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Nellie Taft: The Unconventional First Lady of the Ragtime Era – An Archival Biography of Co-Presidency and Women's Rights Advocacy
On the morning of William Howard Taft's inauguration, Nellie Taft publicly expressed that theirs would be a joint presidency by shattering precedent and demanding that she ride alongside her husband down Pennsylvania Avenue, a tradition previously held for the outgoing president. In an era before Eleanor Roosevelt, this progressive First Lady was an advocate for higher education and partial suffrage for women, and initiated legislation to improve working conditions for federal employees. She smoked, drank, and gambled without regard to societal judgment, and she freely broke racial and class boundaries.
Drawing from previously unpublished diaries, a lifetime of love letters between Will and Nellie, and detailed family correspondence and recollections, critically acclaimed presidential family historian Carl Sferrazza Anthony develops a riveting portrait of Nellie Taft as one of the strongest links in the series of women -- from Abigail Adams to Hillary Rodham Clinton -- often critically declared "copresidents."
Drawing from previously unpublished diaries, a lifetime of love letters between Will and Nellie, and detailed family correspondence and recollections, critically acclaimed presidential family historian Carl Sferrazza Anthony develops a riveting portrait of Nellie Taft as one of the strongest links in the series of women -- from Abigail Adams to Hillary Rodham Clinton -- often critically declared "copresidents."
534 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 28, 2018
Thoughts soon.
April 27, 2016
I guess by now it is well known that Doris Kerns Goodwin has a new book coming out November 5, 2013 about Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft called THE BULLY PULPIT. I have it on order and expect like all of Kern’s books it will be excellent. In anticipation I remembered that I had in my library a copy of Carl Anthony’s biography of Taft’s wife, Nellie Taft. I had bought it some time ago because I had really enjoyed Anthony’s book FLORENCE HARDING, THE FIRST LADY, THE JAZZ AGE, AND THE DEAL OF AMERICA’S MOST SCANDALOUS PRESIDENT (5 stars). If you have not read this prior book you will find it a most entertaining and interesting book I highly recommend it to you (see my review on Amazon.com).
I also enjoyed the Nellie Taft book. It is well written, organized and covers a history that is for most American’s a black hole of ignorance. Taft is remembered as being a failed President who weighed more than any other in history and maybe some might recall he also became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. And although Anthony gives lots of information about President Taft and his fall out from Theodore Roosevelt the book quite rightly focuses on his strong willed wife who pushed him against his better judgment into running for President (he apparently hated the job). As such Nellie Taft was indeed the power behind the thrown and most unique…she smoked and drank (even during proabition) supported minority rights helping Taft to govern the Philippines. She is also responsible for the cherry trees that make Washington DC so special in spring. Unfortunately she had two strokes shortly after becoming first lady and did not fully recover until after her husband lost re-election. A loss neither she nor her husband, the President mourned mainly because they feared a Theodore Roosevelt third term. Nellie had a special dislike of Theodore Roosevelt and especially Roosevelt’s wife. This rivalry between “friends” consumed her.
Nellie Taft is the story of a self-confident, progressive (liberal), world traveling modern woman in an age where such behavior was much more groundbreaking than say Eleanor Roosevelt (who Nellie liked) or today’s Hillary Clinton. In fact in a different age and time it is not hard to speculate that Nellie Taft might held office in her own right. Her Son Bob Taft became the right wing isolationist senator who in 1940 first tried to run for President. Nellie supported him but not his views. He found she was very much her own woman.
I found it especially interesting that after her husband died Nellie began to travel alone all around the world on long extended trips. She loved the theater and music attending all the productions she could. She never slowed down and rather be alone traveling that visiting family even at Christmas. She died in her mid-80s during the middle of World War II from lung disease most likely due to her smoking habit. To the end she loved a good cocktail. I think knowing her would have been quite a kick!
