The First Ladies : From Martha Washington to Mamie Eisenhower, An Intimate Portrait of the Women Who Shaped America

The Legacies and Personalities that built the White House As a young nation grew into its own, it was not just the presidents who led the way. The remarkable women of the White House, often neglected by history, had a heavy hand in the shaping of America. The earliest First Ladies of the United States left countless untold legacies behind after their role at the White House was over. Decidedly different from their modern day counterparts, the nation's first presidential wives made their impact not in terms of political policy or broad social and civic service, but instead with unique, personal, and often long-lasting accomplishments. Read the unforgettable stories of how: Martha Washington set the tone for First Ladies and walked the fine line between royal pretention and republican accessibility. Sarah Polk worked diligently, constantly giving the high office her utmost attention. Julia Grant not only adapted to the ups and downs of her husband's political career, but flourished wherever she landed. And it was Nellie Taft's ambition that ultimately led her husband to the presidency. (20110415)

The Legacies and Personalities that built the White House

As a young nation grew into its own, it was not just the presidents who led the way. The remarkable women of the White House, often neglected by history, had a heavy hand in the shaping of America. The earliest First Ladies of the United States left countless untold legacies behind after their role at the White House was over.

Decidedly different from their modern day counterparts, the nation's first presidential wives made their impact not in terms of political policy or broad social and civic service, but instead with unique, personal, and often long-lasting accomplishments.

Read the unforgettable stories of how:

Martha Washington set the tone for First Ladies and walked the fine line between royal pretention and republican accessibility.

Sarah Polk worked diligently, constantly giving the high office her utmost attention.

Julia Grant not only adapted to the ups and downs of her husband's political career, but flourished wherever she landed.

And it was Nellie Taft's ambition that ultimately led her husband to the presidency.

Title Page......Page 2 Copyright......Page 4 Table of Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Martha Washington 1731–1802......Page 12 Abigail Adams 1744–1818......Page 18 Dolley Madison 1768–1849......Page 26 Louisa Adams 1775–1852......Page 32 Rachel Jackson 1767–1828......Page 38 Julia Tyler 1820–89......Page 44 Sarah Polk 1803–91......Page 50 Three Reclusives and Miss Lane......Page 56 Mary Lincoln 1818–82......Page 66 Julia Grant 1826–1902......Page 74 Lucy Hayes 1831–89......Page 80 Frances Cleveland 1864–1947......Page 86 Caroline Harrison 1832–92......Page 94 Edith Roosevelt 1861–1948......Page 100 Nellie Taft 1861–1943......Page 106 Ellen Wilson 1860–1914......Page 114 Edith Wilson 1872–1961......Page 120 Florence Harding 1860–1924......Page 128 Grace Coolidge 1879–1957......Page 136 Lou Hoover 1874–1944......Page 142 Eleanor Roosevelt 1884–1962......Page 150 Bess Truman 1885–1982......Page 156 Mamie Eisenhower 1896–1979......Page 162 Author's Note......Page 170 Bibliography......Page 174 About the Author......Page 188 Back Cover......Page 189 The bold women that built the White HouseAs a young nation grew into its own, it was not just the presidents who led the way. The remarkable women of the White House, often neglected by history, had a heavy hand in the shaping of America. The earliest First Ladies of the United States left countless untold legacies behind after their role at the White House was over.Decidedly different from their modern day counterparts, the nation's first presidential wives made their impact not only in terms of political policy or broad social and civic service, but with unique, personal, and often long-lasting accomplishments.Read the unforgettable stories of how these women forged our country and the decisions that shaped all of us as a nation. These are the women whose legacies have long been buried amongst our American history. Front Cover; Title Page; Copyright; Table of Contents; Acknowledgments; Martha Washington 1731-1802; Abigail Adams 1744-1818; Blank Page; Dolley Madison 1768-1849; Louisa Adams 1775-1852; Rachel Jackson 1767-1828; Julia Tyler 1820-89; Sarah Polk 1803-91; Three Reclusives and Miss Lane; Blank Page; Mary Lincoln 1818-82; Blank Page; Julia Grant 1826-1902; Lucy Hayes 1831-89; Frances Cleveland 1864-1947; Blank Page; Caroline Harrison 1832-92; Edith Roosevelt 1861-1948; Nellie Taft 1861-1943; Blank Page; Ellen Wilson 1860-1914; Edith Wilson 1872-1961; Blank Page; Florence Harding 1860-1924