The role of First Lady of the United States has existed since Martha Washington’s husband, George, took the oath of office in 1789. Notably, Martha was not even called first lady—that title did not not invented until decades after his death. The first lady of America was not actually married to the president; James Buchanan’s niece, Harriet Lane, became the first woman to hold the honor in 1857. (Buchanan, the 15th U.S. president, was celibate throughout his life and the only U.S. president to he was never married, so Lane stood up.
Over the centuries, the position of the spouse of the president has been part of the fabric of the executive branch of this country and its traditions, however, since it is not an official position with duties specified in the constitution , every first lady has created a career. to suit his personality, his aspirations, and the time he served.
These 23 books offer a wide range of perspectives on the role of First Lady—from memoirs by Julia Grant, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Michelle Obama, to biographies of Jackie Kennedy, Barbara Bush, and Louisa Adams.
1
Personal Memoirs of Julia Dent Grant (Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant)
Julia Dent Grant, wife of the 18th president, Ulysses S. Grant, initially wrote these records as a “family volume,” not intending to share them publicly, but in 1975, Julia’s grandchildren finally allowed his words to be published, and remains “an important historical source for describing the lives of the Grants, Dents, and enslaved people who lived in White Haven in the nineteenth century,” according to the National Parks Service. They also talk about the relationship between Ulysses and Julia.
2
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: The Untold Story
Perhaps the most famous First Lady of all time, biographer Barbara Leaming seeks to understand Jackie Kennedy in a new light. The first half of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis delves into her childhood and married life, and the last half deals with her husband’s murder.
3
First Ladies of the Republic: Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, and the Creation of an Iconic American Role
Although they were not called “First Lady” at the time, Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison were the first three first ladies of the United States, and they created the role of FLOTUS for generations to come. As Jeanne E. Abrams writes in the introduction, “Despite the fact that the role of First Lady was not an elected position, Martha and her two successors … would all symbolize the heart and personality of the administration. of their husbands. legally sanctioned, however, the position of the First Lady has become one of the most influential in American history.”
4
Laura Bush: An intimate portrait of the First Lady
Laura Bush’s biography was written in cooperation with the White House, so author Ronald Kessler interviewed Laura Bush’s family and friends to understand the 43rd FLOTUS. Kessler writes about Laura’s politics, and her life as a “famous woman kept.”
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First Wives: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies
First Ladies, on the other hand, dives into the first ladies of our time—from Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama—and looks at how those ten women defined the role in their own unique ways. . “These women’s lives are shaped by history,” Brower writes. “What makes them so compelling is their shared humanity, their imperfection.” He uses a variety of sources to understand “the highs and lows of life at the world’s most powerful address.”
6
The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt wrote many books and memoirs throughout her life, but this autobiography is her definitive writing. He dedicates this book to “all who will be saved from reading the three volumes of my biography and who will find this easy and enjoyable to read.” She adds, “As I look at it, I think it gives some insight into the life and times that my husband and I lived in, and anything that adds to the understanding of the future I hope that it will be important.” She stands alone: Roosevelt is a great writer, and her insight during her husband’s four terms is invaluable.
8
Top Floor in the White House: My Life with First Ladies
J. B. West was the chief executive officer of the White House for three decades, which means he managed the operations and maintenance of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and coordinated the daily life of the first family. On the top floor of the White House, she shares anecdotes of First Ladies during her tenure. As the publisher writes, West’s book is “a rich account of a piece of American history that often remains behind closed doors.”
9
The Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the Creation of the American Nation
This biography of Dolley Madison—wife of the fourth president of the U.S., James Madison—argues that Dolley built a model for a modern form of politics, emphasizing cooperation between adversaries. of politics. For those looking to delve into the hidden history of First Ladies, A Perfect Union is, shall we say, the perfect place to start.
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