I also enjoyed the Nellie Taft book. It is well written, organized and covers a history that is for most American’s a black hole of ignorance. Taft is remembered as being a failed President who weighed more than any other in history and maybe some might recall he also became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. And although Anthony gives lots of information about President Taft and his fall out from Theodore Roosevelt the book quite rightly focuses on his strong willed wife who pushed him against his better judgment into running for President (he apparently hated the job). As such Nellie Taft was indeed the power behind the thrown and most unique…she smoked and drank (even during proabition) supported minority rights helping Taft to govern the Philippines. She is also responsible for the cherry trees that make Washington DC so special in spring. Unfortunately she had two strokes shortly after becoming first lady and did not fully recover until after her husband lost re-election. A loss neither she nor her husband, the President mourned mainly because they feared a Theodore Roosevelt third term. Nellie had a special dislike of Theodore Roosevelt and especially Roosevelt’s wife. This rivalry between “friends” consumed her.
Nellie Taft is the story of a self-confident, progressive (liberal), world traveling modern woman in an age where such behavior was much more groundbreaking than say Eleanor Roosevelt (who Nellie liked) or today’s Hillary Clinton. In fact in a different age and time it is not hard to speculate that Nellie Taft might held office in her own right. Her Son Bob Taft became the right wing isolationist senator who in 1940 first tried to run for President. Nellie supported him but not his views. He found she was very much her own woman.
I found it especially interesting that after her husband died Nellie began to travel alone all around the world on long extended trips. She loved the theater and music attending all the productions she could. She never slowed down and rather be alone traveling that visiting family even at Christmas. She died in her mid-80s during the middle of World War II from lung disease most likely due to her smoking habit. To the end she loved a good cocktail. I think knowing her would have been quite a kick!
August 4, 2025
Very much enjoyed this biography of Nellie Taft, named Helen Louise Heron, but always went by Nellie. I liked the writing style and how the information was presented, linear, and perfect for this type of biography.
While young she decided she wanted to marry a man who would be president and in William Taft she found her man, even though his ambition was to be on the Supreme Court. Well, he managed both.
Nellie was quite the woman, her own mind and did a lot of "firsts" as a president's wife. If alive today she likely would have run for president instead of her husband.
I would like to say more, but this is all I can manage at this moment. Oh, except to add she is responsible for all the Japanese Cherry Trees in Washington, D.C.
While young she decided she wanted to marry a man who would be president and in William Taft she found her man, even though his ambition was to be on the Supreme Court. Well, he managed both.
Nellie was quite the woman, her own mind and did a lot of "firsts" as a president's wife. If alive today she likely would have run for president instead of her husband.
I would like to say more, but this is all I can manage at this moment. Oh, except to add she is responsible for all the Japanese Cherry Trees in Washington, D.C.
February 29, 2012
Carl Sferrazza Anthony takes a difficult subject, and parses it out so that, even if it isn't fascinating, you're at least able to follow the trajectory.
Helen Herron (called "Nellie" all her life) made the decision as a young woman that she would marry a man who would become President of the United States. It made no difference that the man who fell in love with her, and whom she apparently loved, had as his life's dream to be on the U.S. Supreme Court. She actively campaigned against him accepting appointments to any courts, pouted when he did serve, and pushed for him to be President, even though he didn't much want the job and didn't care for the work once he got it. When he was not re-elected in 1912, and *finally,* blissfully joined the U.S. Supreme Court as Chief Justice, he did marvelous work and was very, very happy, but by then his best years healthwise were behind him.
Nellie apparently loved her husband very much - they missed each other terribly when they had to be apart, if their letters to one another are anything to go by), and she took care of him when he was ill. Her children loved her, and she was remarkably progressive, insisting that there be no color or religious barriers in her service - an incredibly unbigoted woman for her time. She took great joy in having a tipple, a smoke and a card game when none of those things was an acceptable habit for a lady. She was also behind those gorgeous cherry trees that everyone loves in D.C. But she was terribly class-conscious, held grudges for a ridiculous length of time and then of course there's the determination that her husband should not fulfill his dreams, but hers.
I honestly don't know what to make of Nellie Taft. The admiration I have for her progressive behavior and interest in the world is somewhat over-balanced by my dislike of her pushing her own goals over those of others. She's an interesting woman, though not a very likeable one.
Helen Herron (called "Nellie" all her life) made the decision as a young woman that she would marry a man who would become President of the United States. It made no difference that the man who fell in love with her, and whom she apparently loved, had as his life's dream to be on the U.S. Supreme Court. She actively campaigned against him accepting appointments to any courts, pouted when he did serve, and pushed for him to be President, even though he didn't much want the job and didn't care for the work once he got it. When he was not re-elected in 1912, and *finally,* blissfully joined the U.S. Supreme Court as Chief Justice, he did marvelous work and was very, very happy, but by then his best years healthwise were behind him.
Nellie apparently loved her husband very much - they missed each other terribly when they had to be apart, if their letters to one another are anything to go by), and she took care of him when he was ill. Her children loved her, and she was remarkably progressive, insisting that there be no color or religious barriers in her service - an incredibly unbigoted woman for her time. She took great joy in having a tipple, a smoke and a card game when none of those things was an acceptable habit for a lady. She was also behind those gorgeous cherry trees that everyone loves in D.C. But she was terribly class-conscious, held grudges for a ridiculous length of time and then of course there's the determination that her husband should not fulfill his dreams, but hers.
I honestly don't know what to make of Nellie Taft. The admiration I have for her progressive behavior and interest in the world is somewhat over-balanced by my dislike of her pushing her own goals over those of others. She's an interesting woman, though not a very likeable one.
February 1, 2015
Helen Herron “Nellie” Taft was considered unconventional. She drank alcohol, smoked cigarette and gambled and insisted on participating in her husband’s political affairs. She was the first of the First Ladies to drive an automobile while first lady. The car was a Pierce Arrow.
According to Anthony, Nellie Taft was the one that wanted to be in public office, as women could not vote or hold office she pushed her husband into politics. He was only interested in the law and his goal was to be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The author discusses in detail the time Taft was the Governor General of the Philippines. Anthony also presents Nellie’s side in the 1912 feud between Taft and Roosevelt, providing another perspective to the often told story.
Taft was a middling president and big business called him the “sugarplum president”. The book provides a fascinating look into the complex personalities and the role of women in the early twentieth century.
Nellie trained to be a teacher and was a French teacher. Nellie spoke German, Spanish and French as well as Latin and Greek. While in the Philippines she learned some Tagalog. She had a great interest in music and studying music in school. She helped found the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Nellie drew on her broad knowledge of music to recruit a series of famous and soon to be famous professional musicians to perform for gatherings of a few hundred guests in the White House.
The author states that the Tafts were the first presidential couple to attend a Seder while in office. Anthony provides a vivid portrait of Nellie Taft and the society she lived in. I read this on my Kindle app for my iPad.
According to Anthony, Nellie Taft was the one that wanted to be in public office, as women could not vote or hold office she pushed her husband into politics. He was only interested in the law and his goal was to be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The author discusses in detail the time Taft was the Governor General of the Philippines. Anthony also presents Nellie’s side in the 1912 feud between Taft and Roosevelt, providing another perspective to the often told story.
Taft was a middling president and big business called him the “sugarplum president”. The book provides a fascinating look into the complex personalities and the role of women in the early twentieth century.
Nellie trained to be a teacher and was a French teacher. Nellie spoke German, Spanish and French as well as Latin and Greek. While in the Philippines she learned some Tagalog. She had a great interest in music and studying music in school. She helped found the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Nellie drew on her broad knowledge of music to recruit a series of famous and soon to be famous professional musicians to perform for gatherings of a few hundred guests in the White House.
The author states that the Tafts were the first presidential couple to attend a Seder while in office. Anthony provides a vivid portrait of Nellie Taft and the society she lived in. I read this on my Kindle app for my iPad.
December 29, 2015
I read The Bully Pulpit earlier this spring and wanted to follow up on its "cast of characters." Nellie Taft is presented as a modern woman at the turn of the 20th century. Her one ambition is to marry a man who would be president and she achieves it at a fairly young age. Manipulative yes but her manipulations make for an intriguing read. The one issue I don't grasp fully is that if Taft truly desired to be Supreme Court Chief Justice, how did he allow his wife to get the better of him? His 4 years in the White House can be described as depressing as he longed for the bench the entire time. Could it have been that had her husband assumed the bench earlier in life that Nellie would have been free from the stresses that led to her stroke? Then she would have been free to enjoy her travels and activities at an earlier age. All just speculation of course. Most of us do not achieve our life's ambition and Nellie Taft did and made the best of it despite her health. Whenever I see a picture of Washington's cherry trees I will be reminded of this complex lady. A charming read.
January 2, 2017
This was one of my favorite First Lady biographies so far since I have been reading through them chronologically and blogging about each one at Remember the Ladies http://rachelschmoyer.blogspot.com/
Carl Anthony's books are always the best at placing the lady in the context of her time and showing either her unique qualities stand out compared to the other ladies around her or how her thinking and actions blended into the culture of the day.
Thank you, Carl, for all your time and research that went into Nellie Taft!
I admired Nellie Taft for her willingness to step out and give herself something productive and worthwhile to do not just before she was married when she decided to teach for pay, but also after she was married when she created the Cincinnati Symphony and in the Philippines when she welcomed and visited the native cultures.
I was also fascinated to read about the Taft's perspective on TR since I had just read TR's perspective on the Taft's.
Carl Anthony's books are always the best at placing the lady in the context of her time and showing either her unique qualities stand out compared to the other ladies around her or how her thinking and actions blended into the culture of the day.
Thank you, Carl, for all your time and research that went into Nellie Taft!
I admired Nellie Taft for her willingness to step out and give herself something productive and worthwhile to do not just before she was married when she decided to teach for pay, but also after she was married when she created the Cincinnati Symphony and in the Philippines when she welcomed and visited the native cultures.
I was also fascinated to read about the Taft's perspective on TR since I had just read TR's perspective on the Taft's.
December 1, 2018
Where do I start.
This book really got under my skin. I actually had to put it down and read something else for a bit.
I felt the author picked a few themes - namely: Nellie's obsession with marrying a President, Nellie enjoying beer and playing cards, Nellie's dislike for Theodore Roosevelt. He then built his entire book around these themes, using letters and statements to back it up. Sure he mentioned Nellie's accomplishments but he hardly dove into these and drew them out. There were so many topics he could have explained, kept his themes to a minimum, and still put out a fantastic biography. Instead the author kept his themes revolving throughout the book.
Nellie Taft really left her mark wherever she went, she started programs and instilled the influence of music to communities. To me, there was so much that was left out of the main text, many times the notes had more information on the highlights of Nellie's life. I would have rather read a solid book on her character and influence than gossip of how she hated Theodore Roosevelt and let the author explain that to me throughout her entire life.
This book really got under my skin. I actually had to put it down and read something else for a bit.
I felt the author picked a few themes - namely: Nellie's obsession with marrying a President, Nellie enjoying beer and playing cards, Nellie's dislike for Theodore Roosevelt. He then built his entire book around these themes, using letters and statements to back it up. Sure he mentioned Nellie's accomplishments but he hardly dove into these and drew them out. There were so many topics he could have explained, kept his themes to a minimum, and still put out a fantastic biography. Instead the author kept his themes revolving throughout the book.
Nellie Taft really left her mark wherever she went, she started programs and instilled the influence of music to communities. To me, there was so much that was left out of the main text, many times the notes had more information on the highlights of Nellie's life. I would have rather read a solid book on her character and influence than gossip of how she hated Theodore Roosevelt and let the author explain that to me throughout her entire life.
February 23, 2021
I will admit that I grabbed this book because it was on-sale at a bookstore. She was a lady that I knew nothing about and was willing to spend a little money on. I thought that the author did a great job. Nellie Taft is well-known for two things - that she essentially forced her husband to become President and that she brought cherry blossoms to Washington D.C.
