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Mrs. L: Conversations With Alice Roosevelt Longworth
The author recalls her childhood, her father, friends, relatives, and politicians she has known during her many years in Washington
203 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1981
About the author
Alice Roosevelt Longworth
6 books16 followersThe press frequently subjected Caustic wit of favorite active American socialite Alice Roosevelt Longworth, the daughter of Theodore Roosevelt.
This prominent oldest child wrote. She was the only child of Roosevelt and his first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt. Two days after her birth, her mother died from Bright's Disease (kidney failure).
Alice led an unconventional and controversial life. During her shaky marriage to Nicholas Longworth III, Republican representative of Ohio, a leader of Republican Party, and forty-third Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, her affair with William Edgar Borah, senator of Idaho, allegedly resulted in Paulina Longworth, her only child . She temporarily identified as a Democrat during the Administrations of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Lyndon Baines Johnson and identified as a hedonist in a televised interview on "60 Minutes" with Eric Sevareid, on 17 February 1974.
As one of most notorious insiders of Washington, “Mrs. L” (as she wished to be called) reined over political life for six decades from her home on Massachusetts Avenue. The political elite sought her advice and opinions at her famous dinner and tea parties. An invitation to one of her dinner parties was the most coveted invitation in town. She was given the epitaph “the second Washington monument.” She was famous for her conversational ability.
This prominent oldest child wrote. She was the only child of Roosevelt and his first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt. Two days after her birth, her mother died from Bright's Disease (kidney failure).
Alice led an unconventional and controversial life. During her shaky marriage to Nicholas Longworth III, Republican representative of Ohio, a leader of Republican Party, and forty-third Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, her affair with William Edgar Borah, senator of Idaho, allegedly resulted in Paulina Longworth, her only child . She temporarily identified as a Democrat during the Administrations of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Lyndon Baines Johnson and identified as a hedonist in a televised interview on "60 Minutes" with Eric Sevareid, on 17 February 1974.
As one of most notorious insiders of Washington, “Mrs. L” (as she wished to be called) reined over political life for six decades from her home on Massachusetts Avenue. The political elite sought her advice and opinions at her famous dinner and tea parties. An invitation to one of her dinner parties was the most coveted invitation in town. She was given the epitaph “the second Washington monument.” She was famous for her conversational ability.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 27, 2020
Very Interesting.
This book is not detailed autobiography of Alice’s life. It cannot be, and that is okay.
What it can be, is a detailed account of interviews the author had wth Mrs. Longworth as she relaxed in her home in her waning years.
It is obvious Mrs. L. Did not have any lack of honesty; and help her eyes open. She id brutally honest bout her perception of the major political players of the late 19th and majority of the 20th.
The amount of information she so off-handedly imparts is a wealth for amateur historians such as myself. She discusses details with the King and court of England early on, then contact with Queen Elizabeth in the seventies. Wilson, Taft, Coolidge, and of course her father.
Can’t say the book is a masterpiece. I can say it is an easy read and contains a wealth of information.
Well worth the read.
This book is not detailed autobiography of Alice’s life. It cannot be, and that is okay.
What it can be, is a detailed account of interviews the author had wth Mrs. Longworth as she relaxed in her home in her waning years.
It is obvious Mrs. L. Did not have any lack of honesty; and help her eyes open. She id brutally honest bout her perception of the major political players of the late 19th and majority of the 20th.
The amount of information she so off-handedly imparts is a wealth for amateur historians such as myself. She discusses details with the King and court of England early on, then contact with Queen Elizabeth in the seventies. Wilson, Taft, Coolidge, and of course her father.
Can’t say the book is a masterpiece. I can say it is an easy read and contains a wealth of information.
Well worth the read.
October 7, 2018
The weirdest of First Family members - and I am not discounting Billy Carter, either. No one embodies the spirit of anarchy in the early days quite like Alice - she carried around her pet snake, used a sword to cut her wedding cake, interrupted White House meetings to voice her opinions, buried voodoo dolls of the Tafts in the White House lawn - even shared her uproariously funny imitation of Eleanor Roosevelt - just for starters. Her father Teddy once said, "I can be President of the United States or I can attend to Alice. I cannot possibly do both!” No joke.
January 8, 2020
A look into history like no other. What a wonderful story of living in and among those in Washington. As a lover of women in history I picked this up just to see what was what and was surprised with a delightful tale of a woman building her own life, back when this was not something many women did. As well as takes on other women in history and the men around them. Just loved itand smiled a great deal of the time.
August 22, 2020
The text is an edited transcription of tapes recorded over many years of the author's friendship with Mrs. Longworth. It does read like she's sitting there talking to you. An interesting view into the opinions and experiences of a woman who observed a lot of history.
October 16, 2020
Alice’s scrapbook.
August 2, 2025
What a masterpiece!
April 16, 2011
In her own words. Wonderful!
July 10, 2012
I wish this book was longer and Mrs. L had gone into more depth on a few topics. That said, it is one of the best books I have and will NEVER lone it out!
December 27, 2014
Mrs. L shared with us only what she wanted to--and nothing more! Haha...only she could get away with that!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews