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Becoming Madam Secretary

By: Stephanie Dray
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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Publisher's summary

She took on titans, battled generals, and changed the world as we know it…

New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray returns with a captivating and dramatic new novel about an American heroine Frances Perkins.

Raised on tales of her revolutionary ancestors, Frances Perkins arrives in New York City at the turn of the century, armed with her trusty parasol and an unyielding determination to make a difference.

When she’s not working with children in the crowded tenements in Hell’s Kitchen, Frances throws herself into the social scene in Greenwich Village, befriending an eclectic group of politicians, artists, and activists, including the millionaire socialite Mary Harriman Rumsey, the flirtatious budding author Sinclair Lewis, and the brilliant but troubled reformer Paul Wilson, with whom she falls deeply in love.

But when Frances meets a young lawyer named Franklin Delano Roosevelt at a tea dance, sparks fly in all the wrong directions. She thinks he’s a rich, arrogant dilettante who gets by on a handsome face and a famous name. He thinks she’s a priggish bluestocking and insufferable do-gooder. Neither knows it yet, but over the next twenty years, they will form a historic partnership that will carry them both to the White House.

Frances is destined to rise in a political world dominated by men, facing down the Great Depression as FDR’s most trusted lieutenant—even as she struggles to balance the demands of a public career with marriage and motherhood. And when vicious political attacks mount and personal tragedies threaten to derail her ambitions, she must decide what she’s willing to do—and what she’s willing to sacrifice—to save a nation.

©2024 Stephanie Dray (P)2024 Penguin Audio
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Critic reviews

"Becoming Madam Secretary is a proud anthem to a forgotten founding mother. Frances Perkins starts out a bright young thing with an economics degree and an iron determination to make the world a better place, and ends up a shining star: first woman appointed to a presidential cabinet, architect of the New Deal, mother of Social Security, and FDR's much-relied-upon work wife throughout his entire presidency. Stephanie Dray's love and respect for this American heroine shines from every page, as does her impeccable research. Unputdownable!"—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye

“Stephanie Dray is one of my absolute favorite authors of historical fiction, and her new novel Becoming Madam Secretary shows why. In the novel, Dray tells the story of the indomitable Frances Perkins....Dray‘s unique skill is telling the big picture of Frances’s life, while at the same time making her a completely relatable wife in a difficult marriage and a working mother when that phrase was unheard of. I couldn’t stop turning the pages in this novel, which is both an inspiration and a triumph!”—Lisa Scottoline, New York Times bestselling author of Loyalty

"What a compelling, important story about a trailblazing woman! In Becoming Madam Secretary, Stephanie Dray takes readers on an enthralling journey as Frances Perkins rises to become the country's most important cabinet member during a crossroads in American history, one with lasting ramifications. Hers is a name we should all know, and this is a novel we should all read."—Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling co-author of The First Ladies

“Stephanie Dray brings Frances Perkins (1880-1965), U.S. Secretary of Labor and a fierce advocate for workers' rights, to vivid life in yet another gripping historical novel, Becoming Madam Secretary. ... Becoming Madam Secretary, powerfully told and rich with historical detail, is a nuanced portrait of a brilliant woman and her triumphs in the face of staggering challenges.”Shelf Awareness

What listeners say about Becoming Madam Secretary

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Fabulous book! A must read!!

This book should be a requirement for every young person considering the sacrifices of public service. Stephanie Dray hit out of the ballpark!

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Her perseverance

Liked the time frame. Very good Discriptions of people and placesWas gret to see a woman given that muchpow

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Outstanding!

I have no complaints. This far exceeded my expectations, which were high to begin with because I love her books!

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Read this book!

Should be part of every HS students literature readings! Francis Perkins history is American history.

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A woman we all owe a debt to.

The author presented Francis Perkins as a fascinating and likable human being, and made her record of accomplishmentsunforgettable

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Quite a story

I realize that when I read historical fiction, given the nature of the task, some aspects of a story, conversation, for example, must be manufactured, but keeping as close to the facts as possible. I appreciated the author’s summation of some of the items that had to be added for clarity or to make a coherent take. Dray added some exchanges between FDR and Perkins to enhance her story—not to enhance the truth. Still, I am very glad to have listened and learned much more than I ever knew about Secretary Perkins.

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Light shown on a life well lived. It

I’m embarassed, as a life long Mainer, to have just recently learned of the significant contributions Francis Perkins achieved during her lifetime. I so enjoyed hearing her story, beautiful storytelling and performance. Thank you.

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Entertaining and educational

I would also say inspiring, but how did one person accomplish so much! It was long, but so worth it. Perkins looked around and tackled problems head on. The author’s style drew me in and kept me going!

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Great book and amazing story

This book was well written and an amazing story of a true trail-blazing woman who stepped up when our country was in crisis to change everything despite many obstacles. So interesting that along the way to address poverty and malnutrition in the country she also encountered mental illness in her own family, gender barriers, prejudices of all types, ugly political smear campaigns, financial insecurity, and loneliness, yet carried on to accomplish great things. An inspiring life that needs to be known about!

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This should be required reading

Far exceeded my expectations, both in the magnificent writing and storytelling. 100% recommend to anyone, whether they enjoy historical fiction or not. Bravo.

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1 person found this helpful