However, in this book I also learned about her love of music that helped Cincinnati create a thriving city-wide music program. I didn't realize that Taft had been sent to the Phillipines after the U.S. had "acquired" it. And how instrumental Nellie was in helping those relations.
The end of the book does taper off. After their stint in the White House, the author seems to lose a bit of steam. I felt almost rushed to her death. She died on one page and the book ended on the next. So it was a bit of a come down after reading about all her doings.
However, in this book I also learned about her love of music that helped Cincinnati create a thriving city-wide music program. I didn't realize that Taft had been sent to the Phillipines after the U.S. had "acquired" it. And how instrumental Nellie was in helping those relations.
The end of the book does taper off. After their stint in the White House, the author seems to lose a bit of steam. I felt almost rushed to her death. She died on one page and the book ended on the next. So it was a bit of a come down after reading about all her doings.
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February 24, 2025Informative book on little-known First Lady who made a huge impact on the role. I wouldn't say that I fell in love with Nellie Taft based on this book, but I came to admire her tenacity and courage.
September 20, 2018
What a remarkable woman Nellie Taft was. Living in a time when women had almost no opportunity to set their own course, Mrs. Taft was a strong partner in her relationship with her husband. She said when she was a young girl that she wanted to marry a president and live in the White House, and that she did. But what a ride to get there, taking her through the Philippines and around the world. She set many precedents for a First Lady, including being the first First Lady to ride back from the inauguration with her husband, the president. And she loved her beer! While very open to diverse groups of people, she was also very elitist.
Honestly, there is so much I want to write about Nellie Taft, but Mr. Anthony does such a tremendous job, I won't steal his thunder. Read this book, if for no other reason than to see the expression on people's faces when you tell them you are reading a book on Nellie Taft. :-)
Honestly, there is so much I want to write about Nellie Taft, but Mr. Anthony does such a tremendous job, I won't steal his thunder. Read this book, if for no other reason than to see the expression on people's faces when you tell them you are reading a book on Nellie Taft. :-)
March 10, 2012
I wouldn’t have normally chosen to read a book such as this, but I had a hard time finding a biography of William Taft that looked good to me (I am reading through all of the presidents). The story of a very head-strong, determined, bossy woman does not appeal to me in the least, but I still did find this book interesting to read and a good peek into early 1900s life in America. What an interesting time period it was! There were a lot of changes going on in the world at that time.
I was especially saddened to read about Nellie’s dominance over her husband, the worst of it being her pushing him into the presidency when all he’d ever dreamed of was being Supreme Court Chief Justice. At an early age she determined that she would marry a future president and she made sure that it came true (with all of her strength and unstoppable determination). It was also scary to find out how much control she had over Taft during the presidency (in some ways America has already had a woman president). Ironically, however, Nellie did suffer a stroke during the presidency and was incapacitated for months. I was satisfied to learn that Taft did eventually reach his dream of being Supreme Court Justice (what a moment for him!) after serving as president. By this time, Nellie had relinquished quite a bit of control over him and this was probably the best time of his life: doing what he had always dreamed of doing, exactly what suited his nature and personality.
Nellie was an extremely irritating person to read about: headstrong, opinionated, unemotional, harsh, driven, detached, bossy, somewhat of a whiner, unimaginative, and completely dominating. She did, however, soften with age and I felt a touch of liking for her in reading about her latter days.
Overall, this book is decently written and includes lots of interesting facts. Like I said, I normally wouldn’t have chosen reading material like this, but don’t regret that I read it. It is always interesting to learn more about the lives that have gone before us, to learn from their mistakes and gain encouragement from their successes and accomplishments.
