"Delightful and discerning . . . In this evocative study a remarkable woman, creator of the 'first lady' role, comes vividly to life."--...
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Feb 27, 2011
Judy
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A biography of Dolley Madison, an amazing woman, who virtually invented the role of an active First Lady. Most Americans remember Dolley Madison as the First Lady who remained in the White House and rescued the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington just before the British arrived in Washington and burned the White House during the War of 1812. But she was so much more. She was able to include members of bitter political factions at her dinners and receptions which allowed political riv
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Oct 25, 2011
Erika
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A detailed biography of Dolley Madison, from the sketchy details of her childhood to the painstakingly scrutinized social whirlwind that was her life in Washington.
Dolley was the first "First Lady" to lead the social scene in Washington. She set fashion and played politics in the oblique way required of women in her culture. Her winning personality made her a favorite with foreign and domestic officials.
Although Catherine Allgor is clearly an admirer of Dolley, More...
Dolley was the first "First Lady" to lead the social scene in Washington. She set fashion and played politics in the oblique way required of women in her culture. Her winning personality made her a favorite with foreign and domestic officials.
Although Catherine Allgor is clearly an admirer of Dolley, More...
Oct 17, 2011
Heather
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First of all, I was drawn to this book because of my fascination with all things Dolley Madison. I was actually trying to find a biography that I had read about her years ago and stumbled across this one. Without knowing the title of that previous read, I think I enjoyed this one a little less and I will elaborate on the reasons further on. Most people today do not know that much about this amazing woman – more than the cursory of saving Washington’s portrait and serving ice cream in the White H
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Oct 21, 2009
Carrie
rated it: 
There is definitely some good information in this book but I didn't love it - I'd say 2.5 stars.
I thought the author tried to fit in too many side stories that were interesting things about the time but not necessarily required for this book. It was sometimes repetitive and too long but my biggest annoyance is that Allgor said things like "Because Dolley wasn't a man, she couldn't ____" in just about every chapter. Right, well 200 years later it's time to get over it. More...
I thought the author tried to fit in too many side stories that were interesting things about the time but not necessarily required for this book. It was sometimes repetitive and too long but my biggest annoyance is that Allgor said things like "Because Dolley wasn't a man, she couldn't ____" in just about every chapter. Right, well 200 years later it's time to get over it. More...
Feb 03, 2011
Selected as a 2006 Editors’ Choice book by the editors of Booklist, this biography chronicles the life of the most acclaimed female in early Washington, wife of the fourth President. Best know for saving a portrait of George Washington from the burning White House, until now her influence has not been well documented. As a skilled hostess, she developed the structure of social engagements that allowed politicians and bureaucrats to build the unofficial alliances that allowed the government to fu
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Mar 05, 2011
kim
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This was a well-documented, well-researched book. I did not actually finish the book as it was a book club selection and I was on a deadline. I found that PBS has a documentary based on this book and it is available through NetFilx, so I watched the movie in case I did not get the book finished before our discussion. After watching the movie I lost my motivation to finish the book.
I enjoyed learning about Dolley and the influence she had on the 'office' of first lady. It was interesti More...
I enjoyed learning about Dolley and the influence she had on the 'office' of first lady. It was interesti More...
Mar 30, 2011
Chris
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Good biographies are really hard to find. This one had everything I look for in a biography. It used a ton of primary sources, quoting from D. Madison's letters at great length and from those who surrounded her throughout her life. Allgor also used secondary sources to great effect--and, most importantly, her information was varied and really gave me a complete picture of Dolley. She didn't try to make Dolley into anything other than what she was--an extremely complex woman who was smart, ri
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Jun 29, 2009
Helena
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Mar 29, 2010
Joan
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As I gather from reading this, Dolley was one of the first American woman celebrities and I think she really deserved it. It sounds to me like she orchestrated a lot of big name political events and changed the atmosphere in Washington forever. I think she suffered a little bit psychologically from putting on the airs of pleasing everyone all the time too.
Apr 27, 2009
I've only read the Prologue, and "A Note on Names," but liked this, from the later:
"When discussing men and women in political partnerhsips, both will be referred to by first names; hence, the Madisons will be 'James' and 'Dolley.' If this seems excessively familiar to modern readers, at least both women and men will suffer diminishment equally."
"When discussing men and women in political partnerhsips, both will be referred to by first names; hence, the Madisons will be 'James' and 'Dolley.' If this seems excessively familiar to modern readers, at least both women and men will suffer diminishment equally."
Aug 11, 2011
Written by a rabid women's study person. Good information but you have to wade through brutal level of "evil white man" comments and literally chapters of information trying to prove dolley's greatness by describing her clothes, decorating preferences and parties. Brutally tedious.
Sep 20, 2010
Jennifer
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This woman MUST have done something more interesting than picking out crimson curtains for the Oval Office and buying fancy dresses and schmoozing politicians. I don't care if it was 1800. I mean really...can you make it any more boring?! Shoot me now.
