American Princess

A Novel of First Daughter Alice Roosevelt

By: Stephanie Marie Thornton

Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley

Length: 15 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

“As juicy and enlightening as a page in Meghan Markle's diary.” (InStyle) 

“Presidential darling, America’s sweetheart, national rebel: Teddy Roosevelt’s swashbuckling daughter Alice springs to life in this raucous anthem to a remarkable woman.” (Kate Quinn, New York Times best-selling author of The Alice Network and The Huntress)

A sweeping novel from renowned author Stephanie Marie Thornton....

Alice may be the president's daughter, but she's nobody's darling. As bold as her signature color Alice Blue, the gum-chewing, cigarette-smoking, poker-playing first daughter discovers that the only way for a woman to stand out in Washington is to make waves - oceans of them. With the canny sophistication of the savviest politician on the Hill, Alice uses her celebrity to her advantage, testing the limits of her power and the seductive thrill of political entanglements.

But Washington, DC, is rife with heartaches and betrayals, and when Alice falls hard for a smooth-talking congressman, it will take everything this rebel has to emerge triumphant and claim her place as an American icon. As Alice soldiers through the devastation of two world wars and brazens out a cutting feud with her famous Roosevelt cousins, it's no wonder everyone in the capital refers to her as the Other Washington Monument - and Alice intends to outlast them all.

©2019 Stephanie Marie Thornton (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Epic in scope and rich in immersive detail, American Princess is a compelling and poignant tribute to one of America's most colorful, unconventional, and trend-setting women. Highly recommended read!" (Laura Kamoie, New York Times best-selling coauthor of America's First Daughter and My Dear Hamilton)

"The wild, wonderful, outsize personality of presidential daughter Alice Roosevelt is on full and fantastic display in this lightly fictionalized take on her unapologetic, unconventional life.... Alice herself would undoubtedly have loved this take on her unorthodox life - as will the many destined to read it.” (Publishers Weekly)

"Thornton skillfully brings to life the incomparable and unapologetic Alice Roosevelt, whose scandalous life was at the center of American politics for nearly a century. Fast-paced and written with verve and sass, this book is a treat and a treasure for history lovers. Fabulous!" (Stephanie Dray, New York Times best-selling coauthor of America's First Daughter and My Dear Hamilton) 

Save your credit!

Terrible book, unless you like network tv afternoon soap operas. Could have been a good story about an interesting woman, who lived in interesting times, surrounded by interesting people. Instead, we are given a silly little old woman, recounting a silly little life. It comes as no surprise Eleanor Roosevelt disliked the woman who is characterized in this novel. She had good sense.

Fun Historical Fiction

More history than fiction. The author herself states it is condensed otherwise it would be 800 pages. I love reading historical novels before sinking in on a nonfiction account. It awakens my curiosity and leads to a desire to read the unfictionalized accounts.

Great American Story

Loved discovering the real Alice Roosevelt Longworth. There is so much beyond her famous quotes

Fascinating story

This is obviously a work of historical fiction, and the author in the epilogue addresses how she handled where fact and fiction blurred.

I knew nothing about Alice Roosevelt and that period of American history wasn’t my favorite. This book gave me insight into the times, the people, and the politics. Heart warming and heartbreaking, it’s fascinating to see roles and expectations of women continue to be held to a different standard.

It’s an enjoyable listen and I loved the narrator!

Interesting Book of an Interesting women

I knew nothing about Alice before this book. You will learn about her loves and losses and the world around her. It tweeted my history bug and I looked up other history facts she referred to like the Tea Pot Dome scandal. Give it a try you will enjoy it.

historical fiction

Alice Roosevelt Longworth, was very interesting to learn of this woman. Her father was Theodore Roosevelt. The research about the book was very interesting. i am glad the author educated me on Alice. wow how she made a difference in this world. She was a huge part of our American history. many of the people she referred to were actual people and I would have to stop the book and look up the characters and the events. Can't wait for the mini series. it was written in first person as some of the accounts came from her diary.

It was

The book was just OK I would say. With such a long life, I wish she wouldn’t have focused on her as a teenager for most of the book. I enjoyed the end and her older years much better. The author is a great writer just a little too much details for my liking

Fabulous story

I loved this book rich in history and very well told. I laughed and cried! Will never forget this one.

Relationship drama about men, not politics

This book is mostly about Alice's relationship with the men in her life, and a handful of women who betray her and each other for men. Sadly, her impact on politics is stated rather than incorporated into the narrative, giving very little insight into why and how Alice earned the title of "The Other Washington Monument."

In my top 10 of favorite books!

In my top 10 of favorite books! I loved the history lesson as well as the personal side of all involved.

Surprising

When I started listening, I soon realised it wasn't the book I thought it would be when I bought it. I fast became ready for a disappointment but found myself absorbed and eagerly listening.