I was especially saddened to read about Nellie’s dominance over her husband, the worst of it being her pushing him into the presidency when all he’d ever dreamed of was being Supreme Court Chief Justice. At an early age she determined that she would marry a future president and she made sure that it came true (with all of her strength and unstoppable determination). It was also scary to find out how much control she had over Taft during the presidency (in some ways America has already had a woman president). Ironically, however, Nellie did suffer a stroke during the presidency and was incapacitated for months. I was satisfied to learn that Taft did eventually reach his dream of being Supreme Court Justice (what a moment for him!) after serving as president. By this time, Nellie had relinquished quite a bit of control over him and this was probably the best time of his life: doing what he had always dreamed of doing, exactly what suited his nature and personality.
Nellie was an extremely irritating person to read about: headstrong, opinionated, unemotional, harsh, driven, detached, bossy, somewhat of a whiner, unimaginative, and completely dominating. She did, however, soften with age and I felt a touch of liking for her in reading about her latter days.
Overall, this book is decently written and includes lots of interesting facts. Like I said, I normally wouldn’t have chosen reading material like this, but don’t regret that I read it. It is always interesting to learn more about the lives that have gone before us, to learn from their mistakes and gain encouragement from their successes and accomplishments.
December 28, 2015
This is one of the few non-fiction books that I read this year. At just over 400 pages, it was a lengthy read for me, packed with information. However, I believe that the author did an excellent job of arranging the narrative of this book, and so, even though it was full of information, the book also had a sense of drama that compelled one's interest.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have been interested in Presidential figures, and keenly remember reading about them, with some mentions of their First Ladies. Idle gleanings of Wiki articles filled in the information gap a little more, but after reading this book, I can truly say that I've gone from knowing next to nothing about Mrs. Taft to now knowing much more about her than any other First Lady. Coming into the book, my expectations were speculative as to how much I would enjoy learning about this person. I found her spunky; and though she seemed to have been a sensitive person who did not easily forget being "slighted" by others, as well as exhibiting classist behavior from time to time, her immense love for music, unflagging endurance, and striving ambition demanded my respect.
All in all, I very much enjoyed reading this book. A large portion of it also details her close relationship with President Taft, and gives a further degree of familiarity with his personality during various stages of their lives.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have been interested in Presidential figures, and keenly remember reading about them, with some mentions of their First Ladies. Idle gleanings of Wiki articles filled in the information gap a little more, but after reading this book, I can truly say that I've gone from knowing next to nothing about Mrs. Taft to now knowing much more about her than any other First Lady. Coming into the book, my expectations were speculative as to how much I would enjoy learning about this person. I found her spunky; and though she seemed to have been a sensitive person who did not easily forget being "slighted" by others, as well as exhibiting classist behavior from time to time, her immense love for music, unflagging endurance, and striving ambition demanded my respect.
All in all, I very much enjoyed reading this book. A large portion of it also details her close relationship with President Taft, and gives a further degree of familiarity with his personality during various stages of their lives.
February 24, 2018
So what do you know about Taft and the Misses? Let me guess (which is all I could remember from school) President Taft was so LARGE that he had to have a specially made bathtub made for his bulk and not a thing about wife. So this biograph was a treat to read through and get the angle on Nellie. Well done if you ask me - Carl does his research and uses diaries, letters and many other first-hand sources to include newspaper spin of the day. And that's the closest we'll ever get to the real thing. We learn of Nellie in her youth her marriage to Taft, her days in Philippines as the wife of the Governor General, her insecurities, her indulgences, her strengths, her world view, her causes, her love, her passions. I am not sure she and I would have gotten along but I appreciate her ambition, insecurities, focus, and finally the way she led her life after President Taft's death - without apology or concern of anyone's opinion. It seems that Mr. Anthony shared a view of this First Lady that was as honest and real as is possible to present with the historic data available. Take a look!!