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Jun 21, 2011
Gabrielle
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Recently I had read a few others bios from that period. This one was the worst. Every paragraph included "Things weren't done that way in those days" or "Madison became president because Dolly gave a party ..." Didn't bother to finish the book.
Oct 03, 2009
Joant
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This is much more a biography than " the creation of an American nation". Still, I enjoyed it and gained some insight into Dolley's popularity. She was proud of America, and showed it in all manner of things, including the abundance at her table.
Mar 30, 2008
MJ
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Almost more of a "life and times" biography than anything else, this book is a great glimpse into early 19th century American politics and society. Dolley Madison leaps from the page, and this book whetted my appetite for even more discussion. You'll find yourself wanting to know not just more about James Madison and his relationship with his wife, Thomas Jefferson, and other key figures, but about the women in Dolley's life - Margaret Bayard Smith and others. This is the kind of hi
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Jun 24, 2010
Jen
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I had such a greater respect for all the women of the Revolutionary time period after finishing this book. These brave, intelligent, and faithful women are under-appreciated, I think.
Mar 25, 2011
Lou
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Written by an academic historian with a style so elegant and readable that it garnered her a $400,000 advance, according to PW. Also recommended: Parlor Politics.
Jun 06, 2010
Natasha
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Very interesting to hear how instrumental Dolly Madison was in creating the role of First Lady. Her social skills were a great asset to her husband, James Madison.
Sep 30, 2011
Dave
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Good history about Jefferson and Madison and the War of 1812, and I learned perhaps a bit TOO much about Dolley. It dragged at times...
Nov 13, 2008
Shenek
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Excellent book that puts Dolley Madison in an attractive yet realistic light. Fascinating to learn how she helped to shape the role of first lady. Made me realize the necessity of excellent hosting skills (listening, putting people at ease, engaging others in conversation). Fascinating to read during the presidential election. It's nice to know that whether it's the presidential race for the fourth or the forty-fourth president things can get ugly. And an interesting piece of trivia... the p
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Sep 11, 2007
Jason
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A Perfect Union is the Fox News of historical Dolly Madison biographies. Just totally over-the-top pomposity. And repetitive. So repetitive. Did I mention it's repetitive? It overstates its case so badly in some instances that I'll just make an executive summary of what I learned:
Dolly Madison was a bit of a flake who liked parties and pretty dresses and decorations. She was the petri dish of early American politics, and all manner of things (many moldy and gross) grew on and around More...
Dolly Madison was a bit of a flake who liked parties and pretty dresses and decorations. She was the petri dish of early American politics, and all manner of things (many moldy and gross) grew on and around More...
Jan 29, 2009
Kim
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Good history but could have been edited down a few chapters...repetitive analysis.
Feb 11, 2010
Carin
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fascinating story of the woman who was the first "First Lady" as we think of her (Martha and Abigail stayed home on the farm, and Thomas Jefferson was widowed.) She helped smooth out her husband's rough edges when dealing with politicos and she saved the famous painting of Washington when the Brits burned down the White House in the war of 1812. Really shed light onto an era of American History I wasn't very familiar with. Dolley was sharp, outgoing, fiercely loyal to her husband, a
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Jun 13, 2009
Bonnie
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I'm enjoying this one. I really enjoy learning more about Dolly Madison. The author asserts that she "created" the role of first lady and had enormous impact in politics. It was Dolly who made possible the "unofficial sphere" so neccessary to smoothly getting things done. But I come to some different conclusions than the author does. I'm not convinced Dolly had her own political ambitions. I think she loved her husband and embraced his causes. I'm not convinced she ha
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Feb 21, 2010
Jennifer
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I didn't really know anything about Dolley Madison, so this was interesting to read. She was a complicated person.
Apr 01, 2010
Jill
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Listened to this over a 4 month period of time...if I was reading it, I may have never finished. Some parts I found interesting since I always like to learn more about early american leaders and history, and other parts I was snoozing...well, I was driving..maybe more like tuning out all the names and stuff that bored me.
Mar 20, 2008
Sunni
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I started out really enjoying it and then it slowly began to fade for me. I think she was such an interesting person that I wanted to know more...but it began to get bogged down with too many names and dates. It may be that I just got distracted away (I was walking around DC listening to it on an iPod).
Jul 11, 2007
Kim
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Although interesting to read about Dolley Madison, the author is rather redundant throughout the book. It was difficult to read because the author doesn't seem to think that the reader will understand her conclusions, therefore she repeats them over and over...
Oct 28, 2008
Talea
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Having created my own slighly exaggerated arguments about history, I always view this sort of book (one that seems to claim that a particular woman single-handedly saved civilization) with skepticism, but this one was interesting and believable.
Feb 10, 2012
Jane
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I loved this book. I actually listened to it on tape. The greatest thing I learned is the power of a woman in a marriage relationship and how a couple can work together unitedly to accomplish much.
