First Ladies: From Martha Washington to Michelle Obama

by Betty Boyd Caroli

Betty Boyd Caroli's engrossing and informative First Ladies is both a captivating read and an essential resource for anyone interested in the role of America's First Ladies. This expanded and updated fourth edition includes Laura Bush's tenure, Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential bid, and an in-depth look at Michelle Obama, one of the most charismatic and appealing First Ladies in recent history. Covering all forty-one women from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama and including the daughters, daughters-in-law, and sisters of presidents who sometimes served as First Ladies, Caroli explores each woman's background, marriage, and accomplishments and failures in office. This remarkably diverse lot included Abigail Adams, whose "remember the ladies" became a twentieth-century feminist refrain; Jane Pierce, who prayed her husband would lose the election; Helen Taft, who insisted on living in the White House, although her husband would have preferred a judgeship; Eleanor Roosevelt, who epitomized the politically involved First Lady; and Pat Nixon, who perfected what some have called "the robot image" They ranged in age from early 20s to late 60s; some received superb educations for their time, while others had little or no schooling. Including the courageous and adventurous, the emotionally unstable, the ambitious, and the reserved, these women often did not fit the traditional expectations of a presidential helpmate. Here then is an engaging portrait of how each First Lady changed the role and how the role changed in response to American culture. These women left remarkably complete records, and their stories offer us a window through which to view not only this particular sorority of women, but also American women in general. "Impressive . . . Caroli's profiles and observations of American first ladies and their relationship to the media are intelligent and perceptive" -Philadelphia Inquirer

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, American History, Biography Memoir, Politics

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I would be this into a history book that didn't involve a heinous crime but holy cow did I enjoy this! I learned so much about the role of the first lady and what that entails, as well as the women who have held it. Some of their little known stories were deeply moving and inspiring, I can't wait to read more about them all!

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author clearly conducted in-depth research and brought together a huge store of facts to write this epic. Unfortunately, it contains all the hallmarks of a rough draft – an immense project that didn't get the final polish that makes a text digestible for its audience. I don't just mean typos, the structure of the writing is cumbersome and the chapter divisions are loosely assigned. Subsections would have helped immensely, especially to highlight when the author pitches in theories about social norms and professional choices of the main characters.

I hope the author revisits this work and releases a new edition – what an interesting topic: The role of the First Lady. What are the historical trends, what defines a First Lady's agenda, how much power does she have, and what does it mean for the future of women in politics?

[Leslie Goddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing about First Ladies is tricky. You can't leave anyone out -- but then it devolves into a collection of Wikipedia articles. The women in the role have varied so much it seems impossible to pull out common threads or insights. This books does a much better job than most in providing analysis and insight as well as facts about the women. She balances each woman's strengths and weaknesses. I get tired of reading books in this topic by "Washington DC insiders" whose personal biases are glaring ("Nancy Reagan is the most underrated First Lady EVER" or "Eleanor Roosevelt was such a lesbian"). This book admirably avoids those blatant biases and shows why trained historians are much better choices for this kind of topic. I found it engrossing and informative.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In addition to providing interesting information about our First Ladies, this book was like looking backwards through a telescope at our nation's history. The roles of our first ladies changed as the culture, times and customs changed. As my life span has covered the time period from Eleanor Roosevelt through Michelle Obama I was surprised to recognize how much my life was affected by not so much the first ladies but by the prevailing customs of the times. I could see better how some of my values and attitudes were formed by the norms of the times.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3 1/2 stars. I thought this was interesting, but at times a bit dry & facts were repeated in different parts of the book. Learning about how the First Ladies really felt, through personal letters, etc. was most enjoyable. Kudos to the author for including source notes so the reader can learn more.

Note: My purchased version was a Kindle e-book. Listening to the accompanying audio helped out on this book.

[Susan Nations · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this book was an interesting glimpse into the lives of American First Ladies. Not only did I enjoy reading about all of them, I also enjoyed learning about the evolution of the role and its place in establishing women's rights in the States. I do agree with another poster who indicated at times the book feels like a draft and is redundant or missing information. Still I am glad this one made my reading list!

[Tom Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book focused on the history and evolution of the role of the American First Lady. While it did role through a mini-bio of each First Lady, this book was more focused on the role and how each woman in that role approached it. Surprising was the fact that many of the Antebellum first ladies prefered to sit back and let younger family members take over the role of White House hostess. I enjoyed this book. I recommend.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at the First Ladies themselves, and the historical trends that shaped the role of the First Lady. Unfortunately rather dry at times (the one thing a history book should NOT be!) and containing a startling number of typos and grammatical errors, especially for a book published by the Oxford University Press. Altogether an interesting read, but a tough slog at times.

[Toby Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not a strict biography of each first lady, but rather a discussion of how the role was shaped by each woman and how each woman wad shaped by the role. It was well researched but hard to follow at times. It jumped back and forth. While it is loosely based in chronological order, there is to much going on.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Filled with fascinating information about our nation's first ladies, this book shares details about how women from all backgrounds, personalities and interests influenced our presidents and our country. It read a little slow for me, so I decided to skim through it this time and research individual first ladies to learn more about their lives.

[Arela · Rating 4 out of 5]

great read for those wanting to know other details about the first ladies beside what they wore to their inaugural ball. the chapter on michelle obama was disappointing but i suspect it was because the book was reprinted/reedited only months after she came to the white house.

[Beth Baier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book... I enjoyed learning about the first ladies and their personalities - Some I had long forgotten or never knew anything about. The author also summarized their 'legacies' unique to them and their time in the White House. I would recommend this 'Good Read'!

[Michell Karnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book on all of the first ladies and those who filled the position. This was very informative, full of facts and details of the time period to give a background to their tenure. At times I felt the additional facts of a time period seemed too much but overall a great non-fiction book.

[Patti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting

[ReadWithCass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a firm believer that everyone needs at least a few good non-fiction books in their collection! I picked this one up the last time I was in D.C. and just now got to read it. I don’t know why I kept it in my TBR pile for so long- it was everything I wanted it to be and more! I personally love American History, but even if you’re not a history buff this book is completely engrossing. Rather than just list dates and major events for each First Lady, Caroli really dives into each woman’s personality and how they shaped the role of the First Lady. It also provides an ongoing comparison between each First Lady’s tenure and the public perception of what it meant to be “feminine” at the time. The book really picks up even more in the second half, most likely due to the fact that much more information about president’s wives was properly recorded from 1900 on. I’m officially ready for another trip to D.C. now! 5/5

After finishing it last night, I can’t choose my favorite First Lady between Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Rosalynn Carter. I think they all encompass what I would try to be in their position- world travelers, champions of women, and equal counterparts to their husbands

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Interesting insights into our first ladies. Also, the fair-weather attitude of the American people. We can be rather shallow in what we consider important.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book interesting. I learned many things about America our government and the changing tole of first ladies.

[Chy · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part I enjoyed this and I did learn a lot about the First Ladies however at times I found it to be a bit dry.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the better compilations of First Ladies I have read. The author focused more on the role and how each woman made it her own, than on full biographies. Some First Ladies (mostly in the 19th century were barely mentioned). Although in 2021, it is a little out of date.