August 18, 2012
I did enjoy this book about Nellie Taft. It was not as interesting as this author's book on Florence Harding but then Florence Harding just was a more interesting individual than Nellie Taft. Unfortunately, Nellie also had her stroke after being First Lady for only a brief time. My favorite parts of this book were actually about Nellie's life prior to becoming first lady especially her time in the Philippines. I did think it interesting that Nellie had some very modern thoughts of what women could do and also some antiquated thoughts about what they shouldn't do. I would guess that many women of this time were like that. I would actually be giving this an extra half star if Goodreads did that. It's just not quite a 4 star book. However, it is a good read for any First Lady fan or anyone who likes to read books with great historical detail. Just make sure you read Florence Harding: The First Lady, the Jazz Age, and the Death of America's Most Scandalous President either before or after this book.
January 12, 2013
“‘Not quite grand enough’ sometimes seemed to be the rally cry which drove the ambitions of Nellie Taft.”
It has been a long held view that William Howard Taft never wanted to be President of the United States. He loved the law, and it was his desire to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. His wife, Nellie Taft, had other ambitions for him. In Carl Sferrazza Anthony’s biography of the “ragtime era” first lady, we learn how Mrs. Taft had such a great influence upon her husband, that he agreed to an office he didn’t want because it was her desire.
There’s much to Nellie Taft’s (and her husband’s) story, and I found particularly interesting Taft’s governorship in the Philippines, their adversarial relationship with President and Mrs. Teddy Roosevelt, and Nellie Taft’s personality in general. Anthony’s writing style, however, was in the traditional history mold, and there were times I found myself nodding off. Still, I found it worth reading.
It has been a long held view that William Howard Taft never wanted to be President of the United States. He loved the law, and it was his desire to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. His wife, Nellie Taft, had other ambitions for him. In Carl Sferrazza Anthony’s biography of the “ragtime era” first lady, we learn how Mrs. Taft had such a great influence upon her husband, that he agreed to an office he didn’t want because it was her desire.
There’s much to Nellie Taft’s (and her husband’s) story, and I found particularly interesting Taft’s governorship in the Philippines, their adversarial relationship with President and Mrs. Teddy Roosevelt, and Nellie Taft’s personality in general. Anthony’s writing style, however, was in the traditional history mold, and there were times I found myself nodding off. Still, I found it worth reading.
October 13, 2018
I recently visited the First Ladies National Historic site in Canton and this book was suggested reading.
There are lots of good references to prominent people & places in- turn- of -the- century Cincinnati (just right down the river from me). A great deal is based on surviving letters, mostly from Taft. They think Nellie may have selectively destroyed many of her own that she did not wish to share. The book is quite detailed......shows his obvious passion for the judicial and not for the presidency. A poignant side-bar: Nellie placed his judicial robe in Taft's coffin.
Though very positively involved politically and socially, she was a complicated individual, rather a worry-wart & anxious most of her life. Curiously, it's after his death that she finally seems capable of relaxing and discovering her own true self.
Definitely NOT a page-turner, but is an interesting look into the life of the unconventional wife of our 27th President!
There are lots of good references to prominent people & places in- turn- of -the- century Cincinnati (just right down the river from me). A great deal is based on surviving letters, mostly from Taft. They think Nellie may have selectively destroyed many of her own that she did not wish to share. The book is quite detailed......shows his obvious passion for the judicial and not for the presidency. A poignant side-bar: Nellie placed his judicial robe in Taft's coffin.
Though very positively involved politically and socially, she was a complicated individual, rather a worry-wart & anxious most of her life. Curiously, it's after his death that she finally seems capable of relaxing and discovering her own true self.
Definitely NOT a page-turner, but is an interesting look into the life of the unconventional wife of our 27th President!
April 8, 2023
The rest of the title of the book is, "The Unconventional First Lady of the Ragtime Era," and how true that is! There is no way President Taft would have been president without the wily ways of Nellie. She was remarkably ambitious and if she had been born later in the century, there is no doubt in my mind that she would have run for president herself.
I never knew that Taft really wanted to be a Supreme Court judge. He never really wanted to be president at all. His dream finally came true at the end of his life.
This was a fun read, especially since I've been living near Cincinnati these past few years where she was raised.
Her dislike of Teddy Roosevelt was intense!
It was interesting to find out that she was a founding member of the Cincinnati Symphony (and out of boredom, was quite active).
I never knew that Taft really wanted to be a Supreme Court judge. He never really wanted to be president at all. His dream finally came true at the end of his life.
This was a fun read, especially since I've been living near Cincinnati these past few years where she was raised.
Her dislike of Teddy Roosevelt was intense!
It was interesting to find out that she was a founding member of the Cincinnati Symphony (and out of boredom, was quite active).
August 20, 2008
I finally finished the Nellie Taft book - not due to lack of interest, but in lack of time for reading... I really enjoyed learning more about the First Lady and all she did that was quite progressive for her era. For instance, she was the first First Lady to ride with the President down Pennsylvania Avenue after the inauguration! She created the partnership with Japan for the Cherry Blossom trees around the Jefferson Memorial (which wasn't there at the time) and was a savvy politician in her own right.
It wasn't the most engaging biography I've ever read, but Nellie Taft was interesting enough to keep me engaged.
It wasn't the most engaging biography I've ever read, but Nellie Taft was interesting enough to keep me engaged.
December 18, 2007
Nellie Taft drove her husband into the presidency (he fancied the Supreme Court) and then became the first political First Lady of the modern era. Among her achievements: handling the Phillipino occupation with her husband; creating the Potomac Basin park in DC and planting all those cherry trees; and promoting women's education and suffrage. Unfortunately she was struck down halfway through the term by a stroke, unable to deal with TR's ambitious betrayal in 1912, and forced to watch her husband happily ascend to the Chief Justiceship in 1921.
February 24, 2015
While the writing, as all books I have read by Carl Sferrazza Anthony on the first ladies, was excellent, I must admit that I was disappointed in the story of Nellie Taft. She simply was not as extraordinary has I had expected her to be. She, frankly, was not an especially likable character as her ambitions for her husband and her own self-serving nature seemed to affect many in a negative way. While her ambitions may or may not have been the best thing for William Howard Taft, when all was said and done, her attitude was not attractive in the least. Good book--disappointing subject.
July 5, 2009
Continuing on with my odd fascination with first ladies, I came out of this with a new appreciation for William Taft and Nellie (fun fact - she's responsible for bringing the cherry trees to Washington), and a kind of horror that intellectualism can degenerate so rapidly in a family. Nellie and William fell in love in the salons she hosted in Cincinnati. I'm not sure if Ohio's most recent governor would even enter one.
June 13, 2018
It was hard to find a book on WH Taft; but this book on his wife was equally enlightening about him as her. “Nellie” was a pioneer among First Ladies with her involvement in political thinking and decisions as her husband’s chief sounding board. Her husband would never have been Governor General of the Philippines, President, or Chief Justice of the Supreme Court without her driving force.
March 13, 2015
This was an interesting enough book, if you have much interest in that period of American history. After getting into Taft's presidency, I had about enough of Nellie & company and did not finish the book.
If you are truly interested in the details of this time period in American history and politics, then you will probably enjoy this book more than I did.
If you are truly interested in the details of this time period in American history and politics, then you will probably enjoy this book more than I did.
July 3, 2016
Picked this up on a whim, and it turned out to be a really enjoyable read. Nellie Taft was a woman who was much ahead of her time; had she been born in the 20th century I think she would have been politically ambitious for her self, instead of for her husband. NB: the narrative text only goes to page 411; the remainder is notes and so forth.
August 20, 2007
There were so many great vingettes about my favorite president William Howard Taft in this book! Who knew that Nellie Taft propelled her husband to the presidency, which he never desired for himself, then promptly suffered a stroke and was socially incapacitated for almost his entire term?
May 5, 2007
I got this book from a friend (Sarah Schraw!) who loves biographies of remarkable women. This meets the bill. I was surprisingly involved in Nellie's story.
Want to read
May 5, 2007I bought this for my lovely friend Brooke. She liked it, so I think I should probably read it too!
February 12, 2012
Great book, well-written and an interesting look at that era.
June 11, 2012
not very easy to read
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