all she's accomplished], I was here for ALL the modern First Ladies, and I'd rather have read a full biography of just Dr. Biden, and then a more fleshed-out book about all the modern First Ladies; instead we get this weirdly fractured story with Dr. Biden at the forefront and the others just shoved in when fill was needed [at least that is how it felt to me]. It just felt so disrespectful to the others [whom all had their own spectacular accomplishments] , as their stories felt rushed for the sake of Dr. Biden's story. I wanted so much more from this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Katie Rogers, and Crown Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Anthony Millspaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I thought I knew a great deal about contemporary First Ladies, I found illuminating details about these women, most notably Jill Biden. Fascinating and most enjoyable read.

[Jim Gallen · Rating 3 out of 5]

“American Woman” is a journalist’s interpretation of American First Ladies from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden. In my estimation, this work is more of a series of personal case studies rather than a narrative of a linear transformation, probably because each First Lady is an individual who pursues her own agenda, rather than necessarily building on her predecessors or leaving a path for her successors.

After the introduction and first chapter set the background of presidents and first ladies prior to Hillary, this account provides facts and insights behind the First Ladies the public has seen.

We know of Hilliary Clinton’s failed attempt at healthcare reform. Here we read of the scorn received and the risks she took in daring to be the first lady who carried the ball of a major legislative initiative on her own, rather than being a cheerleader for a marginal initiative. Laura Bush’s traditional role of promoting her chosen issues, literacy and the rights of Afghan women, and acting as a quiet force is shown in her roles in George’s rise to the White House and her handling of sensitive controversies such as same sex couple participation in the White House Easter Egg Roll. Michelle Obama, though perhaps more independently in the public eye than Laura, followed much the same pattern in leaving her career and promoting her cause of childhood nutrition. Melania Trump is portrayed more in the nature of an ambitious opportunist who believed her husband could be president and wanted to be along for the ride. Opining that Melania is more likely to mirror her husband’s beliefs and grievances than to challenge them, the author implies criticism of her refusal to issue a statement on January 6 to the effect that peaceful protest is the right of every American but there is no place for lawlessness and violence. Maybe she did was not disturbed by the events of the day or perhaps she is the only post-civil war first lady who could not have made such a statement with confidence of her husband’s support. Then there is Jill Biden. Jill is portrayed as an ambitious force driving and protecting Joe on his road to and in the White House, while maintaining her own career as a teacher.

Author Katie Rogers has crafted a readable and informative work that takes her readers behind the East Wing’s facade. I found interesting details, such as Joe Biden’s meeting with historians, organized by Jon Meachem, to plan his legacy. I always thought Jill Biden’s college classes were in the political science or history fields, rather than reading, as they were. This is an easy and enlightening read. To the extent it chronicles a transformation of the Modern First Lady, perhaps the transformation is in expanding opportunities for First Ladies, rather than establishing a specific progression.

I did win this in a Goodreads contest.

[Melissa Fishman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book description was a little misleading; It did discuss the First Ladies from Clinton to Biden but I felt the book only included about 1/3 about the other First Ladies and 2/3 about Biden. Definitely a very interesting read but I would have liked to hear more about the other First Ladies

[Jodi Glaser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book. And I was interested in the topic. I learned a few things but it just wasn’t as interesting as I had hoped. The sections on Melanie Trump just stressed me out because she’s awful and there was so much about Jill Biden and I feel like we’re in the mess we’re in in part because of her and her husband. Just not a good read for me in this ridiculous time in our country.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A quick, entertaining read. Not super deep but gave me some insight into the more recent First Ladies.

[Trey Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book. A primer for anyone who doesn’t follow the day to day of current events. This book could have been better if it included more primary information. Most of the sources are other books — it’s a good synopsis.

Finally, this book is overwhelmingly about Jill Biden. References to Laura Bush and Melania Trump are especially lacking.

Overall, would recommend. A good beach read or porch pounder.

[KS · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book probably deserves more stars than I’m giving it, it’s actually pretty good. But….its a book about Jill Biden. The other First Ladies, starting with Hillary, are discussed briefly and left me wanting more. I was thinking well, I guess I supposed to go read their memoirs to learn more. Do I really want to read all of their memoirs? IDK, maybe. So what’s the harm in a book about Jill Biden? None really. No shade towards her, I’m perfectly content with her role as First Lady, she’s an interesting person…but she’s the least interesting of the modern FLOTUSes (FLOTI?). So the fact that these more interesting women were glossed over (Laura Bush committed manslaughter?! A little more than 2 paragraphs on that would have been nice, please. And Melania? Who doesn’t loved the combo of a hot mess and a train wreck, her stuff writes itself!) while most of the book’s real estate went to the least interesting of them all…left me disappointed. I feel like the book misrepresented itself. So….3 stars.

[Caroline Traylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less of an exploration of the role of First Lady and more of a Jill Biden biography. The intro states that the book will explore the role of the 21st Century First Lady - a position that’s undefined, over scrutinized and often unwanted by the woman who finds herself in it - starting with HRC and ending with Jill Biden but the reporting felt super lopsided. I suspect this assignment started as a JB bio and became something else after an editor’s suggestion.


That being said, there was a ton of Palace Intrigue, and if you’re into that (I am!) this will be a quick and juicy read.

Takeaways:

HRC tried to revolutionize the role by getting involved in policy and was absolutely despised for it.


Laura Bush is more interesting than I presumed. She started the beloved (and successful) Texas Book Festival when George was the governor. She gave W an ultimatum about his drinking stating, “it’s either Jim Beam or me”. She comes across as so *demure* so this steeliness surprised me. She did a lot of sanitizing for him though, and tried to make his worst/most unpopular policies palatable in her own way. Ick.

Michelle has an unmatchable star power. We already knew that, there wasn’t much else to be said about her.

Melania is as vapid as she seems, and just as evil and self serving as her husband.

Jill Biden was insistent (despite pretty intense pushback) on keeping up her day job as an English professor and paved the way for future FLOTUSes to maintain their careers. She’s also Italian and never forgets a slight. She’s the family’s grudge keeper. Her words not mine. The majority of the book was about the Bidens, who come across as an almost cursed American dynasty. The reporting on Hunter Biden’s daughter in Arkansas, who the Bidens don’t claim like their other grandchildren, was particularly heartbreaking. It’s wild that you can be the son of the most powerful person in the world, and addiction’s themes are the same. Of course his positionality has protected him in so many ways… but I’ve always thought of him as a kind of tragic figure and this book affirmed that in the most devastating ways.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book so much.

As one of the Millennial women currently figuring out what it means (and costs) to be a professional working mother in a world that told me I could be anything and yet does not provide any meaningful support, I didn't realize how much I needed a book like this. It truly feels like a breath of fresh air

[Hina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that, in spite of being political nonfiction, this book flowed really well, was interesting to read, and had only a moment or two where it got dry (but only briefly). From the title, I was expecting American Woman: The Transformation of the Modern First Lady, from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden to delve into the evolution of the First Lady role during modern times, with roughly equivalent space given to each of the five First Ladies in this range (although let's be honest- a single page is more than enough for Melania Trump).

Katie Rogers begins the story in recent times with the Biden clan at the Bidens' Rehoboth Beach home before going into a brief retrospective of a couple of the First Ladies: Abigail Adams, an English-born First Lady who sank into Depression- and Jacqueline Kennedy, a stylish First Lady who aided diplomacy with her social ties. I recall her also writing about Eleanor Roosevelt, but maybe that's later in the book.

And then we get to the main part of the book. It's widely known that Hillary Clinton transformed the role of the First Lady to one where she takes an active role in her own initiatives rather than thriving on domesticity. So to give context on Hillary Clinton, Rogers begins with her predecessor, Barbara Bush. Barbara Bush, a woman content with a domestic role, was chosen to be the speaker at Wellesley College, much to the chagrin of the activist, feminist students there, but she surprised everyone by giving a well-received speech that acknowledged how women are changing the expectations. Wellesley College is also where, a few decades earlier, Hillary Clinton (then Hillary Rodham) had attended college.

There is rough one chapter each dedicated to each modern First Lady- Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump (barf, sorry, not sorry), and Jill Biden. And I learned something I didn't know about each of these women. I may not have been a fan of the Bush administration (ok, I definitely wasn't), but I learned a lot about the great work Laura Bush did with her teaching and library science background, most notably in the creation of the National Book Festival. Hillary Clinton will always be the most incredible First Lady ever, in my opinion, and we know she should have been President, but I could go on about that forever. Michelle Obama is incredible and an absolutely phenomenal human being who I would love to meet; I know that my reaction would be the exact same as that of Leslie Knope (portrayed by Amy Poehler in the show Parks and Recreation)- paralyzed and speechless. Melania Trump is even worse than I imagined- a horrible person who completely deserves the grifting conman she married. And Jill Biden is that fierce, ever-protective mother who paved a new path by continuing to hold her full-time teaching job.

And then we get to... the rest of the book. And it's all about Jill Biden, not just her First Lady years, but going back to the very beginning. It is interesting, sure, and helps to show how and why she is who she is today, but it felt like I was now reading another book. The first half of the book is what actually talked about the transformation of the modern First Lady; the second half of the book was essentially a Jill Biden biography. Maybe the whole point of the book was the buildup to Jill Biden (climbing a mountain and then getting to a long plateau), but that was not evident to me from the title of the book. It doesn't make it a BAD book, just different from what I expected.

This is a very well-researched book and I really did enjoy reading it, but it's not something I would yearn to re-read.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got the feeling that the author, who writes well, felt “it was time” to write a book because she has been a political reporter for the NY Times since 2014. Yes, I did enjoy the nuggets of gossip (Jill holds a grudge). But the book was sloppily organized and the narrative pretty much left it up to the reader to discern the ways transformation of the modern first lady was effected. The “transformation” that was described was not the central theme, and in fact, there really was no central theme. The book is best described as an interesting bio of Jill Biden.

Re "the transformation:" The interesting descriptions of the First Ladies from Hillary to Jill does make us realize that the role of the First Lady has not expanded from the time of Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden. In fact, it has contracted. After the debacle of Hillary's stint as health care reform tsarina, we have witnessed a return to the traditional helpmeet wife role. First Ladies are sounding boards in both policy and politics behind closed doors, with their degrees of influence ranging from the very strong Clinton variety to the very weak Trump variety. Hillary stopped using her maiden name to help her husband get elected in Arkansas and had her knuckles rapped when she took a prominent role in federal health policy; she, Laura and Michelle worked hard as First Ladies to support their husbands’ presidencies by playing a strong public helpmeet role; Melania didn’t do much and was grudging about even decorating for the holidays; and Jill works outside the home as First Lady while also supporting her husband’s presidency in traditional ways. Maybe the “transition” could also be interpreted as a lesson to leave policy to the President. Not a bad idea, given that he is the elected official.

[Joseph J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Rogers, a writer for the New York Times, presents in these pages what is largely a biography and "White House Years" perspective on the current first lady Jill Biden. Going back, there is actually less and less on each White House occupant as she recedes into history. With the recent death of Rosalynn Carter-and I'm sure these pages had gone to press at that time-news reports made us aware, along with historian assessments -that she established the first East Wing office of First Lady and beyond that, made the office of First Lady an institution. I expected more than a couple of pages of mention. Even the "iconic"-one person's description-Michelle Obama suffers in coverage in these pages in relation to Jill Biden. Of Melania Trump, there are juicy revelations which have been dripped out to the press. For so absent a First Lady from the White House, the east wing, and the nation's attention-save for that jacket-perhaps all we can expect are revelations. The Trump non-transition had effects on the nation and the Bidens; that the two women had managed as of this writing to establish cordial contact offers a dim ray of hope in these divisive times. Whether that cordial outreach survives...well we will see. This is a "reporters history" and an interesting look overall at Jill Biden's three years in the White House, following an unprecedented and ultimately violent election. Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama are not a focus, but a background.

[Booknblues · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been intrigued with presidents, first ladies and life in the White House, so Katie Rogers' American Woman: The Transformation of the Modern First Lady, from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden caught my eye. I was especially interested because it included recent first ladies and I haven't read a great deal about them.

While I had hoped for more information about their life inside the White House including meal planning and decor, this book focused more on policies, the East Wing and the way they worked protecting their husbands and advancing his career and agenda.

While Rogers explored the lives of Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump, over half of the book focused on Jill Biden. I thought this was a bit misleading although I was happy to read about Jill Biden.

She did include a small bit about Doug Emhoff, which I appreciated.

This book brought us about to the halfway point of the Biden administration and I would have loved it if she waited until the end to complete it. I thought the work was generally fair and unbiased.

[Linda Keesing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Katie Rogers is a White House correspondent for The New York Times. In this book, she examines the unique ways Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump, and Jill Biden have fashioned the role of first lady. Early on, Rogers mentions the tenures of Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush as well. Jill Biden gets the bulk of the attention here.

As Rogers notes, it is largely up to the first lady to design the scope, feel, and look of the role - with some limitations, certainly. It typically involves a mix of passion for a particular cause, sense of tradition, level of ambition, and personality. Biden is the first one to continue to work (as a community college English professor). As committed as she is to her work, she is also a fierce defender and protector of her husband, Joe Biden.

The writing is fluid, and the book is well-researched. The various first ladies - and also the current Second Gentleman - are given balanced, impartial treatment. The book is current to the summer of 2023, and as such, is quite relevant to many of the issues that are part of the 2024 presidential campaign.

[Roger Smitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the early pages of the book, Katie Rogers gives us the good theme of “Modern First Lady” to be president.

“Mermaids” is the name of first chapter. And the name sends a message..

And there are some things that show up forty-five years back. And there is a strong statement about the “First Lady,” with “who used grit and grace to now to a new generation and acknowledge that times were changing.”

The early chapters are for readers who are women. There are some things that will want to read.

And it’s a book that is made to make it possible that there will be a woman President. But, the first half of the book has the bad things that happened.

Chapter 6 begins with a tort: “The Professor Must Teach.” As a teacher, I know what the statement means to say. These kinds of statements for the job in the next election. (And all of them over all of the years: That there ARE persons who can lead a president for all living in our country.”

Let’s see this Fall.

[Rachel Snyder Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this read! It was such an excellent deep dive into Hillary, Laura, Michelle, Melania, and Dr. Jill, and their individual and collective impacts on the transformation of the First Lady’s role in policy and in the public eye.

Great reporting and research about the ground broken, missteps taken, and lessons learned. From Hillary and the healthcare debacle to Melania’s PR nightmares with the border, Michelle’s successful campaign for healthy eating in schools and Laura’s reading initiative that took some of the sting out of No Child Left Behind, this book really did cover the trials and triumphs of every administration.

The complexities of the role of First Lady, how it is largely undefined but full of pressures from all sides. How Dr. Jill broke tradition and insisted to keep a day job, how Melania didn’t come to Washington right away, and Michelle’s transformation from initial reticence to politics led to firebrand for the Democratic Party.

And of course, the complexities of wives and mothers on a global stage, the tenuous line these women had to hold, these “truths universally acknowledged” were all at play here. Loved the meta focus on the course of history woven in alongside each woman’s biography, and how it all came together, showing these five women as relatable.

