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15th out of 51 books
—
16 voters
A Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the Creation of the American Nation
"Delightful and discerning . . . In this evocative study a remarkable woman, creator of the 'first lady' role, comes vividly to life."--The New York Times
When the roar of the Revolution had finally died down, a new generation of politicians was summoned to the Potomac to assemble the nation's capital. Into that unsteady atmosphere--which would soon enough erupt into anothe...more
When the roar of the Revolution had finally died down, a new generation of politicians was summoned to the Potomac to assemble the nation's capital. Into that unsteady atmosphere--which would soon enough erupt into anothe...more
Paperback, 512 pages
Published
February 20th 2007
by Holt Paperbacks
(first published 2006)
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The benefit of a woman's sphere in a time of extreme factionalism is exhibited in this work about the woman who essentially established the role of First Lady. With regional interests so diverse as to cause physical fights in the Congress and each thinking the opposing side were 'beasts' it was this woman that united the nation. Beginning with her role as wife of the Secretary of State, a position at the time thought to lead to the Presidency, and later as First Lady, Dolley held frequent 'salon...more
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 rivals...more
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, she doesn't let her off the hook f...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, she doesn't let her off the hook f...more
I have mixed feeling about Catherine Allgor's biography on Dolley Madison, the woman that established the prominent role of First Lady of the United States, as covered in A Perfect Union. Allgor could have easily slid the historical narrative into comparisons between the fractious and personal attacks in one of the early presidencies within the first twenty years after the Constitution was ratified to the political posturing and lack of bi-partisan compromise in our present day, but she didn't....more
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...more
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Oct 21, 2009
Carrie
rated it
2 of 5 stars
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review of another edition
Shelves:
early-nation,
history
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. As is clearly evident from...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. As is clearly evident from...more
When the roar of the Revolution had finally died down, a new generation of politicians was summoned to the Potomac to assemble the nation's capital. Into that unsteady atmosphere--which would soon enough erupt into another conflict with Britain--Dolley Madison arrived, alongside her husband, James. Within a few years, she had mastered both the social and political intricacies of the city, and by her death in 1849 was the most celebrated person in Washington. And yet, to most Americans, she's bes...more
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...more
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 interesting to see t...more
I enjoyed learning about Dolley and the influence she had on the 'office' of first lady. It was interesting to see t...more
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, ridicu...more
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I really enjoyed the story of this unusual woman who was such an important piece of the US's post-Revolutionary story. Some bits lagged (strangely enough, the saga around the War of 1812 did not hold my attention), but I appreciated the author's focus on the Madisons' uncomfortable relationship with slavery, as well as the way she put events in context with what would eventually lead the nation into Civil War (states' rights vs federal imperative). A pleasant read that I plowed through in 2 days...more
I got so much out of this book. I certainly have a new respect for Dolley Madison! Listening to one CD a day was the perfect pace to hear about Dolley's special political and social skills and the awkwardness and country-bumpkin-ness of those founding fathers we revere so much. I loved piece of Amer. history and found it a relief from McCullough's fact-stuffed pop-histories.
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
Jilz
is currently reading it
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
Christine
added it
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.
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.
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.
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.
I was first introduced to Dolley Madison as a childhood when I read her fictionalized bio in the Childhood of Young Americans Series. She was a remarkable First Lady for this country. I enjoyed learning more about her adult life.
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 history book th...more
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.
While once again it is quite irksome to me that any biography of a founding mother is intricately intertwined with their famous husbands, Allgor was able to actually make Dolley shine as the central character. She didn't get bogged down in what James Madison was doing; she made sure that Dolley was center stage. I actually felt a little bit sad when reading the part about her death. It is the hallmark of a good historical researcher that they can touch upon the person who is being analyzed with...more
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.
This book is not to be missed just for the description of what Dolley Madison was doing when the British were on their way to burn down the White House.
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...
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 pearl...more
No a favorite. Kind of a sterile writing style I think. Reading an encyclopedia would have more appeal.
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 her.
I'm pre...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 her.
I'm pre...more
Good history but could have been edited down a few chapters...repetitive analysis.
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