First Ladies

by Margaret Brown Klapthor, Allida M. Black (Contributor)

Presents a one page biography with a portrait or photograph of the first ladies up to 2003.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Reference, American History, Historical, Politics

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Klapthor and Black's thoughtful and researched mini-book has been an excellent supplement to my presidential biographies, often providing more detail in two ages than an author did in the book on a corresponding spouse. The segments are short and relevant, with information on birth, childhood family, adult family, White House hostessing, death, and a picture or two. For presidents that had more than one wife, each are presented, and for presidents who were unmarried while in office, their previously deceased wife or other White House hostess is covered.

This edition covers all presidents through #43 George W. Bush.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge is f'ing hot.

[Tracie Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS
Print: 1975, 1979, 1981; White House Historical Association; 89 pages; 0912308141.
(Audio: No).
(Feature Film: No).

SUMMARY/EVALUATION:
I spotted this at the Newport Beach Friends of the Library Friends book sale shortly after here a television ad for a program about first ladies, and thought I’d get a jump on the program. Of course, this book only goes from Martha Washington to Nancy Reagan (the description of this book here in Goodreads says it goes through Barbara Bush—not my copy, (and in fact, I don’t see how it could with the last copyright date being 1981. Mrs. Bush didn’t arrive at the white house until he was Vice President that year, in 1981, and wouldn’t have qualified until he was President in 1989.) so there’s several first ladies I still know little to nothing about. But this book also includes other ladies who served as White House Hostesses. Two pages are dedicated to each person, one of which is an illustration—a portrait—the traditional portrait that hangs in the White House.
I liked that the book was pithy-fitting a biography of each lady into a single page (and sometimes more than one if someone besides a First Lady served as Hostess), but I felt at times that there was some sacrifice in the writing (or at least in my ability to follow it) to accomplish this.
Then, I’m sure I’m rare in this complaint, but I was disappointed to only get a year of birth instead of the actual date. Only one of the ladies, Elenore Roosevelt, got her full date mentioned, October 11, 1884—so she’s the only one whose sun sign I readily knew without having to look the name up on Google.
AUTHOR & NARRATOR: Margaret Brown Klapthor (1/16/1922). According to Wikipedia, Klapthor “was a curator of the Smithsonian's First Ladies collection[1] and an expert on the history of the White House.[2] She served as chairman of the National Museum of American History's Division of Political History.[3]
Klapthor developed collections and exhibitions including the First Ladies' Gowns Collection. Her published books include The First Ladies cook book (1965), First Ladies (1975), and Official White House china (1975), all of which have been republished, some in multiple editions.[2]”

GENRE:
Biography, First Ladies, History

SAMPLE QUOTATION:
From “Dolley Payne Todd Madison”
"Discarding the somber Quaker dress after her second marriage, Dolley chose the finest fashions. Margaret Bayard Smith, chronicler of early Washington social life, wrote: ‘She looked a Queen . . . . It would be absolutely impossible for any one to behave with more perfect propriety than she did.’
Blessed with a desire to please and a willingness to be pleased, Dolley made her home the center of society when Madison began, in 1801, his eight years as Jefferson’s Secretary of State. She assisted at the White House when the President asked her help in receiving ladies, and presided at the first inaugural ball in Washington when her husband became Chief Executive in 1809.
Dolley’s social graces made her famous. Her political acumen, prized by her husband, is less renowned, though her gracious tact smoothed many a quarrel. Hostile statesmen, difficult envoys from Spain or Tunisia, warrior chiefs from the west, flustered youngsters—she always welcomed everyone. Forced to flee from the White House by a British Army during the War of 1812, she returned to find the mansion in ruins. Undaunted by temporary quarters, she entertained skillfully as ever."

RATING:
I give this 3 stars. I enjoyed learning a little about each of these ladies.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting stories of the first ladies. I must have picked up an older version, since my book only covers through Hillary Rodham Clinton. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing more about our first ladies. Since each woman was only given one page, I would like to find out more about some of them from other sources.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sometimes like to get brief history information. It’s interesting and you sometimes don’t know when it might come in handy. We often read so much about presidents but not the First Ladies. It’s an enjoyable evening read.

[Christine Boyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay! Finally something easy to review - a nonfiction, informational bio on the first ladies (this edition was old. It left off on Hillary). Short, sweet, one page brief write-up on each wife.

So basically, this is either your thing, or it isn't. It's mine - so 4 stars!

[Norla Chee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got bored and didn't finish although may come back to it later. The book wasn't boring, I just wanted something different currently.

[Natascha · Rating 4 out of 5]

one page for each first lady (until Laura Bush) with basic introduction on their background, campaign supports, family life, and (political) activism.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

"She's the girl I want to marry."

Okay, literally all the first ladies were sickly or dealt with some terrible trauma in their lives, this is clearly not an exciting and prestigious position to hold

[Tara van Beurden · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I went to America in 2015, I visited Little Rock, Arkansas, and thus was able to make a trip to Bill Clinton’s Presidential Library (which was very cool!). While there I picked up some tourist books about the presidents and first ladies of the United States. For whatever reason, I read this one first. It was a quite an interesting read, especially given I wasn’t aware that sisters, nieces and daughters had acted in the role of quasi First Lady, as seems to be happening at the moment with Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka. Also interesting to see the evolving role of the First Lady from hostess to taking a more active role in policy. Not overly detailed, but a good starting point for anyone interested in American politics.

[Denise Lamonte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. For each 2-page layout there is a portrait of the first lady on one page and a one-page biography on the facing page. There are so many aspects of history in this book to enjoy. My observations include the:
- evolving role of the first lady
- changing opportunities for serving as President based on communication technology, education and money
- changing fashions
- changing views of beauty
- illness and death with its impacts during, before and after a term of office
There is essentially no mention of presidential accomplishments regarding each of the First Lady's husbands. This is refreshing. It is really a focus on the First Ladies.