No matter your politics, this is a great read about women in leadership, Presidential administrations as a whole, and all around fascinating portraits of these ladies.

Highly recommend!

[Sarah Ewald · Rating 5 out of 5]

The good, bad and the ugly about first ladies from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden. Those two get the worst treatment, probably because Melania hid herself during those 4 years and did not do much except pout for the camera. Once a model, always a model.

It was interesting to see how the role of the first lady expanded over the years. Hillary was vilified for taking on the study over healthcare. Just think if we had tackled the problem back then... We may not be in such a state now. Jill Biden had to fight to keep teaching at a community college and to have her doctorate degree taken seriously..

It seems as though those women who came into the White House with business experience and confidence in their abilities were touted as taking on too much, as with Clinton, Obama and Biden. They were ones who wanted to bring their experience to the fore.

Interesting book. I am reading it in tandem with Hillary Clinton's Something Lost, Something Gained, which looks as what she has done since leaving office as Senator. She would have made a terrific president...

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This title caught my attention and I waited for the book to rotate on HOLD at the library. Unfortunately, this has not met my expectations (or even close). Katie Rogers writes what appears to be a biography of Jill Biden with a short commentary of Melania Trump as the women who changed the White House.

It appears she added information on the other First Ladies as filler only. The premise of this book was wonderful, but Katie Rogers failed to research and write an outline prior to writing . . . and she left out some of the most important facts (and histories) of those amazing women (and mothers) who added so much to our society on their way to, and while living in, the White House. While reading about Jill Biden and Melania Trump was nice, there wasn't anything I hadn't already read recently. I would have enjoyed entire chapters on Hilary Clinton, both Bush (Barbara and Laura) First Ladies, and Michelle Obama who were all fascinating women in their own right!

Great possibilities, but she missed the boat on this!

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Incredible reporting that engulfed me in the past three decades of the East Wing. By the end, I feel like I know the Biden’s intimately and understand the way they approach their work and life.

The book was definitely Jill Biden-heavy, but honestly it was still so interesting and timely that I didn’t mind that perspective. Knowing about the riff between Jill and Kamala makes me SO curious to know what it was like behind-the-scenes when Joe dropped out of the race and Kamala became the candidate!! It was also coincidental to see Melania’s former chief of staff speak at the DNC days after I read that same story.

I was completely fascinated by the chapters on Melania; she is such a perplexing character. I do wish there was a bit more on Michelle Obama, and the other former First Ladies, but I suppose she has her own books I can read. I would absolutely recommend this book because it offers a unique look into the White House that had me enthralled all the way through.

[Theresa Jehlik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although a fast read, this book seems to lack some focus. The title promises an analysis of the last five First Ladies (Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump, and Jill Biden) but it reads more like a biography of Jill Biden. Some information about the other first ladies and their impact is shared but not in the depth that the current First Lady is covered. As the author is a New York Times correspondent, she knows how to deliver maximum information in a few words. What seemed to be lacking is how the ladies' decisions and focus worked in the context of the social and political changes happening during their husbands' presidencies. I did like how the book opened with Barbara Bush's Wellesley graduation speech that was not well received by the class of 1990. That event seemed to mark the end of the First Lady as a "traditional wife and mother".

[False · Rating 3 out of 5]

You feel the author skimmed the surface of each woman. Michelle Obama comes across as very removed, even though she was very pro-active during her husband's period of service. The big enigma, of course, is Melania Trump, and it's understandable, given her own personal history and her husband's history and what must remain covered. Her pact with the devil.

Hillary Clinton is given short shrift and bogged down in her husband's self-created messes and unfortunately the book ends before Kamala Harris' loss and what we are faced with now, and once again, the missing Melania years. Jill Biden comes across as a revenge seeker who can carry a grudge to a grave. The author even wrote how Biden would not pardon his wayward adult son, yet we know he did just that. Every family has one, right?