First Women

The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies

By: Kate Andersen Brower

Narrated by: Karen White

Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

From the number-one New York Times best-selling author of the groundbreaking backstairs look at the White House The Residence comes an intimate, news-making look at the true modern power brokers at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue: the first ladies, from Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama.

In one of the most underestimated - and challenging - positions in the world, the first lady of the United States must be many things: an inspiring leader with a forward-thinking agenda of her own; a savvy politician, skilled at navigating the treacherous rapids of Washington; a wife and mother operating under constant scrutiny; and an able CEO responsible for the smooth operation of countless services and special events at the White House.

Now, as she did in her smash number-one best seller The Residence, former White House correspondent Kate Andersen Brower draws on a wide array of untapped, candid sources - from residence staff and social secretaries to friends and political advisers - to tell the stories of the 10 remarkable women who have defined that role since 1960.

Brower offers new insights into this privileged group of remarkable women, including Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Patricia Nixon, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama. The stories she shares range from the heartwarming to the shocking and tragic, exploring everything from the first ladies' political crusades to their rivalries with Washington figures; from their friendships with other first ladies to their public and private relationships with their husbands. She also offers a detailed and insightful new portrait of one of the most-watched first ladies of all time, Hillary Clinton, asking what her tumultuous years in the White House may tell us about her own historic presidential run...and what life could be like with the nation's first first husband.

Candid and illuminating, this first group biography of the modern first ladies provides a revealing look at life upstairs and downstairs at the world's most powerful address.

©2016 Kate Andersen Brower (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Loved it

If you love history you will enjoy this book. I liked the way the book was arranged and the information was shared. I found it fascinating.

excellent read ,

Best inside look behind the doors. good narrator. Excellent ,details lives day to day

Engaging

In 2015 I started a project of reading biographies and memoirs about first ladies. I have managed to read most of the biographies except a few hard to find ones. I also learned that the rule book says first ladies is not to be capitalized. This book about the first ladies covers the first ladies from Kennedy to Obama and was published in 2017.

The book does not cover the first ladies chronologically but by topic. Under that topic the author may tell about each of the first ladies or only a few. At times I felt I was being yanked around and some information was repeated. Brower made a point that the majority of the first ladies did not want the position or to be in the spotlight. The author states the role is difficult, hard to quantify and often viewed through a lens of sexism. Brower noted that most of the first ladies became friends transcending political party differences. One of the examples given was that of Betty Ford and Lady Bird Johnson.

The book is well written and researched. The author appeared to be unbiased. Brower provides antidotes to make her points. Brower’s research included interviews of political advisors, friends, family and staff as well as letters, diaries and memoirs. The book provides general information. For those wanting more in-depth information, I suggest reading their biographies or memoirs.

The book is twelve and half hours. Karen White does a good job narrating the book. White is an actress and was an AudioFile Best Voice Award winner. She also has won multiple Earphone Awards and was an Audie Award finalist.

A Little Cloying

II don't know if it was the narrator or the story. I think the essential personalities came through. A few had much grace. Some had none. I thought Jackie Kennedy was going to be elevated to sainthood right on the pages. Barbara Bush is, I am sure, loved by her family but I couldn't be in the same room with her. It will also always be a question: How much of the marriages were about love and how much was about "power feels good to me too". Too me many seem a little too compliant for my sensibility. An interesting, gossipy tone.

Great perspective on the lives of 1st Ladies

I really enjoyed getting to know more about these important women through this audiobook. Inspiring.

Review

I enjoyed the book but did not care for the narrator. She was overly and too dramatic. Found it annoying.

Marnie Johnson.

Narration is absolutely horrible

What didn’t you like about Karen White’s performance?

She sounds like a robot... there was no emotion or inflection in her voice at all.

Story seemed biased

One could detect bias towards particular ladies in this story. I thought it was amusing how the author pretty much assumed that Hillary would be the next president. Even coming up with specific tasks for Bill in his role as First Laddie.

Boring Narrator but good input.

Would you listen to First Women again? Why?

No. Not unless I read it or had a different narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

The history of how the first wives supported and understood each other.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

No be so droll. She was too deadpan. No voice inflection.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No.

Any additional comments?

No.

Fascinating

Very interesting insight into the lives of the First Lady from Jackie Kennedy to present. Very timely listen given the upcoming election.